While 𓃲team-mate Jonathan Re๊a topped both sessions, Lowes also slotted into a competitive third, just 0.289s behind the Ulsterman.

The𒆙 only rider to get between the ZX-10Rs was Ducati’s newly crowned champion Alvaro Bautista.

“It was good, really positive, coming off the back of a tough weekend last weekend [at Mandalika] where I couldn’t get the feeling I needed,” said Lowes🔯. “Today’s been the opposite; I didn’t touch the bike today really.

• Rea: ‘Target is to be there at the end, still fighting for s♛econd with Toprak’
• Australia WorldSBK FP2 Results: Rea denieᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs Bautista late on

“I just tried to r🗹elax. It’s all about tyre life and trying to get the tyres to last over the 22 laps here.

“In the first session, I used the same tyre. In the aft💟ernoon, we made a small change and it felt a little bit better on the front. In general, we had a really positive day and I’m happy with the feeling I have with the bike.

“There🦂 are a few more bumps at Phillip Island than I remember, especially at the last corners and at Turn 3, but it’s n🍸ot bad.”

While Rea is seeking to end a 24-race win drought stretching back to Estoril, Lowes hasn’t been on the top step of the WorldSBK podium since 2🦹020.

“It was good for Kawasaki. We want to bꦰe fighting for the top s🙈tep,” he said of the 1-3 Friday form.

“Obviously, Jonny’s not won for a long time so it would be nice to have a Kawasaki up there winning and I feel this wee🔯kend, if it’s dry anyway, we have a good chance to go and fight for victory.”

Afte𒅌r a dry Friday, weather 🍬forecasts predict a risk of rain during Saturday and Sunday.

“I just tried to relax. It’s all about tyre life and trying to get the♓ tyres to last over the 22 laps💜 here.

“In the first session, I used the same tyre. In t⛦he afternoon, we made a small change and it felt a little bit better on the front. In general, we had a really positive day and I’m happy with the feeling I have with the bike.

“Theܫre are a few more bumps at Phillip Island than I remember, especially at the last corners a💦nd at Turn 3, but it’s not bad.”

While Rea is seeking to end a 24-race win drought stretching back to Estoril, Lowes hasn’t been on🍬 the top step of the WorldSBK podium since 2020.

“It was good for Kawasaki. We want to be fight🐽ing for the top step,” Lowes said of the team's 1-3 Friday form.

“Obviously, 🅰Jonny’s not won for a long time so it would be nice to have a Kawasaki up there winning and I feel this weekend, if it’s dry ꦑanyway, we have a good chance to go and fight for victory.”

After a sunny&nb💯sp;Friday, weather forecasts predict a risk of rain on Saturday and Sunday.

Lowes starts Saturday's 💯opening race holdin💞g sixth in the world championship, 11 points behind Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha) and 4 ahead of Axel Bassani (Ducati).