Local knowledge paid off for the French rider as he was able to set a top time early in the morning’s FP1, although his margin at the end of the session was reduced to just +0.053. Yamaha Thailand Racing Team’s stand-in rider and fellow Frenchman Andy Verdoia also impressed on his R6, setting the fourth fastest time. While new Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team recruit Lorenzo Dalla Porta proved that learning a new circuit was no issue when he clocked the ninth fastest time, just ahead of Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha). Title contender Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) struggled in the morning, finishing the session in 15th.
Debise came into FP2 on a high, and despite not being able to top the session he still placed second, which was enough to mark him as the fastest rider of the day. Manzi found much better pace in the afternoon and managed third in FP2 and fourth on combined times, an important step as he aims to close the gap in the standings this weekend. Navarro also improved in the second session of the day, moving into seventh overall.
