Ahead of the sixth round of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Donington Park, a trip to MotorLand Aragon called for the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, as they hit the track to carry out all-important testing duties. Riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes were focusing on getting their bike working better in the hot temperatures that a European summer will bring, whilst ahead of the test, team boss Guim Roda stated it would also provide a perfect opportunity to test potential items for 2024, stating that the target was openly Yamaha, Honda and BMW. 

During the test itself, track temperatures were exactly as wished for, well over the 50 degree Celsius mark, with the arid Aragon landscape getting much hotter than other venues in Spain for this time of year. Working with the technical staff, duties were split with 2023 items and also future items, with 2024 already in mind. Improvements were found and valuable data has already been shared with Kawasaki’s engineers in Japan, as a crucial day of testing concluded. Kawasaki likewise confirmed that they’ll have another test in August before the final four rounds of the season.

Speaking at the end of the test, Jonathan Rea was happy with the on-track findings, with engine, chassis and electronics all being improved: “We had great conditions in MotorLand and we were able to try some real test items both for the upcoming races and the future. That was really important to give some feedback to my team and also the engineers in Japan, about directions to improve. I want to thank everyone in the team because it was hot, and with the calendar now getting quite busy they made a huge effort. I was able to do a lot of laps, especially in the morning.”

Continuing, Rea led the plaudits for the amount of work Kawasaki have put in to find solutions to their pressing problems, and said he was leaving with a smile on his face: “After a late lunch we were able to get some work done back-to-backing some items. The test items were all over the bike – engine side, chassis side and electronics. It is clear the work Kawasaki are putting in, trying to improve. I am happy with my riding, I enjoyed the bike and the lap times were competitive. So, I am leaving with a smile and good rhythm, ready for my home race at Donington next week.”

It was a busy day for Rea’s teammate Alex Lowes too, who echoed his colleagues sentiments: “We found the right track temperature for what we wanted to test. We were happy that the track conditions were slippery and greasy as we worked on some new things on the bike and trying to keep our performance when the grip is low. We have three races coming up in July where the track temperatures could be high. I think we did 85 laps which is enough on a very hot day. It was nice get out on the bike and now we can focus on my home race at Donington. 

“Some of the things we tested were for the future, to give Kawasaki information. This was a good positive test and I really enjoyed being back on the bike. Sometimes a one-day test is a lot of effort for one day on track, but we had a positive test and we found a few small things that may make a big difference in the next few races. A big thanks to all the team for all their hard work”

Rea’s crew chief Pere Riba also provided a statement, with the items certainly bringing hope: The test was divided in two sectors. The first one was trying some items and giving the feedback to the engineers in Japan, because we are thinking to improve the package for the future. This was one part of the day and Jonny did a great job giving information to the engineers. The second part of the test was to understand a couple of items from the last race in Misano because, unfortunately, the results were not the ones we expected. For this reason, it was very important to try them again in hot conditions and get some feedback to decide the direction to go in. That was very positive and it now seems to be in line. 

“I believe we have a good starting point for Donington, even if we do not expect over 50°C of track temperature. But the items and things we tested will help the performance, not just the durability of the tyres. Jonny was in good shape, he did a lot of very good laps and was very consistent. Now we go to Donington trying to achieve a result that Jonny deserves. We leave MotorLand happy and confident going to the UK.” 

Marcel Duinker also gave his thoughts from Alex Lowes’ side of the garage, too: “We targeted a hot day of testing, to test items for the next race and next year. We gathered very valuable information and because it’s June, we have enough time to prepare the next step for our August test. Alex did 85 laps in these hot conditions at MotorLand, with the correct speed and consistency. Now our focus is on Donington. A track with character, nice fans and good memories!”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

As the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship readies for round six and the halfway point at Donington Park, British legend Carl Fogarty gave his thoughts on who could be next to Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) next year. The four-time World Champion stated he’d like to see Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) graduate, after current factory rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi has “had quite a few chances” in the factory setup.

Speaking about it in-depth, ‘Foggy’ said it was the #47 in the factory shade of red in 2024: “I’d like to see Bassani; he was unlucky not to get it this year and his results have been better. Michael’s had quite a few chances now and he’s struggling to get near Alvaro so, with Ducati being the top team, you have to be consistently in the top three, even back in my day. In 1999, Troy Corser finished joint-second in the Championship behind me and he was out of a rider with Ducati as they brought in Ben Bostrom. Bassani is still a bit consistent, like them all really, but he deserves a crack at it.”

