The World Supersport riders began their Sepang race weekend with an extended 75 minute opening free practice session that was headed by Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta RC – Yakhnich Motorsport).

In hot and humid conditions the initial pace-setter was the MV Agusta, who looked immediately at home at the Malaysian venue having ridden here in the past in other classes.

As the heat and humidity became more intense, Free Practice two ran for the usual 45 minutes and on combined times it was Cluzel who clung on to the top spot despite not improving his time from this morning. His 2.08.423 lap time kept him ahead of the ever improving Ratthapark Wilairot (Core PTR Honda) who was second. The Thai rider also failed to improve his time as did Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) who was 3rd overall.

Championship leader Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) was the first to improve in 4th ahead of another non improver Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) and Roberto Rolfo (Team Go Eleven Kawasaki) who was the second of the improving riders in 6th.

Wildcard rider Zaqhwan Zaidi (SIC Racing Team) impressed in both sessions eventually ending the day in a very credible 11th position on his World Supersport debut.

Tony Covena (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpress) crashed after 20 minutes of FP1, thankfully uninjured. He was able to rejoin the session with only 5 minutes remaning and completed FP2 without further incident. Riccardo Russo also fell this morning whilst running inside the top fifteen. He too was able to take part this afternoon, finishing 18th overall on the combined times. Florian Marino was the only other rider to fall, the Frenchman re-joining the session in the closing minutes.