As Day 1 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto provided the first look of Toprak Razgatlioglu at the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team alongside his rivals, all eyes were on the 2021 Champion to see how he would fare on the M 1000 RR. He was quick out of the blocks to post representative lap times in the 1’39s bracket to top the times during the early running, before ending the day in third place on what was a positive day for BMW in testing for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

TWO BMWS IN THE TOP FOUR: a strong start for the factory BMW outfit as they ‘show potential’

Razgatlioglu and teammate van der Mark finished in P3 and P4 respectively at the end of the first day’s running, completing more than 70 laps each, with the #54 pipping van der Mark by just 0.010s. Razgatlioglu started his day with the SC0 tyre and was immediately in the 1’39s bracket, while a run on the SCQ tyre didn’t provide the expected benefits. Despite not improving by much on the Superpole tyre, the Turkish star was left feeling happy after a first test session in the dry after a disrupted programme in December last year.

Expanding on the opening day at Jerez, Razgatlioglu said: “I’m very happy to have good weather, finally! In my first tests, it was a little bit late, and we didn’t have a fully dry session. Now we have a fully dry track and, we showed our potential. This morning, in the first five laps, I did a 1’39.8s with the SC0 tyre. This is very good. I immediately saw 1’39s and thought it was good because people said BMW’s not ready to be a Championship bike, but if the bike didn’t have potential, we wouldn’t have done a 1’39s. It looks like the bike has potential. We need time and to improve the bike because I’m still learning it. I’m riding the bike for a full day; I’m learning a lot and so are the team. My style is probably a bit different, so my team are learning my style. In general, I’m happy. It’s been a positive test. Bulega did a good lap time with the SCQ tyre, but I don’t understand why the other riders didn’t do this. Maybe it’s the same problem with grip.”

TIME TO FIND: “I hope we improve the bike and try the SCQ again to make a good lap time…”

The one-time Champion spent four seasons with Yamaha before switching to BMW for the 2024 season and, with more kilometres on the M 1000 RR secured, explained how the bike differs from the YZF-R1 he raced from 2020 to 2023. He also expressed his hope to gain more time on the SCQ tyre in Thursday’s running after not being able to find a huge amount of time on Wednesday, while also explaining that there’s a lot of new parts for him to test on Day 2.

Razgatlioglu added: “After riding for a different brand, the bike feels completely different. The electronics are different. I’ve almost adapted; not 100% but almost. Today, we tried some new parts and tomorrow there are many new parts. I hope we improve the bike; this is all I’m focused on. On the last run, I tried the SCQ tyre just to understand it because I’ve not tried it with this bike. I need to understand the balance because, always when you put the Q tyre on, the bike is always changing. The bike completely changed today. I was just one tenth faster than with the race tyre. Tomorrow, we also have the SCQ tyre. I hope we improve the bike and try it again to make a good lap time.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) might be a rookie but eyes will already be turning to him after yet another impressive testing performance in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. As the majority of the paddock headed to the south of Spain and the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, it was the reigning WorldSSP Champion who stole the headlines. He lapped more than a second clear and was close to the outright lap record after utilising the SCQ tyre to full effect in the final hour of the day, while teammate Alvaro Bautista was down in tenth.

MIXED FEELINGS: Bulega storms to top spot as Bautista scrapes into the top ten

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) stormed to the top of the times on day one as he posted a 1’38.292s using Pirelli’s SCQ tyre, with his fastest time coming in the final hour of the day, shortly before he had a small technical issue. Bulega, who completed 71 laps, finished 1.5s clear of teammate Alvaro Bautista down in tenth, with the reigning Champion on track for the first time following the injuries he sustained in testing here in November. The #1 was also looking at how best to minimise the impact of the ballast he’ll need to use with the new weight rules that come into effect for 2024. In terms of Independent Ducatis, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) was seventh with 67 laps to his name as he continued understanding the Panigale V4 R, while Danilo Petrucci (BARNI Spark Racing Team) was ninth with a 1’39.773s. The #9 was trying a lower seat to help improve the centre of gravity and find performance benefits from this with Petrucci completing 66 laps. The final Independent Ducati rider was Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in 15^th place as he continues his adjustment from Moto2™ to WorldSBK. His best was a 1’40.133s as he completed 82 laps.

