Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will head into this weekend’s Australian Round as the favourite after topping all four practice sessions across the two days at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The #11 was the only rider to lap in the 1’28s bracket on Tuesday as he set a 1’28.630s to claim top spot as testing concluded for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field.
BULEGA LEADS THE WAY: More than six tenths clear at the top; Baldassarri shines again
Bulega made it four from four at the Official Test as he put in a series of fast laps in the 1’28s right at the end of FP2 on Tuesday afternoon, eventually posting a 1’28.630s; just a tenth or so away from the Phillip Island race lap record. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) was directly behind his fellow Ducati rider in second, lapping 0.666s down on ‘Bulegas’, but there was another impressive showing from Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven). The #34 set a 1’29.328s in the final moments of the afternoon session as he posted a 1’29.328s to finish in third place in the combined classification. His team meant he leapfrogged Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) by just 0.023s to claimed P3, with the #5 eventually finishing in fourth. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) set his best time in FP1 on Tuesday with a 1’29.769s, finishing 1.139s behind his teammate. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) continues to adjust to new surroundings and he was 11th on Tuesday after he had a crash at Turn 10 in FP2, although he was able to re-mount his Panigale V4 R. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Racing Performance) improved late in FP2 to claimed P13 overall, 1.327s down on Bulega, with rookie Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) just 0.012s behind the #95.
STRONG END TO THE TEST FOR BIMOTA: Two riders in the top six
Although his best time of the day, a 1’29.373s, gave him fifth place in the combined times, Bassani was the fastest rider in FP2 until the final moments of the two-hour session. He posted a 1’29.482s in FP2. The test concluded with Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) sixth overall thanks to his 1’29.575s, which he set in the afternoon session, finishing two tenths behind his teammate and the final rider within a second of Bulega.
OLIVIERA CLIMBS INTO SEVENTH: Progress for the Portuguese rider
Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) finished the day in seventh place following his 1’29.676s, with the Portuguese rider, unable to find time in the afternoon running. Teammate Danilo Petrucci finished Tuesday’s FP2 session in the top 12 thanks to a 1’30.196s, but his best time was also set in the morning, with his 1’29.906s giving him 12th in the combined classification.
NEW RECRUIT LEADS YAMAHA CONTINGENT: Vierge inside the top ten
Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was the sole Yamaha rider inside the top ten on Day 2 at Phillip Island, with the #97 claiming ninth place. He set a 1’29.812s in FP1 for his best time of the day. Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) took 15th place overall despite a crash in FP1 when he came off his bike on the exit of Turn 2; he was declared fit following a check at the medical centre, although he does have a left hip contusion. The #62 was directly ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) in 16th with less than a tenth between the two after ‘Loka’ set a 1’30.205s, while Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was just 0.064s behind the Italian in 17th. Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) crashed at Turn 6 in FP2 which briefly brought out the red flags. He was also taken to the medical centre and declared fit, while diagnosed with a small laceration on the fifth finger of his left hand. Teammate Mattia Rato rounded out the WorldSBK field.
GERLOFF IN THE TOP TEN: Strong showing for the #31 despite a crash
American star Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) has enjoyed a strong test on the new ZX-10RR machine as he put the bike through its paces. He was tenth on the combined classification thanks to a 1’29.823s time set in the morning, and he finished in the same position in FP2 after setting a 1’30.086s. The #31 did have a crash at Turn 10, although he was able to re-mount his machine.
TOUGH DAY FOR HONDA: Dixon ruled out of the Australian Round
Wildcard entrant Ryan Vickers (Honda HRC) was the lead Honda rider on Day 2 as he set a late 1’30.446s to move into 18th place overall, finishing one place ahead of teammate Tetsuta Nagashima. The Japanese rider improved his time compared to this morning as he set a 1’30.513s, putting him in 19th place. Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) did not take part in the final test session, nor will he compete for Honda in Australia. He crashed at the start of Tuesday morning’s first session and he suffered a fractured wrist and elbow contusion, with the #96 declared unfit following a medical check after his Turn 11 crash.
The top six from Tuesday’s WorldSBK action:
1 Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’28.630s, 66 laps
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.666s, 68 laps
3. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.698s, 67 laps
4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.721s, 68 laps
5. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.743s, 67 laps
6. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.945s, 73 laps
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