There will be a new colour on the 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” during the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round as the Bologna-based manufacturer switch red for yellow. Unveiled before the start of Race 1 for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati riders Alvaro Bautista and Michael Ruben Rinaldi, the yellow livery pays tribute to some historic bikes from Ducati, including the 750 Sport and 750 SS Desmo in the 1970s, before the yellow livery became more popular in the 1990s. Ducati models including the 916, 996, 749, 999 and 1199 have all been run in the yellow livery. Famously, Pierfrancesco Chilli raced the Ducati 998 RS in yellow and won in 2004 at Misano running a yellow livery while Paolo Casoli led a race using a yellow Ducati at 1996 in Hockenheim, Steve Martin ran it in 2004 and Lorenzo Lanzi claimed a race victory at Valencia in 2008 on a yellow liveried Ducati.

Check out images of the yellow Panigale V4 R at the top of this article and watch all the drama from Misano using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s fifth round is promising to be an electric one, with the title fight primed for more drama after a tense Tissot Superpole at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” in Italy. The Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, where Pirelli will celebrate their 20^th season as WorldSBK’s Official Sole Tyre Supplier, saw a new SCQ in action and the lap record smashed, as Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) rocketed to a third pole of the year and ninth of his career.

STORY OF SUPERPOLE: Lowes crashes, Bautista, Petrucci impress straight away

There was immediate trouble for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) at Turn 1, when he got out of shape in the braking area and tucked the front, with his foot getting stuck under the handlebar. However, he was OK and soon back on track. After the opening runs, Alvaro Bautista went to the top, but he was followed closely by Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team). However, it was a massive opening lap for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) with a 1’33.182. As the first half was coming to a close, Petrucci’s breakthrough with fresh and soft rubber continued as he went up to second, whilst Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was fourth. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) was impressive in P6, before moving up to P4, with a strong showing in comparison to previous rounds.

RED FLAG, EARLY END: Bautista holds off, bad luck for Razgatlioglu

After a frantic first part of the session, most riders came into the pits, whilst Alvaro Bautista’s next run started in the final five minutes. With five to go, riders left the pits but Bautista already had his fast lap underway, as did teammate Rinaldi. Rinaldi went second but Bautista was on a stunning lap, going top with a 1’33.017, but he crashed at Turn 8 on the following lap. He was OK and able to re-join. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) crashed at Turn 2, but there was major drama for Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) at Turn 11, with a cloud of smoke billowing out from his BMW, which resulted in a red flag.

The red flag came out with 1’45 left on the clock and thus, the session was ended, meaning Bautista took a third pole position of 2023 and will start from the front of the grid for Ducati at their home round. Toprak Razgatlioglu was on a very fast lap at the time of the red flag but will launch from second and the middle of the front row, whilst Michael Ruben Rinaldi completed the top three, meaning the Ducatisti will watch two Panigale V4 Rs go from the front row.

SECOND ROW: can Petrucci and Bassani launch a podium charge?

For the second row, a declaration by the Independent riders; Danilo Petrucci’s strong weekend continued as he took fourth and therefore, his best WorldSBK Superpole result, whilst Axel Bassani was fifth and took a top five in Superpole for the first time since he was third on the grid in Argentina, 2021. Completing the second row, Jonathan Rea was top Kawasaki but will have work to do to get a podium banked this weekend.

THIRD ROW: Aegerter charges forwards

Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) climbed up to seventh for his first WorldSBK Superpole session at Misano, and he was ahead of Honda’s best rider Iker Lecuona (Team HRC), who found form to make big gains in comparison to his Free Practice times. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) took ninth, whilst Alex Lowes bounced back from his opening crash with tenth, but not ideal for the #22.

OUTSIDE THE TOP TEN: big factory names with A LOT of work to do

Wanting more from Misano after a contract renewal ahead of the round, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) was only 11^th, ahead of Redding. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) had strong pace in FP3 but couldn’t replicate it in Superpole and was 13^th, one place higher than Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW). In P15, with a best result of the 2023 in Superpole, Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) completes the fifth row. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) continues to struggle for one-lap pace in Superpole and was P16, ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) and Tom Sykes (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).

COMPLETING THE ORDER: Baz far down

It was only 19^th for Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) ahead of Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team) in 20^th. Ruiu finished in 21^st despite his mechanical issue, ahead of Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing), Luca Vitali (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) and Ryo Mizuno (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team).