ALEX LOWES LEADS KRT CHARGE: second despite only recording a handful of laps

Despite feeling unwell and only completing 31 laps, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was able to take second place. His 1’39.474s was enough to finish as the lead Kawasaki rider as he tried new components, and will at Portimao next week, including front and rear suspension items, electronics, seat positions and fuel tank. Teammate Axel Bassani finished in 14^th place after setting a 1’40.059s as he continued adjusting to the ZX-10RR and its inline-4 engine configuration, with the #47 completing 77 laps. The sole Independent Kawasaki rider, Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was three places and five tenths behind Bassani, with the Spaniard using a factory bike leased from KRT in the hope that more data will help take forward steps more quickly.

A STRONG DAY FOR BMW: Razgatlioglu and van der Mark both make the top four…

It was a busy but impressive day for BMW with 10 bikes and six riders to get data from, with the test team in attendance alongside the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and Bonovo Action BMW squad. Toprak Razgatlioglu claimed third with a 1’39.521s, lapping quicker today than he did in either Race 1 or Race 2 with Yamaha during the round here in October, as he went in search of a good setup on his M 1000 RR, while also looking for improvements with the electronic setup. Teammate Michael van der Mark was fourth, only 0.010s down on the #54. For the test team, Bradley Smith and Sylvain Guintoli rounded out the field but added a combined 111 laps to the German manufacturer’s total for the day. Both Razgatlioglu and van der Mark completed more than 70 laps as they finished in the top four.

Next door at the Bonovo Action BMW squad, Garrett Gerloff took eighth as he tested new parts while also hoping to look at Razgatlioglu’s strategy under braking and for the engine brake. The American completed 73 laps and posted a best time of 1’39.763s for P8, while teammate Scott Redding was in 13^th. The Brit, who also had new parts, set a best time of 1’40.042s and completed 56 laps.

GARDNER ON TOP AT YAMAHA AGAIN: evenly matched with Rea on day one

Yamaha enjoyed a solid day on day one with two riders inside the top ten. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the lead Yamaha rider in fifth place after the Australian set a 1’39.679s and completed 83 laps, making him one of the busiest riders on track. He was just 0.003s clear of six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon) in sixth, with the Northern Irishman completing 72 laps on his way to a best time of 1’39.682s. Rea’s teammate, Andrea Locatelli, narrowly missed out on a spot in the top ten as he worked with new crew chief Tom O’Kane for the first time, and adding 72 laps to Yamaha’s total as he set a 1’39.917s. Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) was 12^th on his first outing on the Yamaha YZF-R1 following his switch from Team GoEleven, just a tenth behind Locatelli. Elsewhere at Yamaha, GRT Yamaha’s Dominique Aegerter didn’t complete any laps on day one. A suspected viral infection ruled him out of action, and he will be re-assessed tomorrow.

LOTS TO BUILD ON: both Honda riders outside the top ten…

Honda featured just two riders at the test, with Team HRC’s Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge flying the flag for the Japanese manufacturer. Lecuona completed 52 laps on his way to 16^th place as he set a 1’40.379s while Vierge was two places and almost four tenths back from his teammate. The pair were continuing to adjust to the new CBR1000RR-R machine as they look to refine it.

FOUR MANUFACTURERS IN THE TOP FOUR: nothing to keep the lead WorldSSP riders apart…

In WorldSSP, several riders were testing at Jerez alongside the WorldSBK stars. The World Supersport field was led by Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) as the German posted a 1’42.015s to claim P1 ahead of Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) with just a tenth separating the two. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was third as he took to the track on his ZX-6R featuring upgrades, while the Turk was also building up fitness following surgery on his arm over the winter. He was only 0.015s behind Manzi, while Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) completed the top four.

The top ten from day one:

1 Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’38.292s, 71 laps

2. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’39.474s, 31 laps

3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’39.521s, 74 laps

4. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’39.531s, 72 laps

5. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’39.679s, 83 laps

6. Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon) 1’39.682s, 72 laps

7. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) 1’39.664s, 67 laps

8. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) 1’39.763s, 73 laps

9. Danilo Petrucci (BARNI Spark Racing Team) 1’39.773s, 66 laps

10. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’39.847s, 68 laps

Catch up on all the day’s action right here and follow the 2024 campaign in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock, barring a few exceptions, has headed to the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for two days of crucial testing with the 2024 season getting underway in just under a month. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) tests for the first time alongside his rivals, with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon) also on track. It’s a chance to see how the #54 fares against rivals, while it’s also a chance to see how the rest of the grid stacks up before the Australian Round. For a full preview of the test, click HERE and you can follow it on live timing here.

