2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship action is back in action in Spain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as once again the sun shone brightly for the first session of the day. Free Practice 3 was the last opportunity for everyone to fine-tune setup ahead of Superpole starting, and it was a Ducati on top again with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) dominating once again.

Bautista was once again flying in Barcelona as he cemented himself as the favourite as he went almost a full second clear of the opposition, although a challenge may be coming from teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who completed a long run, with a strong race pace being achieved in his way to third overall. Ducati are always fierce at Barcelona-Catalunya, but could a battle be about to take place. The two Ducatis were split by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), who was top Yamaha. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) continued from his Friday form to go fourth, although a late technical issue halted further progress at Turn 2. Completing the top five, home-hero Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) was top Honda as he looks to fight for a rostrum in front of his home crowd.

Sixth place honours went to Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) as the Italian found a step compared to Friday, but crashed at Turn 7; he was all OK. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was top Kawasaki in seventh but will want to find something for Superpole, to not leave himself mired down field. The same can be said for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) who is eighth after FP3, whilst Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Iker Lecuona completed the top ten. There was a late crash for Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) at Turn 2, with the bike cartwheeling spectacularly, whilst Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) had a late technical problem. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) had a technical issue for most of the session, got out and set a lap but had it deleted for yellow flags.

Top six after WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’40.573s

2. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.967s

3. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.015s

4. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +1.049s

5. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +1.104s

6. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +1.125s

A breath-taking season is well underway, watch it all unfold in style with the WorldSBK VideoPass!