Toprak P2 on Barcelona BMW debut, suffers Turn 10 fall: “I hope to feel better… there’s no grip”

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) second round as a BMW rider is fast approaching but a test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gives opportunity for vital preparation for the weekend. Always a track which has been challenging for BMW, with a lack of grip and rear-wheel spinning a problem, it is pivotal that BMW – along with the other manufacturers – work hard to get their bikes in an optimal operating window.

The day didn’t start particularly well for the 27-year-old Turk, who crashed at Turn 10 under braking. He was able to get up to his feet and ride the bike back but the #54 M 1000 RR was quite damaged. However, he was soon dusted down and back out on track; with two bikes available, there were two different swingarms spotted – the Kalex one which was used in Australia and a newer, street-model derived version which has been seen before at various tests. Setting 62 laps and inside the top three for most of the afternoon on his way to second – when the track was at its best of the day – Razgatlioglu was satisfied at the end of day one.

FIRST FALLER: “I had a small crash at Turn 10, trying to fix the engine braking”

Reviewing the day and about how it went, the 2021 World Champion said: “I had a small crash at Turn 10, trying to fix the engine braking. The rear locked a bit, released, the rear was sliding and then came back again and pushed me into the corner and then I fell. The crash was slow but the bike was destroyed. I saw some parts! I got back out to try and fix the rear grip but I’m still not 100%, especially here. Entry it’s OK but the exit with the opening of the gas, it spins a lot. At Yamaha, I can remember that it had better grip and with BMW, we found a way and tomorrow, we’ll work more and I hope to feel better. I have traction, no problem; there’s just no grip.”

Focussing on the BMW side as a whole, he said: “With the team’s side, it’s similar to Yamaha but on the manufacturer side, I see a lot more people from the factory. At Yamaha, I never saw Japanese guys. Just Italian and British guys. Here, there’s a lot of German guys because the project is very important for these guys. What I need, they immediately make. I always say I need more engine braking and these guys make new software just for me. What I need, BMW make it; it’s direct with the factory.”

Talking about using the newer-style swingarm and outlining the plan for day two in Barcelona, he continued: “I used the new swingarm; the plan is that we’ll use the old swingarm tomorrow to understand the grip because it’s bad. With the Q tyre, we’ll have more grip but I’m still feeling the tyre spinning.”

GONSCHOR ON BMW TEST PROGAMME: “We have the potential of the bike”

Speaking earlier in the day, Chris Gonschor, BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s technical director, spoke of the testing with the various swingarms: “I’m sure we don’t have to talk about the distribution but we’re working on the rear end of the bike, as was the case in Portimao and during the Phillip Island tests too. It already started in January. We want to calm down and optimise corner exit and stabilise corner entry. Getting out of the corner more stabilised and more under control; it’s obvious the swingarm was part of this evaluation but like always, it’s just one part.”

Attention then turned to the wider test goals and the low grip situation that Barcelona always offers: “The test target is like always; using the track time we have in these perfect conditions here in Barcelona. I’m glad that we have the test and race together in March. The test team will focus on development like always – without going into detail – and the race team full focused on the race operation. This opportunity is a perfect time to prepare for the weekend. We’re looking forward to the race weekend. This track is completely different to Phillip Island in terms of grip as here has less. We’re not afraid of the circumstances and to get stuck in; we have the potential of the bike and the ingredients we put in bring us into the working window and we’ll concentrate on getting the best out of it. I’m fully motivated like the rest of the team to work here, race next week and get important data.”

ROUND 2 OF THE NEW ERA AWAITS: enjoy it all LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Brilliant Bulega almost 0.5s clear of Razgatlioglu on Day 1 in Barcelona, Rea rebounds from Australia with P5

The two-day Supported Test for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field concluded on Thursday with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) leading the way. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosted the two-day Supported Test ahead of next week’s Pirelli Catalunya Round, with the #11 lapping 0.454s faster than his rivals on a day that produced several incidents throughout the eight hours of running.

BULEGA LEADS DUCATI’S CHARGE: P1 for the #11 again, Sam Lowes impresses as a rookie again

Bulega added yet another circuit to the list of venues he’s been fastest at in WorldSBK as he set a 1’40.304s using the SCQ tyre and completed 72 laps. The #11 was focusing on keeping his feeling with the Panigale V4 R, while the primary goal was to prepare for the round next week. It was similar for teammate Alvaro Bautista, who finished in third place, 0.725s down on his teammate with an incredible 103 laps to his name. They were joined Michele Pirro from the test team as the Italian helped to develop the power delivery and engine characteristics.

