Reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) topped the times on day two by just 0.009s ahead of six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) as four riders went under the lap record set by Rea in 2022.

The pace was rapid from the get-go on Wednesday in the final European test before teams and riders head to Australia, with Bautista posting a 1’39.035s to obliterate Rea’s Superpole lap record from last year’s Portuguese Round. Bautista’s day, with the Spanish rider looking at bike stability, was disrupted by a crash at Turn 7 which brought out the red flag. His teammate was one of the four riders to go below the lap record with a 1’39.144s to take third place; backing up his top spot from Day 1.

Rea, the lap record holder with a 1’39.610s from last year’s Tissot Superpole, took second spot and was only 0.009s slower than Bautista at the end of the day’s running with the six-time Champion testing some new items from Showa and looking at chassis balance. His teammate, Alex Lowes, was tenth fastest on Day 2 as he worked on his ZX-10RR machine, posting a best time of 1’40.559s on Day 2, as he looked to work on exiting corners.

2021 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) was fourth fastest as he also went under Rea’s existing lap record, posting a 1’39.441s on his way to fourth spot. As at Jerez, there was a lot of focus on the rear of his Yamaha YZF R1 machine in order to improve grip exiting corners. Teammate Andrea Locatelli was fifth fastest with the two Yamaha riders separated by around three tenths of a second; Locatelli was lapping only a tenth outside the lap record.

With Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha taking up five of the top six positions, Team HRC’s Iker Lecuona was able to put a fourth manufacturer in the top six on Day 2 at Portimao. Lecuona, who had a crash in the final sector in the morning, posted a 1’39.803s to take sixth spot as Honda looked to work on setups for the CBR1000RR-R machine, including long runs. Teammate Xavi Vierge was in eighth place, with Independent Yamaha rider Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), looking for improvements with the SCX tyre, separating the two with seventh place. A late lap from 2013 Champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) propelled him up the order to ninth ahead of French rider Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) in 11th on his M 1000 RR to ensure all five manufacturers were represented in the top 11, while his teammate, Garrett Gerloff, was 14th.

Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had a focus on new electronics and ran BMW’s brake covers on Day 2 on his M 1000 RR as he searched for more time on corner exit. The Dutch rider finished the day in 12th place after setting a 1’40.711s, while teammate Scott Redding was 16th on his machine with a best time of 1’41.002s. In between the two BMW riders was Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) in 13th place with the German rider working on the new Panigale V4 R including a different fork for rear grip as well as Gerloff and Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), whose lap time of 1’40.844s put him in 15th.

Aegerter’s WorldSSP rival, Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), was 17th and around four tenths slower than the two-time WorldSSP Champion. Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) took 19th spot with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), in his first test of 2023, in 20th spot. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was 20th ahead of MIE Honda Racing Team duo Eric Granado and Hafizh Syahrin in 21st and 22nd respectively; Granado suffering a technical issue in the afternoon on his bike.

WorldSSP
Like his Ducati counterpart in WorldSBK, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba Racing WorldSSP Team) took top spot in WorldSSP running on Day 2 as he smashed the lap record. Bulega posted a 1’42.636 which gave him the quickest lap time, ahead of compatriot Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team); Ducati locking out the top three positions in WorldSSP. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) continued testing four machines in Portugal and set the fourth best lap time, a 1’43.583s for fourth place, with Raffaele De Rose (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) in fifth.

New Ten Kate Racing Yamaha recruit Stefano Manzi took sixth spot ahead of Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) in seventh and Manzi’s teammate, Jorge Navarro, in eighth. Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) was the lead rider from his team with ninth spot after setting a 1’44.978s, with Federico Fuligni (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) and Maximilian Kofler (D34G Racing) rounding out the field; Kofler had a crash in the afternoon which briefly brought out the red flags. Both Adam Norrodin (MIE – MS Racing Honda Team) and Tarran Mackenzie were on track on Day 2, but with no times recorded.

Check out all the results here…

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Day One testing for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto was a busy affair as teams and riders got their first 2023 running under their belt. 2021 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK) topped the times ahead of reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) by two tenths of a second, with Bautista crashing in the afternoon, while rookie Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) shone brightly on his debut.

