German rider Lennox Lehmann (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) secured a dramatic and unlikely maiden FIM Supersport 300 World Championship victory at the Autodrom Most as he stayed out on slick tyres in a rain-affected Race 1. It was a day of firsts at the Acerbis Czech Round as Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) and Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki GP Project) also stood on the rostrum for the first time as they, like Lehmann, opted to not pit.

THE RAIN FALLS: slick tyre gamble paves the way for victory

Rain started to fall as the Warm Up lap concluded but riders stayed on slick tyres until around the end of Lap 5 when the first riders started to pit. Despite the rain falling heavier, staying out proved to be the right choice as Lehmann started matching the wet-tyre runners in the second half of the race, in terms of pace, as he pulled out over the other riders who didn’t change tyres. He was joined on the podium by Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) and Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki GP Project) with both riders also not pitting.

Geiger went from P22 on the grid to claim his first victory by 3.470s ahead of Gaggi in second and Mogeda in third; the latter two both claiming their first podiums in the Championship. Lehmann’s win meant KTM secured back-to-back victories for the first time, while he became the seventh winner of 2023 – coincidentally, the #28 is the 28^th different winner in the Championship.

A NEW ORDER: the rain changes the complexion of Race 1

Ioannis Peristeras (ProGP Racing) claimed his first ever top-ten finish with fourth place, from 29^th on the grid, as he also opted to remain on slick tyres as he became the first Greek rider to score points in WorldSSP300. Jose Perez Luis Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) took fifth as the highest-placed rider to pit for slick tyres, as he overtook home hero Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) on the penultimate lap, with Svoboda finishing sixth.

BATTLING BACK: Veneman in the top ten despite Lap 1 incident

British rider Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) was seventh ahead of Marc Garcia (China Racing Team). The duo was battling in the closing stages with Seabright passing the Kove rider to gain a place, before pulling out a gap of over five seconds on the 2017 Champion. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) was ninth, one second down on Garcia, while teammate Loris Veneman completed the top ten despite being involved in a Lap 1, Turn 1 incident.

IN THE POINTS: strong debut on Saturday

Julio Garcia (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) was 11th in the unpredictable Race 1 with Mexico’s Juan Pablo Uriostegui (Team#109 Kawasaki) in 12^th. Maxim Repak (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) scored points in his first WorldSSP300 race as he finished in 13^th, fending off Raffaele Tragni (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) by just 0.114s. Tragni’s compatriot, Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) completed the points-paying position.

HOUSEKEEPING: plenty to unpack…

There was a Turn 1 incident involving several riders which was placed under investigation by the FIM Stewards, involving Matteo Vannucci (Team#109 Kawasaki), Julio Garcia, Kevin Santos Fontainha (Sublime Racing by MS Racing), Ruben Bijman (Arco Motor University Team), Mattia Martella (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) and Veneman. Fontainha and Vannucci brought their bikes into the pits after the incident, with the Brazilian retiring, while everyone else was able to re-join. Vannucci finished two laps down, with Martella four down on Lehmann.

Bijman also finished four laps down after a race of crashes for the Dutchman. After being involved in the Turn 1 incident, he also crashed at Turn 2 and again at Turn 1 later on in the race. He was classified in 26^th. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) was 22^nd after he had to take a Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding in FP2.

Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) retired after an incident with Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) on Lap 4 at Turn 15; with the Indonesian given a Long Lap Penalty for his role in the incident. He later retired. Walid Khan (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) retired after a Turn 6 crash on Lap 7, after he was given a Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding for his role in the opening lap incident, while Enzo Valentim (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) also was not classified.

The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 1, full results here:

1. Lennox Lehmann (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing)

2. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) +3.470s

3. Daniel Mogeda (Team#109 Kawasaki) +26.216s

4. Ioannis Peristeras (ProGP Racing) +36.812s

5. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +40.061s

6. Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki) +48.632s

Fastest Lap: Aldi Mahendra, Yamaha – 1’47.583s

Don’t miss Race 2 on Sunday at 15:15 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The Autodromo Most in the Czech Republic is the battleground for round eight of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and after a weekend of topsy-turvy, upside-down, shaken-up results, we were set for a monumental Tissot Superpole shootout. After a BMW 1-2 in FP3, Yamaha domination on Friday and Ducati and Kawasaki seemingly struggling, the 15-minute battle for pole had all the intrigue and backdrop needed. With the SC0 tyre compound being the softest available, two-run strategies were generally the way to go. After a myriad of yellow flags in the closing stages and times being deleted, one rider was able to stay clear of all the drama: Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) stormed to pole and a new lap record.

