Injured Jonathan Rea remains sidelined as World Superbike title leader Nicolo Bulega tops opening practice in Portugal

The Pata Maxus Yamaha rider has been out of action after sustaining several fractures to his left foot in a crash during a final pre-season test at Phillip Island in Australia ahead of the first round at the iconic circuit in February.

Rea has not yet confirmed a date for his return but has stated that he won’t rush back until his injuries are properly healed to eliminate the prospect of any further setbacks.

The 38-year-old’s place in the official Yamaha squad has been filled this weekend by test rider and former British Superbike challenger Jason O’Halloran, who was 22nd and last in FP1.

Regular Pata Maxus Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli was the leading rider on the R1 machines in 11th.

In first practice at the Portuguese round, championship leader Nicolo Bulega – a triple winner in Australia – topped the times on the Aruba.it Ducati by only 0.019s from team-mate and former champion Alvaro Bautista after clocking the best lap in 1’40.977s.

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) slotted into third, just 0.069s adrift, with Michael van der Mark completing the top four on the ROKiT BMW.

WSBK rookie Yari Montelli impressed in FP1 with the fifth fastest time on the Barni Spark Racing Ducati ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven Ducati), with the top six separated by only two tenths of a second.

Reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu did not set a time on Friday morning due to a technical issue with his factory BMW M1000RR.

Italian Bulega, who was the title runner-up in 2024 in his maiden season in World Superbikes, leads the standings after the first round by 26 points from Bautista, with Iannone a point further behind in third.

Razgatlioglu is eighth ahead of this weekend’s races at Portimao, 42 points behind Bulega.