Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) topped Friday’s MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship action by more than a quarter of a second at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The #11 beat Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) after setting a 1’38.155s in FP1, while the 2026 Champion’s teammate, Iker Lecuona, was third and 0.335s back from Bulega.

BULEGA LEADS THE WAY, BAUTISTA WITH A LATE CRASH

With scorching temperatures in the afternoon, very few riders improved their time in Free Practice 2 compared to the morning session. Bulega remained on top with his best time coming in FP1, setting a 1’38.155s. Sam Lowes was second on Friday with a 1’38.407s, more than two tenths behind Bulega, while it was the 2026 Champion’s teammate who rounded out the top three. Lecuona set a 1’38.489s as he looks to end the 2026 campaign on a high. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was fourth and, again, it was his FP1 time which gave him is place on the combined classification after he set a 1’38.521s. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) was second in FP2 but his fastest time came in FP1 when he set a 1’38.597s as he finished fifth overall. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) finished in seventh place after posting a 1’39.681s in FP1. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) was 11^th on Friday, with his afternoon coming to an abrupt end with a few minutes remaining in FP2 after he crashed at Turn 9. Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) was 13^th while Loris Baz (MGM Optical Express Racing) was 15^th; he set a 1’39.586s.

BOTH BIMOTAS IN THE TOP EIGHT

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was the lead Bimota rider on Friday at Jerez as he set a 1’38.625s, lapping around half a second down on Bulega to finish in sixth place. Teammate Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was also in the top ten as he finished in eighth with a 1’38.850s.

OLIVEIRA INSIDE THE TOP TEN

Both BMW riders did improve their time in FP2 compared to the morning. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) set a 1’39.225s in the afternoon session as he finished in ninth place on Friday. Teammate Danilo Petrucci, potentially completing his last Friday in WorldSBK, set a 1’39.504s as he finished in 14^th.

VIERGE LEADS YAMAHA RIDERS

Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) enters his final weekend in Yamaha blue by finishing Friday as the lead rider for the Japanese brand. He set a 1’38.970s to claim 10^th place. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was 18^th as he finished eight places behind Vierge, but led a gaggle of fellow Yamaha riders. Twan Smits (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) was 19^th ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who had front brake issues that meant his start to the session was delayed. Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Mattia Rato (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) rounded out the final two positions.

GERLOFF TAKES 12^TH

Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) did improve his time in the afternoon session with a 1’39.261s, matching Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) in FP2 to the thousandth of a second. He finished the order down in 12^th place.

DIXON BRINGS OUT THE RED FLAGS

Jake Dixon’s (Honda HRC) day came to an early ended when he crashed in the first 15 minutes of Free Practice 2, coming off his machine at Turn 9 with his bike cartwheeling through the gravel. The #96 was okay following the fall which brought out the red flags. His best time was a 1’39.767s and he finished in 15^th place. Teammate Somkiat Chantra was two places behind the Brit, setting a 1’39.656s.

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

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) 1’38.155s
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.252s
3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.334s
4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.366s
5. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) +0.442s
6. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.470s

Saturday’s Jerez action begins at 09:15 Local Time (UTC+2) – don’t miss the penultimate day of the season using the WorldSBK VideoPass for only €4.99!