The former MotoGP rider made🅺 big steps forward on day one of the season-opener at Phillip Island, following an up-and-down pre-season for the WorldSBK rookie.&nbs🌠p;

Petrucci finished ninth on combined times but was fourth faꦬstest during FP2, a good sign given the second session on a Friday is typically run around the same time 🌠as both Races 1 and 2. 

• Rea: ‘I didn’t feelᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ good at all, had zero grip’ - Toprak in difficulty as well? 
• ‘I felt strong, could adapt my style’ - Bautista takes control🐟 in Phillip Island

“It was good,” said Petrucci about his first com💎petitive day as a Superbike rider. “We are at the beginning of our process. The fact is I’m quite different to the other riders because of my size so we need a bit more time to learn the bike and ꦚthe technicians need a bit of time to understand what I say. 

“But today everything worked and it was good. Was not something really, really exciting but it was a s🃏tep forward and I’m happy, not [particularly] about the lap time, but the feeling.”

When talking about the upcoming Superpole session and Race 1 on Saturday, which will be his firs🎀t in the series, the Italian couldn’t contain his excitement. 

Petrucci added: “I’m more or less everything. I’m nervous, excited, happy, curiou🥀s and just really happy to be here. I must say the environment of the Superbike paddock is really nice. 

“The contact with the people, the paddock show and all the riders are friendly at the mom⭕ent. Tomorrow will be a 🐻big, big day.”

Petrucci is one of many WorldSBK riders who could make an impact, but who are the others?

While 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Alvaro Bautista was dominant during both practice sessions, particularly FP2, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Jonathan Rea and 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Toprak Razgatlioglu were anything but that.

In fact, it appears as though the likes of 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Michael Ruben Rinaldi, 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Andrea Locatelli and others could be in the mix for a podium alongside Rea and R♒azgatlioglu. 

Adding his name to that list of contenders was Honda’s 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Iker Lecuona, who was also strong throughout day one.

After struggling during the two day test earli🔯er this week, Lecuona shওowed no signs of being unable to battle for a top position.

Speaking after FP2, Lecuona said: "It was better than we expected! After the test, we struggled a lot. This morning, on the first laps, I felt good with the new tyres🍎 straight away. I understood wh꧅at we needed to change on the bike to make a step. 

"We were alone and the good thing is that I can produce this lap time whe✃n riding alone. I🌠t’s a good step for us. In the morning, I had a small crash at Turn 10 because we locked the front a lot and I missed some support. 

"In Free Practice 2, I did a long run, a race simulation, and felt good and consistent. Alvaro surpr🦄ised me because he and the Ducati have another step. His pace was unbelievable. I think we are not far away to fight at the front."