WorldSBK Jerez Take a look at

Day Two – January 25, 2024

2023 World Supersport Champion Nicolo Bulega continued to set the tempo on the second day of testing at Jerez along with his 1m37.809 greater than half-a-second faster than Jonathan Rea on the Pata Yamaha. The time was additionally four-tenths faster than the race lap report set at Jerez by Jonathan Rea on a Kawasaki in 2019, and can also be the fastest-ever time set by a WorldSBK rider on the circuit.  Not all riders put in a qualifying tyre for a time-attack, however nonetheless Bulega has actually confirmed his tempo and potential.

Nicolò Bulega

“I’m comfortable as a result of we took one other step ahead, even in comparison with yesterday, and the sensation has grown steadily. We labored properly on the time assault and meaning I used to be additionally capable of enhance on the qualifying tires. I feel it was an necessary check and now we go to Portimao to proceed on this path. At the moment’s lap time? It doesn’t change something: I stay a rookie and my aims are totally different to the highest riders“.

On the opposite aspect of the Aruba.it storage the struggles continued with Alvaro Bautista nonetheless struggling with the neck points and lack of power in his arm which might be a results of a crash throughout testing final 12 months, which resulted in a later prognosis of spinal trauma consisting of a C6-C7 hernia and C5-C6 disc protrusions. Issues from that lack of power had been compounded by the additional weight added to his World Championship successful machine on account of the brand new parity measures coming into pressure this season.  Bautista was the sixteenth quickest WorldSBK rider at Jerez this week with a 1m39.583 however regardless of the difficulties he put in loads of laps, 149 laps throughout the 2 days.

Alvaro Bautista

“I’m glad as a result of on Day 1, attributable to some ache, I didn’t get the very best feeling; at the moment issues went higher and that is undoubtedly a great signal. I can say that my situation has even improved. We labored rather a lot on the set-up, particularly in gentle of the brand new laws, and we obtained some necessary indications. We haven’t tried a time assault however that wasn’t the precedence of this testing. I’m trying ahead to being at Portimao to proceed on this path and to get additional suggestions on my situation“.

Ducati showcased power throughout the board with Andrea Iannone (Workforce GoEleven) securing fifth place whereas Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Workforce) additionally delivered a strong efficiency, ending seventh.

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Workforce) claimed ninth whereas Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Workforce Motocorsa Racing) was fifteenth after his sole day of testing.

Danilo Petrucci

“For me, it wasn’t a superb check. I’m comfortable, however I wished to do a bit extra. We have now the identical points as final 12 months: I’m quick however can’t make the distinction that others do with the brand new tire and comfortable tyres. I have to work to grasp what it takes whereas making an attempt to go quick on the similar time. Each yesterday and at the moment, when it comes to lap occasions and race tempo, the gaps had been small. We’re not removed from the others, however I actually wished to be greater within the standings on the finish of those two days. In Portimao, we are going to certainly have quite a lot of work to do.”

Six-time world champion Jonathan Rea accomplished a formidable 150 laps over the course of the 2 days as he continued to familiarise himself with the Yamaha R1. Working by varied set-up adjustments and check gadgets, Rea was capable of make constant progress culminating in each a powerful race run and outright tempo, along with his quickest lap of 1’38.345 inserting him second on the timesheets on the finish of the 2 days.

Jonathan Rea

“It’s been a extremely busy check, so at the start I need to thank all the crew as they labored tirelessly from the very first day. It’s regular to make a lot of adjustments when in these early levels of studying a brand new bike, not simply to make issues higher however to additionally perceive my suggestions as I adapt to those adjustments and so the crew can higher perceive what I like and don’t like. Day one was irritating at some factors because it didn’t really feel like we had been making progress quick sufficient, nevertheless it was all actually good knowledge and the fellows put their heads collectively in a single day and this morning we had been capable of put a bundle collectively which I felt extra snug with. We had been capable of work by some efficiency gadgets fairly quick and after that we did a race simulation earlier than ticking off the remaining check gadgets. I felt we might end with a powerful rhythm, our out and out tempo was passable, our race simulation was good so we could be content material with the work we’ve performed.”

Rea’s team-mate Andrea Locatelli was joined for the primary time by new crew chief Tom O’Kane, who joins the staff from Yamaha MotoGP. The check supplied a possibility for rider and crew chief to get to know one another, with ‘Loka’ finishing 145 laps over the course of the 2 days. His quickest time of 1’38.943 noticed him tenth general.

Andrea Locatelli

“It was good to get again on the bike for 2 days of testing in Jerez, we tried quite a lot of issues and for positive, it’s at all times a bit difficult as throughout testing you have no idea what everyone seems to be doing! However after we discovered one thing good the sensation was optimistic. It was my first two days working with my new crew chief Tom, so it was good to work with him and it was additionally necessary for him too so he can begin to perceive the bike. In the long run we had been in a great place and we’ve one other two days in Portimao. We have now a powerful base set-up already and might work extra with the info we’ve, I’ve confidence so let’s see what we are able to do in Portimao.”

