A titanic battle for pole position at the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round saw the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field on track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. With track temperatures rising all the time throughout the round, the sun was strong and the on-track action also red-hot, with pole position for the weekend up for grabs. After a frenetic 15 minutes and a red flag, it was Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who stormed to pole position and a new lap record with a stunning opening lap.

STORY OF SUPERPOLE: Bautista in league of his own, disaster for Lowes

As the lights went green at the end of pitlane, riders got their tyres up to temperature before getting down to fast times straight away. Alvaro Bautista laid down an incredible benchmark with a 1’40.264s on his first flying lap, an all-time lap record for WorldSBK at the circuit. After the first run, Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was in second ahead of 2022 polesitter Iker Lecuona (Team HRC), whilst Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was fourth ahead of teammate Alex Lowes and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK). Elsewhere after the opening run, Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) in P11, Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) in P14 all hoped for an improvement in the final five minutes. After one lap, Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) had a technical problem and had to return to the box, whilst Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) was also stuck in the garage.

The second run saw Rea and Redding head out together, something we saw many times throughout the 2022 season, with Redding’s weekend teammate Ivo Lopes tagged on behind. However, their first flying lap was halted for a big crash for Alex Lowes, who lost the front at the final turn, leaving his bike barrelling through the gravel trap. A red flag was shown with 02:21 remaining on the clock. It would now be a one lap shoot-out to find out if anyone would be able to topple Bautista or improve their own grid position. The stoppage was beneficial for Brad Ray, with the British youngster able to get back out onto the circuit after his technical issue.

OLD-STYLE ONE-LAP DASH: a frantic final dash, Bautista on top

In a mad dash to improve their time, riders got out on circuit but Jonathan Rea only just avoided being caught out on his out lap, with the chequered flag coming out moments after. Coming to the line to complete their laps, it was all change on the front row as Rinaldi initially took second from Aegerter, only for the Swiss rider to retaliate, whilst a late-charging Rea snatched third. Rinaldi was relegated off the front row but the one constant was his teammate, as Alvaro Bautista will be keen to grab the holeshot for Race 1. Aegerter took his best Superpole result and was top Yamaha, with Rea keeping his streak of Barcelona front rows alive for a fourth straight season and with a 110^th front row.

ROW TWO: Rinaldi and Lecuona to join podium fight from behind?

On the second row, Michael Ruben Rinaldi is well-and-truly in the mix, even if fourth is perhaps a disservice and not representative of where he’d been up until that point of the weekend. Fifth place on the grid and in the middle of the second row, Iker Lecuona is likewise in contention as he goes for a first rostrum of 2023, whilst Alex Lowes completes the second row in sixth, not being punished too harshly by his rivals after his Turn 14 fall.

THIRD ROW: contrasting emotions complete the top ten

The third row is a power packed one and one that could provide charges and surprises. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was seventh for his joint-best Superpole result in 2023, whilst in eighth, Toprak Razgatlioglu was eighth, suffering his worst Superpole result of 2023, meaning that neither of the factory Yamahas could topple the Independent Yamahas. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) was ninth for his best Superpole result of the season and thus since he joined BMW, whilst it was Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) was tenth, after a promising display on Friday didn’t come to fruition.

ROUNDING OUT THE ORDER: big names with work to do

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was 11^th and top Independent Ducati, with Xavi Vierge only managing 12^th, with work to do for him in Race 1. Scott Redding could only manage 13^th, whilst it was disappointing in the middle of row five for Axel Bassani, with the top Independent rider in the Championship struggling to make any in-roads so far this weekend. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven), Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW), Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team), Brad Ray and Ivo Lopes completed the top 20. Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) was 21^st, ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO), Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing) and Gabriele Ruiu completed the order.

Top six after WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’40.264s

2. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) +0.473s

3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.497s

4. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.507s

5. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +0.519s

6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.707s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The drama in the FIM Supersport World Championship continued at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a disrupted Tissot Superpole session for the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) claimed his third consecutive pole position this season by finishing nearly three tenths clear of his rivals in the red-flagged 20-minute session, while several riders impressed throughout Superpole.

