From a press release issued by the Macau Grand Prix:

McGuinness Quickest in Opening Practice Session

John McGuinness, the 32-year-old British rider on the 999cc Monstermob Ducati, topped the opening practice session for Saturday’s 38th running of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix – Hotel Fortuna. McGuinness, the fastest man ever round the Isle of Man TT Circuit in June threw down the gauntlet to his major rival four-time winner Michael Rutter in the opening session.

Rutter, the 31-year-old from Leicestershire looking for his third win in a row, was only fourth quickest in the 1000cc Red Bull factory Honda, 2.4 seconds a lap slower than McGuinness.

Austrian Thomas Hinterreiter on the 1000cc Yamaha pulled off the biggest surprise of the 50-minute session by setting second-best time, 1.8 seconds slower than McGuinness.

Gus Scott, the 40-year-old from Cumbria, was third best just over a tenth of a second slower than the Austrian.

Scot Roger Bennett, back at Macau after a two-year absence, was fifth best on the 998cc ETI Racing Ducati, and German Markus Barth on the 1000cc Fylde Superbikes Kawasaki rounded off the top six.

American Josh Hayes was eighth fastest on the 1000cc Attack Racing Kawasaki despite it being his first ever visit to the Far East road circuit event.

Callum Ramsay on board the Valmoto Triumph was best of the FIM 600 Supersport competitors, in 14th place overall, lapping one and a half seconds a lap quicker than his British team mate Chris Palmer who was second best.

Cameron Donald, China Yuan XGJao Honda, two-time winner of the class which runs concurrently with the Grand Prix, was third best in the 11-strong line up.

First qualifying will be later this afternoon with the second and deciding session on Friday morning to set the grid for the 40-strong field in Saturday afternoon’s 15-lap race.


Thursday Morning Practice Times:

1. John McGUINNESS, GBR, Ducati, 2:31.938
2. Thomas HINTERREITER, AUT, Yamaha, 2:33.763
3. Gus SCOTT, GBR, Honda, 2:33.877
4. Michael RUTTER, GBR, Honda, 2:34.342
5. Roger BENNETT, GBR, Ducati, 2:34.959
6. Markus BARTH, GER, Kawasaki, 2:35.148
7. Marcel KELLENBERGER, SUI, Kawasaki, 2:35.722
8. Josh HAYES, USA, Kawasaki, 2:35.862
9. Steve ALLAN, GBR, Kawasaki, 2:37.612
10. Stuart EASTON, GBR, Ducati, 2:38.132
11. Geoff MAY, USA, Yamaha, 2:38.160
12. Stephen THOMPSON, GBR, Suzuki, 2:38.337
13. Jeremy TOYE, USA, Yamaha, 2:38.908
14. Callum RAMSAY, GBR, Triumph, 2:38.969
15. James McBRIDE, GBR, Suzuki, 2:39.129
16. Martin FINNEGAN, IRL, Yamaha, 2:39.231
17. Nigel DAVIES, GBR, Suzuki, 2:39.349
18. Jun MAEDA, JPN, Honda, 2:40.434
19. Richard BRITTON, GBR, Suzuki, 2:41.227
20. Erwin WILDING, AUT, Honda, 2:41.352