In Portugal, World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu meets his challengers Jonathan Rea and Alvaro Bautista for the first time – Philipp Öttl to make WSBK test debut
This week the WSBK top riders meet for the first time since the season finale in November 2021. Ducati have rented the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve not far from the coastal town of Portimao. Kawasaki and Yamaha have confirmed their participation in the private test.
For the first time, world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, former champion Jonathan Rea and Ducati returnee Alvaro Bautista will share a circuit in the new year. For Kawasaki it is already the second test of the current year. Kawasaki last rode at Jerez, but only let Jonathan Rea ride for four hours to conserve their quota of ten test days (which Rea reported after the test).
“After the shakedown test last time in Jerez, our biggest goal is to confirm the positive parts of the tests in December and January,” commented Rea. “If we can confirm those parts on different tracks, then we are on the right track. “
Kawasaki has not had a new bike homologated for 2022. Rea is convinced that the 2021 bike still has some potential: “I feel that we have been able to improve the bike compared to last year. In Jerez I did a long run where we saw positive aspects with the bike and with my riding style. “
In Jerez, Rea set strong lap times despite the severely limited test time. But what those times are worth will not be known until the Portimao test at the earliest, when Yamaha and Ducati also turn their laps. “There will be more bikes in Portimao. The most important manufacturers will be at the test. It’s the first real test where everyone is there. It’s always great to have comparisons,” notes Rea.
Toprak Razgatlioglu back on the Yamaha R1 for the first time since November 2021
For World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, the Portimao test is the first opportunity since the WSBK season finale just under three months ago to get back on his Yamaha R1. Yamaha did not complete a post-season test and also refrained from testing in January.
New parts are not expected to be available on the Yamaha R1. Yamaha is also continuing with the model from last year. The most recent model update came before the start of the 2020 season and the changes to the R1 were minor then. The basis of the current R1 dates back to 2016, when Yamaha returned to the World Superbike Championship.
Ducati represented by large contingent at Portimao
It will be interesting to see what Ducati will show in Portimao. Returning rider Alvaro Bautista already tested the Panigale V4R immediately after the final race of last season. At the private test in Jerez, Bautista rode good lap times, according to insiders. However, as none of the other top WSBK riders took part in the test, Bautista’s lap times were difficult to assess.
Ducati teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi will be on his factory bike for the first time since the season finale. As Rinaldi crashed in the final race of the 2021 season, he was unable to take part in the Jerez test. The Italian faces a crucial season as his contract expires at the end of the season and there are a number of potential candidates in MotoGP for a move to the World Superbike Championship.
Danilo Petrucci tests the Ducati Panigale V4R
Danilo Petrucci is another rider who could be considered for the second spot on the Ducati factory team in 2023. The Italian is testing the Panigale V4R in Portimao, as the former MotoGP rider will contest MotoAmerica in the USA this year (go to news story).
Should Petrucci be successful in the USA, then he could be a candidate for the factory team in the World Superbike Championship. In the HSBK Ducati team, “Petrux” gets a factory-supported Ducati just like Loris Baz did last year.
Philipp Öttl on the GoEleven Ducati for the first time
The next two days are also very important for Philipp Öttl. The WSBK up-and-comer will get his first chance to test the World Championship version of the Ducati Panigale V4R
Öttl already gained experience with the production V4S at a trackday in Jerez to get used to the extra power. For the GoEleven team, 2022 is a new beginning. Öttl takes over from Chaz Davies, who supports Ducati as a riding coach (go to news).
At the WSBK test in Portimao, some Supersport World Championship teams will also be testing. Oli Bayliss is a familiar name returning to the World Superbike Championship paddock. The son of WSBK legend Troy Bayliss will start this year for the Barni team with a Panigale V2.