In terms of Independent Ducati riders, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) was the quickest, the #14 ending up fourth despite a lowside crash at Turn 10 which then caused a technical issue with a faulty sensor at around the halfway point. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was the seventh fastest and just over a second away from Bulega. The #9 had nothing new on his V4 R as he tested Pirelli’s new SCX tyre, and he was ahead of Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) in eighth. The #21 crashed at Turn 5 in the afternoon but was still able to finish inside the top ten with a 1’41.692s. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) was 11th; ‘The Maniac’ aiming to recover his feeling at this circuit as it was the first time he’s ridden here on a WorldSBK-spec machine. 

RAZGATLIOGLU TAKES TOP BMW HONOURS: crashes for several BMW riders including the #54

As seen so often in testing, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was the lead BMW rider with second place overall, although he did have a small crash Turn 10 in the morning. He set a 1’40.768s to lap four tenths behind rival Bulega but was still the fastest BMW rider. Teammate Michael van der Mark crashed in the afternoon at the same corner, and he was classified in 15th place. There was also a crash for test team rider Bradley Smith at Turn 5. At the Bonovo Action BMW team, Garrett Gerloff was the quicker of the team’s two riders with ninth place, while Scott Redding was in 19th.

REA BACK TOWARDS THE TOP: third place the #65

Yamaha had a strong opening day of testing, with Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) back on track following his Race 2 crash in Australia and taking fifth spot. The plan for him was to try and find the feeling with the bike he had at Jerez, and he set a 1’41.655s to take P5. Teammate Andrea Locatelli was outside the top ten in 12th, around three tenths off his teammate. Remy Gardner’s (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) strong pace continued as took sixth place, as the second-fastest Yamaha rider, while teammate Dominique Aegerter was 17th. Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) finished in 23rd place ahead of Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) in 24th.

LOWES ON TOP AT KAWASAKI DESPITE CRASH: the Brit leads KRT’s charge

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) headed into the test on the back of a sensational Sunday in Australia, and he continued to enjoy his place as KRT’s team leader with tenth place at a circuit that hasn’t been particularly kind to Kawasaki in the past. However, his day was disrupted by a Turn 10 crash with just over half an hour left in the session, which brought out the red flags for a few minutes. Teammate Axel Bassani, who was focusing on the upcoming round, was 14th. For the test, he had Marco Melandri by his side although there’s no commitment yet beyond the Catalunya Test. KRT did have some upgrades to try at the test, although they didn’t reveal what they were; only that they couldn’t be seen from the outside. Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 20th on his factory ZX-10RR, lapping around 2.2 seconds off Bulega’s best time.

A CHALLENGING DAY FOR HONDA: two tech issues at Team HRC

It was a chastening, and quite frankly bizarre day for Honda, as both Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) and teammate Xavi Vierge had technical issues in the morning. Both bikes stopped at around the same time, causing a disruption to their planned programme; Lecuona left the circuit before the test day concluded although Vierge did return to the track on his other bike. Lecuona was classified 21st with his teammate two places ahead, and you can read more from Honda here. Next door at the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team, Tarran Mackenzie was the fastest out of the two riders with 22nd place, while teammate Adam Norrodin was 28th. The Malaysian’s day was impacted by him running out of fuel a few hours into the test while on track.

The top ten from Day 1, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’40.304s

2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.464s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.725s

4. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.752s

5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +1.351s

6. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +1.367s

7. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +1.380s

8. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) +1.388s

9. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +1.433s

10. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +1.498s

A NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: watch WorldSBK throughout 2024 in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

“From Lap 1, the bike felt more normal” – is Rea back to his best after Day 1 in Barcelona?

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) had a disappointing visit to Australia just a few weeks ago, scoring no points and being declared unfit after a Race 2 crash. The two-day MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was his first chance to get back on the Yamaha YZF-R1 machine as he looked to kickstart his 2024 season properly as the entire field took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a Supported Test in Spain.

The first day suggested that Rea was back on the pace as he posted a 1’41.655s and completed 73 laps on his R1 machine, consistently towards the top of the timesheets. It marked a good fightback for the #65 after his crash and point-less outing at Phillip Island, at a Barcelona circuit that traditionally has been trickier for Yamaha than other circuits on the calendar. He finished in fifth place, behind only Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team).

