Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was the fastest rider on Friday at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours by more than a tenth in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The Dutchman posted a 1’36.010s in Free Practice 2 to claim top spot on the opening day of the Motul French Round, while teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu was third despite a FP2 crash before he’d set a timed lap.

BMW FAST, RAZGATLIOGLU CRASHES: van der Mark leads the way as ‘El Turco’ doesn’t set an FP2 time

In contrast to FP1, Razgatlioglu was one of the last riders to hit the track in FP2 although he was on track after just a few minutes of green flag running; however, he returned to the pits after just an out lap. He was posting red sectors – the fastest of the session – on his first flying lap before he crashed at Turns 14-15, which brought out the red flags. The #54 was taken to the medical centre for a check-up where he was diagnosed with a back contusion, and he was transported to hospital for further assessments. In a post on social media, Razgatlioglu said: “I’m fine now, they’re doing the final checks at the hospital. Thanks everyone, see you soon”. Van der Mark took up the mantle of lead BMW rider on Friday as he set a 1’36.010s to claim P1 by 0.149s.

It had looked like Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) would be Razgatlioglu’s nearest challenger from the German manufacturer but van der Mark’s late lap demoted the American. However, Gerloff was still able to secure third in FP2 and fourth overall with a 1’36.390s while it was also a strong day for teammate Scott Redding. The #45 was 11^th overall after setting a 1’36.984s, around a second down on van der Mark’s ‘ace.

BULEGA STARTS STRONG AS BAUTISTA CRASHES: #11 just over a tenth behind

Bulega was demoted to second on Friday as he posted a 1’36.159s in FP2, after it looked like he would claim top spot with just a few minutes remaining. He was just 0.149s away from the Dutchman ahead. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was Bulega’s closest Ducati rival as he secured sixth overall with a 1’36.609s, with ‘Petrux’ finishing directly ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) after the Spaniard had a dramatic session. He was fourth in the FP2 standings when he had a Turn 8 crash in FP2, although he was available to remount his Panigale V4 R and ride it back to the pits for his mechanics to repair. He returned to the track in the final few minutes and he secured seventh place overall, 0.609s down on his teammate.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) was 13^th in the standings despite an FP2 tech issue, but he was able to get on track after the issue in the opening stages of the 45-minute session. He was half-a-tenth clear of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) with the Brit making his return from injury, and lapping nine tenths off van der Mark’s time, while Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) was outside the top 15 on his first visit to the circuit.

LOWES INSIDE THE TOP FIVE: a podium charge to come?

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) led Kawasaki’s charge on the ZX-10RR although it was a good Friday for both the #22 and teammate Axel Bassani. Alex Lowes set a 1’36.592s to secure fifth overall, and fourth in FP2, while Bassani took ninth in the combined classification. After a struggle in FP1, the #47 crew opted for a different setup approach for FP2 which allowed him to fly up the order. The final Kawasaki rider was Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), with the Spaniard in 20^th place.

FP1 TECHNICAL ISSUE DISRUPTS REA: eighth and lead Yamaha for the #65

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) claimed eighth place on Friday after a tricky morning due to a technical problem, with the six-time Champion running the hardest SC0 tyre during Free Practice 2. He set a 1’36.778s, finishing two places and a tenth ahead of teammate Andrea Locatelli. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was a further two places back in 12^th after posting a 1’36.994s, with his teammate Alessandro Delbianco – standing in for Dominique Aegeter following his training crash – in 21^st place as he adjusts to WorldSBK-spec machinery. Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) took 18^th place with Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) in 19^th.

NOTHING TO SEPARATE: Lecuona and Vierge closely matched

Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) and teammate Xavi Vierge, as so often during their time as teammates, had little to separate them once again. Lecuona was the faster of the two in 15^th place after posting a 1’37.801s, with Vierge a place and a tenth behind. Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda), returning to action following injury, was 22^nd with teammate Ivo Lopes (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) in 23^rd; Lopes is replacing Adam Norrodin this weekend.

The top six from Friday’s running, full results here:

1. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’36.010s

2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.149s

3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.337s

4. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +0.380s

5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.582s

6. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.599s

Next up for the WorldSBK field, Free Practice 3 on Saturday at 09:00 Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 50% off!