World Superbike testing is back with the opening day at Philip Island now complete. Nicolo Bulega led the field after FP3; setting the only 1m28.680s lap. Practice didn’t come without on track drama. Defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu crashed in turn 6 during FP1 in what seemed to be a day ending incident. However, Razgatlioglu returned and set the 4th fastest time in FP3. He seems to have escaped the incident un injured.
The same could not be said for Jonathan Rea who was declared unfit to continue with the testing day after suffering from a crash that resulted in major injury to his foot. Yamaha released the following statement, “Rea fell on the exit of Turn 2 in the closing stages of Monday’s first two-hour test session. He was taken to the circuit medical center, before being transferred to Cowes for further assessment where it was confirmed he had sustained multiple fractures to the left foot. He will take no further part in testing or the upcoming race weekend.”
Ducati appears to be the dominant manufacturer thus far filling 4 of the top 5 finishers on day 1 of testing. Bulega, Danilo Petrucci, and Andrea Iannone filled the top three and the three Ducati riders had the top speeds clocked in the speed trap.
FP3 Results from Phillip Island Day 1