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Workforce) secured eighth place after clocking 159 laps in whole all through the check classes.

Remy Gardner

“Total it’s been a optimistic two-days of testing, it’s positively good to be again on the bike. I had good emotions and we made quite a lot of laps, nearly 160 in whole. On the second day our focus was on testing new options and we’ll now checking the info to place the items collectively. I can’t wait to be again testing in Portimao, it’ll be one other good check session to extend our efficiency forward of the opening spherical of the season.”

Gardner’s team-mate Dominique Aegerter was pressured to take a seat out the primary check of the 2024 season in Jerez after being recognized with a viral an infection on arrival in Spain. Aegerter will even miss the two-day Portimao check subsequent week, as a substitute following medical recommendation to return house to Switzerland and focus absolutely on his restoration forward of the opening race in Australia, which takes place one month from now.

Scott Redding put in a fast one on the finish of the day to take high BMW honours from Toprak Razgatlioglu. The pair third and fourth on the time-sheets forward of Stefan Bradl on the HRC MotoGP machine.  Bradl’s MotoGP bike 15 km/h quicker by the pace entice than any of the World Superbikes.

Scott Redding

“So, the primary two days of testing this 12 months are accomplished. On day one I used to be feeling fairly sick. It has been troublesome however we’ve been capable of do some laps and discover some feeling with the bike. It was nearly settling with the brand new staff and blowing the cobwebs away. Coming into day two I felt rather a lot higher after which we labored rather a lot with the bike to get my confidence and my feeling. We performed just a little bit with the set-up and examined just a few new elements from BMW and I used to be moderately pleased with the steps that we made for my confidence on the bike. I’m trying ahead to Portimão subsequent and see if the set-up additionally works on one other circuit.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu

“These two days of testing have been very optimistic for me, particularly as I’m nonetheless studying the bike on each lap and I’m bettering. Particularly on these two days we’ve learnt rather a lot and we improved some issues. We tried many new elements. Typically they labored properly, generally not, however that is regular. We simply attempt to discover a good set-up and good elements. On the whole, it has been a really optimistic check. I didn’t count on to experience a 1:38 lap time. I’m very stunned as a result of for me the bike remains to be new, I’m nonetheless studying and normally my plan is to do a mid 1:39 possibly, however yesterday I began right away with a 1:39 and I consider that I additionally might have made a 1:38 yesterday. At the moment I lastly made it and I’m very comfortable about it as a result of I see the potential of the bike and this is excellent for me. Now we maintain working exhausting and we simply want to search out my set-up. And after that we’ll begin preventing.”

Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Motion BMW) carried out properly, securing sixth place. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Workforce) completed thirteenth with a finest time of 1’39.224s, general a optimistic consequence for BMW heading into season 2024.

Garrett Gerloff

“Total, it was a great check. We had been capable of type out just a few issues that we had which is sweet. All in all it was simply very nice to get on the bike once more after two months of not using and to lastly do some laps. I’m actually excited to go to Portimão and maintain making an attempt to get quicker. I really feel like we’ve an thought of what we need to attempt to change at Portimão after which we ought to be good to go for the season. I’m pleased with this check, comfortable to reunite with my staff and looking out ahead to using once more in just a few days.”

Michael van der Mark

“It has been a busy check; two good days with superb climate, so it was nice for testing and I actually loved using once more. We’ve been making an attempt to check quite a lot of totally different set-ups and totally different elements on the bike. They’ve been fairly busy days however I actually loved it. We’re nonetheless making an attempt to enhance the bike, and are getting higher and higher. Additionally myself, my using has improved so I’m fairly pleased with it. We learnt rather a lot and I’m trying ahead to Portimão. It’s certainly one of my favorite tracks so I can’t wait to go on the market and maintain working.”

Alex Lowes had a tricky opening day on monitor after struggling with a abdomen bug however he recovered properly sufficient to publish 82 laps on the ultimate day, with a finest lap time of 1’38.989.

Alex Lowes

“We had a great day of labor at the moment. We try to make the bike simpler on used tyres, and that was our essential focus. We misplaced a little bit of efficiency on contemporary tyres, however I feel that’s what we have to do with our bike as a result of we’ve at all times been actually quick at qualifying and Superpole races, however we lack a bit in terms of race distance. So we try to make the bike a bit simpler. Truthfully, it felt fairly good at the moment and since the situations had been constant, everybody was quick. You at all times need to go higher however after being sick yesterday, 82 laps was an honest day’s work. I’m comfortable sufficient.”

