The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship burst back into action at Donington Park with Free Practice 1, a session that was topped by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). The Turkish star was quick out of the blocks for the Prosecco DOC UK Round to hold P1 for the majority of the session, as the form rider in WorldSBK looks to extend his lead at the top of the Championship standings at a track he’s enjoyed so much success at in the past.

With a damp track to start the 45-minute session, but drying throughout FP1, times dropped rapidly as riders found more grip at Donington. Razgatlioglu ended the session on top after setting a 1’26.419s despite carrying a knock to his ankle, with Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claiming an impressive second. With an extra month of recovery, ‘Petrux’ will be closer to full fitness, and he started the day by setting a 1’26.835s to take second. He and Razgatlioglu were the only riders in the 1’26s bracket. Petrucci’s best lap time came at the end of a long run, showing his potential in the UK. Third place went to Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) with his last flying lap a 1’27.052s, just over six tenths away from ‘El Turco’.

Home hero Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) started the day by leading the early running, before falling to fourth in the closing stages. Nevertheless, it was a good start for the #22 as he goes in search of glory at the circuit he lives 10 minutes from. Reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was fifth, with Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) the lead Yamaha rider in sixth place.

Yamaha riders were sixth and seventh, with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) in seventh, a tenth ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati). Ninth place belonged to Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) after he set a 1’27.664s on his final lap, but it was an eventful session for ‘The Maniac’. He went through the gravel three times, including twice at Coppice, as he reacquainted himself to Donington Park. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) completed the top ten with Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in 11^th.

It was a difficult start for Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), who lost around half the session sitting in his box. He initially completed two out laps but was back on track and able to claim 13^th place with a 1’27.947s.

The top six from WorldSBK FP1, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’26.419s

2. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.416s

3. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +0.633s

4. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.706s

5. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.738s

6. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.899s

Watch WorldSBK FP2 from Donington Park at 15:00 (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!