Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed top spot in Free Practice 1 for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field as the French Round kicked off at the iconic Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The reigning Champion was more than two tenths clear of his rivals with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) claiming second and title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) completing the top three.

Razgatlioglu went P1 in the standings early in the 45-minute session and retained his grip on top spot throughout. Impressively, in FP1 last year on his first lap, he set a 1’37.695s while this year, again on his first lap, it was a 1’37.694s. Times rapidly improved with ‘El Turco’ putting in a 1’36.983s before improving to a 1’36.930s to secure P1; he was the first and only rider to break into the 1’36s bracket. Sam Lowes made a late play for P1, going faster than Razgatlioglu in the first three sectors but losing time in the final one. The #14 finished second with a 1’37.152s. The top three was completed by Bulega who put in a late 1’37.183s to secure P3, although 0.253s down on title rival Razgatlioglu.

Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) enjoyed a strong start to the French Round with fourth after setting a 1’37.208s. The #97 was often inside the top three but was demoted by Bulega in the final minutes of the session. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was another who found himself in the top three throughout FP1 but dropped down to P5 at the end of the first WorldSBK outing of the weekend; the #9 seemingly had a small technical issue on his Panigale V4R towards the end of FP1. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was sixth for Yamaha, ensuring four manufacturers were in the top six, as he set a 1’37.251s.

American star Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) was 0.444s off the pace in FP1 as he put Kawasaki in seventh, finishing 0.013s clear of Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) in eighth; ensuring all six manufacturers featured in the top eight. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was ninth with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) completing the top ten, 0.567s down on the pace of what was an incredibly close FP1 session.

The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’36.930s

2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.222s

3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.253s

4. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +0.278s

5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.310s

6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +0.321s

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