SBK Magny-Cours, FP3: Bulega comes close to the pole record – Kawasaki surprises

Following the two free practice sessions on Friday, World Championship leader Nicolo Bulega from the Aruba Ducati factory team topped the combined timesheets with a time of 1:35.556 minutes, putting him just under three tenths of a second ahead of second-placed Ducati privateer Sam Lowes (Marc VDS).

Tarran Mackenzie (Ducati) and Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha) will not be taking part in this weekend’s races: the Briton did not receive medical clearance following his heavy crash at Donington Park, whilst the Turk suffered a severe crash in Friday’s FP2.

As a point of reference: Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) has held the pole position record since 2025 with a time of 1:34.930, whilst the Turkish rider set the fastest race lap in the sprint that same year in 1:35.500.

In the 20-minute FP3 session on Saturday morning, starting at 9.40 am, with an air temperature of 20 degrees Celsius – moderate compared to Friday – Bulega clocked 1:35.882 minutes on his very first flying lap, whilst on his second lap, his Aruba team-mate Iker Lecuona set the fastest time of the weekend so far with a lap of 1:35.425.

Then Bulega really went for it and came within a whisker of the pole record with a time of 1:34.987 min. Because riders pursue very different strategies in FP3 and take to the track on different tyres – in France, qualifying tyres are also used – the times are of limited significance.

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Magny-Cours: Rennen 1

FIM Superbike World Championship

05.09.2026 - 15:00

No one came close to Bulega’s time; the Italian finished the session with an astonishing 0.334-second lead, whilst lone Kawasaki rider Garrett Gerloff surprised everyone by taking second place. Behind the Texan came six Ducati riders: Lecuona, Bridewell, Montella, Surra, Sam Lowes and Baldassarri.

Alex Lowes secured the best result for Bimota in 9th place, Xavier Vierge was once again the fastest Yamaha rider in 10th, and Jake Dixon flew the flag for Honda in 13th. BMW ace Miguel Oliveira’s 16th place – almost 1.3 seconds off the pace – suggests he did not take part in qualifying.