Pata Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark stepped up in the second WorldSBK practice session at Magny-Cours, taking second on the combined timesheets in France as reigning champion Jonathan Rea extended his advantage over the pack to almost half a second.
Rea put in his customary race simulation at the start of the session, reeling off a 11 laps in the 1’38s before coming in for a set of fresh tyres and putting in a 1’37.489 to get ahead of Chaz Davies, who had just leapt into second place with a 1’37.980.
Van der Mark’s best lap of 1’37.928 was enough for second and he stayed ahead of Marco Melandri, who shoved Aruba team-mate Davies back to fourth place with a 1’37.966, finding time in the final sector late on after struggling so far.Lorenzo Savadori found two-tenths over lunch to secure fifth place on the sheets while Xavi Fores, on the Barni Ducati, stuck himself firmly into Superpole two by right, setting a 1’38.016 for seventh and only 0.001s behind the Milwaukee Aprilia man.
MV Agusta’s Leon Camier was the only rider to not improve over his FP1 time but this morning’s 1’38.032 was enough for an SP2 position and he stayed ahead of Alex Lowes’ Pata Yamaha in eighth. Eugene Laverty also qualifed by right in ninth and is only six-tenths off the pace and crocked Tom Sykes completed the top ten.
Tati Mercado and Jordi Torres missed SP2 by four-tenths while Davide Giugliano crashed his Red Bull Honda. The Italian ended in 15th place with Ant West 17th. Jake Gagne was 21st.
