Local hero Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK) set local pulses racing twice in quick succession, by recording the fastest time of the first day and then performing a remarkable save at the end of a scary slide only two corners later.
His table-topping 1’35.156 lap time survived late assaults in the final sunny FP3 session from several proven competitors – and one new one.
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was second fastest but a sensational push to the top from rookie Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba Racing IT Ducati Junior Team) was only bested eventually by VDM and Melandri.
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), quickest man earlier in the day, was relegated to fourth fastest at the end, with Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) completing the top six riders at the finale of a hot and busy day.
Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team Ducati) was seventh, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) eighth and Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) ninth.
The top ten variety was added to by the inclusion of Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), with 11th fastest Loris Baz (GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team) making it six different manufacturers in the top half of the opening day results.
The only Honda rider on show in FP3 was PJ Jacobsen (TripleM Honda World Superbike Team), in 14th place, as Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) had suffered a huge highside in FP2, fallen heavily, bruising his hip and suffering abrasions on his elbow. He will try to get back into action on Saturday having been declared fit after his big fall.
The top ten riders today have now qualified automatically for Superpole 2 on Saturday morning, to determined their final grid slots for race one, on Saturday afternoon at 13.00.
By Gordon Ritchie