Top six after WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’33.017s

2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.165s

3. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.249s

4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.386s

5. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +0.413s

6. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.561s

Watch the 2023 season continue to unfold in dramatic fashion with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

It was a record-breaking Tissot Superpole session for the FIM Supersport World Championship as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) lapped in the 1’36s bracket to smash the all-time lap record at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”. Bulega is the first WorldSSP rider to lap Misano in under 1’37s as he claimed pole position by six tenths of a second for the fourth pole position of his career.

LAP RECORD OBLITERATED:  a 1’36s for Bulega…

Bulega was straight on lap record pace from the start of the 20-minute session as he claimed pole position at Misano as he set a 1’36.495s to obliterate the lap record as he claimed the fourth pole of the season. He was six tenths clear of Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) who had a technical issue at Turn 8 in the closing stages of the session and his best time was a 1’37.112, underneath the previous lap record, ahead of Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) in third who also crashed. Montella’s crash came at Turn 15 to bring his session to an end but he will still start from the front row. Caricasulo claimed his 36^th front row start despite the tech issue, while it is Montella’s third.

FIGHTING FOR THE PODIUM: a fierce scrap incoming

Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) will start from fourth on the grid after posting a 1’37.691s to lap 1.196s slower than Bulega and 0.029s faster than Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) in fifth place. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) ensured two MV Agustas were in the top six as he set a late lap to claim sixth place on the back of his first WorldSSP win last time out in Barcelona.

STRONG RESULTS IN A CLOSE FIELD: fighting for the top ten

French rider Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), continuing to replace the injured Can Oncu who’s in attendance at Misano, claimed seventh place after setting a 1’37.845s, 0.020s ahead of wildcard Simone Corsi (Altogo Racing Team) in eighth after a strong showing for the wildcard in his second WorldSSP appearance of 2023. Rookie Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) claimed ninth place ahead of Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) in 10^th and teammate Stefano Manzi in 11^th; the trio separated by just 0.012s.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP Superpole

It was a dramatic 20-minute session in WorldSSP with several riders crashing. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) took a tumble at Turn 6 on his first flying lap and he took 21^st on the grid with just two timed laps to his name. His teammate, Federico Fuligni, had a major moment at the same corner a few minutes later but he was able to continue; he’ll start from 18^th.

The top six following WorldSSP Superpole, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’36.495

2. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.617s

3. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.862s

4. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +1.196s

5. Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) +1.225s

6. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +1.309s

Watch WorldSSP Race 1 at 15:15 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

There was a return to the front of the grid for Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship as he claimed pole position for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”. Buis claimed pole position by just 0.041s ahead of Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) who took his best ever WorldSSP300 Tissot Superpole result to start from the first row.

THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING: a second pole position for Buis

Buis posted his time of 1’49.297s in the early stages of the 20-minute session and his time remained unbeaten throughout the session, while rival Zanca waited until the final moments to post his best time of the session. Zanca claimed his first front row start in WorldSSP300 with second place while Julio Garcia (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) will start from third and, like Zanca, claimed his first front row start of his WorldSSP300 career after setting a 1’49.573s.

BEST RESULTS: riders looking strong in Italy

Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) took fourth in the Tissot Superpole session but he will have a three-place grid penalty for Race 1 for irresponsible riding in Free Practice 1. Rookie Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) ensured both MTM Kawasaki machines finished in the top six in Superpole with fifth place, ahead of Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) in sixth. The Frenchman was unable to set a lap time towards the end of the session after he had a Turn 6 crash.

FIGHTING BACK: can the Championship leader make gains?

Championship leader Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) took seventh place as he looks to maintain or extend his Championship lead over the Emilia-Romagna Round. He set a 1’49.804s, the exact same time as wildcard Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing), but due to Svoboda’s second best lap time being quicker he will start ahead of the Italian rider. German rider Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) took ninth place in Superpole ahead of Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) who rounded out the top ten.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP300 Superpole

Two other riders will carry penalties into Race 1. Devis Bergamini (ProGP Racing) and teammate Ioannis Peristeras both will have a three-place grid penalty for Race 1 after being penalised for irresponsible riding in FP1 after they took 29^th and 30^th in the Superpole session; the final two classified riders in the session. Junhao Zhan (China Racing Team), making his debut at Misano, crashed at Turn 6 in the early part of the session. He re-joined later on after his bike was checked by his mechanics, but his best time was a 1’56.572s; outside 105% of Buis’ time.

The top six from WorldSSP300 Superpole, full results here:

1. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) 1’49.297

2. Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) +0.041s

3. Julio Garcia (Team Fkembbo-PI Performances) +0.276s

4. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.325s

5. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.367s

6. Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.394s

Watch more WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 12:40 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” for the fifth round of the year at the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, with the sun beating down from the start of Saturday. FP3 was a great spectacle once more, with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on top form again and shining at the top with a stunning race pace.