Reflecting on his day and revealing the bike was feeling better, Rea said: “From Lap 1, the bike felt more normal, more like it had when testing throughout the winter. The guys went back to Milan after Australia to analyse all our issues and problems we’ve been having. We came here, fixed all of that. We still have some things to work on but now it feels like a normal test. We can keep working lap by lap. Phillip Island was a really bad start. Mentally, we had a bit more of a reset and started from zero, but also some changes to the bike with more of a base. I felt quite okay with the bike. It feels good but I’m not talking 100%; we need to work in some areas.”

Rea spent the majority of the day towards the top of the timesheets, often running in the top three before being demoted in the final stages of the day. It was also the first chance for him to check whether the rear chatter problem he was suffering from in Australia had gone, with the Ulsterman explaining he wasn’t suffering with it in Barcelona.

Rea revealed the area of the bike he’d ‘really like’ to work on, saying: “An area I really want to focus on with the bike is trying to generate traction with the rear. That’s not just coming from a rear shock or suspension, that’s a combination of linkage, swingarm, bike character… it’s really hard to pinpoint where to improve that. No complaints, for sure. They’re working in a really good way.”

Can Rea bounce back when racing gets underway in Barcelona next week? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

DUCATI DELIGHT: Bautista “feeling like I am back again”, Bulega “improved a little bit” on starts after clutch changes

Both Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and teammate Nicolo Bulega were rapid on Day 1 of the Supported Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the #1 finishing third and the #11 taking top spot. It continued a strong start to the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign for the Ducati team, after Bulega’s Race 1 win in Australia and Bautista’s second place in Race 2 and neither could hide their delight following the test day.

Bautista had been lurking inside the top ten for most of the day, but he surged up the order in the final 30 minutes, initially moving into second before being overhauled by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). However, despite finishing behind his teammate, the reigning Champion was more than happy with how his day went, declaring that he had “no problem” riding the bike after an injury-stricken winter left him unable to train properly.

A jubilant Bautista said after completing more than 100 laps and posting a 1’41.029s: “Now, I am happy because I am feeling like I am back again. After the Australian Round, I was quite confident and, today, I started like a bit awkward but then I felt good on the bike. I can say I don’t have problems riding the bike. We didn’t make a lot of changes because, for me, it’s important to get the feeling with the bike. The bike is basically the same as last year. A bit more weight but basically the bike didn’t change. It’s important to get the feeling, get used to the new weight of the bike and see in which areas we can push more or less.”

On the other side of the box, the #11 was one of the first riders to lap in the 1’41s bracket on Day 1 of the Supported Test, before improving to a 1’40.305s and completing 72 laps. His best time came on his 67th lap as he went provisionally went more than a second clear, but his rivals halved the gap. It means Bulega has now topped test days at all of his WorldSBK tests, starting from the first one at Jerez last year to the most recent.

Explaining his programme for the day and his remarkable pace to leave him almost half-a-second clear, Bulega said: “It’s not a bad feeling to be P1! I know it’s just a test, but it gives me a lot of confidence to be P1 but also if I was P2; I’m fast, so it’s good. I used the SCQ, I think like everybody. I used it like Alvaro, Toprak and a lot of guys. I tried the new Pirelli C900 tyre, and I liked it; I think it can be a good choice for the round. All the tyres I tried today, I had a good feeling. We concentrated a lot on the clutch because, in Australia, my three starts were bad. We tried something new on the clutch to start better. I improved a little bit, so I’m happy, but when you are in the races, it’s more difficult.”

A NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: watch all the action from WorldSBK in 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

TYRE INNOVATIONS: Pirelli bring new development front SC1 and rear SCX tyres to Barcelona test

Testing is a time for manufacturers in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship to test new items and components, and that goes for tyre supplier Pirelli too. At the two-day Supported Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, they brought a new front SC1 solution and rear SCX solution which the entire field were able to test during the two-day outing in Spain.

Pirelli are always searching for innovation and that continued with the introduction of the rear SCX C900 development tyre with the aim of providing extra stability compared to the the current standard solution to make the tyre an even better option. It comes off the back of the A800 development solution used widely in WorldSBK last year, with the Italian company always enhancing their tyres.