BULEGA LEADS THE WAY: just shy of the lap record…

The session was red flagged with just under five minutes to go when Harry Truelove (Dynavolt Triumph) crashed at the exit of Turn 3 with the bike remaining on the kerbs heading into Turn 4 on the racing line. Truelove was able to walk away but the red flags were necessary in order to recover his machine. Bulega was quick out of the blocks in the 20-minute session was he set a 1’44.243s to go, provisionally, a second quicker than everyone else although his rivals did close the gap as their lap times rolled in. The red flag prevented Bulega from improving his time further and he did not improve after the red flag to take pole position. His rivals, however, were able to close the gap behind him with Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) lapping almost three tenths slower than Bulega. They will be joined by Frederico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) in third place for his 35^th front row start.

EDWARDS SURPRISES: a best Superpole result for the Australian

Tom Edwards (Yart-Yamaha WorldSSP Team) surged up the order to take his best-ever WorldSSP Superpole result with fourth place after setting a 1’44.777 as he finished as the lead WorldSSP Challenge rider on the grid. Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) will line up from fifth place ahead of Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in sixth with Navarro finishing as the lead Ten Kate Racing Yamaha rider.

LOOKING TO MOVE UP: can the third row provide surprises in races?

Valentin Debise (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) had another strong result as he took seventh place in Spain, 0.632s own on Bulega’s time, while Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) was eighth as he starts from the third row. Debise and Manzi will be joined by Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) who took ninth place. The Turkish star was running in second place prior to the red flag but dropped down to ninth place after he was unable to improve on his 1’44.899s when the session resumed. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) rounded out the top ten as he set a 1’45.013s to lap 0.770 slower than Bulega.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP

It was a dramatic affair with several riders having issues or crashes during the 20-minute session. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 18^th after he had a crash at Turn 5 with 12 minutes left in the session. He re-joined the circuit following the crash but was unable to secure a top-ten starting position. Maximilian Kofler (D34G Racing) was 22^nd in Superpole after he crashed at Turn 2 in the latter stages of the session. Wildcard Baris Sahin (MDR Offitec Yamaha) had a technical issue which limited his running and he will line up 32^nd.

The top six following WorldSSP Superpole, full results here:

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

2. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.274s

3. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.441s

4. Tom Edwards (Yart-Yamaha WorldSSP Team) +0.534s

5. Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) +0.617s

6. Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.618s

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship had a dramatic Tissot Superpole session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round. The session was red-flagged but Brazilian rider Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) was able to take pole position with a new Superpole lap record in Barcelona. It was his first pole position in WorldSSP300 although a sanction means he will start Race 1 from the back of the grid.

LAP RECORDS, FIRST FRONT ROWS: drama in Superpole

The session was red flagged due to irresponsible riding a few minutes into the session with riders called for a meeting in the pitlane and the clock continued during this time, with the session going green again with seven minutes left in Superpole. Maier set a 1’55.169s when the session resumed to smash the Superpole record which was set by Alvaro Diaz last year to take pole position. However, Maier will start Race 1 from the back of the grid due to slow riding on the racing line in Free Practice 1, meaning Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project), who was second fastest and half-a-second down on Maier, will lead Race 1 away as he claimed his first front row start. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing) claimed third in Superpole despite a late-session crash with Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) at Turn 5.

BEST RESULTS: new faces at the front as familiar ones battle it out

Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) continued his strong Catalunya Round by taking fourth on the grid although he will be promoted to the front row in Race 1 thanks to Maier’s penalty, while the returning Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) took fifth place. The Indonesian rider is returning to WorldSSP300 for the first time since 2019. Joining Zanca and Hendra Pratama on the second row will be 2020 Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) who took sixth place in Superpole. Hendra Pratama and Buis both set a 1’56.000 with Hendra Pratama starting ahead due to a faster second-fastest time.

DRAMATIC SESSION: rookies impress

Vannucci will line up in seventh despite the Turn 5 crash with Perez Gonzalez, although will start from sixth in Race 1. He will be alongside Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki GP Project) who took eighth place. Mexican rider Juan Pablo Uriostegui (Team#109 Kawasaki) continued his strong weekend as he took ninth place ahead of Raffaele Tragni (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) who took his first top ten Superpole result with tenth place.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP300

Championship leader Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki) will start Race 1 from 16^th and Race 2 from 17^th after taking 17^th place in the Superpole session after setting a 1’56.898s.

The top six following WorldSSP300 Superpole, full results here:

1 Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing) 1’55.169s

2. Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) +0.515s

3. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.756s

4. Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) +0.789s

5. Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) +0.831s

6. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) +0.831s

Watch WorldSSP300 Race 1 from 12:40 Local Team (GMT+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship action is back in action in Spain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as once again the sun shone brightly for the first session of the day. Free Practice 3 was the last opportunity for everyone to fine-tune setup ahead of Superpole starting, and it was a Ducati on top again with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) dominating once again.

