The third edition of Catalunya WorldSBK Round has officially started today at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The machines running and the motorcycles running with all the participants of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, as well as the Yamaha R7 Superfinale support championship, to inaugurate the activity on the track after several days of preparation outside it. In addition, Friday’s session was also the first contact of the public with the event, who already had access to the Catalan facilities so as not to miss any details of the event.
The most anticipated sessions are those in the WorldSBK category. In the increasingly exciting pageant, all eyes are on Alvaro Bautista, the leader of the World Cup. The Spaniard has yet to break into the top 3 times of the day, but he will certainly know how to find his place in the Tissot Superpole tomorrow. The Ducati rider clocked the fourth fastest time in the second free practice session, stopping the clock at 1:42.018. This time was the fastest in the afternoon session, but it was not enough to dominate.
This elevation belongs today Iker Lecuona. Enrolled in the HRC team, the Valencian won with 1:41.396. This mark was not able to be surpassed by any of its opponents, who remained at a distance. The one who came closest was Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Álvaro Bautista’s boxing partner. However, his time was 1:41.931. The third and final driver to see second was Toprak Razgatlioglu, with his 1:41.991.
In the particular battle of Bautista-Rea, now the one from Talavera de la Reina has advanced. In his fourth place he passed Jonathan Rhea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), which was fifth. Still, only 40 thousandths separate them, so everything seems to indicate that tomorrow they will meet again at the top of the classification, always without removing the current champion from the equation, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha leg with Brixx WorldSBK).
Another one of the home pilots, Xavi Verge (Team HRC), also stood on the Barcelona track. The Catalan took seventh place in the overall time, showing that Honda still has a lot to say in the world championship. Óscar Gutiérrez, confirmed in the last race in France to replace Leon Haslam, is now repeating his experience on his home circuit. The one from TPR Team Pedercini Racing is adapting to the event, improving session by session.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