Three rookies were taking part in the Jerez test as they got adjusted to new surroundings, teams and bikes. Petrucci took sixth spot at the end of the day with a 1’39.790s, just over a second slower than Razgatlioglu. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) was ninth fastest on his first day in dry conditions with the Yamaha R1, lapping in 1’39.934, as he worked on linkage, swingarm and electronic components.

Teammate Remy Gardner was close behind in 14th place and six tenths back from Aegerter. Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), learning the Championship and bike along with his team, was the lowest-placed rookie with 19th place as he took to the Yamaha R1 for the first time.

Testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto came to a conclusion for the teams and riders from the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship that attended. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK) was able to bounce back from his crash in the morning to record the fastest time with a 1’31.269s set in the afternoon; attempting to break the 1’37s barrier. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was second on Day 2, less than a tenth behind Razgatlioglu while 2022 WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took third place.

After a strong showing on Day 1, three WorldSBK rookies finished the test inside the top ten on Day 2. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was sixth fastest after posting a 1’39.193s, with Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) taking eighth place after setting a 1’39.311s. Aegerter’s GRT Yamaha teammate, Remy Gardner, took tenth spot but was only three tenths slower than Aegerter at the end of Day 2; showing how tight the WorldSBK field is in 2023.

Most teams will now be headed to Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal for another two-day test to be held on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February.

Read the full report from Day 2 in Jerez on worldsbk.com

JEREZ WORLDSBK TEST 2023 GALLERY

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First day honours at the second Official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup Test went to Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) as the electric class riders completed a Q1-Q2 format qualifying simulation at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. While Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) topped Day 2’s timesheets.

It was a dry but windy day in Andalucia as the MotoE field began their final test, which takes place ahead of the season kicking off at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España in the near future. Due to rain appearing on Wednesday’s forecast, the Q1-Q2 simulation was brought forward to Monday.

In the first of two test sessions, Granado was the rider to beat with a 1:49.765, before the quickest times were slashed in the second practice session. Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) was the pacesetter, clocking a 1:49.153, before the qualifying simulations got underway at the end of the day.

The Q2 simulation was topped by Granado with a 1:49.020, the fastest time of the day, with Ferrari and Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) rounding out the top three in Q2, two tenths shy of Granado’s effort. Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) was a couple of tenths shy of his teammate in P4, while the returning Hector Garzo (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top five, as the three-time MotoE podium finisher ended three tenths away from top spot.

Q2 Simulation Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) – Energica – 1’49.020
2 Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) – Energica – +0.270
3 Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) – Energica – +0.276

Day Two
The returning Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) topped Day 2’s timesheets at the Official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup Jerez Test as rain heavily disrupted proceedings on Tuesday making for limited track time.

There was little track action to be had in the tricky conditions as Smith and MotoE rookie Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) were the only two riders to venture out in the first session. Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) then joined Smith on track in the second, before Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE), Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team), Alessio Finello (Felo Gresini MotoE), two-time Cup winner Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) and Maria Herrera (Openbank Aspar Team) headed into the fray in the final session.

At the end of the penultimate day of testing, Smith’s wet weather 1:58.080 – set in the second session – was the fastest lap as the riders and teams hope for the rain to clear ahead of the final day of pre-season running on Wednesday. Smith topped the final session too, with a 1:58.714, which was two and a bit tenths quicker than Casadei’s effort.

It’s now full steam ahead into Round 1 at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España from the 29th of April to the 1st of May. Stay up to date with all the MotoE news here.

Day Two Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) – Energica – 1:58.080
2 Mattia Casadei (Pons Racing 40) – Energica – +0.872
3 Alex Escrig (Tech 3 E-Racing) – Energica – +1.139

The post MotoE Testing: Two Day Test At Jerez appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

In a show of what WorldSBK could be like in 2022, five manufacturers finished inside the top seven positions on day two. Razgatlioglu’s fastest time was a 1’40.571s as he completed 51 laps with Yamaha trialling a new exhaust throughout the test as well as continuing to work on their electronics package. Teammate Andrea Locatelli was 11th for the second day as he, like his teammate, worked on Yamaha’s electronics package.

