Sam Lowes fastest in depleted opening World Superbike free practice session at Cremona in Italy after overnight rain

Lowes (Marc VDS Ducati) completed 12 laps in a single stint to lead his brother Alex (Kawasaki Racing Team) by 1.758s, who only completed a lap.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi was third (Motocorsa Racing Ducati).

Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Rea is absent this weekend after being ruled out following a crash in the previous round at Magny-Cours in France.

The Pata Prometeon Yamaha rider underwent surgery for a deep wound to his right thumb but hopes to return next weekend at Aragon in Spain.

His place in the team has been filled by Yamaha test rider Niccolo Canepa this weekend, who joins Andrea Locatelli in the factory outfit. Italian Locatelli was fourth fastest in FP1 after completing only two laps.

Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu, who, like Rea, missed all three races at Magny-Cours after crashing during free practice, is also a non-starter this weekend.

The Turkish rider had won a record 13 races in a row before the incident at Magny-Cours, which has dented his title bid.

Razgatlioglu is currently 55 points clear of Nicolo Bulega, but the Aruba.it Ducati rider could potentially take over at the top of the championship this weekend.

Razgatlioglu is targeting his comeback at Aragon, when he will look to revive his quest for a second world crown.

He has been replaced in the ROKiT BMW Motorrad team at Cremona by Markus Reiterberger, who was sixth in FP1 behind reigning champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati).

Bautista was passed fit to take part in opening practice after the Spaniard missed the final race at Magny-Cours when he broke a rib in a crash in the Superpole race.

He will now be reassessed ahead of Friday afternoon’s second free practice session.

British Superbike champion Tommy Bridewell is a wildcard entry this weekend for Honda Racing UK and did seven laps to end the session in 10th.

The Cremona circuit is a new venue on the World Superbike calendar for 2024.