Italian Lorenzo Savadori has set the fastest time in a rain-affected world superbike test session at Phillip Island, as the countdown begins to round one action back at the grand prix circuit this weekend.

Savadori, on the factory Aprilia, was over a second faster than Kawasaki rider Alex de Angelis, followed by Italian Marco Melandri on a Ducati and world No. 2 Tom Sykes on another Kawasaki.

Savadori’s teammate Eugene Laverty completed the top five, while world champion Jonathan Rea elected to remain in the pits as he looks ahead to some better weather in this afternoon’s second session to take his Kawasaki out on track.

Australian wildcard Josh Brookes was 16th on a Yamaha.

The world supersport riders were first out this morning, with former Phillip Island winner Jules Cluzel the pacesetter on his Honda from MV Agusta rider Roberto Rolfo and Honda’s Kyle Smith. Seventeen-year-old Lachlan Epis was the fastest local in 18th on his Kawasaki.

Testing continues this afternoon and continues tomorrow (Tuesday) ahead of this weekend’s season opening round of the 2017 Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island 

The 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicks off at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit with the Yamaha Finance round from February 24-26, and is set to be a scorcher. Go to at www.worldsbk.com.au or call the Superbike Hotline on 1300 728 007 for tickets and general event information. 

Pre-purchase your 3-Day General Admission ticket for $120*, saving $35 on the gate price. Get the best views at Bar SBK for only $260** with undercover viewing locations at the circuit’s most spectacular points – Doohan Corner, Lukey Heights and Siberia. Pre-purchased adult single day tickets start at $30* for Friday, $65* for Saturday and $80* for Sunday.

*All prices quoted are pre-purchase ticket prices. Pre-purchase ends 4pm Wednesday 22nd February 2017

**Available for pre-purchase only