10:36 – Razgatlioglu’s left the box on the M 1000 RR, as has teammate van der Mark. A lot of eyes will be on the factory BMW garage…

10:30 – WorldSBK riders join the action, with Philipp Oettl the first on track as he tests the Yamaha R1 with GMT94 Yamaha for the first time

10:25 – while the WorldSBK field joins the test at 10:30am Local Time (GMT+1), a few WorldSSP riders have hit the track with Federico Caricasulo – riding an MV Agusta in 2024 – leading the early stages

Source: WorldSBK.com

With the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team taking the wraps off their challenge for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it was a chance to see new recruit Nicolo Bulega as a factory Ducati rider for the first time at a team launch. At the incredible event in Madonna di Campiglio, the #11 spoke about his feelings about being a rookie in WorldSBK, his impressive speed at the Jerez test last year and where he’s looking to make gains throughout the upcoming test days before jetting off to Australia.

“IT’S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ME”: Bulega previews 2024

Bulega has already got his hands on the Panigale V4 R on several occasions, including at the post-round test at Jerez last year. He’ll be back on track this week at the same venue to continue his preparations for his maiden campaign, but the reigning WorldSSP Champion discussed the upcoming year at the launch. He spoke about his excitement for the year and what his plans are for testing as he looks to prepare in the best possible way for his first WorldSBK season.

Bulega said: “It feels amazing. It’s a good opportunity for me. I know it’ll be a very important year. I will try to enjoy this incredible bike and team and try to do my best. We go to Spain for the first test of the year. I think it’ll be very important to prepare me and the bike to have a good feeling for when we go to Phillip Island in a month.”

“I’VE NEVER TRIED A BIKE WITH SO MUCH HORSEPOWER!”: still lots to learn for Bulega

While 24-year-old Bulega has tried the Panigale V4 R, he is still learning to adapt as he looks to make a positive impression during his first WorldSBK campaign. Speaking in Italy, he spoke about how his lap time at the last Jerez test – which impressed teammate Alvaro Bautista – was set when he was “only at 80%”, while also expanding on what he hopes to gain from the upcoming tests before everyone heads Down Under for the start of the 2024 season.

The Italian said about the previous and future tests: “I was very happy. My lap time was good, and my feeling was good. But I was only at 80%. I was very happy to be fast and to be at 80%. I think I have a very good package and team so I will try to bring out all my speed and talent. I have to improve everywhere a little bit because it’s a new bike for me. I’ve never tried a bike with so much horsepower, so I need to adapt my riding style to understand it better. When you ride this very fast bike, you have to understand braking points, how to accelerate and pick up, and you have to adapt to this bike. I think I have to improve everywhere and try to be fast.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

With the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign around the corner and big regulation changes already announced, including weight limit changes and a reduced fuel tank capacity, all eyes are on how teams adapt to the new rules. Speaking at Ducati’s stunning launch in Madonna di Campiglio, Ducati Corse’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, explained how Ducati will work on the new rules during the upcoming tests at Jerez and Portimao before the paddock heads to Australia for the season-opening Australian Round.

“WE PROBABLY HAVE 5 OR 6 KILOS TO ADD…”: Dall’Igna on 2024 weight regulations

During the Jerez test at the end of the 2023 season, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) revealed how adding 7kg to the bike ‘wasn’t easy’, although the actual amount that will be added is yet to be determined. During the team launch, Dall’Igna estimated it could be around 5 or 6 kilograms and explained how testing for the factory Ducati team will be devoted to working on this new rule as well as fuel consumption, with a reduction in fuel tank capacity to 21 litres coming into effect for 2024.

Discussing the new regulations, Dall’Igna said: “It’s not easy. We have probably 5 or 6 kilos to add to the bike at the start of the season, depending on Alvaro’s weight. It’s not easy to put this ballast on the bike. We have to try during the tests to find what will be the best position in order to reduce the problem as much as problem. On fuel capacity, it’s another important difference compared to last year. We’ll have to manage fuel consumption better to not have trouble during the race and we’ll need to be really focused on these two aspects.”

NEW DUCATI LINE-UP: Dall’Igna’s thoughts on the Bautista-Bulega combination

For this season, the factory Ducati squad have a new line-up. Bautista remains with the team for a third season in his second spell, while he’s joined by 2023 WorldSSP Champion Nicolo Bulega for his rookie campaign. At the launch event, Dall’Igna discussed the new rider line-up as the Bologna-based manufacturer goes in search of a third Riders’ Championship and Manufacturers’ Championship in a row.

