Milwaukee Aprilia made an impressive start in Free Practice at Phillip Island as Lorenzo Savadori and Eugene Laverty ended the day first and third with an automatic Superpole 2 entry for both riders
Despite changeable conditions at the Australian track both riders demonstrated solid pace in the dry and the wet. Both set their fastest times in Free Practice 2, with Eugene’s 1’30.746 moved him to P3. His speed trap of 314 km/h was fastest of the day, cementing the outright speed of the Aprilia.
A damp Free Practice 1 was run on wet tyres, affording the riders opportunity to gain experience with the RSV4 RF on wet tyres at Phillip Island with rain forecast over the weekend. The riders rose to the challenge, Eugene’s 1’43.384 leaving him in P3.
A drying track allowed riders to move on to slicks in FP2 where Eugene and Lorenzo set about lighting up the time sheets. Neither rider improved their times in FP3, electing to work on set up, race pace and tyre life ahead of Saturday’s Race 1.
The team will next be on track in Free Practice 4 on Saturday 9:40 local time (GMT +11) ahead of Superpole 2 (12:55-13:10) and the race at 15:00.
Eugene Laverty #50
“It was a great day all in all, the bike felt fantastic to ride even in the wet this morning which was good to box off. Then we went out on dry tyres and we were straight into the top of the times which was really promising. To be top three has left me feeling really confident. We have a choice of rear tyre for tomorrow which will be a big factor. We’ve used the data from testing and today and looked closely at it, the grid seems to be split on the choice which leaves things up in the air but we’ll be smart in our decision. Ahead of tomorrow’s Superpole and the race I’m hoping for dry weather, like everybody is. That said the bike still felt great in the wet and it would make it more exciting for sure. Either way we have some more things to try in FP4 tomorrow, and I can’t wait to see what the race brings.”