De Paolo Gozzi / Corsedimoto.com
Jonathan Rea was unleashed in the last twenty minutes in the wet. Meanwhile, Garrett Gerloff is learning with his Yamaha from the GRT team. Ducati is still in difficulty. At 11 a.m. the Superpole!
If today at 14 p.m., for the start of race 1, the track was wet, it could be even better for Jonathan Rea. The reigning World Champion dominated FP3 on his Kawasaki, the last session of just twenty minutes before the Superpole. He is again very fast and takes precedence over all the others. Scott Redding is relegated to a second, he is in sixth place, and in the afternoon, he will have the very difficult task of not losing more points in the Championship. At the end of this FP3, Yamaha catapulted Michael van der Mark and Loris Baz, two excellent amphibians, behind Jonathan Rea. The American Garrett Gerloff continues to shine, with the YZF-R1 of the GRT satellite team: Fifth position.
The last Free Practice is done and dusted! 🏁@jonathanrea sets the fastest time with 1'55.975 ahead of @mickeyvdmark and @lorisbaz !#CatalanWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/36ywzLmHUP
- WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) September 19, 2020
Jonathan Rea still in the front row
Qualifying, which begins at 11 a.m., will have a major impact on race strategy. The Championship is very tough this year, so the comebacks are very difficult and being on the front row becomes decisive. Jonathan Rea has never missed the front row in the previous five rounds: Third at Phillip Island, second at Jerez then a Superpole series between Portimão and the two rounds held at Motorland in Aragón. The weather will also play a role: Cloudy skies are forecast for the Superpole, but given the current temperature (20°C) it is not certain that the asphalt will dry. Rain is expected for Race 1 at 14 p.m.: This would be the first race in the rain this season.
#WorldSBK FP3 is underway! 🚦#CatalanWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/dvLAWHR7Ub
- WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) September 19, 2020
Lorenzo Zanetti replaces Leandro Mercado
Meanwhile, the Motocorsa Ducati team brought in Lorenzo Zanetti at the last minute to replace Leandro Mercado, who fell in FP1 and fractured the wrist and radius of his right arm. The rider from Brescia, a test rider for Ducati, arrived in Barcelona at the last minute and will take part in race 1 having ridden only during the 20 minutes of FP3 in addition to the Superpole. We remind you that the driver can be replaced until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.
FP3 ranking:
