For those of us watching WSBK, Round 2 kicks off tomorrow in Catalunya. Bulega and Toprak were the class of the field during testing last week. Rea still on the outside looking in. Could be interesting.
2024 World Superbike - Round 2 - Catalunya
- Thread starter mylexicon
- Start date
World Superbike Friday Practice Results:
1. Nicolo Bulega - ITA - Aruba.It Racing Ducati - 1:40.907s
2. Alvaro Bautista - SPA - Aruba.It Racing Ducati - +0.247s
3. Danilo Petrucci - ITA - Barni Spark Racing Team - +0.601s
4. Sam Lowes - GBR - Marc VDS Ducati - +0.794s
5. Toprak Razgatlioglu - TUR - ROKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team - +0.901s
6. Andrea Iannone - ITA - GoEleven Ducati - +0.971s
7. Jonathan Rea - GBR - Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK - +1.038s
8. Remy Gardner - AUS - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team - +1.083s
9. Axel Bassani - ITA - Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK - +1.118s
10. Alex Lowes - GBR - Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK - +1.142s
11. Michael Ruben Rinaldi - SPA - Motocorsa Ducati - +1.149s
12. Dominique Aegerter - SWI - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team - +1.209s
13. Michael Van Der Mark - NED - ROKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team - +1.282s
14. Andrea Locatelli - ITA - Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK - +1.340s
15. Xavi Vierge - SPA - Team HRC WorldSBK - +1.432s
16. Garrett Gerloff - USA - Bonovo Action BMW - +1.506s
17. Iker Lecuona - SPA - Team HRC WorldSBK - +1.632s
18. Scott Redding - GBR - Bonovo Action BMW - +1.671s
19. Philipp Oettl - GER - GMT94 Yamaha - +1.736s
20. Tito Rabat - SPA - Puccetti Kawasaki - +1.815s
21. Tarran Mackenzie - GBR - Petronas Mie Honda - +2.655s
22. Bradley Ray - GBR - Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSBK Team - +2.784s
23. Adam Norrodin - MAL - Petronas Mie Honda - +3.373s
1. Nicolo Bulega - ITA - Aruba.It Racing Ducati - 1:40.907s
2. Alvaro Bautista - SPA - Aruba.It Racing Ducati - +0.247s
3. Danilo Petrucci - ITA - Barni Spark Racing Team - +0.601s
4. Sam Lowes - GBR - Marc VDS Ducati - +0.794s
5. Toprak Razgatlioglu - TUR - ROKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team - +0.901s
6. Andrea Iannone - ITA - GoEleven Ducati - +0.971s
7. Jonathan Rea - GBR - Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK - +1.038s
8. Remy Gardner - AUS - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team - +1.083s
9. Axel Bassani - ITA - Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK - +1.118s
10. Alex Lowes - GBR - Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK - +1.142s
11. Michael Ruben Rinaldi - SPA - Motocorsa Ducati - +1.149s
12. Dominique Aegerter - SWI - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team - +1.209s
13. Michael Van Der Mark - NED - ROKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team - +1.282s
14. Andrea Locatelli - ITA - Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK - +1.340s
15. Xavi Vierge - SPA - Team HRC WorldSBK - +1.432s
16. Garrett Gerloff - USA - Bonovo Action BMW - +1.506s
17. Iker Lecuona - SPA - Team HRC WorldSBK - +1.632s
18. Scott Redding - GBR - Bonovo Action BMW - +1.671s
19. Philipp Oettl - GER - GMT94 Yamaha - +1.736s
20. Tito Rabat - SPA - Puccetti Kawasaki - +1.815s
21. Tarran Mackenzie - GBR - Petronas Mie Honda - +2.655s
22. Bradley Ray - GBR - Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSBK Team - +2.784s
23. Adam Norrodin - MAL - Petronas Mie Honda - +3.373s
World Supersport FP2 Results:
1 55 Y. MONTELLA - ITA - Barni Spark Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'44.884
2 23 M. SCHROETTER - GER - MV Agusta Reparto Corse - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'44.884
3 61 C. ONCU - TUR - Kawasaki Puccetti Racing - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'44.999 +0.115
4 94 L. MAHIAS - FRA - GMT94 Yamaha - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'45.267 +0.383
5 9 J. NAVARRO - ESP - WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'45.451 +0.567
6 64 F. CARICASULO - ITA - Motozoo ME AIR Racing - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'45.762 +0.878
7 5 N. ANTONELLI - ITA - Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'45.780 +0.896
8 54 B. SOFUOGLU - TUR - MV Agusta Reparto Corse - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'45.805 +0.921