Bautista was once again flying in Barcelona as he cemented himself as the favourite as he went almost a full second clear of the opposition, although a challenge may be coming from teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who completed a long run, with a strong race pace being achieved in his way to third overall. Ducati are always fierce at Barcelona-Catalunya, but could a battle be about to take place. The two Ducatis were split by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), who was top Yamaha. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) continued from his Friday form to go fourth, although a late technical issue halted further progress at Turn 2. Completing the top five, home-hero Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) was top Honda as he looks to fight for a rostrum in front of his home crowd.

Sixth place honours went to Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) as the Italian found a step compared to Friday, but crashed at Turn 7; he was all OK. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was top Kawasaki in seventh but will want to find something for Superpole, to not leave himself mired down field. The same can be said for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) who is eighth after FP3, whilst Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Iker Lecuona completed the top ten. There was a late crash for Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) at Turn 2, with the bike cartwheeling spectacularly, whilst Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) had a late technical problem. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) had a technical issue for most of the session, got out and set a lap but had it deleted for yellow flags.

Top six after WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’40.573s

2. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.967s

3. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.015s

4. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +1.049s

5. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +1.104s

6. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +1.125s

A breath-taking season is well underway, watch it all unfold in style with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is underway at round four of the season at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round. The first ever race winner in WorldSBK at this track was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), but the six-time World Champion has had mixed form over the years as a general pattern. 2023 looked to offer something different, but a difficult day one may see him fight for the podium with all he’s worth.

The Ulsterman was fast in the morning session and his race pace was decent in comparison to those around him, although reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was in a league of his own. Rea said he had “new items” to test with regards to the chassis, in order to manage front tyre consumption of his ZX-10RR a bit better, although he couldn’t quite manage that, and it resulted in a tricky Friday.

Talking about the opening day, Rea stated: “It’s hard to say because, in the morning session in the cold conditions, I felt like I didn’t enjoy the bike or have a good feeling, but I was quite fast. I was also consistent compared to our rivals so that gave a little bit of a strange feeling. In the afternoon, we tried the race simulation. My speed wasn’t fast enough. I had some issues stopping the bike and turning in. With the different parts we have, it’s not something we can change in five minutes back to the base setup that we tested with here. A bit of a waste session. I threw some softer tyres, the SCX on the rear and the new SC0 front tyre, and I was able to make a lap time which was respectable. We gained some information but not positive information today.

“Looking at his pace, no chance. They have such an advantage at this track. It suits them and he’s riding very well. For me, we just need to improve in the long corners. The bike needs to turn much better. In the shorter corners, I’m trying to force the bike to turn which is also destroying the front tyre. The combination of circuit, temperature and everything is not the most suitable for our ZX-10RR but that doesn’t mean we won’t give up. We have to keep working, trying to find a way and we can aim for the podium. If we put everything together, that’s a realistic target but, from this point, it seems like a long way.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Race lap record pace was on display at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the FIM Supersport World Championship as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) topped the timesheets on Friday at the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round. Bulega’s best time was more than seven tenths clear of the rest of the field as he went under the existing race lap record, set in 2022, by four tenths of a second in Friday’s Free Practice 2 session.

THREE MANUFACTURERS IN THE TOP THREE: Ducati, Triumph and MV Agusta shine

Bulega posted a 1’44.740s to claim top spot in both FP2 and the combined classification at the end of Friday’s running as he finished 0.747s clear of his nearest rivals. He was the only rider to lap in the 1’44s bracket on his way to finishing first, with Finnish rider Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) in second place. His best time, a 1’45.487s, came in FP2 but was still some seven tenths down on Bulega’s time. In third place was Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) who was one of just four riders who did not improve their time in the afternoon. His best time was a 1’45.582s and was set in Free Practice 1, where he topped the times. His day was disrupted by a crash in the morning but it was late in the session and he lost minimal running time.

IT’S CLOSE IN THE PODIUM FIGHT: little to separate the field

Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) took fourth spot in the combined classification despite a top-three finish in FP2, lapping 0.854s slower than pacesetter Bulega. Caricasulo was ahead of compatriot Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in fifth place after he set a best time of 1’45.646s in FP2 while Australian rider Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) burst into the top six in the combined classification. His best time was a 1’45.749s to claim sixth spot overall on Friday.

COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: half-a-second between second and tenth

After his first WorldSSP podium last time out at Assen, Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) put both MV Agusta machines in the top seven on Friday after he set a 1’45.803s for seventh spot, finishing ahead of Maximilian Kofler (D34G Racing). Austrian rider Kofler was the fastest WorldSSP Challenge rider on Friday and was only a tenth of a second behind teammate Bayliss after the two 45-minute sessions. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was ninth on Friday ahead of Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) who rounded out the top ten. Navarro had a crash at Turn 10 in FP1 which disrupted his session.

ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 15: a hotly contested race incoming

Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) was 11^th after Friday’s action after he posted a 1’46.001s to claim 11^th spot, missing out on a spot in the top ten by just 0.015s, while Raffaele de Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 12^th; the Italian rider had a trip through the gravel in FP2. It was a tricky afternoon for Tom Booth-Amos (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) after he had two crashes in FP2. The first game at Turn 8 while the second was at Turn 5, and on both occasions,  he was able to return his bike to the pits and he put in a series of late laps to take 13^th place. The returning Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 14^th ahead of Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) who rounded out the top 15.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from Friday in WorldSSP

Yuta Okaya (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) was 24^th despite a disrupted day. The Japanese rookie had a technical issue in FP1 while a crash at Turn 5 in FP2 limited his running. Luke Power (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) was another who was caught out during the day when he crashed at Turn 14 in FP1, and he finished 30^th in the classification. Wildcard Baris Sahin (MDR Offitec Yamaha) had a difficult day in Catalunya after he crashed at Turn 5 in FP2, ending his session early. He finished the day in 31^st in the classification.

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

1 Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’44.740s

2. Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) +0.747s

3. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.842s

4. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.854s

5. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.906s

6. Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) +1.009s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship burst into action on Friday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round and it was Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who topped the times after a stunning show of rapid pace and incredible consistency. The Spanish rider overhauled his teammate, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, to take top spot on Friday as he looks to extend his winning run in Catalunya.

Bautista spent Free Practice 1 working on race pace using the standard SCX tyre and also Pirelli’s new soft compound SC0 front tyre, making its race debut at the Catalunya Round. In FP1, Bautista completed a stint of 17 laps with the vast majority of his laps in the 1’42s bracket, although he dipped into the 1’43s and 1’44s at the end. His best time was a 1’41.779s in the morning 45-minute session.

In Free Practice 2, as the temperatures soared in Spain, Bautista once again did a long stint but this time on Pirelli’s B0800 SCX development tyre and the medium compound SC1 tyre. He did 15 laps and, again, showed incredible consistency as he posted several lap times in the 1’42s bracket with only two, in the middle of his stint, dropping into the 1’43s. His best time in this session actually came in a shorter second and final five-lap stint when he posted a 1’41.486s which was enough to give him top spot in the combined classification.

Reviewing Friday, Bautista said: “For sure, I think it has been very positive especially because we were focused on race pace. In the morning, I tried the new spec that Pirelli brought here on the front. I didn’t have really good feedback on the tyre, but the bike was working more or less like normal. We decided to use it for the race distance to see how it was at the end. It was quite consistent, but the feeling was not too good from the beginning. Also, on the rear with the SCX tyre, it was maybe not the best moment to use it, but we wanted to use it just to see how it was for the race distance. I felt a big drop this morning so, in the afternoon, we used the SC1 on the front; I like this tyre. Suddenly, I found a good feeling with the bike and the bike worked like it did in the test or the other rounds. In the rear, with the 800, we did 16 laps and it was better than the SCX in the morning. The grip was not very different, but I think the tyre life was a bit better, I could be more consistent with the lap times. I was able to do many mid-1’42s, which is a good pace especially because this afternoon the conditions were a bit difficult. With this heat, the grip is very low, and you have to be very precise.”

Despite his strong pace and stunning consistency, Bautista believed as many as five riders could be in the hunt for victory come Saturday’s Race 1 and Sunday’s Tissot Superpole Race and Race 2. He namechecked Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), as well as teammate Rinaldi, plus adding two names who showed strong pace on Friday: Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Iker Lecuona (Team HRC).

Discussing the potential for hard-fought races, Bautista said: “I saw the lap times from the other riders, and I think my teammate, Rinaldi, can fight for victory. We can’t forget Toprak and Jonathan. Maybe today they were not super-fast in race pace but tomorrow and on Sunday they will be there. We have to pay attention to Aegerter. He had a really impressive pace and also Lecuona. They are two riders who can fight, at least, for a podium.”