STORY OF SUPERPOLE: Razgatlioglu lays down the gauntlet, Bautista nowhere after Run 1

With dark clouds gathering overhead and rain in the local area, it was a rush to get out to the track in case of a rain shower. Also, with yellow flags always a threat and lap time cancellations possible, getting a banker lap was as important as ever. Leading them out on track, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), the double polesitter at the track. As usual, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and teammate Andrea Locatelli went out on track together. Rea set the first flying lap as a 1’32.013, but after the first laps, it was Razgatlioglu who vaulted to the top with a stunning 1’31.097, as his teammate acted as a good marker ahead of him on track. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) was in P2 ahead of Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), with Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) first lap time only good enough for 14^th, with his second flyer only putting him 12^th. For a second Superpole session running, Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) crashed at Turn 20 but managed to get the bike back to the pits.

Six-time World Champion Rea and 27-year-old American Gerloff was the first to get cracking with a second run with six minutes to go. Rea moved up to second from eighth, whilst Gerloff couldn’t improve. 2021 World Champion Razgatlioglu was on course for a new lap record and he smashed it by a tenth of a second, whilst Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) went P2 and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was third. Elsewhere, pushing hard, Jonathan Rea crashed and having been provisionally second was down to fourth.

BAUTISTA ESCAPES A DISASTER: from row six to P7

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista entered his final flying lap in 13^th place and he was under huge pressure. Ahead of him, Oettl crashed again, this time at Turn 15, bringing yellow flags out but they were withdrawn just in time. However, just when it looked like his lap was going to put him on the second row, Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) crashed at the final corner, bringing out more yellow flags. However, by the time Bautista got there, they were withdrawn and he went up to P6 before finishing P7.

FRONT ROW: Razgatlioglu untouchable as Petrucci stuns

Razgatlioglu was absolutely invincible at Most for a first pole position at Most, with a mesmerising new lap record seeing him head up the grid with Yamaha’s 50th pole position. He’s joined on the front row by rookie Petrucci; ‘Petrux’ was in good form right through the weekend and converted it into his best grid slot in WorldSBK. Completing the front row, Michael Ruben Rinaldi managed to save the factory Ducati outfit’s day with third, and he’ll be looking for a first podium since Misano.

SECOND ROW: Rea’s damage limitation, Bassani’s misfortune

After being in strong form and probably the best we’ve seen from him since Phillip Island, Remy Gardner took fourth place, ahead of Axel Bassani, who was originally up in P2 but dropped to P5 after the yellow flags came out. Despite a late crash to compound a miserable weekend so far, Jonathan Rea was sixth, somewhat lucky that other yellow flags came out to cancel lap times that would’ve pushed him further down.

COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: Bautista heads row three

Despite a late scare with yellow flags, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took P7 just in time, demoting Gerloff back to P8, not entirely representative of where the American’s pace has been. Andrea Locatelli could only manage ninth and will have work to do to get to the podium fight, whilst for Honda, there was a top ten performance in Superpole at last for Xavi Vierge (Team HRC).

OUTSIDE THE TOP TEN: big names with a lot on their plate

Aegerter was on for a great lap until he crashed at the final corner, so starts 11^th, whilst Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) made it both Hondas ahead of the factory BMWs. Row five features Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in 13^th, one place ahead of Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) and Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who had a late lap cancelled for the yellow flags.

Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team), Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Isaac Vinales (TPR Team Pedercini Racing and Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) complete the top 20. Roberto Tamburini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) was next along ahead of Hannes Soomer (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team) and home-hero Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO). Oettl didn’t set a valid lap due to his two crashes.

Top six after WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) 1’30.801s

2. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.460s

3. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.506s

4. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.618s

5. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +0.629s

6. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.657s

Watch every moment from Most in 2023 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) was unbeatable in the Tissot Superpole session for the FIM Supersport World Championship as he demolished the all-time lap record to secure pole position. The Championship leader will line up alongside title rival Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) at the Autodrom Most as the Yamaha rider looks to continue building his momentum during the Acerbis Czech Round.

