Gordon Ritchie | March 19, 2024
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) moved himself to the top of the timesheets in testing at Barcelona-Catalunya, just a week before the WorldSBK circus rolls back into town to compete in the second round of the championship.
Another test, another P1 for Bulega in Catalunya. Photos: Gold& Goose
His final day Friday best of 1:40.172 was under the lap record in a test that started off with a green track surface on the first morning before delivering grippier conditions in the afternoon. On day two, the track was wet after overnight rain, so all the regular teams waited to get going again.
Bulega, as laid-back in his demeanor as it is possible to be, said of his latest exploits, “I tried for the 1:39, but in the afternoon, after lunch, the track condition was worse with more humidity; I think it was more difficult. I don’t feel pressure; it gives me a lot of motivation and makes me proud.”
Tire wear was the main issue for many on this slippery track, which traditionally brings about a severe drop in grip at the end of the longer races. All riders had some new fronts (C516) and new rears (C900) to try, with the latter said to offer greater edge grip compared to the 800 tire it will probably replace.
Each rider also had at least one Q tire in their testing allocation, with Pirelli providing a certain number of tires for all as this was a Supported Test—not one organized by the teams themselves.
Several top riders fell at one stage or another over the two days, but when the Q tires were used each day (teams could buy more than their free one from the onsite Pirelli setup), the times fell dramatically.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKit BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) gave setting the fastest time a good go on the final day and got to within 0.027 of a second of Bulega’s best.
The top two were so fast that third-placed rider Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Ducati) was 0.429 of a second off at the end.
Returnee racer and yet WorldSBK rookie Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven Ducati) was fourth quickest, re-proving his credentials despite his four years away from competition.
After a Phillip Island disaster in his first Yamaha R1 race weekend, six-time champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team) placed himself fifth, having banished the gremlins that caused all his Aussie woes simply with set-up changes, according to Yamaha. He was visibly pleased in his debriefs with the media and is now looking forward to the points-scoring fight that will come in a few days’ time.
Despite still hobbling due to his injured knee from Phillip Island, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team) was sixth.
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Ducati) placed himself seventh, with Michael van der Mark (ROKit BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) eighth and was the second-best BMW rider.
Alex Lowes chose to run long stints to work on tire-saving tactics rather than slot in a time on the Q tire.
Double Aussie race winner Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team) was ninth, even though he crashed more than once. He used his available time to work on his tire saving more than most, and was not quite ready to use his Q tire to the max at the very end.
Tenth overall was Michael Ruben Rinaldi (MotoCorsa Ducati), making it five Ducatis in the top 10 places.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) placed 11th and also had a small off, finishing his final day earlier than most.
Remy Gardner (GRT Yamaha) and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) were 12th and 13th respectively, with Dominique Aegerter (GRT Yamaha) 14th and Ducati Corse test team rider Michele Pirro 15th.
Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team) finished 16th overall, and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) came in 17th.
Garrett Gerloff finished the test 13th onthe BMW.
After Iker Lecuona tried to ride bu t pulled out to save his injured left shoulder, the top Honda rider was Xavi Vierge (HRC Honda). He finished behind Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), the 18th-placed Kawasaki privateer rider (albeit on a full KRT bike).
Next up for all WorldSBK hopefuls will be round two of the championship itself, to be held at Catalunya between March 22-24.