Attention then turned to the dominance of Alvaro Bautista, with Fogarty saying how good it is for Ducati: “It’s a pretty dominant season for Ducati and Alvaro! They’re both as one, both incredible! He’s becoming unbeatable and even for the other Ducati riders, he’s becoming unbeatable. It kind of reminds me of my 1994 and 1995 season, my first years on the Ducati 916. He’s ironed out all of the little teething problems that maybe they had last year with his first year back on Ducati and he’s come out the blocks fighting like me in 1995. He’s incredibly dominant with the package he’s got and the others are doing a bit of whinging and moaning about it. It’s for the others to do their homework, get better bikes or riders and improve their packages a bit.

“You have to say a lot of it’s Alvaro. I can’t believe I’m saying it because last year, I actually thought it was a mistake that Ducati took him back and I was obviously proven very much wrong! He’s only a small guy but I don’t think that’s a lot to do with it to be fair, he’s just so at ease with the bike. It’s him who is making a difference because the other Ducatis aren’t getting near him.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Riders can now apply to become part of the 2024 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup! Prospective competitors from across Asia and Oceania can now register online at www.asiatalentcup.com for their chance to join the Road to MotoGP™, with applications open for a month before closing on the 23rd of July.

The Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup is a unique chance for riders from the region to race alongside MotoGP™ and learn their craft on the Road to MotoGP™. ATC riders compete on identical Honda NSF250R Moto3™ machines, offering an opportunity like no other to showcase their talent. 

Enrolment and selection

Registration is now open at www.asiatalentcup.com until the 23rd of July 2023. Once prospective riders have registered, their application will be considered by our panel of experts and they may be invited to the Selection Event. The final decision on who joins the 2024 grid will be made at the selection event.

The Selection Event will take place in Malaysia at Sepang International Circuit on the 7th and 8th of November 2023. There, our panel of experts will put applicants through their paces to assess each rider, with the best will be offered the chance to join the 2024 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup and follow their Road to MotoGP™.

Important information

There is no minimum level of experience required, but a certain level of skill must be shown. Previous experience may include dirt track, motocross, scooter or mini bike racing rather than circuit racing, but the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup is focused on searching for talent and potential, not experience.

Applicants must be born between the 1st of January 2003 and the 1st of March 2010.

The list of those chosen to attend the Selection Event will be published on the 25th August 2023.

Key dates

Registration opens: 23rd June 2023 (online at www.asiatalentcup.com)

Registration closes: 23rd July 2023

Publication of the list for the Selection Event: 25th August 2023 (www.asiatalentcup.com)

Selection Event: 7th & 8th November 2023, Sepang International Circuit*

Source: WorldSBK.com

It’s where it all began; on a cold Sunday morning in 1988, some of the best motorcycle racers in the world tried their hand in a new Championship, little did they know that they would sign their names in history as being at the forefront of what would go on to be, and what continues to be, one of the most popular and fastest-growing motorsport Championships in the world. The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was born in the United Kingdom and at the Donington Park circuit, and whilst time moves on, memories are never gone. In this feature, we look back through history at WorldSBK at Donington Park, and why 2023 promises to be a classic weekend for the record books.

THE START: big names, big optimism

On April 3^rd, 1988, race day dawned the FIM Superbike World Championship got ready to kick off. The fans were happy with home-hero Roger Burnett taking pole, but it was Italians Davide Tardozzi and 1981 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Marco Lucchinelli who won. Eventual 1988 Champion Fred Merkel stood on the podium in Race 2, whilst road racing legend Joey Dunlop was third in Race 1. A successful first round continued and in 1989, the grids were bigger and stronger; Fabrizio Pirovano and Giancarlo Falappa took the victories at Donington Park, whilst in 1990, it was Merkel and Falappa. Top six in both 1990 races, Carl Fogarty – he’d take another top ten in 1991.

