The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off with thrilling action at Phillip Island, where Nicolò Bulega from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati dominated the free practice sessions. Bulega set the pace with an impressive time of 1:28.790, establishing himself as the frontrunner on the first day. This performance showcased his skill and set high expectations for the race weekend.
Competing closely behind Bulega were Andrea Iannone from Team Pata GoEleven, who finished second, and Bulega’s teammate Alvaro Bautista, who recovered from a fall at Turn 4 to secure the third spot overall. Iannone completed his best laps with just 0.406 seconds separating him from Bulega, showcasing the fierce competition.
The fourth position went to Danilo Petrucci from Barni Spark Racing Team, followed closely by the reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu from ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, who struggled initially but managed to end the day with the fifth-best time of 1:29.599, recovering from his fall during the first practice session.
“Today was not what I expected,” said Razgatlioglu. “I tried everything, but it didn’t work out. Without the super concessions, my bike is just not competitive enough.” Razgatlioglu's comments reflect the pressure and challenges he faces as he aims to defend his title.
The practice day saw other contenders showing strong performances as well. Dominique Aegerter from GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team emerged as the top Yamaha rider, finishing sixth, with Sam Lowes from ELF Marc VDS Racing Team and Yari Montella from Barni Spark Racing Team closely following. Notably, Alex Lowes riding the Bimota secured the ninth position, demonstrating strong resilience and competitiveness.
The opening day’s results underscored the sheer talent present on the grid, with Bulega’s remarkable speed noted by many. “I feel good on the bike. We had some adjustments to make due to the higher track temperatures, but I adjusted my riding style and things worked out well,” Bulega stated after the sessions, indicating his readiness for the race challenges.
Despite showing confidence, Bulega admitted concerns about the flag-to-flag rule implemented for this season, questioning its appropriateness for Phillip Island’s tight pit lane. “It could add more complications, especially if both my teammate and I need to pit at the same time; it could lead to mistakes,” he expressed, hinting at the strategy required for managing pit stops under pressure.
Bulega was adamant about his desire for victory, emphasizing the unpredictability of racing. “Everything can change during the race,” he cautioned, acknowledging the need for perfection from the entire team to outmaneuver his rivals.
Among the other Italian riders, Yari Montella finished eighth, with Andrea Locatelli and Axel Bassani taking the tenth and eleventh places respectively. Their performances suggest solid potential as the weekend progresses with much left to play for.
Reflecting on the day’s activities, Iannone shared, “We made significant changes to the bike compared to the winter tests and improved. I felt good on used tires, so I believe we are ready for the race.” His optimistic outlook shows promise for the upcoming competition, as he aims to capitalize on his experience at Phillip Island.
The competition continues, with all riders honing strategies and setups to adapt to changing conditions. With practice sessions behind them, eyes are now on the qualifying rounds, where each rider will strive for pole position.
The atmosphere at Phillip Island is electric as fans and teams alike anticipate the thrilling races to come. The stakes have never been higher and the competition more intense, setting the tone for what promises to be a spectacular season of Superbike racing.