That said, the machines are fully awake at the Circuito Estoril. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) wasted no time finding a proper feeling with his Ducati Panigale V4R machine, setting a session-topping 1’34.973s to lead the way into the final day of racing.
Just a hundredth of a second behind him was teammate Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), whose 1’34.983s put him right behind the #7. Bulega is hunting history today, looking to break a single-season win record after tying Alvaro Bautista's (Barni Spark Racing Team) mark of 27 victories with his Race 1 win. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) slotted into P3, finishing four tenths behind the #11 as he targets his first podium since Balaton Park.
Further down the order, Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) pushed his way near the front to take fourth place. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) bounced back to P5, thankfully avoiding any repeat of the incredible save he pulled off during FP3. Behind them, Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) ended the morning as the top non-Ducati rider, finishing a mere three thousandths behind the #5.
Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) slotted in right behind his teammate in seventh, sitting 0.167s back from the Brit and 0.671s off Lecuona's benchmark. Two-time World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) crossed the line in eighth as he fights for a strong finish to secure a 2027 seat. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) rounded out the top ten in that order, separated by just over a tenth of a second.
Now, the action shifts immediately to the Tissot Superpole Race at 11:10 Local Time UTC +1, kicking off the final five races of the season.