Watch all the action from Barcelona using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

While the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship enjoys a weekend off after the Dutch and Catalunya Rounds, one rider will keep himself busy by heading over to France to compete in the French Grand Prix. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) has been called up to stand in for the still-recovering Enea Bastianini at Le Mans as he returns to Ducati in MotoGP™ for the first time since the 2020 campaign.

Petrucci joined the WorldSBK grid in 2023 after a season competing in the United States, as well as taking part in the Dakar Rally last year. He has enjoyed a strong start to his WorldSBK career as he consistently fights in the top ten and has his eyes set on making history during his time in the Championship. However, he will return to the MotoGP™ paddock at Le Mans to stand in for Bastianini as the Italian rider continues his recovery from a fractured right shouler fracture.

Bastianini tried to make his comeback at the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto recently but, after taking part in Friday’s action, withdrew due to his injuries. Petrucci will take his place on the Ducati machine, returning the #9 plate to Ducati for the first time since 2020. Petrucci has two MotoGP™ wins to his name which both came with Ducati including victory in France at Le Mans in 2020. His other win came on home soil at Mugello.

Petrucci raced full-time in MotoGP™ between 2012 and 2021 and scored ten podiums including his two wins for Ducati, and he raced as a replacement rider for Suzuki in 2022 at Motegi. By the time he takes to the grid at Le Mans, he will have four WorldSBK rounds under his belt as he fights for top Independent honours as well as looking for podiums and, potentially, race wins in the Championship.

Discussing his return to MotoGP™, Petrucci said: “I am thrilled to be back racing in MotoGP™, although I am sorry that Enea has to miss another race. In Le Mans with the Desmosedici GP, I won my last race in MotoGP. It will be an honour to be able to try the World Champion bike and wear the suit that I won with in the past. It is an indescribable emotion, and I can’t wait to get back on track with the Ducati Lenovo Team. Thanks to Barni for letting me take this opportunity and to Ducati for thinking of me!”

Team Principal Marco Barnabo added: “Ducati asked us about Petrucci’s willingness to replace Bastianini in MotoGP and we are happy to give him this opportunity. As Barni Spark Racing Team we are always happy to collaborate with the factory. I wish the Ducati MotoGP™ team and Danilo the best of luck on this adventure.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The sun shone strongly at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship on Friday, with the field taking to the circuit with a track temperature approaching 50 degrees. Come the end of the day, it was Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who was in a league of his own, with a strong lap time at the end of the session being the icing on top of a strong race run cake.

DUCATI AND BAUTISTA: the perfect match in Barcelona

With an additional 20 degrees of track temperature, it was somewhat unsurprising to see the Ducatis so strong on Friday afternoon. Alvaro Bautista remains the rider to beat over the long distance however, with a strong race pace in the morning and in the afternoon, with a run of 14 laps achieved in the 1’42s in FP1, more than his rivals. In the afternoon, Bautista did a 16-lap run, all of which were in the low-to-mid 1’42s before going out and setting a 1’41.486 to set the outright best time of the day, which will certainly make his rivals sit up and look. Teammate Rinaldi was second at the end of the day but didn’t improve his time at the end. Fastest in the first session in the morning, Michael Ruben Rinaldi came out the blocks fighting from the start and that translated into the afternoon too, as he was once again one of the riders to beat.

CHASING: Rea leads Kawasaki charge, Razgatlioglu third for Yamaha

Jonathan Rea’s (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) afternoon wasn’t as strong as his morning session, with Rea outside of the top ten in 11^th place for a lot of the session before ultimately finishing third. Due to everyone else struggling to better their opening time, Rea took third overall, but he’ll be fighting for the podium or the top five if race pace from the afternoon is anything to go by. Teammate Alex Lowes was ninth overall, reliant on his morning time, but 14^th in the afternoon. Once more, Kawasaki struggling when temperatures come up and grip is at a premium, although for Rea, he seems to have found some sort of solution.

As for the blue corner, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) was third on the combined times but was inside the top five throughout FP2, as he enjoyed the heavy braking areas of Turn 1 and Turn 10. The Turk hasn’t won in Barcelona but will hope that he can turn that around this weekend. Teammate Andrea Locatelli’s afternoon saw him strong inside the top nine but he crashed at Turn 5. Losing the front, it was a typical Turn 5 tumble, but it was a costly error, as a new SC0 tyre needed to be tested and time is always of the essence. At the end of the day, Razgatlioglu was third and Locatelli remained sixth.