“I’m really happy about the two riders,” Dall’Igna stated when talking about the revised rider line-up for this year. “One has the experience of being Champion, so it’s a guarantee for us. The second is a young rider that grew up very well in World Supersport. He was really fast during the test he had during the final part of last season, and I think, for the future, it’ll be important to have him on our bike.”

Follow all the action throughout 2024 in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is fast approaching, so take this opportunity to sign up for the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup and book your place in the paddock.

Find out more and register here

Open to competitors aged 14-20, the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup has provided a proven path into World Championship racing for talented young riders since its launch in 2021. A spectacular 2023 season saw Italy’s Emiliano Ercolani crowned champion in a nail-biting final round decider, and the 18-year-old is now set to make his Supersport300 FIM World Championship debut, with support from Yamaha Motor Europe and the Motoxracing team.

The Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup will once again support six rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship, visiting some of the best circuits Europe has to offer and allowing the young riders to regularly rub shoulders with the sport’s top athletes and the many thousands of fans who visit the paddock.

The series enjoys a truly global feel with entrants from India, Turkey, Brazil, Japan, and Australia already registered for this year’s title campaign. And with only 30 grid slots available for the 2024 season, now is the perfect time to sign up to avoid missing out on this exciting opportunity.

Each weekend, the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup riders will be based at the bLU cRU village, located at a designated area inside the paddock. All entrants will receive coaching and technical support, while Yamaha R3 machinery and a complete riding package, including race leathers, gloves, boots, helmet, tyres and fuel, are provided at a low cost, with season entry fees of just €30,500 (euros).

The overall champion will earn a place on the 2025 Supersport300 FIM World Championship grid with full Yamaha Motor Europe support, providing they are over the minimum age for entry into the class. Second in the standings will be offered a 50% discount on their 2025 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup registration, while the rider who finishes third in the championship will receive a 25% discount.

Five riders will also be selected for the VR46 Yamaha Master Camp in Italy, where they will receive coaching from the same team responsible for advising the VR46 Academy Riders.

You can register for the 2024 Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup by clicking here

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is fast approaching, and, with it, team launch season is here. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team became the latest to take the wraps off their 2024 challenge and a glamorous event in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. Reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista was on hand to give his thoughts on the upcoming season, and he also provided a fitness update for the first time since his Sepang wildcard.

RECOVERING FROM INJURY: Bautista provides update after 2023 Jerez test crash

Bautista’s preparation for the 2024 campaign started immediately after the 2023 season concluded at Jerez, with the #1 losing running time after a crash at Turn 12. Despite suffering a slight injury, the Spaniard ventured to Malaysia for a MotoGP™ wildcard before he revealed the true extent of his injury after finishing outside the points in the Grand Prix. With months having passed since then, Bautista provided an update on his fitness.

Speaking at the Ducati launch at Madonna di Campiglio, the reigning Champion said: “I feel much better from my injury. I spent many weeks trying to recover as much as possible. I feel good now. The last test I have to do is riding my bike and to check that there’s no problem riding the bike. I’m happy with my physical condition right now. Let’s see how it goes in the test”

REGULATION CHANGES: where will Bautista be impacted?

There’s some big changes coming into WorldSBK for 2024, including a new weight rule and a reduction of fuel tank size. As one of the lightest riders on the grid, Bautista is expecting to feel the impact of the weight regulations more and the team were testing this back at Jerez last year. With running of the new rules under his belt, and a chance to have mulled over the data the team collected, Bautista expanded more on this at the team launch.

He said: “My biggest problem or the area we have to work on is the extra weight on the bike. With more weight on the bike, you feel it’s more difficult to ride it especially in the fast corners. With more inertia, the bike goes wide and it’s more difficult to close the corner. Also, for stopping under heavy braking, we struggle a lot. We will concentrate on this and try to be penalised as little as possible and try to be at the best possible performance.”

TESTING, TESTING…: back on track at Jerez this week

After a few months away, the WorldSBK field bursts back into action later this week with two days of testing at Jerez with the grid hoping for some Spanish sun for optimum testing conditions. Bautista will be on track for the first time since his injury. He revealed that he was ‘excited’ to get back on his Panigale V4 R with the #1 aiming to work on the new regulations as previously mentioned.

