Bimota’s return to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship could not have got off to a better start. With Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes on track with the new machine, the duo finished 1-2 on Day 2 with a flurry of late and rapid laps moving them to the top at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. The two Bimota riders were the only competitors on track to hit the 1’38s mark, although their best time was slightly slower than the fastest from Day 1.
BIMOTA 1-2: Bassani beats Lowes by two tenths
The two Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team riders, Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes, finished first and second as they tested their new bike at Jerez. Test rider Florian Marino had completed duties on Tuesday before the two race riders took over on Wednesday. Bassani’s best time was a 1’38.478s, set on his final lap, as he finished just over two tenths clear of Lowes, who set a 1’38.679s as he claimed P2; Bimota finishing 1-2 with their race riders. The focus for the two was to get up to speed on the Bimota as the Italian brand returns to WorldSBK, with the pair completing 143 laps between them. However, Bassani’s time was slower than Nicolo Bulega’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) Day 1 time, with the #11 setting a 1’38.142s.
KAWASAKI THIRD: Gerloff demoted at the end of the day
The sole Kawasaki rider on the grid, Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team), topped Day 2’s running as he posted a 1’39.229s. The American had new 2025 components including an upgraded engine for his ZX-10RR and a suspension upgrade as he continued adapting to the bike he’ll race with next year. Gerloff was one of the busiest riders on track on Wednesday as he racked up 90 laps. The Texan led the times until the final half hour of running, when Bassani and Lowes usurped the #31.
VIERGE LEADS HONDA CHARGE: late improvement for the #97, Mackenzie P6, Bridewell crashes
There were three Hondas on track on Wednesday – down from four yesterday, as Tetsuta Nagashima only completed one day. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) was the fastest of the trio as he set a late lap of 1’39.438s to briefly move into second place, before he was demoted into fourth. The #97 completed 86 laps on his CBR1000RR-R with a particular focus on the setup, suspension, and electronics, with Vierge completing lots of back-to-back running. Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda), who had items to try that put him closer to the Team HRC machines, was sixth after setting a 1’39.841s with 77 laps completed. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) was eighth quickest with a 1’41.155s as his fastest time, although his day was disrupted by a Turn 6 highside with a few hours of running remaining.
TWO DUCATIS ON TRACK: Bautista fifth, Vickers seventh despite Turn 1 fall
With Bulega wrapping up his test programme after Tuesday’s running, teammate Alvaro Bautista was the sole rider from the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati on track on Wednesday. Looking to reset after his crash on Tuesday, Bautista posted a best time of a 1’39.749s and completed 55 laps across half-a-day’s running, where a late setup change helped him to be able to ride the bike better. Ryan Vickers (Team Motocorsa Racing) was the other Ducati on track on Wednesday and he finished in seventh place with 66 laps to his name, setting a best time of 1’40.027s, although his test ended early when he had a Turn 1 fall with less than an hour remaining.
WORLD SUPERSPORT FIELD: Booth-Amos pips Oettl by 0.014s
Three WorldSSP riders were on track at Jerez. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) was the fastest after setting a 1’42.509s and completing 40 laps, with Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) just 0.014s slower than the #69. Oettl is returning to WorldSSP for 2025 on the Ducati Panigale V2 with the Jerez test his first action in the class in three years, adding 68 laps to his tally on Day 2. Oli Bayliss was testing alongside Booth-Amos, and he finished with a best time of a 1’43.182s, also completing 40 laps.
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Source: WorldSBK.com