Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) topped both sessions in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours as he laid down a gauntlet to his rivals. ‘Bulegas’ finished 0.284s clear of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) on the opening day of the Acerbis French Round, while Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) completed the top three despite an FP2 crash.

ROLLERCOASTER DAY FOR DUCATI…

Bulega had a disrupted start to the day when he had an electrical issue on his Panigale V4 R machine, but lost little running time compared to his rivals. He topped both FP1 and FP2 as he looks to add to his Magny-Cours win count, with his 1’35.556s from FP1 good enough to top the combined timesheets. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) was second overall and, like Bulega, didn’t improve his time in FP2, as he lapped just under three tenths slower than ‘Bulegas’. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) claimed third overall despite a crash at Turn 11 in FP2, setting a 1’35.989s in FP1 to claim a top-three spot. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was fifth with a 1’36.041s ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) and Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing), while Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) finished in 15^th place.

VIERGE IN THE TOP FOUR

Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was the fastest Yamaha rider after he used a fresh SCX tyre at the end of FP1 to haul himself up the order, setting a 1’36.035s to claim fourth. The #97 was also strong in FP2 with a 1’36.289s, putting him sixth in that session. Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and teammate Remy Gardner were closely matched in 13^th and 14^th, separated by just 0.004s, while it was a tough day for Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha). The #55, working with new crew chief Emanuele Martinelli this weekend, was 20^th on the combined times and didn’t get much running in FP2 when he had a tech issue. His best time was a 1’37.384s; he finished a tenth away from Mattia Rato (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team). Bahattin Sofuoglu (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) had two crashes on Friday. In FP1, he crashed at Turns 1 and 2 but was able to re-join the session. In FP2, he crashed at the same point, but this time was taken to the medical centre after a heavy fall in the gravel trap. He was declared unfit with a concussion, and will have further assessments in hospital.

OLIVEIRA LEADS BMW’S CHARGE

Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), fresh from inking a new multi-year deal with BMW, claimed eighth place with a 1’36.396s. Teammate Danilo Petrucci, who announced he would leave BMW at the end of the season, finished Friday’s action in 12^th place with a 1’36.511s.

STRONG START FOR KAWASAKI

Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) appears to be a top-ten contender or better this weekend. The #31 set his best time in Free Practice 1, like the majority of the field, with his 1’36.404s good enough to claim ninth place. The #31 showed his pace particularly in Sectors 2 and 3, being the quickest riders through those sections in FP2.

BIMOTA IN THE TOP TEN

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was the faster of the Bimota riders as he set a 1’36.451s although there was little to separate him from teammate Axel Bassani. The Italian manufacturer’s duo were quick to improve on their FP1 time but they finished in 10^th and 16^th respectively, but Bassani was just two tenths behind the #22.

HONDA JUST MISS OUT…

Honda had a stronger showing on Friday than in previous rounds. In both sessions, Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) was close to the top ten, eventually finishing in 11^th place with a 1’36.451s, while teammate Somkiat Chantra was 18^th with a 1’36.734s; the small gap on the timesheets putting six places between them. The Thai rider had a crash in the final few minutes of FP2 at Turn 3.

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

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) 1’35.556s
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.284s
3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.433s
4. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +0.479s
5. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.485s
6. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.589s

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