Britain's Jonathan Rea posted the fastest time on the opening day of practice for this weekend's World Superbike round at Imola.
The Castrol Honda rider, seeking his first win since the third round of the campaign at Assen in April, went to the top of the timesheets with a best time of one minute 48.241 seconds.
Championship leader Carlos Checa finished in second place, just a tenth off the pace, as the Spaniard made a statement of intent ahead of a weekend he dominated last season by winning both races.
The Althea Ducati rider holds a 74-point lead over Yamaha's Marco Melandri and is 96 ahead of third-placed defending champion Max Biaggi on the Alitalia Aprilia.
With a potential 50 points available if a rider wins both races on Sunday, Checa could possibly win the title if results go in his favour.
Checa's title hopes were boosted yesterday when it was confirmed Biaggi would miss his home race due to a foot injury, meaning Melandri is now the only realistic challenger to Checa's title bid.
Melandri was not on the pace in practice, however, finishing four tenths down on Checa in fifth place.
Third place went to Britain's Leon Haslam (BMW), while Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) was fourth.
Britain's Tom Sykes, who won the second race at the Nurburgring last time out, was sixth for Kawasaki.
Ireland's Eugene Laverty came a disappointing 18th.