THE FOGGY YEARS: Britain’s ‘King Carl’ dazzled at Donington Park

After a few appearances in 1990 and 1991, 1992 would be where the history really started for some riders, with Carl Fogarty taking his first of what would go on to be 59 wins in WorldSBK. A Race 2 winner, it would be Fogarty’s only win of the season, but momentum was building for the boy from Blackburn, who was now making a name for himself on uncompetitive machinery. Despite a Donington Park disaster in 1993 when he finished second in Race 1 and crashed in Race 2, he was back to his best in 1994, winning the opening race of the season at the circuit. However, a tricky second visit to Donington Park denied Fogarty the title at home, although he’d go on to take it in Australia. A “love-hate relationship” as he recently described it, 1995 would be his best yet.

WorldSBK’s popularity snowballed due to Fogarty’s success, nowhere more-so than in the UK, where the crowds were turning out in their tens of thousands. He did the double at Donington Park in 1995 before taking his form to Brands Hatch, where he doubled up again; he’s still the only British rider to do the double at two different British tracks in the same year. His move to Honda was unsuccessful in terms of wins at Donington Park in 1996, but he was second and first in 1997. A final win on British soil came in 1999 in Race 1, closing the circle at the circuit of which his success first started on.

A NEW HERO, THE WILDCARD YEAR: the crowds go crazy

After Carl Fogarty’s career-ending accident at Phillip Island during Round 2 of the 2000 season, there was an air of ‘who next’ in the UK. Despite the question mark, plenty of home favourites put their name in the shop window for the years that’d follow. Neil Hodgson was back on the WorldSBK grid, having last appeared in 1998 on a Kawasaki, before heading back to BSB to get his confidence up. Now working with legendary team boss Colin Wright, the GSE Ducati team fielded a wildcard, and it’d go on to be one of the most celebrated races ever.

Third in Race 1, Hodgson capitalised on Pierfrancesco Chili’s fading tyre life at the end of Race 2 to pass him into the Foggy Esses on the final lap, sending 100,000 fans into chaos. The cheering was deafening as fellow wildcard Chris Walker got through too, making it the first ever British 1-2; the future after Fogarty was in safe hands and, at least for a day, there was a new king.

THE COMEBACK: 2007 welcomes back a classic with a classic

Off the calendar from 2002 until 2007, Donington Park’s long-awaited comeback was special, as James Toseland chased down a second World Championship. Born just up the road in Sheffield, it was as close to home as he’d ever race and in Race 1, he delivered a win. Race 2 was different as a mechanical problem on Lap 4 took him out, leaving Noriyuki Haga, Max Biaggi and Troy Corser to battle it out. Biaggi looked like he had it in won but a mistake at the final corner on the final lap saw Haga get under him and beat him on the run to the line; it was an emphatic return.

In 2008, wet weather played havoc with the riders as they had to contend with the typical British rain, although that didn’t stop Ryuichi Kiyonari on the Ten Kate Honda from putting in one of the best masterclasses in bike control you’ll ever see as he skated around, sideways-on in the rain. The races were tense, but it would be Troy Bayliss’ final win in the UK – his career having started in BSB, making it all the more special – whilst Ryuichi Kiyonari took profit of a rain-soaked Race 2 to come out on top for the final time in his WorldSBK career. Stars were also uncovered in Tom Sykes and Cal Crutchlow, who took rostrums in Race 1 and 2 respectively. 2009 was calmer as Ben Spies took a dominant double, although Leon Camier wilcarded and took his GSE Yamaha to sixth in Race 2.

BRITISH DOMINATION: always a home-coming to be proud of

The last time a British rider didn’t win at Donington Park was 2011, and even then, the ever-popular Marco Melandri won his first ever WorldSBK race in Race 1 whilst Championship designate Carlos Checa took Race 2 – unbelievably, Ducati’s last win to-date at the venue. In 2012, Jonathan Rea barged his way through at the final corner to win, although this would be at the expense of Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri as both were taken out and denied a second BMW 1-2 of the day.

From 2013, Donington Park became synonymous with one rider: Tom Sykes. A double in 2013 and then every year until Race 1 2017, Sykes was a magician. One of his finest wins was in 2014, where that famous Donington Park magic came to fruition once more. Dropping to 11^th but leading before going head-to-head with teammate Loris Baz for Race 1 victory, Sykes held firm for victory. More magic came in Race 2 2017, but this time it wasn’t for Sykes – his nine-race run ended as Jonathan Rea took a first Donington Park win with Kawasaki in Race 2, the 100^th WorldSBK win for Kawasaki.