Both Razgatlioglu and Locatelli ventured out into the wet on Saturday. The Pata Yamaha team were not the only Yamaha representation in the top five, with Garrett Gerloff (GRT GYTR Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in fifth place. Gerloff was testing in the wet conditions to trial Yamaha’s electronics package. Teammate Kohta Nozane also ventured out into the wet, posting a best time of 1’42.509s.

Stay up to date with all the WorldSBK news here…

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) put his Panigale V4 R machine into second place as the team looked to focus on a modified swingarm compared to the one seen at Portimao as well as new items inside the front forks. Bautista completed 67 laps and posted a best time of 1’40.952s to claim second spot. Teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi made it two Ducatis in the top six as he finished sixth with a best time of 1’41.610s. He completed 34 laps on day two, opting not to test in the wet conditions.

Team HRC showed strong pace on Saturday with two riders in the top eight. Iker Lecuona claimed third spot with a best time of 1’41.033s and 62 laps completed, while Xavi Vierge was eighth after completing 55 laps. Vierge’s day came to an early end on Saturday after he had a highside crash at Turn 12, bringing out the Red Flags for a short period. Vierge was initially taken to the medical centre for a check-up before being transported to hospital with rib injuries, although he was conscious. Honda tested some new double ducts on their brakes on day one of the test to assist with cooling in hotter conditions, while the CBR1000RR-R also has a new exhaust for 2022.

At the team’s home circuit, Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK claimed fourth with Jonathan Rea on day two of the two-day test after posting a 1’41.168s and completing 32 laps. Throughout the test, Rea tried the fuel tanks fins used by teammate Alex Lowes as well as trying small components including on the clutch. Lowes finished the day in 12th place, with a best time of 1’41.99s and 36 laps to his name. Both riders opted against testing in the afternoon after the rain fell.

Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) overcame technical issues in the morning to finish in seventh place for the day, racking up 50 laps and posting a best lap time of 1’41.636s. Redding spent day one working on BMW’s electronics package and was hoping for dry running to keep the momentum heading in the right direction. Despite not staying dry, Redding did test in the wet conditions while stand-in teammate Ilya Mikhalchik finished his day when the rain came. The Ukrainian rider’s best time was a 1’42.763s and he completed 16 laps.

There were two Independent riders who rounded out the top ten on day two in Barcelona. German rookie Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) claimed ninth place as he looked to continue evaluating a new exhaust after the team switched to Spark over the winter. Oettl took advantage of the wet conditions in the afternoon to get some wet-weather practice in, having never ridden a WorldSBK machine in wet conditions before. His best time was a 1’41.735s with 55 laps to his name.

Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took a different approach to the afternoon’s running after the rain, with the Frenchman ending his day early. Over the winter, Kawasaki Puccetti switched suspension suppliers to Öhlins, with Mahias continuing to evaluate this change in Catalunya. Mahias posted a best time just 0.009s shy of Oettl while adding 23 laps to his tally.

Bonovo Action BMW duo Eugene Laverty and Loris Baz were 15th and 16th respectively on the second day. Laverty had been working on a change of rider position throughout the test while working on some traction control strategies on day one. The Irishman completed 30 laps on day two, with a best time of 1’43.305s, while Baz was half-a-second down on his teammate as the Frenchman completed 29 laps; neither ventured out onto the track in the wet conditions.

Sammarinese rookie Luca Bernardi (Barni Spark Racing Team) was 17th on day two as he continued to adjust to WorldSBK action. He posted a best time of 1’43.823s, completing 23 laps but not taking to the wet track. His time was a second clear of fellow rookie Oliver König (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) who added 34 laps to his tally; like Bernardi, König did not go out in the rain.

Now entering his second season in WorldSBK, Loris Cresson (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) was 19th on his ZX-10RR. the Belgian rider had a highside crash at Turn 2 on day one in the change of direction but was okay to ride on Saturday, finishing as the penultimate rider in the field. Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin (MIE Racing Honda Team) was last in the WorldSBK classification, completing 49 laps with a best time of 1’45.539s.