A NEW LAP RECORD: Bulega unstoppable in Superpole

Bulega’s first lap was a 1’34.882s as he immediately went under the existing all-time lap record set by Lorenzo Baldassarri last year, going initially half-a-second clear of his rivals, with Bulega only setting one timed lap in his first stint. Manzi closed that gap to just two tenths on his second timed lap with a 1’35.077s. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) completed a longer first stint as he ended his run in third place, consistently quicker than Bulega across the first half of the lap.

As the second stints started, the #11 once again improved to a 1’34.803s to lower the benchmark further and it looked like he was going to go faster on his next lap but found traffic in the final sector, losing seven tenths. However, his response was emphatic: he posted a 1’34.479s on the following lap. Manzi was able to close the gap to just four tenths with a 1’34.882s, also under the previous lap record, with Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) completing the front row after hauling himself up the order with his last lap as he posted a 1’34.968s.

A BEST-EVER RESULT, A LAP TIME DELETE: mixed fortunes for the second row

Sofuoglu finished the Superpole session in fourth place after his different strategy, although all riders completed a similar number of laps. His best time was a 1’35.116s as he secured P4, his best Superpole result in WorldSSP, with 2021 WorldSSP300 Champion Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) in fifth. Huertas had been in the top three during the early running but fell down to fifth as the session concluded. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) completed the second row with P6, although he did lose a lap time good enough for fourth due to yellow flags being shown.

DRAMATIC ENDINGS: Navarro, Caricasulo crash

Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) took seventh but was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following a Turn 20 crash in the closing stages of Superpole. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) was eighth despite a Turn 15 crash with around three minutes to go, while Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) will round out the third row as the Frenchman took ninth.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from Superpole

The session was red flagged right at the end of the 20-minute session following a crash for Alvaro Diaz (Arco Yart Yamaha WorldSSP) at Turn 15. The reigning WorldSSP300 Champion was taken to the medical centre for a check-up after the crash.

The top six following WorldSSP Superpole, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’34.479

2. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.403s

3. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.489s

4. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.637s

5. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) +0.644s

6. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.756s

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

History was made in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Autodrom Most as Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) secured a maiden pole position while Chinese manufacturer Kove took their first front row start as Marc Garcia (China Racing Team) claimed third place in the Tissot Superpole session. 15 riders were covered by a second in a tightly-contested session to set the grid for the Acerbis Czech Round’s two races.

MAKING HISTORY: China Racing Team secure their first front row

Perez Gonzalez was further down the order but a late 1’46.162s hauled him up the order to claim his first-ever WorldSSP300 pole position by just 0.034s. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) will line up alongside him on the front row. Vannucci had been leading the way during the 20-minute session but was usurped by his rival and, despite improving his lap time, fell just short of a second pole of the season. 2017 Champion Garcia gave the China Racing Team their best-ever Superpole result with third; Chinese manufacturer Kove lining up on the front row for the first time in their debut campaign. Three manufacturers will line up on the front row with Kawasaki leading Yamaha and Kove.

A MIXED-UP ORDER: surprises on Saturday

Brazil’s Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) took fourth as he enjoyed a strong Superpole session with his best lap time 0.442s slower than Perez Gonzalez. He was only 0.004s clear of Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) in fifth while Indonesia’s Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) will complete the second row. Hendra Pratama missed the Italian Round but returned to WorldSSP300 in style as he lapped 0.550s off the pole time to secure a second-row start.

STRONG WILDCARD SHOWING: Khan impresses on his return

Wildcard Walid Khan (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) was the fastest KTM rider on the grid as he took seventh after setting a 1’46.721s as the Dutchman returns to the Championship for the first time since 2018. He will be joined on the third row by Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) and Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) in eighth and ninth respectively. Home hero Svoboda had been quickest on Friday practice but will start both races from the third row as he looks to get his Championship charge back on track.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER WITH WORK TO DO: Geiger only takes 14^th

Championship leader Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) will start from 14^th place after a disappointing Superpole, given KTM’s success at the Czech circuit. He will be on the fifth row alongside Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) and 2020 Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki); with just under a second covering the top 15.