Explaining the SCX tyre, WorldSBK Project Leader at Pirelli, Steven Neumann, said: “The C900 is a rear tyre, and this tyre is a development from the SCX. It’s quite a nice tyre so it’s the first time we will test it in WorldSBK. It’s an improvement on the SCX based on what we know from the previous development tyre of the SCX. The compound is the same, it’s just that we are looking for something better. It’s already a really good tyre. As you saw last year, it’s been used for full races. We had, last year, the A800 as a development tyre. This tyre is an improvement of that development. It’s not something softer or harder but bringing something new to have something better. You are supposed to have more stability on drive, and more edge grip.”

The SCX tyre is not the only innovation at the test, with a new SC1 front tyre also available in the test. Both solutions will be available to use during next week’s Pirelli Catalunya Round, with the new SC1 also designed for more stability especially when conditions are warmer or at tracks which can be demanding on front tyres.

Neumann discussed why a new development tyre was available, saying: “There’s a new front tyre, it’s not linked to the rear tyre. It’s just a development soft tyre which is in the SC1 family. Our target is to give more stability on the front, mainly when it’s hotter and on really demanding tracks on the front, like Barcelona, in heavy braking areas or when you’re leaning and starting to brake. The compound remains the same as the SC1, so we are looking to have better stability.”

A NEW ERA HAS BEGUN: watch every single moment LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and INT650 Review | First Look 

2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Apex Gray
2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in Apex Gray

In addition to earlier news about the all-new 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, the company has now released information and pricing on the 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and INT650, both of which receive upgrades and new colors for the same MSRP as the 2023 versions. Also included in the announcement is the price of the Shotgun 650. 

Related: 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review | First Look 

2024 Royal Enfield INT650 Barcelona Blue
2024 Royal Enfield INT650 in Barcelona Blue

“We’re excited to be bringing some updates to the Continental GT 650 and INT650 that make them more comfortable and stylish,” said Mark Wells, chief of design at Royal Enfield. “The new Twins have the same old-school cool factor that fans have come to expect, but with some more premium touches.” 

2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 Slipstream Blue
2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in Slipstream Blue

True to the Royal Enfield brand, the Continental GT 650 cafe racer and INT650 roadster feature retro-inspired aesthetics that lean on their 1960s origins. They’re both powered by an air/oil-cooled 648cc parallel-Twin that makes a claimed 46.4 hp at 6,250 rpm and 38.6 lb-ft of torque at 5,150 rpm and with electronic fuel injection – the same engine also found on the Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor 650. 

Related: 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 | First Ride Review 

2024 Royal Enfield INT650 Black Pearl
2024 Royal Enfield INT650 in Black Pearl

Both bikes also feature a Harris Performance steel-tubular frame. Up front is a telescopic fork, and suspension in the rear is provided by piggy-back gas-charged twin shocks with preload adjustability. Braking comes in the form of a 2-piston front caliper with a 320mm disc and a 1-piston rear calipeer with a 240mm disc, and ABS is standard. 

2024 Royal Enfield INT650 Cali Green
2024 Royal Enfield INT650 in Cali Green

Upgrades to the Continental GT 650 and INT650 include LED headlights, improved CEAT tires, and an improved seat design with foam-mesh material. Also included are new aluminum switch cubes, handlebar grips, and adjustable brake and clutch levers. 

2024 Royal Enfield INT650 Black Ray
2024 Royal Enfield INT650 in Black Ray

These two models also get six new color options for 2024, each with their own style and personality. The 2024 Continental GT 650 will be available in two blacked-out variants: Apex Gray and Slipstream Blue. The 2024 Royal Enfield INT650 will be available in two blacked-out variants and two with a traditional chrome finish. The blacked-out color options are Barcelona Blue and Black Ray, and the colors with chrome finish are Cali Green and Black Pearl. 

The 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 has an MSRP of $6,349, and the 2024 Royal Enfield INT650 starts at $6,149. The 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 has an MSRP of $6,899. All three models are on sale now at Royal Enfield dealerships throughout North America. 

Visit the Royal Enfield website for more information. 

Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorcycle Buyers Guide 

The post 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and INT650 Review | First Look  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

April 2024

In this issue, we review the updated Royal Enfield Himalayan, a 450cc adventure bike we tested in the Himalayas of northern India.

Kickstarts has first looks at the new 2025 CFMOTO Ibex 450 adventure bike and 450CL-C cruiser, the new 2024 Moto Morini Calibro cruiser, and the updated 2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorers.

As the spring riding season gets underway, we help you prepare with our Buyers Guide showcasing cool gear and products, as well as our semi-annual Rides & Destinations Guide to help you find your next motorcycle getaway.