Continuing with his domination of the weekend thus far, Bautista was on fire again on Saturday morning in FP3. Into the 1’33s and setting a fastest lap of 1’33.352, Bautista did a race simulation with the vast majority of his laps very close to the all-time lap record. Bautista’s pace was relentless, and teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi was second and made it a Ducati 1-2 on Saturday morning. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) struggled on day one after missing the test but got himself up into P3, heading off top Yamaha Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), whilst Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) completed the top five.

Strong in sixth place and with a point to prove, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) was in good form, ahead of Friday revelation Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who was seventh on Saturday morning. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) was up in eighth, one place ahead of teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu, who stayed in the box for most of the session and didn’t improve his time from FP1. Rounding out the top ten, top Honda rider Iker Lecuona (Team HRC). There was a crash for Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) who went down at Turn 13, but he was OK and back in the box. Tempers boiled over too for Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), with the Spaniard held up at Turn 4 by Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW), and not happy at all with the Frenchman.

Top six after WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’33.352s

2. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.245s

3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.603s

4. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.717s

5. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) +0.785s

6. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +0.794s

Watch the 2023 season continue to unfold in dramatic fashion with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

In recent days, a series of initiatives have been initiated by key names in motorsport, who have generously donated to the fund established by the Emilia-Romagna Region in collaboration with the Regional Agency for Civil Protection.

The recent floods in Emilia-Romagna had a devastating impact, causing widespread flooding in cities like Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Faenza, Ravenna, and Rimini. Lives were lost, and tens of thousands of people were displaced. The damages exceeded €7 billion, with numerous cities and towns affected, landslides occurring, and nearly half the annual average rainfall falling in just 36 hours.

Now, Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” and Dorna WSBK Organization have come together to extend their support to the victims of the devastating floods in Emilia-Romagna.

During the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, a range of initiatives will be conducted with the aim of collecting funds for the affected communities. One notable initiative is the tribute sticker, designed by the renowned Aldo Drudi, which will be prominently displayed on all WorldSBK teams and riders’ motorcycles.

Additionally, the public attending and watching the event will be invited to contribute by making donations to the Emilia-Romagna Regional Civil Protection Agency. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference in helping the affected communities recover and rebuild their lives.

“We thank Dorna and Misano World Circuit for all the initiatives they are implementing in support of Romagna,” stated Giammaria Manghi, Head of the Secretariat of the Presidency of the Emilia-Romagna Region. “The lands affected by this tragedy are a fundamental part of our region and also of the Motor Valley. I am certain that the motorcycle enthusiasts who will come to Misano to enjoy WorldSBK will not fail to show their support, which is vital to contribute to the recovery.”

Furthermore, WorldSBK teams and riders will generously donate signed memorabilia, which will be auctioned off shortly after the Emilia-Romagna Round. The auction will continue until mid-July, encompassing the Prometeon Italian Round to be held at Imola, an area within Emilia-Romagna that has been severely impacted by the recent floods. The proceeds from this auction will go directly towards providing support and assistance to those in need.

“Emilia-Romagna holds a special place in the hearts of the WorldSBK family, and in light of the recent floods, we stand united in our support,” comments Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director. “Dorna WSBK Organization is proud to team up with the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, as we rally together not only for this event but also to extend a helping hand to those affected. Through various initiatives, we aim to collect funds and offer support to the displaced people, underscoring our commitment to the community and the unity within the WorldSBK family.”

Donations to the “Agenzia per la sicurezza territoriale e la protezione civile dell’Emilia-Romagna” can be made by bank transfer to the following account:

IBAN: IT69G0200802435000104428964

BIC/SWIFT: UNCRITM1OM0

Referencing: ALLUVIONE EMILIA-ROMAGNA”

Source: WorldSBK.com

Brazil’s Kevin Fontainha pipped his Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Championship rivals to pole position on Friday at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncell”i, where the action and the weather were both boiling hot ahead of Saturday’s races.

A total of 21 riders took to the track on Friday morning for FP1 as Greek wildcard entry Apostolos Kamzelis joined the fray of 20 regular R3 riders. Conditions were perfect and the riders felt confident as the majority of them are already familiar with the circuit in Emilia-Romagna, having had a test here back in April.