THE LATEST CHAPTER OF MAGIC: first time wins and majestic first laps

In recent years, we’ve seen some of the biggest surprises and magical moments; in 2018, Michael van der Mark swept to a double, whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu beat Jonathan Rea in Race 2 to take second and a first WorldSBK podium. In 2019, with three races a weekend, Rea was yet to take a hat-trick and he was also yet to lead the Championship – he achieved both that weekend, as Alvaro Bautista’s year started to fall apart, and he made it a triple. A year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic made 2021 all the more special, with Toprak Razgatlioglu’s stunning opening lap in Race 1 and the battle between him and Rea in Race 2, which saw Rea crash and Razgatlioglu take the lead of the Championship for the first time. 2022 gave a historic first triple of Razgatlioglu’s career and whilst the 2023 season arrives with a new dynamic, the same unpredictability will come to fruition in the UK.

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Photo: Gold and Goose Photography

Source: WorldSBK.com

After Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) MotoGP™ test at Misano, more 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship stars will take to testing action, albeit on their regular machinery. This time, it’s the turn of the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK and riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, as they seek improvements in hot conditions once more, one of the ZX-10RR’s weak spots. However, team manager Guim Roda enlightened us with the test being an ideal opportunity to “check possible items for 2024”, with the hard work already well underway in order to get back to winning ways.

With 2023’s title challenge somewhat ‘unrealistic’ and that fighting for the podium and top five is, in Jonathan Rea’s words, “their reality”, preparations for next year are underway and trying to salvage 2023 and return to victory is a target, as Roda explains: “This MotorLand test is planned to check possible items to use in the 2024 season as well as trying set-up solutions for the coming races.

“Trying to improve our bike according to the limitations inside the rules, we could not find the package we wished to, and now we need to reconsider how to work for the next Championship rounds. Our target is Honda, Yamaha, BMW. It is a matter of rule limitations that do not allow us to maximise the potential of our ZX-10RR, but it is what it is.”

Currently fourth in the Championship and closing down third-placed Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), Jonathan Rea shared his thoughts ahead of the test: “This test comes at a great time because we have made no secret that we really need to make a step with our bike. Added track time with good conditions is always important for us. We will try some ideas from a chassis point of view and also how we can improve for the future.

“From another point of view, with the big break from Misano to Donington Park, it is always good to ride the bike to keep the rhythm. We expect favourable conditions and it is an important to test to understand the direction we will take in the future. Misano was a tough weekend, in finishing so far from the race winner, so we need to work hard. Big respect to the team for getting another mid-season test in. Hopefully we can draw some conclusions and find a way forward.”

As for the #22 of Alex Lowes, the Englishman has been at recent MotoGP™ events in support of his brother, Sam, and is now back on WorldSBK machinery and ready to tackle the high track temperatures that he and the team have wished for throughout testing: “I’m looking forward to the test and I always find that ‘in-season’ tests, with hot temperatures, to be a lot more valuable than winter testing in cooler conditions. With a busy month coming up in July, featuring three race weekends, we want to try and improve our base package.

“We will work on that on Friday at Aragon. We are still looking at improving the front end of the bike, especially in hotter conditions, to not have a drop in performance when the track gets more slippy or the temperatures rise a lot. It looks like the track temperatures are going to get high, so that is what we are focusing on, hoping to make a couple of nice improvements to be ready for the home round at Donington.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heads to Donington Park next up and it is a home round for several competitors on the grid. One of these is rookie Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) as he gears up for his first home round as a full-time rider in WorldSBK, at the circuit he made his debut at in 2018. Speaking to the Official Programme for the Emilia-Romagna Round, Ray took part in a ‘Get To Know’ feature and you can read his answers below.

Describe yourself in five words

Relaxed. Funny. Unique. Motivated. Chilled.

Countryside or seaside?

I like being sat at the seaside, but I am a little bit scared of the sea itself, funnily enough. I don’t like not being able to see what’s underneath me. So, I would probably choose the countryside.

What kind of things could you fix on your own bike if they went wrong?