WorldSSP
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) continued his form of lapping under existing race lap records throughout testing as he sent the benchmark in WorldSSP on day two. His best time was a 1’45.110s, faster than both Cresson and Syahrin, as he added 38 laps to his tally. He was the only WorldSSP rider to hit the track in the wet conditions, with Raffaele De Rosa (Ducati Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Oli Bayliss (Barni Spark Racing Team) opting to not test in the afternoon. De Rosa’s best time was a 1’46.971s, almost two seconds back from Bulega, while Bayliss posted a 1’47.253s as his best time.

WorldSBK Day 2 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 1’40.571s, 51 laps
2 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’40.952s, 67 laps
3 Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) 1’41.033s, 62 laps

2022 WorldSSP Top Three

1 Nicolò Bulega – Ducati – 1m 45.110s
2 Raffaele De Rosa – Ducati – 1m 46.971s
3 Oli Bayliss – Ducati – 1m 47.253s

The post WorldSBK Test: Razgatlioglu Tops Time Sheets In Catalunya appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Day 2 of the Official FIM Enel MotoE World Cup pre-season test at Jerez saw a trio of fresh names rise to the fore as rain affected play, with the returning Niccolo Canepa (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team) heading the timesheets by the end of the day.

As well as track time in itself being a key focus for the field, there are also some bike updates from Energica to put through their paces, specifically a new motor and a new inverter. The bike is now lighter as a result, and with that one of the key aims of the project since the inception of the Cup, it’s a positive evolution.

Behind Canepa at the top with his 1:58.895, second fastest was Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) as the Spaniard impressed to end the day 0.189 in arrears. Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) was third quickest as the Japanese rider prepares for his second season in the Cup, but was also one of three crashers in the wet first session, along with Xavier Cardelus (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and the returning Bradley Smith (WithU GRT RNF MotoE Team), riders ok.

2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE) slotted into fourth, with Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) completing the top five and from his best lap set in Session 2. The Brazilian then suffered a crash in the second session and sat out the final session of the day, as well as likely being sidelined from Day 3. 

Day 1’s fastest rider, Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE), was half a second off Granado and ended Day 2 in P6, with Cardelus for close company. MotoGP podium finisher Smith was eighth quickest despite his crash. Alex Escrig (Tech3 E-Racing) and Alessio Finello (Felo Gresini MotoE) completed the top ten.

Sophomore Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) remains absent after the Spaniard had to undergo surgery due to appendicitis before the test.

DAY 2: TOP THREE (Full Results Here)

1 Niccolo Canepa (WITHU GRT RNF MotoE TEAM) – Energica – 1:58.895
2 Marc Alcoba (Openbank Aspar Team) – Energica – +0.189
3 Hikari Okubo (Avant Ajo MotoE) – Energica – +0.338

The post Canepa quickest on rain-hit Day 2 Of Testing for MotoE appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Day 1 of the official Moto2 and Moto3 test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve saw Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) make a late lunge to the top in the intermediate class, the Brit ending the day 0.075 ahead of Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40).

Almost as close was Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo), only another four thousandths in arrears. Only a few more thousandths behind came his teammate, reigning Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta, with last year’s rookie sensation maintaining that moniker as he moves into the intermediate class…

Then came a small gap back to Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as the number 6 ended the day 0.265 off Acosta, heading up another group of incredibly tight laptimes. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) were up next, with Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) just 0.002 off Arenas. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) took P9, with Fermin Aldeguer (Speed Up Racing) taking tenth.

The likes of Fernandez, Acosta, Ogura, Beaubier and Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing) didn’t head out in the final session and with laptimes only a second off the pole record already, how much more will get pulled out the locker on Day 2?

Moto2 Testing Day 1 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) – Kalex – 1:43.169
2 Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) – Kalex – +0.075
3 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.089

Moto3
Tatsuki Suzuki began his tenure with Leopard Racing by topping the timesheets on Day 1, the Japanese rider putting in a 1’48.575 to pull nearly a tenth and a half clear of Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team), who is gearing up for his second season in Moto3. It was a rookie completing the top three though, with David Muñoz (BOE SKX) 0.283 off the top.