In Free Practice it was Barcelona Race 2 winner Gustavo Manso (Brazil) who appeared to have the best pace, consistently topping the timesheets. However, Indonesia’s Aldi Satya Mahendra once again proved his strength by setting a great last flying lap of 1’53.909s, just +0.074s ahead of Manso. Emiliano Ercolani, Shoma Yamane, and Marc Vich completed the Top 5 in Free Practice.

The Superpole session action was as scorching as the weather with Mahendra and standings-leader Ercolani fighting it out lap by lap to set the fastest time, and Vich sticking close by. Just as Mahendra did to Manso in FP, Fontainha was ready to charge before the chequered flag. The Brazilian claimed his debut R3 bLU cRU pole position (1’53.739s) by +0.033s over Mahendra and Ercolani, much to the delight of his Yamaha AD78 Team Latin America team.

Full Superpole results can be found here

Kevin Fontainha said: “This is my first pole position, not only of this season but ever in the R3 bLU cRU Championship! The last lap was crazy, I had to push hard to get the advantage over the others, but I felt really good. Let’s get ready for tomorrow’s races, the aim is clear: victory. Misano is my favourite circuit right now, and I’m really happy to ride here.”

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is shaping up nicely but there’s plenty of off-track talking going on about the 2024 season and the rider market. After Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) sent the silly season into overdrive with his move to BMW’s factory team for 2024, there’s a big puzzle to be solved and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is one of the key pieces that need to slot in. He’s confirmed that just because he’s riding well and been ahead of teammate Jonathan Rea at various points – such as scoring KRT’s first dry podium of the year in Mandalika’s Superpole Race – it doesn’t guarantee that he’ll “keep a job” for 2024.

Speaking in his media debrief at the end of Friday, Lowes gave a lengthy answer into his prospects for next year: “It’s hard; I’ve been a factory rider in World Superbike for a long time, so I’ve had lots of good opportunities and I’m enjoying my riding as much as, as I’m riding. I think if you compare to the teammates, I’m being compared to one of the best ever with Jonny. This year, sometimes I’ve been faster, sometimes he’s faster, but I’m quite close if you look at Locatelli to Toprak, Rinaldi to Bautista, they’re never in front of the number one rider in the team. So, if you look at this, I’m riding well, but this doesn’t mean I’m going to keep a job or keep a contract. There’s lots of young guys who ride for not a lot of money or bring sponsors to teams or this type of thing.”

“At the minute, I’m not sure… Toprak going to BMW has changed a lot of things”

“I’m not going to ride a bike for free. I’ll stay at home with my nice family and enjoy my life. I think that I’m riding good enough to stay in WorldSBK. I’m enjoying it enough. I’m not too stressed to be honest, I know how hard I work. I know how well I’m riding and I know that also I’ve had a lot of years in World Superbike. Hopefully, I’ll stay with Kawasaki and keep pushing, with Jonny, to get the bike consistently back on the podium and winning races. This is what I would like to happen and I think that it could happen potentially, but at the minute, I’m not sure. Obviously, Toprak going to BMW has changed a lot of things.”

Razgatlioglu’s move to BMW has put both Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and teammate Michael van der Mark in an awkward position, with both riders possibly going for teammate status to Toprak – something van der Mark enjoyed at Yamaha. As well as those, both Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and teammate Iker Lecuona have contracts expiring at the close of the 2023 season. Elsewhere, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), is the only other full-time factory rider not with a deal announced for 2024. For a full look at 2024’s silly season, click here!

“My brother wants to come” – Sam Lowes on the grid? Alex talks ‘closeness’ with Denning

Continuing to assess his future, Alex Lowes also said that his brother, Sam, wants to join the WorldSBK field from the Moto2™ World Championship, which would reunite the ‘Double Vision Racing’ that they became known as in their native UK: “Also, my brother wants to come to WorldSBK, so I need to fight him for a job! This would be nice if I can race against him next year. This would be good for us. I don’t know who they’re going to put on Toprak’s bike. Obviously, I have a good relationship with Paul Denning. I’m close with him.”

Watch the 2023 season continue to unfold in dramatic fashion with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Friday in the FIM Supersport World Championship at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” for the 2023 Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round with Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) taking top spot by more than half-a-second ahead of his nearest rivals. Despite Bulega’s impressive pace, headlines were taken by wildcard rider Simone Corsi (Altogo Racing Team) who took second place in the combined classification.

