Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal, who claimed his 33rd win on the World Cup tour earlier this month in Beaver Creek, Colorado, was only 79th quickest out of the 87 participants.

Mayer led the way with a time of 1min 8.64sec.

The Italian course is hosting the FIS Ski World Cup for the 50th time, but poor weather conditions have hampered training.

Benjamin Thomsen of Canada, Austrians Otmar Striedinger and Max Franz, Italy's Werner Heel and Germany's Josef Ferstl were also impressive on their training runs before tomorrow's race, with the top 11 skiers breaking the two-minute barrier.

World champion Beat Feuz of Switzerland, the winner of the downhill opener in Canadian resort Lake Louise last month and second in Beaver Creek, was 37th quickest.

Germany’s Thomas Dressen, who finished third in Beaver Creek to ensure his maiden World Cup podium, was ninth quickest.

Kjetil Jansrud of Norway occupies top spot on the overall World Cup standings having amassed 180 points so far this season.

Austria's Vincent Kriechmayr is second on 129 points, with team-mates Hannes Reichelt and Max Franz third and fourth with 120 and 92 points respectively.

Jansrud's team-mate Svindal is fifth with 85 points, in front of fellow Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde with 82 points.

Training for the women's downhill World Cup leg in Val d'Isere in France will also take place tomorrow.