American Patrick Jacobsen looks like the man to beat in Sunday’s Supersport World Championship opener at Phillip Island after easily topping the timesheets in a two-day test session on Monday and Tuesday.

Jacobsen stopped the clock in a best lap of 1:33.688, exactly half a second ahead of fellow MV Agusta rider Roberto Rolfo (1:34.188), with the top five completed by 2016 Phillip Island WorldSSP winner Jules Cluzel (Honda, 1:34.272), Frenchman Lucas Mahias (Yamaha, 1:34.461) and Federico Caricasulo (Yamaha, 1:34.480).

There was some serious firepower in the second half of the top 10, with world champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) completing the test in seventh and Finnish star Niki Tuuli (Yamaha) in ninth.

Aussie Aiden Wagner was 14th on his new Honda mount, one spot ahead of Anthony West (Yamaha). The local brigade was completed by Lachlan Epis (Kawasaki) in 21st and Matt Edwards (Triumph) in 26th.

Sunday’s WorldSSP opener will be held over 18 laps, starting at 1:30pm.

The 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicks off at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit with the Yamaha Finance round from February 24-26, and is set to be a scorcher. Go to at www.worldsbk.com.au or call the Superbike Hotline on 1300 728 007 for tickets and general event information. 

Pre-purchase your 3-Day General Admission ticket for $120*, saving $35 on the gate price. Get the best views at Bar SBK for only $260** with undercover viewing locations at the circuit’s most spectacular points – Doohan Corner, Lukey Heights and Siberia. Pre-purchased adult single day tickets start at $30* for Friday, $65* for Saturday and $80* for Sunday.

*All prices quoted are pre-purchase ticket prices. Pre-purchase ends 4pm Wednesday 22nd February 2017

**Available for pre-purchase only 

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