The top six following WorldSSP300 Superpole, full results here:

1. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR)

2. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) +0.034s

3. Marc Garcia (China Racing Team) +0.260s

4. Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) +0.442s

5. Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) +0.446s

6. Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) +0.550s

Don’t miss Race 1 from 12:40 Local Time (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Free Practice 3 at the Autodrom Most on Saturday morning was super important; a fully dry session on the first of two race days gave valuable information to all riders as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship gears up for round eight. The final Free Practice session of the Acerbis Czech Round welcomed an array of riders at the top throughout the 30 minutes session but in the end, it was Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) who led the way.

It was a frantic session with 90 seconds to go, as riders put in fast laps. Garrett Gerloff was on a mission and went top at different points of the session. Despite Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) charging up the order and being briefly ahead of the American, Gerloff responded and the 27-year-old took top spot despite not being fastest in any of the individual sectors. Redding clinched second for a surprising BMW 1-2, whilst 2021 World Champion Razgatlioglu – who is the most successful rider at the Czech venue with four wins – was third, just 0.073s adrift. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) made it formation flying for Yamaha, one place behind his teammate, whilst Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) was top Ducati in P5.

Making it three BMW M 1000 RRs inside the top six, Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) was in good form as the BMW looked to be working in the cooler morning temperatures. We could be set for one of the most unpredictable grids of the season. Having been top for much of the first part of the session, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) looked silky smooth on his way to P7. In eighth, there was reason to smile as Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was inside the top ten, giving Honda some promise ahead of Tissot Superpole. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) took ninth, whilst it was Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in tenth and the lead factory Ducati, one place ahead of struggling teammate Alvaro Bautista.

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was mired down in 14^th but still top Kawasaki, with it unlikely that he or Bautista really put in a true time attack. After a mechanical issue caused a crash yesterday, Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was back in action but down in 18^th.

Top six after WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) 1’31.689s 

2. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.007s

3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.073s

4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.224s

5. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) +0.268s

6. Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) +0.337s

Watch every moment from Most in 2023 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

As the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship hurtles towards the mid-season, it’s the last chance for riders to impress and to put themselves in the shop window for 2024 before decisions are made during this summer break. One of those seats is the second Aruba.it Racing – Ducati bike, where Michael Ruben Rinaldi – the current rider – seems to be in a battle with WorldSSP Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) to be Alvaro Bautista’s WorldSBK teammate. We have the latest below. Get a full silly season update here!

RINALDI VS BULEGA: the RED-hot seat for 2024, but who is the favourite?

Speaking about the difference of the 500rpm decrease and how it impacts Ducati at Most, Rinaldi said: “We are losing compared to last year on the exit of the turns. We tried with the electronics to give more power, but there is not too much to do. So, we’ll try to understand which is the better way, but for sure on that side, we are struggling compared to last year. I don’t know what the solution can be but actually, I don’t know if I’ll be here, so it’s not my problem.”

Elaborating further about his future, the #21 stated: “I don’t know yet. I’m quiet for now and we’ll see what’s going to happen. From Ducati, there’s no rush to sign and they haven’t said to me yes or no. We are working to see what our other options can be in case they tell me ‘no’. Last year, we decided in September, which was too late, as I didn’t have another seat available. This year, I tried to find a solution before and for sure I’ll try to stay with this family. However, at this moment, I’m peaceful and I just want to ride the bike and find a good feeling with that.”

Talking in his interview yesterday, Bulega was coy on his future once more, but wasn’t stressed by it either: “Nothing; I just want to stay focused on my Championship as now, it’s the most important. The future is also important but I just want to focus on the present and let my manager and the team do their work.” Previously, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna stated that Bulega, who has taken part in various Ducati Panigale V4 R tests, was “quite fast”, whilst Stefano Cecconi, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team principal, said it “makes sense” to see Bulega in WorldSBK for 2024 and that is “regardless” of 2023’s end result in World Supersport.

RINALDI’S FUTURE: “I have something to give… if Ducati wants me, they’ll show me”

When discussing his future with a wider perspective, such as the possibility to move to MotoAmerica or elsewhere, Rinaldi shut it down, unequivocal in his desire to continue in WorldSBK: “At the moment, nobody asked me and my focus is to stay in the World Championship. I think I have something to give. I am not finishing 15th or 10th, I am always in the top five. I have something to give.”

