Bulega leads Lowes as 2026 WSBK kicks off

Ducati star edges out the Bimotas to top friday free practice at Phillip Island

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was expected to lead Day 1 during the first WorldSBK weekend of the season at Phillip Island. He duly delivered, going 0.253 seconds faster than BbKRT rider Alex Lowes in the final FP2 session, but ending the day a more significant 0.496 seconds ahead of the Bimota rider in the combined FP1 and FP2 times.

Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati) fell in the final Friday session but was still inside the top three thanks to his stronger morning pace.

Fourth quickest was the other Bimota rider, Axel Bassani, continuing in strong form after the recent pre-season tests at Phillip Island.

Now a non-factory rider with a potent new V4-R package, Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Ducati) was fifth overall, ahead of another independent Ducati rider, Lorenzo Baldassarri (GO Eleven Ducati), heading into Superpole qualifying on Saturday.

Bautista’s new Barni Spark Ducati teammate, Yari Montella, was seventh overall; new official Ducati rider, Iker Lecuona, moved up to eighth on Day 1 of ‘real’ competition in 2026.

A rejuvenated Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) secured a strong ninth place on a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR with some aero upgrades this year.

In his first-ever WorldSBK timed sessions, new WorldSBK rider Miguel Oliveira (RoKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK) ended Friday tenth fastest overall. The number 88 rider ended up 0.888 seconds from the red-hot season favourite Bulega.

The top Yamaha rider of all was Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) in 11th place.

Superpole qualifying will take place on Saturday 21 February 2026, followed by Race One of the new season.

2026 ROUND 1 PHILLIP ISLAND WORLDSBK FREE PRACTICE 2