Although the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team didn’t complete the full two days of MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, both Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista left the test feeling positive. Bulega only took part on Tuesday while Bautista was on track for 1.5 days, ending his test slightly early on Wednesday after getting through his test programme. After their respective tests ended, both Bulega and Bautista, as well as Team Manager Serafino Foti, reviewed the Jerez test.

BULEGA QUICKEST OF ALL: Day 1 time remains unbeaten

Bulega ended the test as the fastest rider on Day 1 and overall, after putting on an SCQ tyre to set a 1’38.412s. He racked up 86 laps on his only test day at Jerez as he focused on small details as well as working on the base of his Panigale V4 R, as he aims to go one better in 2025 than he did in his rookie campaign.

Reviewing his test and speaking on Tuesday, Bulega said: “I’m happy. We tried different, small things and they worked quite well. We were lucky because my feeling with the bike was already very good from the race. We didn’t lose a lot of time to find a good setup. We started the test with a good base. We worked on that. I set my time with the SCQ, I tried it just because we put something different on the bike but I’m happier with the race pace and then the SCQ.”

BAUTISTA POSITIVE DESPITE CRASH: focusing on a new base

Bautista completed more running than his teammate with an extra few hours of testing on Wednesday. 85 laps on Tuesday, despite a Turn 2 crash, was followed up by 55 more on Wednesday during his shortened day. His fastest time was a 1’39.567s, from Day 1, but he didn’t use a SCQ tyre like Bulega did. Bautista’s main focus was to reset after an up-and-down year, looking at the base of his Panigale V4 R and trying something new right at the end of his test.

Bautista said on Wednesday: “We decided just to do half a day to continue the work we started on Day 1. The important thing for us was to reset and create a new base. I didn’t want to touch anything on Day 1, just to change my approach to riding the bike. On Day 2, we didn’t touch anything until the last exit. It was good because I was getting more confident, changing how I was riding on the bike a little bit and understanding many things. With all the data from Tuesday and Wednesday morning, we made a setup change which allowed me to ride a bit better. I just did one exit, but it was really nice. I had a better feeling. It’s been positive because we have different data from the past and we have the winter to analyse everything and try to make a programme for the work in the first test of next year.”

FROM THE TEAM: “The test was so positive…”

Team Manager Foti summed up the test from a team point of view, saying: “Regarding Nicolo, we did just one day because he finished the programme so it had no sense to lose another day. We worked with him only on the setup of the bike, to improve the setup a little bit. We’re quite happy with the results and I think he’s ready for the January test. For Alvaro, it was important for him to try a different configuration of the bike because our goal was to try to get the feeling with the bike. We tried a lot of things on Wednesday morning and the test was so positive. He didn’t use any soft tyres or development tyres, just the standard ones to improve the feeling with the bike.”

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With testing now done at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it’s time for all the data that’s been collected. Honda were one of the busiest manufacturers at the test, with four riders on track on Day 1 and three on Day 2, completing several hundred laps of the Spanish venue. After making great strides throughout 2024 to become regular contenders in the top ten, Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and Team Manager Jose Escamez spoke after the test about the next steps for Honda.

The #97 was the sole race rider from Team HRC as teammate Iker Lecuona was undergoing surgery on a foot injury. Vierge completed 80 laps on Day 1 and 86 on Day 2 as he collected lots of information and data for the Honda engineers. His best time came on the second day when he set a 1’39.438s which, at the time was good enough for P2. As other riders improved, the Spaniard fell to fourth in the day’s classification. He was joined on track by Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) and Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) on both days, plus test rider Tetsuta Nagashima on Day 1.

Reflecting on his test, Vierge said: “It’s been a really important two days for us. We mainly focused on the electronics, doing a lot of back-to-backs on the bike setup, also on the suspension. It’s been really good because we had different track conditions. In the morning, it was so grippy because the temperature was quite fresh. During the day, it was super-hot so we can compare data from all conditions. It’s been really important. We did a lot of laps, trying all those things, and now the engineers will have a long winter to work on it to make the steps forward we need. We focused on race pace. We improved a little bit there which is important because the conditions change and it gets hotter, we struggle a bit more. I think we made some progress in that.”

