Czech rider Jakub Smrz set the pace during day one of the official World Superbike test at Portimao in Portugal on Wednesday.

The Team Effenbert-Liberty Ducati rider made a solid return to the 1198 to top the time sheets with 1 1:43.503 set toward the end of the afternoon session.

Smrz had been second fastest in the morning outing, and in doing so proved his early pace was consistent against a horde of factory and official machines.

After leading the morning sesion, Castrol Honda’s Jonathan Rea was second with a 1:43.676 lap and WSBK rookie Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) was eventually the third fastest rider after another late charge.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) ensured there would be four different machines in the top four places when he took his Ninja ZX-10R to fourth fastest time.

The top nine riders were all within the same second on the first of three days of official testing.

Australia’s Troy Corser wasn’t in attendance, his BMW team opting to test privately at Eastern Creek. Queenslander Chris Vermeulen sat out the test as he continues to rehabilitate his knee.

In World Supersport, rookie Same Lowes (Parkalgar Honda) was quickest with a 1:45.845, while Aussie Broc Parkes was third for Kawasaki Motocard.com.

Countryman Mitch Pirotta made his debut for KUJA Racing, setting the 19th quickest lap.