Matteo Vannucci’s (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) early lap in Free Practice 2 for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship was enough for him to top the times on the opening day of the Pirelli French Round. At the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, the Italian was one of a few riders to improve their lap times in the afternoon as he finished more than three tenths clear of Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) after the Italian went fastest in Free Practice 1.

HEATING UP: Vannucci flies to the top, handful of riders improve in FP2

Vannucci posted a 1’52.914s to improve his time in the afternoon but he was one of just 11 riders to do so in FP2 as he found time and his time was the fastest time of the day. Sabatucci was fastest in FP1 and second in the combined classification after his time of 1’53.277s in the morning. German star Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) claimed third overall after setting a time 0.491’s slower than Vannucci’s fastest time of the day.

STRONG DAY FOR A ROOKIE: Veneman soars in the heat

Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) continued enjoying a strong opening day in France as he claimed fourth, almost six tenths down on Vannucci’s best time while Championship leader Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) in fifth as he looks to add to his podium count for the season and extend his lead. Home hero Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) completed the top six as he aims for home glory, with the Frenchman exactly 0.700s down on Vannucci.

INSIDE THE TOP TEN: nine tenths separating the fastest ten

Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) ensured both of the team’s riders were in the top seven as he set a 1’53.636s ahead of compatriot Ruben Bijman (Arco Motor University Team) in eighth. The pair failed to improve their lap time compared to their FP1 efforts while Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki GP Project) was ninth with the Spaniard able to improve his time in FP2. He posted a 1’53.757s to go around a tenth quicker compared to the morning and move up the order; he finished second in FP2. Indonesia’s Galang Hendra Pratama completed the top ten.

TITLE CONTENDER DOWN THE ORDER: can Gennai find time on Saturday?

Title contender Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) narrowly missed out on a place in the top ten as he lapped 0.003s slower than Hendra Pratama, while Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) was 12^th. Julio Garcia (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) took 13^th with Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) in 14^th. Marc Garcia (China Racing Team), continuing to deputise for the team, completed the top 15.

The top six from WorldSSP300 on Friday, full results here:

1 Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) 1’52.914s

2. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) +0.363s

3. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) +0.491s

4. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.578s

5. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.599s

6. Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.700s

Watch WotldSSP300 action on Saturday with Tissot Superpole from 09:45 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!