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Friday at Phillip Island has crowned Chaz Davies and the Ducati. A best of 1’30”189, set by the Welshman during the morning session, ensures that he ends the day out front. For the first time this week, the Borgo Panigale rider closes at the head of the pack, the same thing he'll be aiming for tomorrow, at 3pm local time, when Race 1 gets underway.
It won't be that simple though, as Johnny Rea has made it clear that he wants to do the double in Australia. Despite being 0.066 of a second behind his rival, the current champion has astounded everyone with regard to his race pace, having completed 60 laps, the same number as Davies. His pace is impressive, around 1’30”8, and it seems no-one can match this.
Friday at Phillip Island has highlighted the competitiveness of Xavi Forés and the Ducati, who set the third fastest time today (0.297). The Spaniard focused on pace and it would be a mistake to underestimate him. Tom Sykes also worked to prepare for the races, having to settle for fourth place today (+0.384). He has never won in Australia and would like to break this fast, Rea permitting.
In the afternoon session, none of the top five riders were able to improve on their performance, with the exception of Marco Melandri, who brought his Panigale to within 0.054 of a second from the #66 Kawasaki. He too has focused on pace, lapping in the low 1’31s. The Italian is impressive through the last sector of the track, where no-one is better than him.
Just before the end of the session, Lorenzo Savadori was able to take a big step. His is the only Aprilia inside the top ten. He closes seventh, while his team-mate Laverty has to settle for eleventh.
There were crashes in the later stages for Alex De Angelis and Ayrton Badovini. Fortunately neither were injured as a result.
