From a press release issued by FGSport Group:

Yamaha GMT94 and Suzuki Castrol have continued the battle they began at the opening round of the FIM World Endurance Championship, swapping fastest laps during today’s free practice sessions at the Zhuhai International Circuit. Yamaha GMT94 were quickest at the end of today, with a time of 1:37.320, almost half a second ahead of Suzuk Castrol’s 1:37.781. Christophe Guyot, team manager of Yamaha GMT94, said he would settle for finishing Sunday’s race half a second ahead of Suzuki Castrol: “This will be a long championship, and we must get full points this weekend. We aren’t risking any changes to the engine, but we have changed everything on the chassis since Assen. Suzuki Castrol’s Olivier Four had struggled to find a clear lap: “At the moment it is difficult to pass other people, because so many of them do not know the circuit.”

Yamaha Endurance Moto 38 were third on 1:38.271, Yamaha Austria were fourth with a time of 1:38.271 and Suzuki Zongshen No.19 fifth on 1:38.500. Zongshen Team have tested here several times, and know the circuit better than most. Rider Warwick Nowland: “The two fast corners are the really important ones – each time I go through them I’m trying to back off a little less.” Yamaha Austria rider Igor Jerman had his own first impressions of the track: “The circuit is full gas, then stop, then full gas. It’s very slippery today as well, but maybe it will bed in with more use at the weekend.”

Last word goes Mike Edwards: “The track is like the Fogarty Esses, Melbourne Loop and Goddards section of Donington Park – very hard on riders and bikes. The race will be a war of attrition.”

Official Qualifying begins tomorrow, Saturday 1st of May.