That denied Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) as the Turk was an apt 0.053 further back, with another rookie standout in fifth: Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The Brazilian debutant was even closer in the tight field, 0.017 off Öncü.

Adrian Fernandez seems to be settling in at Red Bull KTM Tech 3 as he ended Day 1 in P6, just ahead of Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team). Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) put CFMoto into the top ten on their debut in P8, ahead of another impressive rookie in Ivan Ortola (Team MTA). Ayumu Sasaki’s first official day in Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max colours saw the Japanese rider complete the top ten.

That leaves the likes of Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) outside the top ten, but it is, after all, only the first day. And Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), the runner up last season, will be glad of that too as he was sidelined due to illness. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) is also sidelined, the Japanese rookie through injury after breaking his ankle, and he will unfortunately miss the test.

Moto3 Testing Day 1 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) – Honda – 1’48.575
2 Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team – GASGAS – +0.131
3 David Muñoz (BOE SKX) – KTM – +0.283

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The rider on the chase was none other than rookie sensation – so far the moniker has only rolled over from Moto3 to Moto2 – Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with the debutant just 0.037 in arrears. His teammate Augusto Fernandez was third, 0.111 off the top, with Day 1’s fastest, Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team), fourth on Sunday and the final rider to break the old lap record.

Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) had a little fresh air in fifth, the American 0.147 off Dixon but two and a half tenths clear of Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) in P6. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) put his Boscoscuro in seventh, ahead of Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) as the two sophomores continue to show good pace. So too does Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as he slotted into ninth. Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) was only 0.017 off the American, completing the top ten.

Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) once again sat out the final session of the day, and the Brit is suffering from tendonitis that will also see him miss Day 3 entirely. He crashed in the second session too, as did Ogura, Acosta, Keminth Kubo (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) and Sean Dylan Kelly (American Racing). Kelly also crashed in session one, as did Schrötter and Aldeguer. The final session saw the most tumbles as Beaubier, Arenas, MV Agusta Forward Racing’s Simone Corsi and Marcos Ramirez, Niccolo Antonelli (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Jorge Navarro (Flexox HP 40) crashed, all riders ok.

Moto2 Testing Day 2 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) – Kalex – 1’41.892
2 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.037
3 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.111

Moto3
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) has retained his grip on the top in Portugal, with the Japanese rider leaving it late but coming out on top to deny new teammate Dennis Foggia by just 0.019. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) made it a Honda 1-2-3, exactly a tenth in further arrears.

There was a bigger gap of a couple of tenths back to Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP), with the Spaniard, in turn, 0.297 ahead of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse). John McPhee was sixth as the Scot gets to grips with his Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max machine, with Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team) 0.003 further back and Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) 0.077.

David Muñoz (BOE SKX) followed up a top three on Day 1 with ninth on Day 2, and the Spaniard was top rookie as he slotted in 0.144 behind Surra. Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top ten.

There were some crashes on Day 2, most notably a tumble for Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) as the Turk crashed and collected his new teammate, Adrian Fernandez. Fernandez was ok and Öncü headed for the Medical Center, given the all-clear for fractures but suffering with pain in his foot.

Elia Bartolini (QJMotor Avintia Racing Team) was the sole crasher in the first session. The Öncü incident was in the second session, in which Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Guevara also fell. McPhee crashed in session three, riders all ok.

Moto3 Testing Day 2 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) – Honda – 1:47.390
2 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – Honda – +0.019
3 Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) – Honda – +0.119

The post Canet Sets Fastest Ever Moto2 lap On The Algarve appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Rea was the first rider to dip below the 1’39s bracket just before the midway point of the session with a 1’39.851s but reigning World Champion Razgatlioglu was able to better more than two tenths with just over an hour of testing remaining; the pair split by just 0.235s. Razgatlioglu’s time of 1’39.616ss beat his own pole time from 2021 by almost 0.5s. Razgatlioglu set six lap times in the 1’39s bracket, using the A557 tyre used throughout 2021, across five different runs, on laps 28, 45, 48, 49, 53 and 61, while Rea set one lap time in the 1’39s.

