Image: Keith Muir.

SA Kawasaki BCperformance’s Robbie Bugden set the pace on day one of Australian FX-Superbike Championship practice at Mallala Motorsport Park in South Australia on Friday.

While the planned afternoon qualifying session was postponed until Saturday morning due to inclement conditions, riders did venture out on track for a single dry session.

It was Bugden, fresh from testing at the venue last week, who proved quickest immediately, his 1m09.670s laptime bettering title leader Matt Walters (Kawasaki Connection Repsol) and teammate Ben Burke.

Recovering from a recent injury Michael Burke (IPONE Yamaha) soldiered through the pain for fourth, while local Yamaha privateer Liam Wilkinson completed the top five in the 17-rider field.

In Supersport SA Kawasaki BCperformance’s Kyle Buckley was fastest at 1m11.590s in session two, also affected by the gloomy conditions. He was joined by Mitch Levy (Yamaha) and Jordan Carlsson (Yamaha) in the top three.

Other riders fastest on Friday included Luke Horewood (Formula Oz), Howard Sabey (Pro-Twins/Nakedbike), Jimmy Broadbent (FX300 Ninja Cup) and Jason Morris (eFXC).

The AFX-SBK races will be contested and livestreamed on CycleOnline.com.au on Saturday, as will the premier Australasian Superbike Championship on Sunday.