IMOLA, Italy – Jonathan Rea paced both practice sessions on the opening day of World Superbike action at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Friday.
Riding for Kawasaki, Rea topped the overall practice charts thanks to his lap time in the second practice. His best lap of 1:46.374 put him at the top of the charts over Ducati’s Chaz Davies, who was .155 of a second off the pace set by Rea.
Much like Rea was fastest in both practice sessions Friday, Davies was second fastest in both sessions aboard his Ducati.
Third belonged to 2013 World Superbike champion Tom Sykes, who rode his BMW bike to a best time of 1:46.766.
Alvaro Bautista, who is thus far undefeated in World Superbike competition this season, was fourth fastest overall aboard his Ducati thanks to his quick lap during the second practice.
Toprak Razgatlioglu of Turkish Puccetti Racing completed the overall top-five during World Superbike practice Friday afternoon.
Team Goeleven’s Eugene Laverty, a 13-time World Superbike race winner, crashed during the opening practice Friday and broke both his wrists. No timetable for his recovery has been announced.