On returning to the track, the Spaniard said: “I’m so excited because I want to check how my condition is riding the bike, and also with the new regulations, we have a lot of work to do. We have to work a lot to find the best possible compromise with the extra weight on the bike and try to get a good level of performance before the first race in Australia. A lot of change for this season. To see all the riders with their new machines will be really nice to see. I’m focused on myself. I’m more worried about my work and feeling. That’s all. For sure, in the test, what we saw in the past is many riders going fast in cold conditions but, when the races arrive, they struggle. Tests are tests. I don’t like to see what the other riders are doing. I prefer to keep focused on myself, work as well as possible for racing. It’s always interesting to see the new changes on the grid.”

MORE HISTORY TO BE MADE: a chance for three in a row?

Bautista has already made lots of Ducati history, winning 59 races with the Italian brand, but he could make more in 2024. Should he overcome all the challenges of new regulations, new teammates and a grid reshuffle, the 39-year-old could win his third consecutive title. If he does achieve this feat, he’d become only the second rider ever to do it and the first for Ducati.

Although stating that it wasn’t a target for him, he did discuss the potential achievement as he said: “The motivation is something I give to myself. I want to keep enjoying the bike and my riding. I remember, I think this year, Ducati said, ‘nobody defended the title with Ducati and the #1’ and this year we did it. It’s not like a target to win three in a row. It’s to have a good feeling with the bike, keep working how we did in the last two years. Only one rider can win. We’ll try to be one of those fighting for that.”

Follow the 2024 WorldSBK campaign in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

As the start of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship creeps closer and closer, January will prove crucial in the preparations for this year’s grid. These preparations continue with two days of testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto on Wednesday and Thursday this week, with the majority of the 23-strong WorldSBK grid heading to southern Spain for two crucial days with the start of the season around a month away.

‘TITANIC TRIO’ REUNITED: Razgatlioglu to test alongside rivals

One big novelty from this test is it’ll be the first time Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) tests with his rivals following his move to BMW. He has tested the M 1000 RR already, but running was limited, and he did not have any of his rivals alongside him. He’s joined by teammate Michael van der Mark, while the BMW test team of Sylvain Guintoli and Bradley Smith will also be at Jerez.

Not only will Razgatlioglu be on track with his adversaries, but we will also see the ‘Titanic Trio’ on track together in their new colours for the first time. Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon) will continue his adaptation to the Yamaha YZF-R1 while teammate Andrea Locatelli will get to work with his new crew chief, Tom O’Kane, for the first time; at the last test he was at, ‘Loka’ was with GRT Yamaha’s Damiano Evangelisti while he waited for O’Kane’s arrival. Elsewhere, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will be on track as he checks his fitness following an injury he sustained during his last test while rookie teammate Nicolo Bulega will be continuing his adjustment to WorldSBK following his graduation from WorldSSP.

NEW HONDA, KAWASAKI WITH CHANGES? All five factory teams on track

Honda unveiled a new CBR1000RR-R machine at EICMA in November, with riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge trying it for the first time at Jerez in 2023. Like with Razgatlioglu at BMW, it’ll be the first time the revised machine is on track with the majority of its rivals as the Japanese manufacturer looks to make gains. Elsewhere, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and new KRT rider Axel Bassani will be at the test as the team evaluate “the latest options and offerings” that will be available to them throughout the test, with Lowes specifically referencing “used tyre performance”.

INDEPENDENTS JOIN THE PARTY: Iannone and Sam Lowes prepare for rookie season

One of the big names heading to WorldSBK for 2024 is Team GoEleven’s Andrea Iannone after four years away from competition. He showed impressive speed during his first outing at Jerez in the post-round test, and he will be hoping more time on the Panigale V4 R will continue his impressive start to life in WorldSBK. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) is also making his WorldSBK debut this year, along with his team, and the Jerez test will be the first time he joins his competitors on track after he made his first V4 R appearance in December. The test will be the first look at Philipp Oettl with his GMT94 Yamaha team, having switched from Team GoEleven to Yamaha machinery.

