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Bulega Sets Day 1 Benchmark at Phillip Island Test, Bassani Second for Bimota

Dry running offered the first clear read on 2026 pace, steering teams toward long‑run race evaluations next.

Overview

  • Nicolo Bulega topped both sessions and set the day’s fastest lap at 1'29.345, underscoring Ducati’s early speed at Phillip Island.
  • Axel Bassani clocked a 1'29.636 for P2 as Bimota placed both bikes in the top six, with Alex Lowes finishing sixth.
  • Sam Lowes secured third overall despite an FP1 technical stoppage and a crash in FP2.
  • Yari Montella’s 1'29.921 delivered fourth overall after he ran second in FP1, and Garrett Gerloff took fifth on Kawasaki’s updated ZX-10RR.
  • Minor incidents included crashes for Stefano Manzi and Ryan Vickers at Turn 6 and a Turn 5 fall for Alvaro Bautista, who still ended eighth, as teams prepare to shift to longer runs on Day 2.