Asked whether Rinaldi or his management were pushing Ducati to make a decision, the 26-year-old denied, and stated he only wants to ride where he’s welcome: “We’re not pushing; I want to race and ride in a team where I’m welcome and not in a team where I am not. If Ducati wants me, they will show me; if not, it’s OK and we’ll see what are the other options. Thank you.”

“HE DESERVES A CHANCE” – Rinaldi and Bautista on growing Bulega rumours

With Nicolo Bulega being one rider linked to be on Rinaldi’s bike for 2024, he gave his thoughts on that too: “I think that on Ducati’s side, it can be a move that is normal and for sure, I wouldn’t be upset. It’s normal that a young guy like Nicolo deserves a chance; I think that for him, it could be risky to go straight to a factory seat but if I was in his shoes, I’d do it because who says no to a factory team?”

Teammate Alvaro Bautista likewise shared his thoughts: “I read the rumours last week; I think Bulega is a nice rider and he’s very fast, doing well in WorldSSP. For sure, he wants to go to WorldSBK next year but I don’t know where or with which team. He deserves an opportunity to come to WorldSBK and show his potential.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) showed impressive speed and consistency on Day 1 of the Acerbis Czech Round as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship headed east from Italy. A mixed-conditions Free Practice 1 limited running for the entire field at the Autodrom Most but Free Practice 2 was completely dry, with Petrucci taking full advantage to claim third place in the standings and finished as the lead Ducati rider.

The #9 complete only five laps in a rain-affected FP1 session which started wet but dried out towards the end of the 45-minute session. Petrucci was 20^th in the morning session with a best time of 1’49.656s – it was 16 seconds down on Scott Redding’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) best time, with Petrucci’s fastest lap set around 13 minutes into the session. He last returned to his box after 17 minutes, with the Italian not leaving the pits after this moment.

However, in FP2, the two-time MotoGP™ winner was one of the busiest riders as he set 19 laps across three stints. His speed gradually increased with every run. His first stint was a five-lap run – not including our or in laps – with his times in the 1’34s bracket before improving into the 1’33s (his last time in this run was a 1’40.308s). The second was shorter but, again, Petrucci was finding pace with every lap that passed as he went from a 1’34.250s on the opening lap to a 1’33.336s on his last flying lap.

However, the third stint is where Petrucci’s pace and consistency was really on display. He completed six flying laps in this period with five of them in the 1’32s bracket. The slowest representative time was a 1’32.971s – again, the first lap of the run – before he improved to a 1’32.498s and then found more time with a 1’32.471s. Despite the times slowing for the final two representative laps – a 1’32.747s and 1’32.778s – the rookie was able to display incredible consistency in the sole dry session on Friday.

Discussing his Friday, the one-time WorldSBK podium finisher said: “It was a bit of a worry this morning because I had no chance to ride, and the conditions were really tricky. It was raining and then not. In the afternoon, the conditions were quite good. Even if it’s my first day with a Superbike here, and we don’t have any data from last year, I just did a track day here. It’s really different! I need to get used to this track because it’s quite flowing. There’s no rest. I enjoyed today. I always had a good feeling when the asphalt is new. I’m not completely satisfied about the bike, but the lap time isn’t bad.”

He also responded to consistency and outlined his goals. The Ducati rider added: “It’s quite tough because the track is quite small and it’s physically demanding. In the end, I think I’m quite good with tyre management and I can be satisfied. I think I have more potential to explore in a single lap. The tyre allocation is quite different compared to other races. We still need some laps to understand them. I hope a front row is a realistic goal! I need to use all our experience, speed, and potential for that because it’s my weak point at the moment. Realistically, I think the first or second row can be a good target. Then, in the race, hopefully I can fight with the top guys.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Topping the opening day of action at the 2023 Acerbis Czech Round, the Autodrom Most’s most successful rider from the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. Four wins mean this is Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) territory and with the pendulum swinging his way in a dramatic fashion after Imola, the Turkish star hopes he can close down the Championship lead even further before the summer break. That Championship leader is reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and whilst he was sixth, he wasn’t his usual self in what was a tricky opening day for the Spaniard. We caught up with both at the close of Friday action, to find out how their battle is shaping up.