It meant Razgatlioglu, who had been working on electronic setup changes with his team, finished the two-day test, and his first of 2022, on top of the timesheets by 0.235s ahead of Rea after completing 66 laps. The six-time champion completed 87 laps on his ZX-10RR as he continued to test new items and components on his ZX-10RR, using the SCQ tyre for his best time.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) completed the top three as he continued to adjust to life back at Ducati. Despite a turn 8 crash that brought out the red flags, the Spanish rider was able to add 68 laps to his tally for the test with a best time of 1’40.055s, set on Pirelli’s SCX tyre. Bautista has been able to try a new swingarm on his Ducati Panigale V4 R and a smaller fuel tank to suit his stature throughout the test as well as trying Pirelli’s SCQ tyre to be used throughout the 2022 campaign.

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) came home in fourth place as he looked at his outright performance on the ZX-10RR after hailing Tuesday’s running as one of his best days in Kawasaki colours. Lowes added 83 laps to his tally for the two-day test with a best time of 1’40.335s. The British rider also wanted to try the SCQ tyre throughout the test with the tyre supplier bringing new solutions of the tyre compared to what was available at the Jerez test.

Around three tenths behind Lowes was Italian rider Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) who completed 77 laps as he and his team worked on some new parts as well as the setup of electronics on his YZF-R1. Locatelli’s best time was a 1’40.674s as he prepares for his second campaign in WorldSBK.

Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) headed up the Independent riders on day two of the test despite an afternoon crash at the highspeed right-hander of turn one. The German rider was okay following the crash that brought out the red flag although cost him some valuable track time ahead of his rookie season. Oettl, who had been looking to improve his Ducati’s set up for him, completed 63 laps on Wednesday with a best time of 1’41.061s, putting in a late lap to jump up to sixth in the standings. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was able to try a new swingarm on his Ducati Panigale V4 as well as the new SCQ tyre from Pirelli, with the Italian completing 52 laps for a best time of 1’41.143s.

French rider Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) was able to get his hands on some new parts for his Yamaha YZF-R1, components that had been used in 2021 by the factory squad, including a new fairing and screen. While testing these items, Ponsson racked up 51 laps with a best time of 1’42.374s.

Rookie Luca Bernardi (Barni Spark Racing Team) rounded out the WorldSBK field on his second day of action on his Ducati bike, with the Sammarinese rider adding 54 laps to his tally. On his first time with a WorldSBK machine, and his first time on track since an injury sustained at Magny-Cours, Bernardi posted a best lap time of 1’42.961s.

WorldSSP rookie Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) topped the timesheets for the second day running on his Ducati Panigale V2 machine with the Italian manufacturer returning to WorldSSP for 2022. Bulega first tested the bike in November at Jerez and added another 48 laps of experience to the bike in Portugal, with a best time of 1’43.876s. Another rookie, Maximilian Kofler (CM Racing), was second in the standings on day two of testing with the Austrian racking up 58 laps with a best time of 1’45.511s.

Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team), testing in place of Oli Bayliss who fractured his ankle in a crash on day one, added 46 laps to the team’s tally over the course of the Portimao test with a best time of 1’46.946s.

WorldSBK Day Two Top Times:

1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 1’39.616, 66 laps
2 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’39.851s, 87 laps
3 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’40.055, 68 laps

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Organised by Ducati, the test will feature teams from both WorldSBK and WorldSSP including new bikes and returning manufacturers in the latter. Track time in Portugal will be between 10am and 5pm GMT/Local Time, with seven hours on-track each day.

Three of the five WorldSBK factory squads head to Portimao, including the first appearance of Pata Yamaha and their reigning world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and teammate Andrea Locatelli.

Pata Yamaha will be joined by Kawasaki Racing Team of deposed champ Jonathan Rea and team-mate Alex Lowes. It’s the first time Rea and Razgatlioglu have been on track together since their incredible title battle was settled in Indonesia. Rea and Lowes will be taking part in their third test of the off-season, with the aim of confirming items they have tested at Jerez in the previous two tests.

The third factory on track will be the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad with Alvaro Bautista and Michael Ruben Rinaldi. It will be Bautista’s second test with the Ducati Panigale V4 R since his return to Ducati, having tested at Jerez in November, while it will be Rinaldi’s first test of the year. He was forced to miss the November test through an injury sustained in the season-ending Indonesian Round.