I could do most things, like wheel changes and swingarm changes. I am not bad on the spanners. I have learned a lot from my dad over the years.”

What’s it like to have Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne as your mentor?

It’s like gold dust to have him on my side. Not just for the management side of things but the personal side. He helps me throughout race weekends and to deal with other situations. He wants to give me the easiest way through. He wants to point me in the correct way in life.

You look like some gentle college student but ride like the devil. Has this been remarked on before?

It has been mentioned a few times! Especially when I had big fluffy hair and the glasses on; I don’t look like a normal motorcycle racer. I am a nice person off the track but as soon as I get on track, I want to beat everyone in front of me.

Read the Official Programme HERE and watch more WorldSBK action throughout 2023 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is approaching the halfway stage of the season and the future of the majority of the riders on the grid is still yet to be decided. One rider who does not have a contract for 2024 is Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and he provided an update on where he could be next season while watching teammate Alvaro Bautista test the Ducati MotoGP™ machine.

Rinaldi joined the factory Ducati team in 2021 on the back of a stellar season with Team GoEleven, where he took one win and three podiums. He was a winner in his first season with Ducati on three occasions, including two on home soil at Misano, but he hasn’t tasted victory since Race 2 in Barcelona in 2021. In total, he has racked up 16 podiums and three wins for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad, with five podiums coming this season.

He is averaging one podium per round in 2023 and he is set to smash his best tally of podiums for the team which was set in 2021 when he stood on the rostrum seven times. However, while he has shown strong pace throughout the year, he has also had some difficult moments. He was 14^th in a wet Race 1 in Australia, while he was leading Race 2 in Indonesia before finishing fourth. Assen proved difficult for the Italian but he was back on form in Barcelona and Misano, taking three consecutive podium finishes between Race 2 in Barcelona and the Tissot Superpole Race at Misano.

When asked whether there was an update on his future, Rinaldi said: “No, at the moment we’re still talking. I think that I will talk about my future after Imola. For now, I’m focused on Donington and Imola. For sure, after Imola, I will know what my future will be. I want to continue with the team but there are other options on the table. My goal is to remain here and if the team is happy to continue with me, this is my priority.”

The Italian was at Misano to watch Bautista during the reigning World Champion’s MotoGP™ test which was part of a prize for the Spaniard after he claimed last year’s title. Explaining why he went to Misano and that he’d like to see Bautista race in MotoGP™, something which has been discussed with a potential wildcard appearance, Rinaldi said: “I live close to here so I came to watch him and to understand his work and the difference between MotoGP™ and WorldSBK and how he adapted. Actually, I’m quite impressed because he went very well. I would like to see him racing in MotoGP™ because we can understand the level of WorldSBK. I think Alvaro, in this moment, is the best Alvaro of his career. He can be pretty strong also in MotoGP™”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is gearing up for a second visit to Italy in 2023 as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019. Tickets are on sale NOW and if you purchase before July 13^th, you will receive a discount of up to 5% on tickets that include paddock access; allowing you to get closer than ever to your favourite teams and riders during the Prometeon Italian Round. Make sure you buy your tickets HERE!

The iconic Imola venue returns to the WorldSBK calendar after last hosting a round in 2019 and it promises to be a special event: Ducati head into their second home round as reigning Champions and lead the Teams’, Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Championships in 2023 after five rounds. WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 will be providing the on-track entertainment at Imola but paddock access tickets will give you the chance to experience WorldSBK in the heart of the action.

Paddock access means fans can get closer than ever to the teams and riders while you’ll also be able to enjoy the Paddock Show and podium celebrations, which take place in the heart of the paddock. With interactive games, entertainment and meet and greet sessions, this is not something you’ll want to miss. Make sure you purchase your tickets for the Italian Round and enjoy a discount of up to 5%!

Purchase your tickets for Imola HERE and enjoy the phenomenal WorldSBK action in person!

Source: WorldSBK.com

As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship gets ready for a return to the historic Donington Park circuit next week, we’re gearing up for the Prosecco DOC UK Round by looking back at some incredible moments. After a wildcard masterclass in 2000, a final lap showdown in 2007 and teammates going head-to-head in 2014, now it’s time to look at Race 2 in 2018 with first victories and podiums celebrated in the United Kingdom.