HOW IT HAPPENED: elbows out in the wet from the start in FP1

FP1 started in wet conditions and there was a fruity moment on track between Razgatlioglu and Bautista, with the #54 barrelling through up the inside of the Ducati rider at Turn 15, catching the defending Champion by surprise. As the session went on, Toprak was briefly on top before being pipped by Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), whilst Bautista didn’t set a time in the drying final ten minutes of the session, being stuck down in P17.

Nevertheless, it was a slightly different afternoon session as the rain abated and the sun tried to peak through the clouds overhead. Razgatlioglu fired in plenty of fast times on his final run to go top by just 0.012s ahead of fellow Yamaha rider Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), whereas Bautista couldn’t challenge at the front and was the fourth Ducati home, finishing sixth overall. It also seemed that the #1 had technical issues, missing a lot of the opening part of FP2.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: “I felt good with the bike and also confident”

Talking about his first day at Most, Razgatlioglu – who is 70 points behind Bautista in the title race – shared his day one experience: “First, I want to say that I’m very happy to come back to Most again as I like this track! The wet conditions weren’t so bad, I felt good with the bike and also confident. After, it was dry and I did one lap, but Scott did a very good job. In FP2, we were still working for a good setup on the bike as everyone uses the hard tyre, especially here. It doesn’t look bad, but we’re still working. In the wet, the feeling is better as I remember in FP3 two years ago, I felt good grip here immediately and today, I went fast straight away. After four years, I’m starting to feel confident! Both conditions are OK, no problem.”

Fast through sectors one and two, the second half of the lap, particularly sector four, seems to be causing issues, which Razgatlioglu explained: “The problem was in Turn 18 and Turn 19, as I was feeling the bike spinning a lot and the acceleration isn’t good. We’re still working to try and find a good setup. In the first two sectors, the corners are slower and I am strong, but in three and four… three isn’t bad but sector four, I’m very bad. We need to improve there because of the spinning and the acceleration, as the lap time isn’t coming.

“We’ll see tomorrow and I hope that we improve in the last sector. We did a good job through the rest of the lap, but the pace is going to be very important this weekend. My pace doesn’t look bad but if we improve in the final sector, it can be better than the others. I’m confident, feeling good but if we improve a little bit more, then we can feel much better but in general, right now, I’m happy for the first day.”

BAUTISTA UNHAPPY ON DAY 1: “It wasn’t the best Friday… we have almost everything to do for tomorrow”

Elsewhere in the red corner, Bautista’s first day was evaluated and he detailed the difficulties endured throughout day one: “Today has been difficult for us; in the morning, the track conditions were tricky, not ready for wet or slick tyres. I didn’t do a lot of laps. In the afternoon, on the first lap, I had an issue with the bike with the pressure of the oil. The engine we used today was very well used with a lot of kilometres, and there was something strange with the oil pressure. In the end, we lost a lot of time in the box. Anyway, I got some laps and a reference. It wasn’t the best Friday but tomorrow’s another day and I’m confident that it will be better.”

When asked about to improve on Saturday and what is on the agenda to do so, Bautista was clear that there’s a lot to get through: “We have almost everything to do for tomorrow; Pirelli brought the new tyres and nobody had a reference with them. Today, our target was just to compare the tyres we know and the new ones, but in the end, we couldn’t. Tomorrow, I don’t know if we’ll have time in FP3 because the weather conditions will be different to today. We’ll try our best anyway; the setup of the bike wasn’t perfect today as we didn’t have so much time on the track and I didn’t feel comfortable, so we’ll change some items and improve the feeling. Tomorrow, we’ll start from zero. I hope for good weather tomorrow as we have a lot of work to do.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it WorldSSP Racing Team) was the rider to beat on Friday in the FIM Supersport World Championship, but his rivals kept the pressure on him at the Autodrom Most, with title challenge Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) seventh after losing a quicker lap time after it was set under yellow flags. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) was once again shining brightly as took second place on Day 1 of the Acerbis Czech Round.

