Bulega edges out Lecuona in a thrilling opening session at Donington Park, with Sam Lowes in third place
The WorldSBK championship kicked off with an intense Free Practice 1 session at Donington Park, and it was a Ducati-dominated affair. Nicolo Bulega, riding for Aruba.it Racing - Ducati, claimed the top spot with a time of 1'25.870s, just 0.085s ahead of his teammate Iker Lecuona. This result marks a strong start for the Bologna-based manufacturer, despite their historical challenges at this track.
Bulega's performance was particularly impressive, as he set the pace from the very beginning. His time of 1'25.870s was a full second faster than the fourth-placed rider, Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team). This gap highlights the competitive nature of the session and the potential for an exciting race ahead.
The top three positions were filled by Ducati riders, with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in third place. The #14 rider, paying tribute to the recent passing of team founder Marc van der Straten, finished just 0.156s behind Bulega. This emotional tribute added a layer of depth to the race, as Lowes' helmet was black, and the traditional orange border was removed from his number.
The session also saw some close battles, with Alex Lowes finishing directly behind his twin brother in fourth place. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) rounded out the top five and six, respectively. Montella's team, however, faced an early challenge as they worked on an exhaust valve issue, causing him to miss the first part of the session.
Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) completed the top ten, with Bautista just 0.428s behind Bulega. Jonathan Rea (Honda HRC), the wildcard entry, finished in ninth place, being the highest-placed Honda rider in FP1. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) secured the last spot in the top ten.
The session was not without its incidents, as Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) crashed at Turn 8, completing only six laps. His early exit from the session added to the drama and unpredictability of the opening practice.
The results of FP1 set the stage for an exciting weekend ahead, with Bulega and Ducati looking to maintain their advantage. The close battles and emotional tributes will undoubtedly make for a captivating race, as the WorldSBK championship continues at Donington Park.