Two riders who have had success in WorldSSP will make their debut on WorldSBK machinery at the Portimao test. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) earned a shot in WorldSBK after two podium-laden seasons in WorldSSP and will jump on the Independent Ducati Panigale V4 R for the first time with Team GoEleven. Luca Bernardi (Barni Spark Racing Team) will also be on track on a Ducati machine for the first time since he was announced as a full-time WorldSBK rider for 2022. It will also be his first time on a bike since his Magny-Cours crash which ruled him out of the remainder of the 2021 campaign.

Two more Independent outfits will be on track at Portimao. One of the standout stars of 2021, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), will take to the track with other WorldSBK competitors for the first time in the off-season although he did complete some training at the same venue when he shared the track with eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez and 2019 Moto2(tm) World Champion Alex Marquez. The other outfit taking to the track will be Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha with French rider Christophe Ponsson, who will be on track for the first time since he was announced as returning to the Championship for 2022.

Five riders from four WorldSSP teams will test at Portimao, with three Ducati bikes on track in Portugal. Oli Bayliss will get his first taste of the Ducati Panigale V2 and the Barni Spark Racing Team as the Australian returns the famous Bayliss name to Ducati machinery, with Bayliss gearing up for his first season in WorldSSP.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) will get his second test for the squad after he took part in the November Jerez test alongside Bautista on the Panigale V2 as he, like Bayliss, gears up for his maiden WorldSSP campaign.

CM Racing have switched to Ducati machinery for 2022 and, with Bernardi’s move to WorldSBK, have recruited Austrian rider Maximilian Kofler for the upcoming season. Kofler has two full seasons of Moto3(tm) under his belt but will now focus on WorldSSP for 2022 and will get his first taste of WorldSSP machinery at the Portimao test.

Ducati is returning to WorldSSP for 2022 with the new rules set, as are British outfit Triumph with the PTR squad, under the Dynavolt Triumph banner. Having recruited Hannes Soomer and Stefano Manzi for 2022, the team will be on track for the first time with their new bike and riders. It also marks PTR’s return to the Championship, having not competed on the world stage in 2021.

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Maxwell (Ducati V4R) lead the early dry sessions in the premiere Alpinestars Superbike category to the tunes of half a second ahead of Bryan Staring (Ducati V4R), with Aiden Wagner a further three tenths back in the Yamaha YZF-R1. Lachlan Epis (BMW-MRR) would later split Maxwell and Staring in fourth practice despite Maxwell dropping into the 1:31.9’s with a startling one-second advantage over the second place. 

Tom Edwards (YZF-R6) lead the way early in the Michelin Supersport class, edging Harrison Voight (YZF-R6) to the tune of one-tenth, with Senna Agius (Honda CRB RR) just three-hundredths of a second in arears. Oli Bayliss however would trump Edwards in Practice Four to the tune of seven-tenths in the interests of getting a solid hit-out on his Ducati 955 before heading to Europe next week to contest the World Supersport Championship. 

In the Dunlop Supersport 300 / Yamaha Finance R3 Cup/ Moto3 combined session, the Moto3 spec KTM of Harrison Voight topped the table ahead of fellow Moto3 Hondas ridden by Carter Thompson and Angus Grenfell. The first Dunlop SS300 rider was Marianos Nikolis (Yamaha YZF-R3). Second and third in the class results were Liam Waters and Cameron Swain (both Yamaha YZF-R3’s) respectively. 

The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup was the first opportunity for a number of rookie riders to get to grips with the Yamaha YZF-R15 under the watchful eye of new series coach Garry McCoy. Marcus Hamod was the quickest out of the blocks, shading Harrison Watts by four-tenths of a second, with Levi Russo a further tenth in arrears. In Practice Four, Hamod continued at the, albeit just five-hundredths of a second ahead of Teerin Fleming, who was in turn four-tenth ahead of Ryan Larkin.

Day Two
Day Two of the Official mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) Test began in dry but humid conditions at Phillip Island. In what turned out to be a reverse of Day 1, torrential rain marred the afternoon, eliminating the prospect of any serious times being set late in the day. 

