Lowes Leads WorldSBK FP3 at Estoril
Alex Lowes set the fastest time in Saturday morning's World Superbike FP3 at Circuito Estoril, riding a bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team KB998 Rimini. He lapped the 4.18 km circuit in 1:34.740, ahead of Nicolo Bulega and Alberto Surra. Miguel Oliveira was fourth, while American Garrett Gerloff placed ninth.
Alex Lowes topped the final WorldSBK practice session at Estoril on Saturday morning. The British rider’s best lap around the 4.18-kilometer Portuguese circuit was 1:34.740, set on a bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team KB998 Rimini with spec Pirelli tires. Twenty-two riders took part.
Nicolo Bulega followed in second on an Aruba.it Racing Ducati, with Alberto Surra third for Motocorsa Racing. Miguel Oliveira was fourth for ROKiT BMW Motorrad, while American Garrett Gerloff placed ninth on a Kawasaki. Danilo Petrucci, also on a ROKiT BMW, was listed 12th.
Lowes’s FP3 pace may shape fan expectations and team confidence ahead of qualifying and races at Estoril. Strong showings by Bulega, Surra, Oliveira, and Gerloff could boost interest among their respective fan bases, potentially increasing viewership and merchandise attention. For riders and crews, the session may inform setup choices, while local businesses around the circuit could see modest event-related activity. Outcomes remain provisional until qualifying and races.