World Superbike Highlights: Day 1
Nicolo Bulega [Aruba.it Racing – Ducati] was the early pace setter in Monday morning’s Free Practice 1 session of the Official Test, setting a 1’29.454 on his 34th lap of the morning, followed by a major improvement in Free Practice 2 later this afternoon to finish out the day fastest with a 1’28.765.
Andrea Iannone [Team Pata Go Eleven] and Toprak Razgatlioglu [ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team] finished out day 1 proceedings in second and third, with Razgatlioglu nudging Danilo Petrucci [Barni Spark Racing Team] out of the Top 3 to finish in 4th place.
Alvaro Bautista [Aruba.it Racing – Ducati] improved his FP1 time by 2 tenths in FP2, rounding out the Top 5 with his quickest time a 1’29.828.
The pace across the World Superbike grid improved dramatically in Free Practice 2, with only 1.6 seconds separating the top 15.
Both FP1 and FP2 experienced some delays and red flags, due to both crashes and Cape Barron Geese.
Toprak Razgatlioglu suffered an early crash at Turn 6, just 6 minutes into Free Practice 1 this morning. Luckily for Razgatlioglu, he was uninjured and able to return to the seat in FP2 to set his fastest time of the day.
That cannot be said for Jonathan Rea [Pata Maxus Yamaha] who suffered a high-speed crash on the exit of Turn 2 on his 20th lap of the day. Sadly, his crash resulted in multiple left foot fractures, which further rules him out and sidelined for the opening Australian Round.
Nicolo Bulega [Aruba.it Racing – Ducati], P1 – “From the first session my bike was already good. So we came back, and I stayed almost the whole day on the same bike. Everybody will improve tomorrow, so we have to improve also. For the first day, I can be happy because I have a good feeling. I have half a second, but I did put in the SC0, but yes I was fast before. I did a 1’29.1 with a normal tyre in Free Practice 1, so I was happy and fast also with the race tyre.”
“We have to improve, I have a good feeling but there are some areas that I know I can be better, especially braking at Turn 4. We can adjust a little bit the setting for the true braking into Turn 4 and Turn 10 I think.”
“I felt really good on the track today. Also because there was zero wind, and here at Phillip Island it is very difficult to not have a windy day, so today it was very nice to ride at Phillip Island without a lot of wind.”
World Supersport Highlights – DAY 1
With 11 new faces in the World Supersport paddock this season, the Australian Official Test will be critical for many riders ahead of the opening round this weekend.
With last year’s Australian World Supersport double-race winner Yari Montella graduating to the World Superbike grid in 2025, this has opened the door new names to come through the ranks.
Bo Bendsneyder [MV Agusta Reparto Corse] was untouchable on the opening day of the official test, setting his fastest pace in FP1 with a 1:32.127, and was the only rider in FP2 to lap in the 1’32 second pace.
Philipp Oettl [Feel Racing WorldSSP Team] finished the combined testing in P2, 0.700s behind the blistering time of Bendsneyder.
Rounding out the Top 3 was French-rider Valentin Debise [Renzi Corse], showing no signs of struggle transitioning from Yamaha to Ducati machinery.
With two full-time Australian’s now in World Supersport, it is all eyes on Oli Bayliss [PTR Triumph Factory Racing] and Luke Power [Motozoo ME air Racing], it marks an exciting season-opener at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
Bayliss and Power finished day 1 in 11th and 12th respectively, with both riders less than two-seconds behind the leading rider, Bendsneyder.
Only 9 riders out of 27 improved their lap time in Free Practice 2 this afternoon.