9 62 S. MANZI - ITA - Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.010 +1.126
10 17 J. MCPHEE - GBR - WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'46.034 +1.15
11 72 Y. RUIZ - ESP - VFT Racing Yamaha - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.146 +1.262
12 48 L. DALLA PORTA - ITA - Altogo Racing Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.209 +1.325
13 28 G. VAN STRAALEN - NED - Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.228 +1.344
14 66 N. TUULI - FIN - EAB Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.565 +1.681
15 99 A. HUERTAS - ESP - Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.582 +1.698
16 69 T. BOOTH-AMOS - GBR - PTR Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'46.628 +1.744
17 74 P. BIESIEKIRSKI - POL - Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.640 +1.756
18 25 M. BRENNER - SUI - VIAMO Racing by MTM - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'46.691 +1.807
19 22 F. FULIGNI - ITA - Orelac Racing Verdnatura - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.691 +1.807
20 68 L. POWER - AUS - Motozoo ME AIR Racing - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'46.809 +1.925
21 50 O. VOSTATEK - CZE - PTR Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'46.926 +2.042
22 40 S. CORSI - ITA - Renzi Corse - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.936 +2.052
23 32 O. BAYLISS - AUS - D34G Racing WorldSSP Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'47.031 +2.147
24 51 A. SARMOON - THA - Yamaha Thailand Racing Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'47.074 +2.19
25 53 V. DEBISE - FRA - Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'47.145 +2.261
26 7 L. BALDASSARRI - ITA - Orelac Racing Verdnatura - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'47.220 +2.336
27 78 H. OKUBO - JPN - Vince64 Racing Team by Puccetti - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'47.403 +2.519
28 15 E. MCMANUS - IRL - Rokit Haslam Racing - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'47.995 +3.111
29 39 K. KEANKUM - THA - Yamaha Thailand Racing Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'48.011 +3.127
30 19 G. GIANNINI - ITA - Team ProDina Kawasaki - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'48.176 +3.292
31 27 K. TOBA - JPN - PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda - Honda CBR600RR - 1'48.234 +3.35
32 89 K. BIN PAWI - MAS - PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda - Honda CBR600RR - 1'48.407 +3.523
1 55 Y. MONTELLA - ITA - Barni Spark Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'44.884
2 23 M. SCHROETTER - GER - MV Agusta Reparto Corse - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'44.884
3 61 C. ONCU - TUR - Kawasaki Puccetti Racing - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'44.999 +0.115
4 94 L. MAHIAS - FRA - GMT94 Yamaha - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'45.267 +0.383
5 9 J. NAVARRO - ESP - WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'45.451 +0.567
6 64 F. CARICASULO - ITA - Motozoo ME AIR Racing - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'45.762 +0.878
7 5 N. ANTONELLI - ITA - Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'45.780 +0.896
8 54 B. SOFUOGLU - TUR - MV Agusta Reparto Corse - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'45.805 +0.921
9 62 S. MANZI - ITA - Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.010 +1.126
10 17 J. MCPHEE - GBR - WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'46.034 +1.15
11 72 Y. RUIZ - ESP - VFT Racing Yamaha - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.146 +1.262
12 48 L. DALLA PORTA - ITA - Altogo Racing Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.209 +1.325
13 28 G. VAN STRAALEN - NED - Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'46.228 +1.344
14 66 N. TUULI - FIN - EAB Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.565 +1.681
15 99 A. HUERTAS - ESP - Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.582 +1.698
16 69 T. BOOTH-AMOS - GBR - PTR Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'46.628 +1.744
17 74 P. BIESIEKIRSKI - POL - Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.640 +1.756
18 25 M. BRENNER - SUI - VIAMO Racing by MTM - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'46.691 +1.807
19 22 F. FULIGNI - ITA - Orelac Racing Verdnatura - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.691 +1.807