ADVANTAGE BULEGA ON FRIDAY: Championship leader on top, Manzi loses lap

Bulega topped Free Practice 1 in the morning and improved his lap time in FP2 as he edged closer to – but didn’t quite match or beat – the race lap record at Most. His best lap time was a 1’35.264s as he secured top spot with the Italian looking to prevent title rival Manzi from building up more momentum after his Imola double. Manzi dropped down the order in the final few minutes before he set a 1’35.452s and provisionally moved to P2 and only 0.186s behind Bulega. Manzi’s time, however, was deleted as he set it under yellow flags after a Turn 20 crash for Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team); his best official time, a 1’35.669s, good enough for P7. Manzi losing his best time promoted Huertas back into second place after posting a 1’35.483s and Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) into third.

A SHAKE UP IN THE ORDER? riders impress at the sharp end

Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) was the lead Yamaha rider on Friday as he took P4, comfortable enjoying one of his best days of his rookie campaign. He lapped around three tenths off Bulega’s best time and was 0.060s ahead of Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura). The Italian surged up the order after setting a 1’35.629s with just a few minutes left in the 45-minute session. It was also a good day for Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) as he secured a spot in the top six after posting a 1’35.656.

FIVE MANUFACTURERS IN THE TOP TEN: a competitive weekend in store

Manzi took P7 and was around four tenths off Bulega’s time but will know there’s more to come after a faster lap time was deleted, while two Triumphs and an MV Agusta ensured five of the six manufacturers in WorldSSP were in the top ten. Niki Tuuli (TPR Triumph) led teammate Ondrej Vostatek after the Czech rider showed impressive speed on his return to the Championship. He was 0.024s ahead of Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) with the Barcelona Race 1 winner completing the top ten. His teammate, Marcel Schroetter, was directly behind in 11^th.

HOUSEKEEPING: a red-flagged FP2 session

The session was red flagged with just over 20 minutes to go for safety conditions shortly after a crash for French rider Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) at Turn 13. The Frenchman was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the incident, where he was declared fit with a left leg and ankle contusion. There were a couple of other crashes in FP2. Yuta Okaya (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) went down at Turn 20 and completed only six laps, with the Japanese rookie classified in 29^th. Tom Edward (Yart – Yamaha WorldSSP Team) went down at Turn 15 and he was 16^th in the standings.

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

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’35.266s

2. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) +0.217s

3. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.251s

4. Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.303s

5. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.363s

6. Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.390s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

After what has been a tricky season at times, particularly the last two rounds which have been challenging new tracks to learn, Australian rookie Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) enjoyed a fantastic Friday at the Autodrom Most. Day one of the Acerbis Czech Round was certainly a jumbled up one with inclement weather persisting, but the 2021 Moto2™ World Champion was strong in both wet and dry conditions.

The day started in a positive way for the #87, who is tackling the fast and flowing Czech circuit for the first time in his career. He was briefly top in FP1 during the wet conditions, before finishing fifth and was second-best Independent behind teammate Dominique Aegerter. However, with a completely dry session in the afternoon, Gardner once again showed good strength and looked like his time would be good enough for top spot, only to miss out by 0.012s to fellow Yamaha rider Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK). A total of 35 laps were set by Gardner, more than anyone else in the top five and he was also fastest in the fourth sector, ironically where his Turkish Yamaha colleague struggled. It’s hard to read into too much of his race pace, with times not consistently in the 1’32s – his next best time after his 1’32.379 was a 1’33.193 on his final flying lap.

Speaking about a Friday to be happy about, Gardner spoke of his day one: “It’s been a bit of a complicated day with the weather. We started FP1 in the wet; we had pretty good feelings and we got a few dry laps in at the end. FP2 was fully dry which was good. It’s my second time here but I don’t really remember the first time “It was in 2016 with Tasca Racing on my Moto2™ bike. It was my first time I came here since then but, honestly, I don’t really remember the track. I’ve done a lot of racing since then. We have to work; I’m not completely comfortable with the bike yet but we’re fast out of the box which is good.”

Attention then turned to his tyre choice, but a big moment on the front at Turn 2 knocked his confidence: “It’s not bad on the first two runs. This was a used tyre from FP1. We put on a new tyre on for the third run. We then used the SC2 on the front, the hard tyre, and it was fine for two laps but, after that, I lost the front at Turn 2 and managed to save it. I didn’t have a really good feeling on the front after this. It was difficult to keep the lap times but, even so, I could’ve been high 32s or low 33s. We need to improve the front end feeling and probably we will use the SC1.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com