His thoughts were echoed by team boss Escamez, who also gave his thoughts on the test but explained the next steps for Honda after a mixed 2024. The team made progress throughout the year after starting it off by being outside the top ten, before making their way forwards, step-by-step, which culminated in a podium for Lecuona at Estoril in the penultimate round of the season.

Discussing the next steps for the Japanese manufacturer to continue making steps forward, Escamez said: “We’ve collected a lot of data in order to make priorities on what we really need, what we’re going to analyse and understand through the winter and take decisions for 2025. It’s always a pity that we couldn’t have Iker as he was having surgery. In any case, we made a priority of our needs and I think we’ve collected a lot of information. Xavi’s completed a lot of laps during these two days, and I think it’s going to be worth it to understand and work with all the concepts and work we’ve got planned.”

On the future testing plan, he added: “It depends on the data we’ve collected at Jerez, but I think the most important thing is going to be the electronics. I would say this is our priority right now. In the other areas, we want to improve. Probably a bit with the engine to see if we can find more potential, in terms of the chassis as well. I think the electronics will be the most important parts for us.”

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It was a good first day on the bike for Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team duo Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes, with the pair finishing first and second. Bassani was the quicker of the two after ‘El Bocia’ posted a 1’38.478s to finish two tenths clear of his teammate, and both the #47 and #22 gave their first impressions of the new machine after their first day on the bike concluded on Day 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.

BASSANI’S TEST AND IMPRESSIONS: two tenths quicker than Lowes

Bassani put in a flurry of late and fast laps in the final 30 minutes of the test as he set a 1’38.478s to claim P1, although his time wasn’t as quick as the pace from Day 1; he was around three tenths slower than Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) managed on Tuesday when the #11 used the SCQ tyre. Nevertheless, the Italian moved himself into top spot for Wednesday’s running while also completing 76 laps.

Discussing his first time on the bike, and reviewing his test, Bassani said: “It’s been a really good first day with the new Bimota. It wasn’t easy in the first part because it’s a completely new bike and we had to discover everything. I think we did a really good job. The team worked well, and the bike is nice, I’m feeling good. We have a lot of work to do but, at the moment, we’re doing a really good job. My time was half-a-second better than my Superpole time last weekend. This means my feeling with the bike is good and I can push.”

P2 FOR LOWES: a late lap at the end of the day for second

Lowes, like Bassani, put in a late lap to move into second place. He posted a 1’38.679s to claim P2 and finish 0.201s down on his teammate, although he was half-a-second up on Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) in third. The Brit completed a similar number of laps to his teammate, adding 67 laps to the team’s tally; they totalled 143 on Day 2, while test and development rider Florian Marino, who tested exclusively on Tuesday, completed 72 laps.

Giving his review of his first day on the bike, four-time race winner Lowes said: “It was good to start this new challenge. We’re starting to explore the bike. We need to understand how the changes make the bike feel, what I need from the bike, maybe changing the riding style a little bit. Lots of things and work to do, but it was nice to get started; I enjoyed riding the bike. The feeling was nice from the first laps this morning. It’s been a really good and fun first day on the bike.”

ADAPTING TO THE NEW BIKE: progress for Lowes

Giving a brief overview on how he’s adapting to the bike after spending five years on the ZX-10RR: “It’s surprising. I think the bike needs to be ridden in a different way because I rode the Kawasaki for five years, and I felt like I was able to take everything from the bike. This bike, I think you need to ride a little bit smoother. I’ll need to change my riding style to get everything out of the bike and understand it a bit more. Right now, I feel like I’m not really using the bike. I’ll learn more about that in the next test coming up. It’s difficult when I know the old bike so well to really understand. The way the bike turns and handles is nice, it’s smooth and turns well. On top of that, the rider feeling and the effort you put in goes with getting comfortable on the bike and setting changes on the bike.”

Bassani also explained his adaptation, albeit from only a single year on Kawasaki machinery. He said: “It’s quite different because we have the wings, and the chassis is completely different. It’s like riding a different bike with the same engine. It’s strange because the sound is the same, but the feeling isn’t. They’re two different things. The Kawasaki was a good bike, but the Bimota is a bike of a new era so it’s good for us.”

