ROKiT BMW Motorrad’s Toprak Razgatlioglu topped the opening free practice session for the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship at Donington Park this morning (Friday).
Razgatlioglu’s time of 1m26.419 set an ominous bench mark to start the weekend, with the current championship leader looking to continue his impressive form. The Turkish rider was over 0.416s clear of former MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci in second, whilst Bonovo BMW’s Garrett Gerloff was an impressive third fastest.
The session started with Alex Lowes and Alvaro Bautista setting the early pace. However, Razgatlioglu’s first flying lap sent him half a second clear at the top of the timings, where he would remain for the rest of the session.
Local rider Alex Lowes was the highest positioned British contender in fourth, with a time of 1min27.125 for the Kawasaki Racing Team, as he aims to achieve his third win of the season at his home track.
Reigning champion Alvaro Bautista was the lead Ducati, finishing 0.738s off the top time in fifth, with his rookie teammate and reigning Supersport World champion Nicolo Bulega finishing in eighth place with a time of 1m27.511.
British rider Scott Redding rounded out the top-10 with a time of 1min27.754, whilst Michael Van Der Mark finished in eleventh with a time of 1min27.756. The Dutch rider is celebrating a contract extension with BMW this weekend.
2022 Bennetts British Superbike Champion Bradley Ray was sixteenth fastest on his Motoxracing Yamaha. Six-time Champion Jonathan Rea also had a challenging start to the weekend, with his best lap time of a 1min27.847 placing him in thirteenth.
The second World Superbike session of the day at Donington Park is due to commence at 15.00.
Superbike World Championship, Donington Park, Free Practice 1
- Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, 1'26.419
- Danilo Petrucci, Barni Spark Racing Team, +0.416s
- Garrett Gerloff, Bonovo Action BMW, +0.633s
- Alex Lowes, Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, +0.706s
- Alvaro Bautista, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, +0.738s
- Remy Gardner, GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, +0.899s
- Andrea Locatelli, Pata Prometeon Yamaha, +0.911s
- Nicolo Bulega, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, +1.092s
- Andrea Iannone, Team GoEleven, +1.245s
- Scott Redding, Bonovo Action BMW, +1.335s