PLENTY OF RIDERS ON TRACK: more Independents prepare for 2024

In total, there will be six BMW riders at Jerez. Alongside the factory team and test team, Bonovo Action BMW will continue their programme with riders Garrett Gerloff and Scott Redding as the former aims to start 2024 as he ended 2023, in strong form, while Redding adapts to his new team albeit with the same bike. Tito Rabat returns for a full campaign with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team and, with it, comes a factory machine leased by KRT as the Japanese manufacturer aims to make a step forward. Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s new home, Team Motocorsa Racing, will take to the track at Jerez on Thursday only as they have a one-day test for the #21. Elsewhere, Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner prepare for their second season with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, as does Danilo Petrucci at BARNI Spark Racing Team.

ALSO TESTING: 12 WorldSSP riders hit Jerez

As well as the majority of the WorldSBK grid, several WorldSSP riders will be on track. Yari Montella (BARNI Spark Racing Team), Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Gabriel Giannini (Prodina Kawasaki Racing), Hikari Okubo (Vince64 Racing Team by Puccetti), Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing), MV Agusta Reparto Corse duo Marcel Schroetter and Bahattin Sofuoglu, Stefano Manzi and Glenn van Straalen from Ten Kate Racing Yamaha and Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team’s Niccolo Antonelli and Pitor Biesiekirski will be at the test.

Follow all the action from the off-season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid will have major changes compared to 2023 and one of these comes in the form of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team alongside Michael van der Mark. With Scott Redding moving to the Bonovo Action BMW) alongside Garrett Gerloff, the four-rider BMW line-up is star-studded and Razgatlioglu’s BMW colleagues have revealed what they think he will bring to the team and the project.

“LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING THE GARAGE WITH HIM” – van der Mark and Razgatlioglu reunited

After spending the 2020 season together at the factory Yamaha team and building a special bond, van der Mark and Razgatlioglu parted ways when the #60 moved to BMW for 2021. With Razgatlioglu making the switch, the pair will be reunited inside the factory BMW box and will hope they can lead the German manufacturer to success. With van der Mark fully aware of his teammate’s strengths, he explained how he think BMW as a whole will benefit from the #54’s arrival.

Van der Mark said: “Honestly, I think Toprak is the rider with the most talent in the whole field. His style is different to everyone else. He’s really strong on the brakes so there’s something we can learn a lot from. He’s a fast rider, and there’s always something we can learn from a fast rider. Everyone’s really motivated that he wanted to join this project, in the end he came and I’m looking forward to sharing the garage with him.”

“MAYBE HE CAN BRING SOME THINGS THAT CAN WORK FOR US” – Redding stands to benefit from Razgatlioglu’s arrival?

Redding spent two seasons in the BMW factory team and scored podiums in 2022, while 2023 proved to be more challenging as he missed out on a rostrum. He remains within the BMW family for the new season but in the Bonovo Action BMW team, as he joins up with Gerloff to form the Independent BMW outfit’s strong line-up. The Brit has battled Razgatlioglu on several occasions, so his view comes from what he saw when fighting the 2021 Champion, but he was also full of praise for his new stablemate.

On what ‘El Turco’ can bring to the team, Redding explained: “Having Toprak come here is always a good thing. He’s a top-level rider, fighting for wins. You know he has the ability. When I came from another manufacturer, I knew I had the ability, it was difficult, but the bike is now in a much different place. We can learn from Toprak, especially from his special braking style. I’m always interested in how it’s done, because it’s a skilful thing. Maybe he can bring some things that can maybe work for us here. He’s been a great guy, we’ve had a great atmosphere, and I think we’re onto a good one this year.”

“WE’RE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM ONBOARD THE BMW PROGRAMME” – Gerloff’s view on Razgatlioglu’s move

American star Gerloff spent a few seasons alongside Razgatlioglu while they were both with Yamaha, albeit in different teams. Nevertheless, having worked closely with the Turk during his time in WorldSBK, Gerloff explained what he can bring to the manufacturer as he goes in search of a first BMW rostrum after ending his maiden season with the German manufacturer on a high; he claimed a stunning pole at Magny-Cours and narrowly missed out on a podium during the second half of 2023.

“He can bring a lot,” Gerloff said about Razgatlioglu. “He’s definitely one of the most impressive guys I’ve seen on a motorcycle and the talent level he has is huge. I think he can bring a lot of direction. He’s a guy people listen to. I think, for the engineers, if we’re all on the same page as riders, I think it can really steer the ship of the project a little bit more. The bike’s in a good spot, it doesn’t need a lot, but the things I need help with, like engine braking, I know he’s talking about similar stuff so I expect those things to get solved pretty quickly. I genuinely think he’s a damn good rider and we’re lucky to have him onboard the BMW programme.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com