DISSECTING THE BIKE: split chassis and engine changes

Team Manager Guim Roda gave a technical oversight of the bike, discussing the split steel-aluminium chassis and the engine. He said: “We need to discover the chassis. Basically, it’s an identity of Bimota. There’s pros and cons, as with everything in life, and it’s our job to use this concept to maximise it in racing activities, and that’s what we’re paid for; to really try to take the tools they provide to the best possible results and, for sure, we have the possibility and capacity to improve the chassis. That’s what we’re going to focus on. We worked a little bit on the engine according to what the rules allow us, and we made a step. Puccetti already compared them yesterday and today and we worked on that. It’s another job we need to do to understand how to maximise it. Everyone is always looking for acceleration and top speed, so let’s see if we can, we can’t make magic because the rules are the rules. At the level we are, small steps are important so the sum of many small details will give us a good step.”

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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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Teams and riders in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship are already preparing for next season at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, with the second of two days of testing. Garrett Gerloff was quick on Day 1 as he linked up with Manuel Puccetti’s Kawasaki WorldSBK Team for the first time, but attention turned to his ZX-10RR on Wednesday with the team testing new components including an engine upgrade.

Gerloff completed 77 laps on his ZX-10Rr on Tuesday and set a 1’39.650s as he got up to speed on his Kawasaki machine. It was his first taste of the bike after two seasons on the BMW M 1000 RR, and three seasons on the Yamaha YZF R1 prior to that. It was a quick learning curve for the American who ended 2024 on a high with two podiums and consistently fighting for the top-five positions.

Team Manager Manuel Puccetti, speaking on Wednesday morning, explained the team’s first impressions of Gerloff while also revealing new components that would be tested today: “We’re very happy, he’s quite fast immediately on the bike. Today, we’ll start to test some new parts for next year, especially a new engine and a new suspension upgrade. I believe we’ll find another good step in the afternoon. We’re getting quicker and quicker, so very good.”

Gerloff’s focus on Day 1 was to get comfortable with the bike. With the Independent Kawasaki Puccetti Racing – as it was known in 2024 – outfit using factory material last year, Gerloff was running a bike similar to KRT’s Alex Lowes’ machine during the Spanish Round, as well as Tito Rabat who raced for the Independent team. In 2025, Puccetti’s team will be the manufacturer’s sole outfit with Bimota running with the previous Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK. With that checked off successfully, attention turned to 2025 upgrades and especially the engine.

Explaining where the new engine has been improved and what he thinks the differences are, plus whether Gerloff’s inline-four engine experience would help, Puccetti said: “It has some updates. It’s a new engine. It’s the 2024 engine with many new parts inside. It’s the first time we have this engine. I think the main difference is the power. This was my rider choice, looking for a top rider that had already ridden this kind of inline-four. I believe it was closer compared to this bike compared to taking a rider from a V4. Of course, if they’re fast, they’ll be fast anyway, but the jump is shorter if you come from a similar bike.”

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Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) has successfully undergone surgery on a displaced fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot. The Estoril podium finisher was involved in a crash during the Tissot Superpole Race at last weekend’s Prometeon Spanish Round with teammate Xavi Vierge, which the #97 was penalised for. Lecuona was taken to the medical centre for a check-up where he was ruled out of Race 2 due to the injuries. Following the round, Lecuona travelled to Valencia to undergo surgery on the injury.

A statement from Team HRC said: “After sustaining injury during the Superpole Race at the final round of the 2024 Superbike World Championship at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, on Sunday 20 October, Iker Lecuona has now undergone surgery to repair a displaced fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot.

“The operation was successfully performed today by Dr. Eduardo Sanchez Alepuz at IMED Valencia Hospital in Spain. The procedure went smoothly, allowing Lecuona to begin his road to recovery with a positive outlook.

“With the 2024 season now concluded, Iker has ample time to focus on his rehabilitation. He is expected to be fully fit for the first pre-season tests of 2025, when he will be back on track aboard his CBR1000RR-R, ready to prepare for his new WorldSBK campaign.”

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