20 68 L. POWER - AUS - Motozoo ME AIR Racing - MV Agusta F3 800 RR - 1'46.809 +1.925
21 50 O. VOSTATEK - CZE - PTR Triumph - Triumph Street Triple RS 765 - 1'46.926 +2.042
22 40 S. CORSI - ITA - Renzi Corse - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'46.936 +2.052
23 32 O. BAYLISS - AUS - D34G Racing WorldSSP Team - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'47.031 +2.147
24 51 A. SARMOON - THA - Yamaha Thailand Racing Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'47.074 +2.19
25 53 V. DEBISE - FRA - Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'47.145 +2.261
26 7 L. BALDASSARRI - ITA - Orelac Racing Verdnatura - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'47.220 +2.336
27 78 H. OKUBO - JPN - Vince64 Racing Team by Puccetti - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'47.403 +2.519
28 15 E. MCMANUS - IRL - Rokit Haslam Racing - Ducati Panigale V2 - 1'47.995 +3.111
29 39 K. KEANKUM - THA - Yamaha Thailand Racing Team - Yamaha YZF R6 - 1'48.011 +3.127
30 19 G. GIANNINI - ITA - Team ProDina Kawasaki - Kawasaki ZX-6R - 1'48.176 +3.292
31 27 K. TOBA - JPN - PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda - Honda CBR600RR - 1'48.234 +3.35
32 89 K. BIN PAWI - MAS - PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda - Honda CBR600RR - 1'48.407 +3.523
Joined Mar 2023
1K Posts | 1K+
Australia
Toprak you madman!
Dude closed a 3 second gap in the last 4 laps like it was nothing.
Were the stands even opened for spectators? WSBK has deserved better than that.
Dude closed a 3 second gap in the last 4 laps like it was nothing.
Were the stands even opened for spectators? WSBK has deserved better than that.
Absolute masterclass by Toprak. I don’t care what the record books say, he is by far the best rider in that paddock.
Not a bad first race! Toprak doing the business. Bulega said he pushed a bit too hard at the start because this was his first full length race and he wasn’t sure how to manage the tires. He slammed the windscreen in disgust after losing to Toprak. I guess the honeymoon phase is already over. Ducati are telling him to win everything or he will be without a contract and mopping the floors in Bologna.
Bautista charging from 14th to 3rd was quite incredible. His win streak ended, but if he has a good superpole race tomorrow, he could be the favorite for race 2. He just needs to start on the first or second row, and he’ll have a chance.
BMW must be over the moon. They’ve struggled to be competitive for some years, but they hire Toprak and they are notching wins. That’s proper 2-wheeled motorsport, imo. The riders should make a difference.
Rea…what can you say? He seems to have psyched himself out. Not sure how to ride the Yam after 15 years on 180-degree in-line 4 cylinders?
Kawasaki said they were in damage control this weekend, and they were right.
Bautista charging from 14th to 3rd was quite incredible. His win streak ended, but if he has a good superpole race tomorrow, he could be the favorite for race 2. He just needs to start on the first or second row, and he’ll have a chance.
BMW must be over the moon. They’ve struggled to be competitive for some years, but they hire Toprak and they are notching wins. That’s proper 2-wheeled motorsport, imo. The riders should make a difference.
Rea…what can you say? He seems to have psyched himself out. Not sure how to ride the Yam after 15 years on 180-degree in-line 4 cylinders?
Kawasaki said they were in damage control this weekend, and they were right.
I tuned in halfway through lap one. Did he crash or was it a technical issue?
I wouldn't write him off completely yet. He was starting to look good in race 2 at Phillip Island.
Joined Mar 2023
1K Posts | 1K+
Australia
Another great ride by the Turk. Absolutely amazing.
The weight added to Bautista’s bike is not nearly enough.
The weight added to Bautista’s bike is not nearly enough.
Superpole WADA classic and Race 2 was quality though it had a feeling of inevitability about it. It’s taken Bautista and his squad a bit of time to figure out the ballast and tire life, but they are picking up where they left off. Bautista is a machine at Catalunya so let’s hope it’s not quite as easy for him.
Topeka saved the weekend. He stole 2 wins and put on another late braking clinic. Awesome display, and I hope he is somehow able to lift the championship trophy this year, but he’s long odds considering the missteps BMW are prone to make.
