After the summer break the Superbike World Championship resumed this morning in sunny Jerez, Southern Spain with Marco Melandri emerging on top in a close opening free practice session that saw 0.950s cover the top eleven riders.

Reigning champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) stamped his authority from the start in a session that saw his position at the head of the timing sheet unchallenged until the final eight minutes when he was displaced by Aprilia Racing Team rider Marco Melandri.

Chaz Davies (Ducati Racing Team) fell during the session but still clung on to a provisional P3.

With the sun shining, the superbike riders made the most of perfect conditions as they set about their opening preparations ahead of the two 20 lap races on Sunday.

Behind the top 3, Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) completed the top six. Places 7th to 10th were taken by Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team), Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), and the Pata Honda Pairing of Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam.

Of the EVO competitors it was Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad Italia) who came out in top, ending the session in a credible 12th position overall. David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team), the current EVO points leader was 0.020s behind the Frenchman.

With air temperatures expected to remain in the 30's all weekend, it promises to be hot both off and on the track if the opening session if the weekend is anything to go by.

FP2 takes place this afternoon with those important Superpole places decided by tomorrow's FP3.