Day one’s front-runner Wayne Maxwell (Ducati V4R) scorched the Phillip Island circuit with a 1:31.848 to head Alpinestars Superbike Practice 5. Last year’s ASBK champion was over a second ahead of Lachlan Epis (BMW MRR), who in-turn enjoyed a one-tenth margin over Cru Halliday (Yamaha YZF-R1). From there it appeared Maxwell had nothing more to prove, preferring to leave his opposition wondering as he sat out the rest of the day. Maxwell was cautiously optimistic about his performance, preferring not to read too much into the test. 

“A lot of people are running different programs and a lot of people have changed teams, so they’re trying to find their way on a new bike,” said Maxwell.  “For us we’ve got a bit more continuity than most. Pirelli have worked really hard to bring us some updated tyres, so it’s really worked out and great to be where we are headed into the 2022 season.” 

In Maxwell’s absence, Halliday topped the timesheets in Practice 6 with a 1:32.232 to go second overall for the day. Lachlan Epis was six-tenths in arrears, with Marcus Chiodo (Yamaha YZF-R1) a further two-tenths behind in third. Amid increasingly wet conditions, only four riders ventured out for Practice 7. Jed Metcher (Yamaha YZF-R1) led the way with a 1:50.178 with Mike Jones only other rider to set a time with a 2:07.063. 

Oli Bayliss topped Michelin Supersport Practice five on his Ducati 955, whilst in the Supersport field, Senna Agius (Honda CBR-RR) led Tom Edwards (Yamaha YZF-R6) and Harrison Voight (Yamaha YZF-R6), who were separated by just over a second.Bayliss lead the field again in Practice 6, with Tom Edwards heading the Supersport field with a 1:35.012 to go second overall for the day ahead of Agius. Oli Bayliss and Senna Agius will be racing overseas in 2022, making Tom Edwards the top Dunlop Supersport competitor at the test. 

Harrison Voight (KTM RC 250) and Carter Thompson (Honda NSF 250) headed the combined Supersport 300/R3 Cup session in Moto3 machinery. Leading the SS300 field was Brandon Demmery and Archie McDonald – both on Yamaha YZF-R3’s. Voight again topped Practice 6, with a 1:42.725. Heading the SS300 field in fifth overall was Cameron Swain with a 1:49.491, followed by Archie McDonald (1:49.897) and Brodie Gawith (1:49.943) on his Yamaha YZF-R3 to complete the top three in SS300. 

The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup riders were keen to put into practice series coach Garry McCoy’s words of wisdom and set about running old rubber to get to grips with tyre wear simulations. With Practice 5 cut short, Ryan Larkin topped the order with a 2:13.540 – half a second ahead of Levi Russo, who was four-tenths ahead of Teerin Fleming. Practice 6 saw a slight mix-up of the order with Jodie Paige leading the way with a 2:12.961 to top the day overall, just over half a second ahead of Larkin and Harrison Watts a further tenth away to round out the top three.  

Practice 7 was run in the dampest conditions of the day, but riders braved the wet, with Sam Drane leading the way with a 2:21.763 – one-tenth ahead of Bodie Paige and Levi Russo, who was a further second behind.

ASBK Testing Top Times (Full Results Here)

1 Wayne Maxwell (Ducati V4R) – 1:31.848
2 Cru Halliday (Yamaha YZF-R1) – 1:32.232
3 Lachlan Epis (BMW M RR ) – 1:32.825

2022 ASBK Calendar

• Round 1 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 25 – 27 February SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, SBK Masters
• Round 2 Queensland Raceway, Ipswich QLD 18 – 20 March SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, Sidecars
• Round 3 Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW 22 – 24 April SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, Sidecars
• Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT 17 – 19 June * With Supercars – SBK Only
• Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD 5 – 7 August SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC
• Round 6 Symmons Plains Raceway – Launceston TAS 20 – 23 October SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup
• Round 7 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes VIC TBA – November TBC
• Round 8 The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend SA 2 – 4 December SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC
• ASBK Night of Champions Dinner – The Bend 4 December

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