Bulega is the real deal. Great addition to the championship. Rea is eliminated two rounds into the season. He is nowhere, and Yamaha have to be panicking a bit because his inability to ride the bike might cause other riders to second-guess a Yamaha contract.
Decent damage control weekend for Kawasaki. Championship picture is looking good at the moment. Many riders still at the sharp end of the points table.
Topeka saved the weekend. He stole 2 wins and put on another late braking clinic. Awesome display, and I hope he is somehow able to lift the championship trophy this year, but he’s long odds considering the missteps BMW are prone to make.
Bulega is the real deal. Great addition to the championship. Rea is eliminated two rounds into the season. He is nowhere, and Yamaha have to be panicking a bit because his inability to ride the bike might cause other riders to second-guess a Yamaha contract.
Decent damage control weekend for Kawasaki. Championship picture is looking good at the moment. Many riders still at the sharp end of the points table.
The factory Ducatis put on a clinic in race two. Bautista is notoriously good at his home track but I think Bulegas is the man to beat for the championship.
Toprak winning two out of three is highly encouraging, Mike vdM's result in race two is further proof that BMW has leaped forward.
Kawasaki was about where I expected them before the season started.
I wasn't expecting Lowes to hold on to the championship lead after Barcelona but he salvaged as many points as he could. Don't see him in the hunt for the championship in the long term.
After a highly promising start to the season by Locatelli, Yamaha was way off speed-wise this time. Assen should suit them better. At least Rea got some points though an 8th place is nothing he can be satisfied with.
The hell happened to Redding? He fell off a cliff in the second half of last season and isn't showing any signs of recovery.
Toprak winning two out of three is highly encouraging, Mike vdM's result in race two is further proof that BMW has leaped forward.
Kawasaki was about where I expected them before the season started.
I wasn't expecting Lowes to hold on to the championship lead after Barcelona but he salvaged as many points as he could. Don't see him in the hunt for the championship in the long term.
After a highly promising start to the season by Locatelli, Yamaha was way off speed-wise this time. Assen should suit them better. At least Rea got some points though an 8th place is nothing he can be satisfied with.
The hell happened to Redding? He fell off a cliff in the second half of last season and isn't showing any signs of recovery.
Joined Mar 2023
1K Posts | 1K+
Australia
Possibly, but they are roughly the same age, I think. Since, Bulega is competitive, they don't really need Iannone. They need a backup for Bulega in case someone throws money at him or he works some sort of deal to ride a year or two in Grand Prix on a satellite team.
If they do promote Iannone, it will be defensive, imo. Ducati will be making sure he doesn't replace someone at Yamaha or BMW or perhaps Kawasaki.
If Miller is headed to WSBK, Ducati could be a good spot.
I saw a graphic in race 2 that said TOTAL weekend attendance was just under 35K. That's pitiful and that's in Europe and the home country of the 2-time defending champ. How does that series survive?
Neither of the Lowes boys are championship material IMHO. Tough to watch Rea struggle. I hope he turns it around. Race 2 was much better, though that's not saying much.
It will be interesting to see where Jack ends up. He knows unless something drastic (let's hope not) happens, his seat is Pedro's next year. Will Jack swallow his pride and ride for GasGas? WSBK? Aus Superbikes so he can be home more? Retire?
It's a bummer for sure. I've compared Sachsenring and Most ticket prices and SBK tickets are like a fifth of MotoGP tickets while the racing action isn't any worse.
They need to go to more non-GP tracks and do two or three more overseas rounds. This year's schedule is kinda dull.
Having a MotoGP event on the Iberian peninsula on the same weekend didn't help ticket sales, but WSBK is generally under-attended and under-appreciated. The problem is multi-faceted and complex, imo. I've read that Catalunya is actually not a good place for WSBK because the infrastructure is designed to cash-in on GP/F1 events. Other events are under-promoted and ignored.
Other issues probably stem from poor sportbike sales, and the loss of legacy venues like Hockenheim and Monza. Laguna may not be viable for much longer either, should the series attempt to return. The participating levels in the premier class aren't great, either. Supersport is turning people away, and features 32 riders some weekends. World Superbike is 24 bikes and a lot of Dorna/manufacturer charity to keep them running because the bikes still cost north of $200,000 per to prepare. Honda's disengagement doesn't help. It's the 800-lb gorilla that has traditionally kept the series strong.
