[WSBK] Loris Baz fell heavily during the first day of the inaugural event at Phillip Island.

A wet track awaited Loris Baz on Friday morning during the first free practice session of the 2018 World Superbike Championship season on the legendary Phillip Island circuit.

For his first time facing such conditions since his return to WorldSBK, the Frenchman was quick to find his rhythm. Confident at the start of the second dry session, Loris Baz was unfortunately trapped at turn 4 while trying to improve his time. Hit in the shoulder, he was immediately transported to the medical center where doctors diagnosed him with several bruises.

Despite severe pain, the representative of the Althea BMW Racing team managed to complete a few laps on the handlebars of his BMW S1000RR during the final session. Credited with 16th position in the combined ranking, Loris Baz, who will have to go through the repechage, is expecting a trying Saturday during which he is counting on unpredictable weather to compete in the first race of the year in the best possible condition.

Loris Baz (16th – 1'32.340): “The first session in the wet went rather well. I was among the top ten for a long time while regaining my bearings on the Pirellis in these conditions. I tried to put on a mixed tire at the end of the session, but it was interrupted by a red flag. Despite everything, I remain convinced that it was the right choice. In the dry, it didn't take me long to get into the rhythm. I was improving my time from practice on Monday and Tuesday when Alex Lowes made a mistake right in front of me. I still managed to set a time of 1'32.3, although hampered by the traffic. The next lap, I had a good start, but I lost half a handlebar at turn 4. I fell while going over the bike. It's a real shame, because it's a stupid fall, the simple consequence of a defective part. I tried to ride in the afternoon, but I was in too much pain. I preferred to stop in order to rest while waiting for tomorrow. I have pain on right-hand curves as well as heavy braking. Overtaking in the first race will therefore be tricky, but I will do my best. This is obviously not how I hoped to start the season. We had done everything we needed to do over the winter...and I'm off on the wrong foot. My pace being fast, we will still try to score as many points as possible. The forecast is for rain, this would help me feel less pain on the bike and move up the rankings more easily. »