Toprak Razgatlioglu was quickest during FIM Superbike World Championship Free Practice 1 Friday morning at Balaton Park Circuit, in Hungary. Riding his Pirelli-shod ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M1000RR on the 2.56-mile (4.07 km) track, the Turkish rider recorded a 1:39.743 to lead the field of 23 riders.
Sam Lowes was the best of the rest with a 1:40.147 on his ELF Marc VDS Ducati Panigale V4R.
Andrea Iannone was third-fastest with a 1:40.519 on his Team Pata Go Eleven Ducati Panigale V4R.
American Garrett Gerloff finished the opening session in 9th with a 1:40.814 on his Kawasaki ZX-1ORR.
Results fp1 WSBK
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Razgatlioglu tops first-ever WorldSBK session at Balaton Park, title rival Bulega P5. Reigning Champion Razgatlioglu claimed P1 in FP1 at Balaton Park with a four-tenths margin over his rivals.
The first-ever MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship session at the Balaton Park Circuit concluded with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) on top of the timesheets. The #1 has shown his prowess at adapting to new circuits quickly in the past with the Hungarian Round no exception, with Razgatlioglu four tenths clear of the field during Free Practice 1.
Razgatlioglu has often been quick in FP1 when WorldSBK visits new circuits, and with a big margin in hand, with that continuing at Balaton Park. ‘El Turco’ was the first and only rider in the 1’39s bracket after setting a 1’39.743s to claim top spot by more than four tenths ahead of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in second place. The #14 set a 1’40.300s to lap 0.555s down on Razgatlioglu, while Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) claimed third place after setting a 1’40.519s.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was fourth as the lead factory Ducati rider with a 1’40.551s, finishing 0.017s ahead of teammate Nicolo Bulega in fifth. At the head of the field, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was the last of five Ducati riders in the top six as he finished in P6, setting a 1’40.626s.
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was seventh and the final rider within a second of Razgatlioglu after the Brit, declared fit ahead of this round after suffering ankle injuries at Donington Park, set a 1’40.736s. Iker Lecuona (Honda HRC) put Honda inside the top ten as he finished in eighth with Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) hoping to continue his Donington form in Hungary. The Texan took P9, 1.071s down on Razgatlioglu, while Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) rounded out the top ten; Vickers is also looking to continue his fine form from Donington.
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) crashed in the latter stages of the 45-minute session when he lost the front of his Panigale V4 R at Turn 2. It brought out the yellow flags for the final few minutes of FP1 with Montella able to walk away from the crash.
The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’39.743s
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.404s
3. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) +0.776s
4. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.808s
5. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.825s
6. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.883s
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