Sam Lowes became the first British rider of the weekend to top a MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship session, after lapping fastest in Free Practice 3 this morning (Saturday). His effort of 1m24.756s around the Grand Prix circuit was almost seven tenths faster than the best time set on Friday.
Lowes time during the latter part of the session, put him and his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati almost two tenths clear of the next quickest contender, Yari Montella. The Italian on his Barni Spark Racing Team entry was also on a Ducati on a weekend on which the manufacturer’s machines have performed well in every on-track session so far.
Iker Lecuona was third quickest on yet another Panigale V4R, marginally faster than Aruba.It Racing teammate and series leader Nicolo Bulega, who was quickest in both of the Friday sessions. Behind them in fifth was Lowes’ twin brother, Alex, who was the quickest non-Ducati as he has been in every practice session this weekend on the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team entry.
Behind that came a brace of Brits, with Tommy Bridewell giving his bet showing of the weekend to date on his Superbike Advocates Ducati, while Jake Dixon was the best of the Honda HRC riders in seventh. The top 10 was rounded out by Xavi Vierge, Alberto Surra and Alvaro Bautista.
MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Free Practice 3, Donington Park
- Sam Lowes, ELF Marc VDS Racing Team, 1m24.756s
- Yari Montella, Barni Spark Racing Team, +0.202s
- Iker Lecuona, Aruba.It Racing – Ducati, +0.369s
- Nicolo Bulega, Aruba.It Racing – Ducati, +0.382s
- Alex Lowes, bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, +0.544s
- Tommy Bridewell, Superbike Advocates, +0.859s
- Jake Dixon, Honda HRC, +0.889s
- Xavi Vierge, Pata Maxus Yamaha, +0.891s
- Alberto Surra, Motocorsa Racing, +0.898s
- Alvaro Bautista, Barni Spark Racing Team, +0.909s