Conditions were very hot and sunny at Magny Cours in France for the start of the ninth WorldSBK round. At what is his home round, Frenchman Lucas Mahias is standing in for Tito Rabat (who is competing in MotoE) aboard the ZX-10RR of Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. Lucas previously competed for two years in SBK with Manuel Puccetti’s team, while this year has seen him stand in for injured Can Oncu in World Supersport, which meant that he spent today working with his team to readapt his riding style to the Ninja Superbike.
At this round, Mahias’ bike livery features the prestigious Gi.Vi. brand as main sponsor, to mark the historic collaboration the Italian firm and Kawasaki Puccetti Racing.
During the morning’s first practice, Lucas set a time of 1’39”713, while in the afternoon, which was characterised by very high temperatures and hence a slippery track, he was nevertheless able to improve further, recording a best of 1’39”108 and placing twenty-first in the day’s combined standings.
The Frenchman will be back out tomorrow for FP3, followed by Superpole and Race 1.
Circuit Nevers – Magny Cours – France
Superbike World Championship
Combined free practice results: 1) Rea (Kawasaki) – 2) Rinaldi (Ducati) – 3) Gerloff (BMW) – 4) Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) – 5) Locatelli (Yamaha) …… 21) Mahias (Kawasaki)
Lucas Mahias
“Considering this was my first day riding in Superbike for a long time, things went quite well. I still need to find good pace of course, but this morning I didn’t push it, just focusing on finding feeling with my Ninja at this track again. Conditions were more difficult in the afternoon with the heat, but I was still able to lower my time. It’s not easy to go from Supersport to Superbike, but I’m pleased to be able to do so in France in front of my fans and I want to thank Manuel and the entire team for giving me this opportunity.”
