WorldSBK
World champion Jonathan Rea has returned to the top of the timesheets in world superbike after easily setting the fastest time in final practice at Phillip Island this morning.
Rea sped around the famed GP circuit in 1:30.274 on his Kawasaki ZX-10RR, 0.373 seconds ahead of Ducati’s Marco Melandri (1:30.647). Xavi Fores (1:30.840) was third on another Ducati, followed by day one pacesetter Chaz Davies (1:30.874) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki, 1:30.929).
Yamaha (Alex Lowes), Honda (Nicky Hayden), MV Agusta (Leon Camier) and Aprilia (Eugene Laverty) were also in the top 10, while Australia’s wildcard Josh Brookes (Yamaha) was 18th in the short 25-minute session.
Next up for the 21 WorldSBK riders is Superpole qualifying at 12:30pm to determine the grid positions for the 22 lap race one at 3:00pm this afternoon.
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WorldSSP
The world supersport riders have also been out for their final practice, with American Patrick Jacobsen (MV Agusta) continuing to asset his authority, this time ahead of Yamaha pair Federico Caricasulo and Niki Tuuli. Aussie Anthony West (Yamaha) was the leading local in 16th after major engine problems yesterday.
Qualifying for WorldSSP begins at 1:55pm, and the 18-lap race will be held at 1:30pm on Sunday.