Kyle Smith (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini Honda) posted the fastest lap of day one on the WorldSSP class at a steamy Chang International Circuit in Thailand, from local rider Decha Kraisart (Yamaha Thailand).
Regular rider and near-winner at Phillip Island Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) was third fastest, with another top French runner, Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda), fourth – despite his big crash at PI only two weeks ago.
Fifth for Patrick Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) saw him first MV rider home on Friday; Chalermpol Polamai (Yamaha Thailand) sixth as the local wildcards made their presence felt.
Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) place seventh, Christian Gamarino (BARDHAL EVAN BROS. Honda Racing) eighth and eventual top ten rider Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) completed the front ‘virtual’ three rows before Superpole qualifying on Saturday.
British rider Gino Rea (Team GO ELEVEN Kawasaki) was tenth and Aussies Aiden Wagner (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini Honda) and Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) were 15th and 23rd respectively.
By Gordon Ritchie
