Reigning WorldSBK Champion show the pack a clean pair of slightly soggy heels in the wet third practice at Magny-Cours this morning as he lapped almost three seconds faster than MV’s Leon Camier in second place.
The Kawasaki man was never headed in the session, posting a 1’55.986 on his third flying lap to secure top spot and had a near-four second lead until Camier stepped up with a 1’58.859 on his final lap.
Injured Tom Sykes was third with a 1’59.462 and Marco Melandri fourth, one ahead of Aruba Ducati team-mate Chaz Davies who was four seconds off the pace.
The session was red-flagged halfway through after Ayrton Badovini ditched the Grillini Kawasaki and was taken to the medical centre. Jake Gagne, Michael van Der Mark and Jordi Torres were also fallers but unhurt. Lussiana also went down and joined Badovini.