HONDA’S HOME HEROES: Lecuona and Vierge in the top eight

It was a strong opening day for Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) and Honda, as they always shine in Barcelona – whether it is testing or not. Lecuona’s pace was in the 1’42s, and a solid effort will hope to be rewarded throughout the remainder of the weekend. As for teammate Xavi Vierge, he crashed in FP1 at Turn 1 but remounted but he wasn’t quite there in the afternoon, down in 12^th, one place behind teammate Iker Lecuona. Come the end of the day however, they were still fifth and eighth and that will be filling Leon Camier’s team with confidence going forwards.

INDEPENDENT ORDER: Aegerter shines, Bassani behind

In terms of Independent riders inside the top ten, Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the sole representative in seventh place but he had a strong afternoon session once again, whilst top Independent in the standings, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) was a big improver in FP2 but still only 13^th.

BMW AHEAD OF THE REST: work to do for those behind, Gerloff impressive

For the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, their best efforts came from Scott Redding, unsurprising given that he’s the only full-time rider in the team this weekend. Redding was up in eighth in the hotter afternoon session but wasn’t top BMW. That honour went the way of Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), who was up in fourth after FP2, putting him tenth overall. Teammate Loris Baz was 13^th, putting him 15^th overall.

Elsewhere in the pecking order, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was only 14^th at a circuit of which he’s had a MotoGP™ podium, whereas Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) was only 16^th. The Independent Ducatis no match for their factory counterparts come the end of the session. Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) took 17^th ahead of Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO), Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) and Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team). Ray was ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing), Ivo Lopes (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing), who had a technical problem at Turn 5.

Top six combined after Friday in WorldSBK, full combined results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’41.486s

2. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.147s

3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.166s

4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.233s

5. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +0.582s

6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.593s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship started its Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round in a typically unpredictable way on Friday with the order changing consistently throughout both sessions, but it was Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) who claimed top spot on home soil. The Spanish rider was almost four tenths clear of his competitors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as most riders on the grid found time between Free Practice 1 and 2.

FIGHTING AT THE FRONT: looking to challenge Perez Gonzalez

Perez Gonzalez was one of several riders who led during the second 30-minute practice session but his time of 1’55.948s, set in FP2, was the fastest of the day to finish almost four tenths clear at the top of the timesheets. He was the only rider in the 1’55s bracket but he was still half-a-second away from the Tissot Superpole lap record and eight tenths away from the race lap record. Italian rider Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) took second spot after lapping 0.394s slower than Perez Gonzalez, while 2020 Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) jumped up the order to third spot and just over four tenths down on Perez Gonzalez.

DI SORA QUICKEST IN FP1: fourth overall, first in the morning

Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) was fourth after posting a 1’56.422s although the Frenchman was the fastest rider in Free Practice 1 as he showed strong pace throughout Friday, finishing ahead of double Assen winner Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) in fifth place. Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) is another who has shown strong pace throughout the weekend so far with the Italian rider taking sixth place in the combined classification.

COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: it’s close in WorldSSP300

Fellow Italian rider Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) was seventh ahead of the Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team duo who took eighth and ninth respectively. Humberto Maier was the lead rider in the team as he took eighth place with Enzo Valentim in ninth and the pair separated by around 0.020s. Rookie Mattia Martella (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) rounded out the top ten after lapping around seven tenths slower than Perez Gonzalez at the top of the timesheets.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP300 Race 2

Lennox Lehmann (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) was the lead KTM rider in 11^th place after setting a 1’56.800s, finishing ahead of Gabriele Mastroluca (Arco Motor University Team) in 12^th and wildcard Unai Calatayud (Arco Motor University Team) in 13^th place. Mexican rider Juan Pablo Uriostegui (Team#109 Kawasaki) took 14^th place ahead of the returning Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing). The Indonesian rider rounded out the top 15 after setting a 1’56.947s, around one second down on the fastest rider.

Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) was one rider who did not improve in FP2. He had a crash in the very early stages of the second practice session at Turn 4 which meant he did not set any lap times, meaning his FP1 time, a 1’56.982s, was his best of the day. This was good enough for the rookie to take 18^th place in the classification.

The top six from WorldSSP300 on Friday, full results here:

1. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) 1’55.948s

2. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) +0.394s

3. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) +0.429s

4. Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.474s

5. Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsport by SKM – Kawasaki) +0.593s

6. Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) +0.648s

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Source: WorldSBK.com