Yamaha's Fabien Foret flying at home race in France

Yamaha World Supersport rider Fabien Foret was on fantastic form today on his home circuit of Magny Cours. The first free practice session of the weekend saw Foret consistently in the top five for the session, ending it with third place on the timesheets. The Magny Cours circuit was lacking in grip and proving very slippery with no less than eight Supersport riders crashing out during the session.

Foret's team mate Cal Crutchlow was one of the eight to crash, losing the front end on a fast sweeping bend. Crutchlow was able to get back out on his second bike for the remainder of the session but struggled to find a set up that worked perfectly for him, ending the session in ninth.

Fabien Foret, Yamaha World Supersport Team, (3rd, 1'42.604)
"I'm not a big fan of this racetrack and I took it easy today. I have a pretty good feeling with my front tyre, so I was just enjoying my bike and the lap times were coming. I was looking for a good race pace, I think I still have a half second to find. It's been a good start to the weekend."

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha World Supersport Team, (9th, 1'43.138)
"It's not been a great session for me today. I lost the front going into an off-camber right hander and crashed, I've got quite a sore shoulder now and I didn't feel that confident in the front end afterwards. We need to work more on our set up and gearing overnight and see what we can come up with in tomorrow's sessions."

Wilco Zeelenberg, Yamaha World Supersport Team Manager
"the track feels a bit slippery out there today as you can see by the number of riders who crashed. Fabien is going well regardless, he's a second quicker than he was last year after his injury which is great. Both riders say the track is difficult to read, some parts slippery, some parts not. Cal found it difficult to feel the front end, as with other riders, and ended up crashing. Let's see what happens tomorrow, it's important he keeps his mind together and just enjoys racing again."


 
Circuit Length: 4411
Lap Record: 1'44.071 (Michel Fabrizio, 01/01/2005)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1'41.543 (Broc Parkes, 05/10/2008)
Last Years Winner: Andrew Pitt 
 
2009 WSS France - Magny-Cours 02/10/2009  Free Practice
1 Kenan Sofuoglu Honda TUR 1'41.885
2 Joan Lascorz Kawasaki ESP 1'41.903
3 Fabien Foret Yamaha FRA 1'42.604
4 Andrew Pitt Honda AUS 1'42.851
5 Massimo Roccoli Honda ITA 1'42.927
6 Barry Veneman Honda NED 1'42.931
7 Eugene Laverty Honda GBR 1'43.022
8 Katsuaki Fujiwara Kawasaki JPN 1'32.032
9 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 1'43.138
10 Garry McCoy Triumph AUS 1'43.228
11 Matthieu Lagrive Honda FRA 1'43.362
12 Mark Aitchison Honda AUS 1'43.369
13 Michele Pirro Yamaha ITA 1'43.452
14 Chaz Davies Triumph GBR 1'43.801
15 Olivier Four Honda FRA 1'44.200
20 Dan Linfoot Yamaha GBR 1'44.588
24 Doni Tata Pradita Yamaha IDN 1'45.020
28 Fabrice Auger Yamaha FRA 1'46.729
29 Yannick Guerra Yamaha ESP 1'46.935


Yamaha Racing