This issue includes three On the Road features about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Route 66 in Arizona, and great roads in Alaska. And our Favorite Ride is a scenic loop ride around Casa Grande, Arizona.

Our Exhaust Note comes from Grace Butcher, Rider’s first female columnist, and Quinn Redeker discusses cornering techniques in Motor School. Celebrating Rider’s 50th anniversary, our Rider Rewind section showcases some of our favorite ads from 1974 to 1999.

Additional stories in the April issue of Rider:

  • 2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan | First Ride
  • Spring Buyers Guide
  • Rides & Destinations Guide
  • To Keweenaw and Beyond | On the Road
  • Meandering the Mother Road | On the Road
  • Alaskan Adventure | On the Road
  • Tiny Cars, Tall Cactus, and Time in the Big House | Favorite Ride
  • Favorite Ads, 1974-2024 | Rider Rewind
  • And more!

The post April 2024 appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

“We’ve got new items… a lot of faith that they’re going to work” – Escamez on Honda development

2024 has begun for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship but testing continues, particularly at the Supported Test in Spain. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the host for two days of track action with plenty of teams and riders getting up to speed for the round as well as long-term development. For Honda, it’s a vital test; a disappointing start to 2024 in Australia has happened but new team boss Jose Escamez outlines Honda’s strategy to fight back and get closer to the front.

BRIEF ROUND 1 REVIEW: “Not what we expected or were looking for”

Starting with a quick glance back to Australia, it was a far from ideal introduction to WorldSBK for the new team principal: “The first round was not what we expected or looking for, but the important thing is that we got information in order to keep developing our new bike. Unfortunately, Iker had an early crash and that wasn’t in our plans, it’s not what we want. We got positive information in order to keep us going and we have the hope that it’s going to be much better during the season.”

Talking about Iker’s comments to the media about how the project has been going, Escamez was understanding in his response: “It’s obvious that a rider always wants something else. Other manufacturers have made a huge step and maybe we’re not at the same level yet, but I’m confident that we will get there and with all the information we got from Australia, we have a much clearer idea about the way we want to go and what the targets are. When you have a crash and don’t understand why, it’s normal to be upset so I really understand Iker.”

TALKING TECH: powerful engine but how can they profit from it?

“The engine is really powerful,” continued Escamez, with attention turning to how they can fix their underlying grip issue that has plagued the Japanese manufacturer since they returned to WorldSBK. “The only thing we are trying to solve in the short term is trying to have profit of this power. We can’t generate the grip, we struggle to stop the bike and then in the corners, we go wide. This is the main target and this is something we already faced in the past. In Australia, we got a lot of information that’s going to help us solve all this.

“We’ve got new items. We have a lot of faith that they’re going to work. It won’t be something that solves all our problems, it’ll be a little step that we’ve not tried on track. That’s why we’re here, to test them on track. It’s just to have more engine brake and it’s important to solve this aggressive response from the engine. It’s base setup and electronics, it’s something we knew. It looks like a pointless thing, but the way we lost a test day at Portimao in December due to rain, we delayed our development a little bit. We’re getting closer to where we want to be.”

NAGASHIMA PRESENT AND TESTING: Honda strengthen development programme

With test rider Tetsuta Nagashima in the paddock once again and undergoing a vigorous testing plan, Escamez put spotlight on the importance of data acquisition: “Nagashima will test something today that our riders will test tomorrow. We wanted to try it first on track. As much information we can get, the better. It’s part of our project.

“At the moment, aside from the electronics and power delivery, we’re still working on the base setup which is not bad but something we can still improve. We’re looking at little details to have the perfect bike… which is impossible! We didn’t get our proper base setup yet. Different tracks can adjust better.”

KUWATA MOVES ON: no knock-on impact expected

With a change in Honda’s organisation in Tetsuhiro Kuwata moving onto a new role in the company and being replaced by Taichi Honda as HRC General Manager, Escamez shed light on the situation: “This is a natural procedure in the company, which is nothing related and nothing wrong with that. He’ll get another role in the company, then Taichi Honda will replace him. I don’t think it’ll effect much. He’s a guy who’s supported us a lot and we can just say thanks for all his support, his knowledge but it’s not going to be a big change.”

NEW APPROACH “With this new planning and mentality of Honda… it’s going to be much better”

Confirming that working processes and procedures are a bit different and more efficient back in Japan, the new team boss highlighted that eventually, they’ll have better times: “Since this year they’ve improved the willing and the reaction, and working harder than before, maybe it’s not going to be as fast as we’d like but it’ll be much better than before. With this new planning and mentality of Honda, it cannot be an immediate reaction but it’s going to be much better.”

