The opening practice session of the WorldSBK Championship test at Phillip Island delivered a thrilling Italian showdown! Nicolo Bulega, the 2025 triple-win hero, kicked off 2026 in style, dominating FP1 with a 1'29.451s lap, a mere 0.470s ahead of Yari Montella. But here's where it gets interesting: Bulega's teammate, Axel Bassani, completed the all-Italian top three, just a tenth behind Montella.
In the final moments of the two-hour session, Lorenzo Baldassarri snatched fourth place, edging out Garrett Gerloff by a whisker. The Texan, Gerloff, managed to showcase the ZX-10RR's potential in dry conditions. Meanwhile, Alex Lowes, on the Kawasaki, improved on his 2025 performance, finishing sixth, just ahead of Alvaro Bautista.
Xavi Vierge led the Yamaha charge, while Sam Lowes encountered a technical issue, causing a red flag. Miguel Oliveira squeezed into the top ten, narrowly beating Jake Dixon. The session wasn't without drama, as Stefano Manzi and Ryan Vickers both crashed at Turn 6, with Manzi recovering to finish 16th.
And this is the part most fans will talk about: Bulega's performance raises questions. Can he maintain this form throughout the season? Will the Italian trio dominate the championship? Share your predictions in the comments below! The stage is set for a thrilling WorldSBK season, and we can't wait to see what unfolds.
