Riding the Yamaha R6 for the first time at Circuito Estoril, Aegerter got to grips with the track in Free Practice 1, clocking the ninth fastest time. The Swiss rider and his Ten Kate Yamaha team made a step forward in the afternoon session, leading the early stages, before improving even further late on, with his time of 1’40.571 seeing him top Friday’s running.
With electronic issues marring his first free practice session, GMT94 Yamaha’s Cluzel could only manage 12th for the morning, but proved that he will be well in the fight this weekend during the afternoon runs. The French rider posted a 1’40.735 late in Free Practice 2, which was good enough for second on combined times.
Teammate Caricasulo was quick out the block in the morning session, going fastest of all despite his lack of running at the Estoril circuit on the Yamaha R6. In the afternoon, the Italian was just 0.013 seconds off Cluzel, which was good enough for third overall.
After an impressive first race in Aragón, ParkinGO Yamaha’s Manuel Gonzalez was in the mix again on the opening day at the Portuguese venue. He was fifth in both Free Practice sessions, which saw him make the top five on combined times, with the Spaniard closing the gap to the top in the afternoon.
Championship leader Steven Odendaal was fourth in the morning session for the Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team, with the South African’s time in the afternoon seeing him end the day seventh on combined times.
Kallio Racing Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team’s Hannes Soomer was 11th in the morning and 12th in the afternoon, while teammate Vertti Takala was 17th on combined times, having been 16th in FP1.
Ten Kate Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team’s Galang Hendra Pratama was 20th overall, ahead of Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team’s Maria Herrera, who ended the day in 22nd.
For Friday's combined times, click here.
