Five times world champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) ended day one out front after two WorldSSP free practice sessions at Portimao, setting a lap time 0.386 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Sheridan Morais (Kallio Race System Yamaha).
Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) added his CBR600RR to the variety inside the top practice places in third. Championship leader – by a single point – Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) was fourth overall on the first day rankings, with the leading three-cylinder rider being America’s Patrick Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in fifth place.
A strong overall Yamaha presence saw Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) put the third R6 into the top six places on Friday.
Young Italian rider Michael Canducci (3570 Puccetti Racing FMI Kawasaki) was seventh, Finn Niki Tuuli (Kallio Race System Yamaha) eighth.
The lead British rider was Gino Rea (Team GO ELEVEN Kawasaki) and the early top ten was completed by Christian Gamarino (BARDHAL EVAN BROS. Honda Racing).
Kyle Smith (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini Honda) was 11th, Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing Triumph) 15th and Kyle Ryde (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 19th. Aussie rider Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) was 27th.
Superpole qualifying comes along on Saturday and the lone WorldSSP race on Sunday.
Sofuoglu, WSS, Portuguese WSBK 2017