Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) made it two from two on Friday in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the iconic Donington Park circuit as he finished P1 in both Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2. The #11 was more than two tenths clear of nearest rival Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), while Bulega’s teammate, Iker Lecuona, rounded out the top three but a quarter of a second down on Bulega.

BULEGA QUICKEST, MACKENZIE FAST BUT CRASHES

Bulega continued his form on Friday as he topped both Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2, improving his time in the afternoon session to a 1’25.460s as he beat Independent Ducati rider Montella by 0.207s, after the #5 posted a late 1’25.667s to claim second. He demoted Lecuona into third but the #7 was only 0.250s behind Bulega on Friday. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) took P5 with a 1’25.988s, but his day ended with a heavy crash at Turn 12 when he had several big moments on his Panigale V4R. He was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash. He was declared unfit with left shoulder and lower leg/ankle injuries, suspected collarbone and ankle fractures and a concussion. Despite missing the final eight minutes of running, the #95 finished ahead of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in sixth, with the #14 using old tyres when the session resumed and he was the only rider not to improve his lap time in FP2 compared to FP1. He was less than a tenth behind Mackenzie. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) finished in seventh, with around a tenth between him and the British rider who finished ahead. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) claimed eighth with Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) in 10th, and Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) in 12^th.

ALEX LOWES IN THE HUNT?

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was the fastest of the two Bimota riders on Friday, with the #22 aiming for a good result on home soil. He finished fourth with a 1’25.730s on Friday’s combined classification, while teammate Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) languished down in 13^th place after setting a 1’26.412s.

GERLOFF STRONG ON FRIDAY

Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) started off the weekend with a top ten finish in FP1 and the Texan continued his strong form in the UK going in FP2, once again finishing inside the top ten. The #31 set a 1’26.149s in FP2 to finish in ninth, 0.689s down on Bulega’s time.

REA JUST OUTSIDE THE TOP TEN

Jonathan Rea (Honda HRC) was the lead Honda rider on Friday, utilising all his WorldSBK experience at the British venue to finish in 11^th after posting a 1’26.241s. He was followed by Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) despite the #96 missing the vast majority of FP1 after a crash at Turn 8. Dixon was back on track in FP2 and finished 16^th in the combined classification after setting a 1’26.608s, while Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC) finished in 22^nd place after posting a 1’26.998s.

VIERGE LEAVES IT LATE

Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was left down in 20^th place in FP2 until the closing stages, when he was able to improve his time to a 1’26.432s to finish as the lead Yamaha rider in 14^th on the combined classification. He was directly ahead of Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in 15^th, while Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) could only manage 18^th with a 1’26.761s to give him 18^th place. He was directly ahead of rookie Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) with just 0.004s between the pair. Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) was 21^st and teammate Mattia Rato rounded out the WorldSBK field in 23^rd place.

DIFFICULT FRIDAY FOR BMW

It was a tricky day for BMW at Donington Park, with both riders outside the top ten. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), making his return from injury in the UK, was 17^th after setting a 1’26.724s, while teammate Miguel Oliveira finished in 20^th place, although he was just over a tenth away from ‘Petrux’.

The top six from WorldSBK’s Friday action, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) 1’25.460s
2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.207s
3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.250s
4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.270s
5. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) +0.528s
6. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.661s

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