Finally, when asked about whether or not his experience in MotoGP™ – which dates back over 20 years, having worked with the likes of Max Biaggi – can help in WorldSBK and Honda’s project here, he was humorous as well as humble: “I really hope so! Otherwise, there’s no reason for me to stay here! It’s not something you think about, you just trying to give your knowledge from the best ones and I hope it helps us improve or at least be more effective.”

It’s been a tricky opening half a day for Honda in Barcelona, as both riders suffered technical issues at exactly the same time and in the same sector. For full live text commentary of the test, click here!

ROUND 2 OF THE NEW ERA AWAITS: enjoy it all LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

“We can get the best from his MotoGP™ experience” – Ducati draft in Pirro for “power delivery” development

The two-day test for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will feature several test riders from four of the five manufacturers competing in WorldSBK, with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad bringing in Michele Pirro. The Italian, using the #51 bike, brings a wealth of experience from competing in the Italian Superbike championship as well as helping to develop the Ducati MotoGP™ project, with the Italian testing alongside racers Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Nicolo Bulega.

Pirro’s world stage career began in the 125cc World Championship back in 2003, where he stayed until 2006 before competing domestically in the Superstock class, winning the title on the Yamaha R1. From there, he moved into WorldSSP, taking victory at Imola, before moving to Moto2™ and then MotoGP™. He has taken part in wildcards for the factory Ducati team since a full-time career came to an end, but his primary role has been as the team’s test rider, helping develop the Desmosedici GP to the force it is now. His valuable work was rewarded with a contract until the end of 2026.

Because of his experience in developing the MotoGP™ machine, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati are utilising his skills on the Panigale V4 R. Explaining why, Ducati Corse Technical Coordinator Marco Zambenedetti said: “First of all, we are here to prepare for the round weekend as that’s always important. Fortunately, Barcelona seems to have good weather and is quite a complex and complete track; this gives us the possibility to setup the bike and test something new. Many of the things aren’t visible because they’re more about power delivery and the character of the engine with the new fuel control. There is also the test team that will help us improve the bike with Michele Pirro, who, especially in these areas, we can get the best from his experience in MotoGP™.

Zambenedetti also reviewed the manufacturer’s Australian round, where rookie Bulega won his debut race in WorldSBK and Bautista ended the weekend strongly as he took second in Race 2 after losing out in a last-lap fight with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Although it was a strong weekend for the Bologna-based manufacturer, it wasn’t as strong as the last two seasons where Bautista won five out of six races at Phillip Island in 2022 and 2023.

Discussing the Australia Round, Zambenedetti said: “About Australia, let me say I was positively impressed about Nicolo’s performance. We start to know him and his talent, but I’m impressed at the time it took for him to get to the top with this new bike. He adapted very quickly. Australia is always a friendly track for Ducati, and, in this case, it seems very good for Nicolo. Alvaro was struggling a bit as he tried to recover his confidence with the bike and find a new bike balance with the ballast that has been fixed on his bike. We’re still working on that area to give him the best package possible. I hope being in Barcelona, with all the references he has in his career, will help him and us to understand what the better setup with the ballast is. I’m pretty sure we will make an improvement with respect to Australia, and I hope we will be in the same position as last year.”

A NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: watch the 2024 season unfold in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

LIVE COVERAGE: updates from Barcelona as the entire WorldSBK field hit the track for testing!

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is underway and after an unforgettable season-opener in Australia, attention is now on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a two-day Supported Test. Every rider is present, along with several test riders, as teams and manufacturers look to maximise their data collection and prepare for the round in perfect fashion. Read a full preview of the test HERE. All times are Local Time (UTC+1).

10:48: Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) is now fastest ahead of the #54, with 0.134s separating the duo. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) is P3.

10:40: A new name at the top of the timesheets as Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) takes P1; he’s the first rider in the 1’42s bracket as the times drop.

10:33: Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) leads the way with a 1’43.543s, a couple of tenths ahead of Scott Reddung and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing).

10:18: Bradley Smith is also on track, as are Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), Tetsuta Nagashima (Team HRC) and Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team),

10:00am: the green flag waves and we’re underway in Barcelona. First out is Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) followed by Florian Marino (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), on Alex Lowes’ #22 machine, shortly after 10am.

Source: WorldSBK.com

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