Pere Riba – Crew Chief for Alex Lowes

“The check was very optimistic. I’m pleased with the consequence and pleased with Alex. We have now already performed 1500km or so this winter and nobody crashed, so we obtained excellent data. We examined quite a lot of issues and labored in many alternative areas, together with the chassis and electronics. I’m pleased with the step we made in electronics. Most significantly we centered 100% with lap time stability to make the identical lap time within the first lap and the final one. That is the goal as this was our weakest level, and we made a great step. Alex is working very properly and I’m happy. Now we go to Portimao and we are going to maintain working.”

Newcomer to KRT this 12 months, Axel Bassani, remains to be studying the finer factors of his Ninja ZX-10RR as he grows into his function as a manufacturing facility rider for the primary time in his WorldSBK profession. Axel and his pit drew discovered enhancements in ergonomics and general set-up at this check, and gained precious knowledge in dry monitor situations. He was fifteenth general, with a finest single lap time of 1’39.419.

Axel Bassani

“We tried quite a lot of issues, quite a lot of set-up issues and totally different tyres. We did quite a lot of jobs, and we began to grasp what I wanted to alter and what I want to alter in my using model. The final a part of at the moment was good, and we started to enhance. I feel we did a great job, had a great check, and now we’ve quite a lot of knowledge to assist us go higher at Portimao.”

Marcel Duinker – Crew Chief for Axel Bassani

“It was good at this check, and I feel everyone was able to get again into motion after an eight week break, which felt method too lengthy this time. We had very nice climate on this check and after two exams in November, we had gathered quite a lot of data. The targets had been very clear for his first January check. We ticked off all of the gadgets and we made some enhancements on Axel’s using place on the bike, and a few adjustments on the geometry of the bike. We improved actually in each space. Alex Lowes is, in fact, the reference on this bike. Our goal is, at each single check, to return nearer and nearer and we reached that focus on at this check. We have now just a little bit of information to analyse at house and I’m trying ahead to Portimao.”

In addition to the official KRT riders, Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was out on a KRT provided Ninja ZX-10RR at this primary 2024 check. The Spanish rider set a finest lap of 1’40.100, which positioned him nineteenth general.

Xavi Vierge (Workforce HRC) and team-mate Iker Lecuona centered on figuring out a strong base-setup for the brand new CBR1000RR-R. This concerned testing a collection of upgrades made to totally different areas of the machine, and constructing on the work accomplished in November when the bike made its debut outing at Jerez. The Honda males are nonetheless struggling for pace and regardless of the brand new bike, nonetheless report drive grip as a major difficulty of concern.

Xavi Vierge

“I’m comfortable to be again working with my squad and all of the members of my staff. We’ve had two days of best climate situations right here in Jerez, which has allowed us to finish quite a lot of laps and get by a big quantity of labor. It’s true that we’ve had just a little extra issue than anticipated, particularly in the course of the traction section, so certainly one of our essential targets right here was to enhance traction and grip. The general feeling on the bike is sort of good, however as quickly as we shut the throttle, we can’t exploit the ability and have an excessive amount of spin. We’ve made various changes to the bike setup and electronics, and now will probably be essential for the engineers to research all the info and provide you with a strong plan for Portimão, in order that we are able to rapidly make progress.”

Iker Lecuona

“Over the winter I had a small surgical procedure on my left hand, as I’d been having some points final season, an after-effect of getting damaged my hand again in 2021. Though I’ve needed to cut back my gymnasium work just a little, I’m nearly 100% and am now coaching correctly once more; I really feel sturdy bodily but in addition mentally and was trying ahead to getting on the bike yesterday. I see 2024 as being an necessary 12 months for me, and so I need to do my finest to be prepared for it. I really feel we’ve taken a step with the aero bundle, and the bike general appears to work differently, because of up to date electronics and the like, which helps us to enhance in sure areas. Having mentioned that, the bike is new, and we’re nonetheless scuffling with sure facets. I wished to search out higher entrance feeling this week, and we labored exhausting to attain that however should not there but. The subsequent two days of testing at Portimão will likely be necessary, giving us the prospect to grasp how the bike feels at a totally totally different monitor and to determine the very best base earlier than we head to Phillip Island.”

2023 WorldSSP runner-up Stefano Manzi (Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) took high spot within the World Supersport subject with a 1’41.338s, finishing 64 laps. He was three-tenths away from Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) in second as he continues his comeback from arm surgical procedure, whereas Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took P3.

Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was fourth, making it 4 totally different producers within the high 4 on the finish of Day 2 within the World Supersport rankings.

Jerez WorldSBK Take a look at Instances

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WorldSBK 2024

The 2024 WorldSBK season itself will get underway correct with official exams for all on the nineteenth and twentieth of February on the first venue of the 12 months, Phillip Island. Earlier than then, many groups will even check at Portimao, to make their last preparations earlier than the bikes and gear are flown out to Australia.

The Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will elevate the curtain as soon as once more for the brand new WorldSBK and WorldSSP season with the Australian Spherical on the weekend of February 25.

Tickets for the 2024 season opener are on sale now, try your choices at www.worldsbk.com.au

2024 WorldSBK Dates