Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) started his penultimate MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round by taking first place in Free Practice 1 at the Tissot Estoril Round. The Italian rider was just half-a-tenth clear of upcoming star Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) at the Circuito Estoril as the #67 claimed second place, while Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was usurped by the rookie late on in WorldSBK’s opening session at Estoril.
Almost two weeks on from being crowned Champion, Bulega started his penultimate round in WorldSBK on top of the timesheets. The #11, running gold patches on his leathers to mark his success, set a 1’35.546s, to lead Free Practice 1 ahead of rookie Surra. The #67 heads to Estoril with a 2027 contract in his pocket with his current team, and off the back of a podium at Cremona, and started his weekend with second place. Lecuona, fresh from his maiden treble last time out, was third and 0.379s off his teammate.
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) ensured Bimota started the weekend strongly as he was fourth, although he had been third until Surra’s late lap. The #22’s best time was a 1’36.084s. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) also improved late on in the 45-minute session to claim fifth with a 1’36.147s, demoting Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team). Despite the #19 ending up in sixth, it’s his best FP1 placing of the season; beating his previous best of P7.
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) moved up the order in the closing stages of FP1 to finish in seventh, although it was tight between Bautista, Sam Lowes and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven). Just 0.006s separated Bautista and the #14, while there was only 0.005s between Sam Lowes and ‘Balda’. The Italian’s best time was a 1’36.286s as he finished in eighth, with Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) completing the top nine ahead of home hero Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).
The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:
- Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) 1’35.546s
- Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) +0.052s
- Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.379s
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.538s
- Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +0.601s
- Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.729s
Don’t miss any action from FP2 at 15:00 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!