After not completing a timed lap in FP1, Nicoló Bulega took the lead in the combined standings this Friday. The Italian and his Ducati Panigale V2 relegated their closest pursuer to two tenths in Misano, and an Italian patrol made up of five riders finished in the top six.
It was a very strong day for the Italian representatives in WorldSSP, as no less than five of them found a place in the top six. Nicoló Bulega set his best time in 1'37.620 and finished ahead of Stefano Manzi. The latter showed good pace in FP1 and FP2 and clearly expressed his ambitions and those of his Triumph at home. During the morning, Nicoló Bulega was unable to set any times, completing only 2 laps, but his response in FP2 was overwhelming, with 22 laps during the session and the best time of the day. The first non-Italian driver in the category is the defending champion, Dominique Aegerter, third, four tenths behind Nicoló Bulega, who looked back on his day as follows: “Today went very badly and very well (laughs). This morning I didn't ride due to a problem, so this afternoon I went out on track even more refreshed, and the result was excellent. Racing in Misano gives me extra motivation, also because it’s the only Italian race of the year, so you have to give everything to make all the Ducati fans happy.”
In order to balance the category, the regulations have evolved for this round in Misano: the Panigale engine can now count on 500 rpm more this weekend, going from 10 rpm to 750 rpm, this which represents a small revolution. Previously, opening the throttle body allowed power limitation, whereas now – following requests from the Ducati teams – it has been decided to intervene in another way. This update, in addition to giving more power, should allow Ducati riders to further optimize gear ratios, widening the range of use, with a consequent improvement in acceleration.
Three other Italians occupy the fourth, fifth and sixth positions. The first of them is Federico Caricasulo, ahead of Raffaele De Rosa and Lorenzo Baldassarri. Lorenzo Baldassarri's session was interrupted by a technical problem at turn 7 at the end of the session, but he was able to maintain his sixth position overall.
Can Öncü set the seventh fastest time despite a crash at turn 13 during the FP2 session. The Turk finished the day ahead of Glenn van Straalen and Yari Montella, who also crashed at the third corner. Andy Verdoïa completes the Top 10 with a lap time of 1'38.917, even if he crashes at turn 14.
Mattia Casadei, replacing the injured Niki Tuuli, set the 11th time less than a tenth from the Top 10, as for our Frenchman Jules Cluzel, he finished 14th on the first day.
Wildcard driver Luca Ottaviani set the 19th time, for his second appearance of the season in a world round. Unai Orradre crashed at Turn 3 during FP2 and finished 20th, while Tom Booth-Amos finished 24th after also crashing in FP2. Ben Currie completed the injury list in the afternoon session with a crash at turn 14.
WSS Misano J1: Combined ranking
Credit Ranking & photos: World SBK
