The 2026 Phillip Island World Superbike championship kicked off with a thrilling Friday practice session, setting the stage for an intense season ahead. The standout performer was Nicolo Bulega, who dominated the track from the very beginning. Bulega, the pre-season favorite, showcased his prowess by being the fastest in all four track sessions earlier in the week. And he didn't stop there; he maintained his lead throughout FP1, except for the initial minutes. What's more impressive is that Bulega's best time was recorded on the penultimate lap of a long 12-lap run, leaving his rivals in awe. Sam Lowes, second in testing for Marc VDS, closely followed Bulega, albeit half a second behind. The battle for the top spots is heating up! Bimota's Axel Bassani secured third place, followed by Yari Montella (Barni), Alex Lowes, and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Goeleven). The Kawasaki team made a strong showing with Garrett Gerloff in seventh place, while Miguel Oliveira, a WorldSBK rookie, impressed with the fastest BMW in ninth. Xavi Vierge, leading the Yamaha team, secured 11th place. However, the news took a somber turn as Jake Dixon, a HRC team member, had to withdraw due to an injury sustained during testing. Dixon underwent surgery for multiple fractures in his left hand and wrist, a setback for the team. Despite this, the wildcard Ryan Vickers stepped up, becoming the leading Honda rider with a 15th-place finish in FP1. The second practice session is set to take place from 4:00 to 4:45 pm local time, promising more excitement and intense competition as the championship unfolds.
