Editorial Note: Two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion Martin Cardenas experienced a problem with his visa and was denied entry to Qatar, according to CIA Insurance Honda representative Jason McClean.

FIM Supersport World Championship

Losail International Circuit, Qatar

October 31, 2014

Free Practice Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR600RR), 2:02.206

2. Lucas MAHIAS, France (Yamaha YZF-R6), 2:02.634

3. Roberto TAMBURINI, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 2:02.670

4. Rathapark WILAIROT, Thailand (Honda CBR600RR), 2:02.787

5. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 2:02.919

6. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 2:02.923

7. Jules CLUZEL, France (MV Agusta F3 675), 2:03.060

8. Massimo ROCCOLI, Italy (MV Agusta F3 675), 2:03.085

9. Florian MARINO, France (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 2:03.183, crash

10. Jack KENNEDY, Ireland (Honda CBR600RR), 2:03.371

19. PJ JACOBSEN, USA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 2:05.490

More, from a press release issued by CTR Insurance Honda:

KENNEDY 10TH IN QATAR

CIA INSURANCE HONDA’S Jack Kennedy rode under floodlights for the first time to 10th place in practice at the final round of the 2014 World Supersport Championship at Losail in Qatar.

Jack said: “That was quite an experience and I am still taking it all in. I am within touching distance of the front-runners and we have some ideas how to improve and go faster for qualification, that is our aim.”

Martin Cardenas was scheduled to ride at Qatar but a problem with his visa meant he was prevented from joining the team. Local racer Nasser Al Malki stepped in at the last minute and finished a respectable 20th on the timesheets at his home circuit.

Nacho Calero slashed nearly three-seconds from his lap times between sessions and will be looking for more tomorrow. There is another practice session tomorrow before qualification, with the race taking place at 2015 local time on Sunday, November 2nd.

Simon Buckmaster, CIA Insurance Honda Team Manager: “Racing under floodlights is something new for all of us and it is really quite exciting. Jack has adapted well and is making good fast progress. He is in 10th place and needs to find a little more. He didn’t use what we consider the best tyre but we are optimistic going into FP3 tomorrow.

“It’s a real shame for Martin that he is unable to race due to a problem with his visa. We are delighted that Nasser Al Malki stepped in to take his place and he has impressed straight away. I think we can work together to try and challenge for the points on Sunday.

“Nacho dramatically improved between sessions and we will be looking to continue that tomorrow. It is his last race of the season and we are looking for him to step up and get points.”

More, from a press release issued by Core PTR Honda:

FILM FOURTH UNDER QATAR FLOODLIGHTS

CORE” PTR HONDA’S Ratthapark Wilairot finished the first day’s practice in a fantastic fourth at the final round of the 2014 World Supersport Championship at Losail in Qatar.

Riding under floodlights for the first time, Film quickly got to grips with the circuit. Film said: “I know Qatar well and enjoy racing here. The floodlights are a very fun experience and I like them. I am happy so far and think we can go faster tomorrow.”

There is another practice session tomorrow before qualification, with the race taking place at 2015 local time on Sunday, November 2nd.

Simon Buckmaster, Core” PTR Honda Team Manager: “This is a track that Film knows from his Moto2 racing and one that he likes – and it shows. He is enjoying himself and trying hard to get a good result.

“We think we can find more time from him and his bike for qualification and we are looking for a strong result to finish his first season in WSS.”

More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda:

Van der Mark lights up the desert in Qatar

Pata Honda’s Michael van der Mark set an electrifying pace in this evening’s two free practice sessions for the 11th and final round of the World Supersport championship at Losail in Qatar.

Racing under lights for the first time and debuting at the 5.380km Losail International Circuit, the 2014 World Supersport champion was fastest in both sessions and ended the evening almost half a second ahead of his nearest challenger, Frenchman Lucas Mahias.

Van der Mark’s Pata Honda team-mate, Lorenzo Zanetti was also impressive this evening, setting the third fastest time in the opening free practice session and ending the evening in fifth place overall, 0.7s behind van der Mark’s provisional pole time.

Both Pata Honda riders will take their CBR600RR machines into FP4 tomorrow evening ahead of final qualifying at 19.55 local time (GMT+3).

Michael van der Mark – P1, 2m02.206s

It’s my first ever experience in Doha and, from the first lap, I have really enjoyed this track. Also, riding under the lights here is really different and I needed to get used to that in the beginning. But I love the track – it’s really fast-flowing, which really suits me, and the CBR feels really great here. We just have to improve some things for tomorrow but, for the first day and my first time here, I’m really happy!

Lorenzo Zanetti – P5, 2m02.919s

In the first session I struggled a bit in the first part just to understand the track again. I needed some laps but I got to P3 after a lot of laps on an old tyre, which was OK. In the second session I started again with an old tyre and we made some improvements. I tried to go out on the other tyre option but there was a red flag as soon as I went out. When I went out again on a fast lap, my first two sectors were faster but then I came to a slower rider. I think it’s quite positive because the gap to Mikey is not so big and without mistakes and slower riders, maybe this would be less than 0.5s. We need to change some things but in general it’s not too bad.

Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator

It’s amazing the way that Michael learned the track within a few laps here, got to the front and stayed there throughout both sessions. He was quite a bit faster than the other guys so no big dramas there. Lorenzo didn’t have a bad day either. He’s building the sessions in a different way and is not quite so consistent but, in the end, he pulled out some strong lap times. He needs to do some more tomorrow so we’ll see what happens then.