BULEGA LEADS THE ITALIAN CHARGE: six in the top ten…

Bulega put in a series of fast laps towards the end of the 45-minute session and posted a best lap of 1’37.627s to claim top spot as he led an Italian quartet at the head of the WorldSSP field. He had a 0.707s gap to wildcard Corsi in second place who, after taking fourth in FP1, was able to improve his lap time further to claimed second in the standings. Only Bulega and Corsi lapped Misano on Friday in the 1’37s bracket while Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) claimed fourth place despite an early crash in FP2 at Turn 5; he re-joined the session later on to take third place.

SURPRISES IN STORE: riders impress on Friday

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was the only rider in the top ten, and one of only five in total, who did not improve their time in FP2. Despite setting a 1’38.485s in FP2, he took fourth in the combined classification with his time of 1’38.229s from FP1; in that session, he was able to top the times. Fifth place belonged to the most recent WorldSSP race winner, Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), as he continues his impressive run of form while Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) rounded out the top six.

IT’S CLOSE IN THE CHASING PACK: four tenths between fourth and tenth

Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) was seventh after setting a best lap time of 1’38.536s to finish inside the top ten. Marcel Schoretter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), currently second in the Championship standings, was in eighth place at the end of Friday’s running ahead of Ten Kate Racing Yamaha duo Jorge Navarro and Stefano Manzi. Both riders crashed during FP1 at different points and Manzi’s running was limited in FP2 with the Italian not setting a lap time. Despite this, his 1’38.701s was enough to round out the top ten as he finished a tenth behind his teammate.

ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 15: hoping to gain on Saturday

Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) went down at Turn 5 in the opening moments of the 45-minute FP2 session but he was able to re-join the session and he finished in 11^th place, ahead of wildcard Marco Bussolotti (Axon Seven Team) in 12^th. Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who is continuing to substitute for the injured Can Oncu, took 13^th ahead of Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) and Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) who rounded out the top 15.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP on Friday

There were several crashes in FP2 with Australian rider Tom Edwards (Yart – Yamaha WorldSSP Team) crashing at Turn 8. The red flags were deployed when rookie Ratthapong Wilairot (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) crashed at Turn 14 on his WorldSSP debut. Alvaro Diaz (Arco Yart Yamaha WorldSSP) was one of a few riders who did not improve his time in FP2 compared to FP1 and he also crashed at Turn 4 with around 13 minutes left in the session.

The top six following WorldSSP Friday action, full results here:

1 Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’37.267s

2. Simone Corsi (Altogo Racing Team) +0.707s

3. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.872s

4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.962s

5. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +1.100s

6. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +1.183s

Watch more WorldSSP action from Misano using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has seen seven podium finishers so far, but could we be about to witness an eighth? Danilo Petrucci’s (Barni Spark Racing Team) form on Friday suggests that he’ll at least be in contention as he fired himself into P2 for the session and P3 overall, as Friday action concluded in Italy for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round.

A rookie in World Superbike for 2023, Petrucci hasn’t been able to convert his MotoGP™ wins and MotoAmerica victories and front-running pace into a WorldSBK podium just yet. A best result of fifth came at Mandalika in Race 1, and the Italian rider has enjoyed six top ten finishes in total. However, last time out in Barcelona, he couldn’t conquer the top ten but back at a circuit which offers good grip and where the Ducati and he work very well at, could this weekend be a turning point in his rookie season? In FP2, Petrucci fitted softer rubber and did a seven-lap time attack, where he tyre life looked good, with him setting his fastest time on the final lap, with all but one lap in the 1’34s. His fastest time of the day, a 1’34.276, was 0.451s behind Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), but just 0.122s behind Razgatlioglu’s fastest time from FP1. Petrucci was able to set his lap times with Razgatlioglu as a good marker in front of him on track.

Speaking at the close of the opening day of action at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, ‘Petrux’ reviewed his opening day’s work: “It’s always good to race in Italy, it’s been a long time since I’ve come to Misano! I’m happy and we found a good feeling on the bike in the morning. I’ve struggled a little bit with the rear traction, but then in general, the ride is not so bad. In the end, we had the chance to try our qualifying tyre and that’s why it lasted and why I was able to do my best lap at the end of the seven laps. I’m quite satisfied, but we’ll see tomorrow. Superpole is really important because here it’s difficult to overtake.”

“It’s still far from the lap record but good because it came on the seventh lap. Maybe in the opening laps, we have more to improve. I’m quite confident; I want to start on the first few rows because it’s really important here. I think our pace isn’t bad, so I’m quite confident for tomorrow. It could be a good target to start on the first two rows and finish inside the top five. I always say that the top ten is a good result but after today, we’ll want something more. I think a top five is something we can focus on.”

Can Petrucci mount the podium? Find out wherever you are and enjoy 2023 with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com