WorldSBK Superpole

With only 15 minutes allocated to determine the FIM Superbike World Championship grid, the scene was set for the opening race of 2025!

Track temperatures were at their highest since the World Superbike riders arrived in Australia, with air temperatures reaching 33.4°C and track temperatures matching.

Iker Lecuona suffered an early crash over Lukey Heights at the five-minute mark, bringing out the red flags. His Honda CBR1000 RR-R lay stricken trackside, and he required medical assistance before being taken to the medical center.

At the time of the red flag, Yari Montella led the way, but with multiple yellow flag infringements and riders having their early flying laps canceled, only 13 of the 23 riders had recorded a valid time. With just 11 minutes remaining, there was no time to waste.

Bulega Strikes Again

Nicolo Bulega has been the rider to beat since the first day at Phillip Island, and Superpole was no different. The Italian wasted no time setting the fastest lap of 1’28.824, with Toprak Razgatlioglu close behind. However, despite staying in Bulega’s slipstream, Razgatlioglu could only manage second place with a 1’28.918.

While Alvaro Bautista looked to have the pace for a front-row start—holding third place in the early minutes—he suffered late heartbreak as Andrea Iannone put in a flying second-last lap to snatch the final spot on the front row.

Final Grid Positions

• Front Row:
  1st – Nicolo Bulega (1’28.824)
  2nd – Toprak Razgatlioglu (1’28.918)
  3rd – Andrea Iannone

• Row 2:
  4th – Alvaro Bautista
  5th – Danilo Petrucci
  6th – Scott Redding

It was a positive session for Australian Remy Gardner, who secured P9 with a best time of 1’29.834.

Race 1 is set to take place later this afternoon at 4:00 PM.

Written by: Tayla Relph