The 2018 WorldSBK Championship had enjoyed an open start to the season, with four different winners from the first five rounds and whilst reigning triple Champion Jonathan Rea had the lead of the Championship by 47 points, it wasn’t a clear-cut certainty that he’d sweep to a home double at Donington Park. Ducati’s Chaz Davies would be doing all he could to chase the Kawasaki down, whilst double winner from Round 1 at Phillip Island, Marco Melandri, also aimed to get back to winning ways at a circuit he knew well. Donington Park specialist Tom Sykes had nine wins there and was aiming to make it ten – or perhaps someone new could come to the fore?

In a hectic Race 1, someone new did come to the fore in 2014 World Supersport Champion, Michael van der Mark. The Dutchman rode a fantastic first race to clinch a first WorldSBK win and the first for the Netherlands. It was likewise the first for Yamaha since 2011, with Paul Denning’s team ending the Japanese manufacturer’s win drought. Surely though, they couldn’t do it all again on Sunday during Race 2, could they?

As lights went out for Race 2, van der Mark, having won Race 1, was having to come through from ninth on the grid. He was already fifth by the end of the first lap as the leading group began to form. Van der Mark’s Pata Yamaha teammate Alex Lowes was the long-time race leader as he chased a first win, whilst Jonathan Rea, Aprilia’s Lorenzo Savadori and rookie sensation Toprak Razgatlioglu on the Puccetti Kawasaki all got in the mix, with van der Mark working his way to through the group. On Lap 18, it was time for van der Mark to bolt as a lap after Rea hit the front, he cleared teammate Lowes at Turn 1 at Redgate, before diving through at the Melbourne hairpin to lead.

However, with all the battling, Toprak Razgatlioglu had brought his Puccetti Kawasaki ZX-10RR into contention and closed in by over a second, as he eyed up a first podium in the WorldSBK class. On Lap 20, van der Mark began to edge clear whilst Razgatlioglu attacked Lowes at the Old Hairpin and sliced his way into third, but he wasn’t done there. Eight tenths behind Rea with three to go, Toprak closed by two tenths a lap before attacking Rea on the last lap, passing the factory Kawasaki rider and Championship leader at the Old Hairpin. Van der Mark went on to seal a magical double whilst it was Razgatlioglu who announced himself in a big way by toppling Rea on the final lap.

Watch more classic duels as well as the duels of 2023 LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) left his mark at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” after completing two days of testing in Italy on the Desmosedici GP machine. He tested on both Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a prize for winning last year’s MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title but key figures at Ducati were left impressed after Bautista adapted quickly and showed rapid pace despite not chasing a lap time.

Bautista completed a total of around 100 laps across the two days and set a best lap time of 1’32.590s during his fourth stint on Day 2. The time came on the seventh lap of that run as he used the soft tyres, although there was no time attack for the reigning World Superbike Champion. Despite not looking for a time, his performance across the two days left Ducati happy as he adjusted quickly to the MotoGP™ machine which requires a different style to ride.

Serafino Foti, the Team Manager at Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, said: “To be honest, it’s been a really good test because Alvaro did a really good job. He was quite fast. I’m surprised. He actually got the feeling really quickly. This surprised me. It’s not easy to jump to MotoGP™ from WorldSBK and get this feeling. Now I understand why he makes the difference in World Superbike. From my point of view, he’s on another level. We were impressed for the performance and the approach. Now I understand really well. Of course, we have a good bike, but he makes the difference.”

The test was with the Aruba.it Racing team that has run wildcards with Michele Pirro across 2022 and 2023, with Pirro, Ducati’s test rider, also at the test. Marco Palmerini, the Ducati Test Team Manager, was on site and he was able to give his views on the test. He admitted he was ‘surprised’ by how quickly Bautista was able to adapt but described it as ‘exciting’.

Palmerini added: “It was really exciting because Alvaro was really fast from the beginning. He’s adapted to the riding style which performs the best for MotoGP™ and coming from a different kind of bike, this was really surprising. It’s very difficult to change from WorldSBK to MotoGP™. You have different tyres and brakes. In half a day, Alvaro immediately understood how to ride with these tyres, and he started using the brakes exactly as he needed to do.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com