Editorial Note: Danilo Petrucci is also at Misano testing his new Ducati Panigale V4 R on MotoAmerica-spec Dunlop tires.
Bautista vs Gerloff for day two honours at WorldSBK Misano test, 0.1s separating the pair
Alvaro Bautista made it two from two as he topped the timesheets on day at Misano, but he was closely tracked by Garrett Gerloff…
The two-day MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship test came to a conclusion at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) once again topping the timesheets although he was only a tenth clear of nearest rival Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) as the pair looked to pip the other to top spot.
BAUTISTA AND GERLOFF FIGHT IT OUT FOR TOP SPOT
As it was on day one at Misano, Bautista and Gerloff were fighting it out for top spot. The Spanish rider prevailed on the second day, despite opting to sit out of the morning session, as he posted a 1’33.574s and completed 52 laps on day two, with the team trying a new fuel tank on the Panigale V4 R machine. Teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who was aiming to try the swingarm previously tested by Bautista, was fifth fastest with a 1’34.316s, adding 44 laps to Ducati’s total for the two days.
Despite Gerloff’s best time of a 1’33.686s being under a tenth slower than Bautista, the American had to settle for second spot on day two with 70 laps completed. Gerloff and his GRT Yamaha squad had electronic settings to try throughout the test as well as a new fuel tank and subframe. Kohta Nozane, preparing for his second season in WorldSBK was ninth fastest after racking up 54 laps and posting a best time of 1’34.780s.
INDEPENDENT RIDERS IMPRESS
Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) claimed third spot on the second day of action with plenty of Independent riders showing their pace. French rider Mahias, testing out new suspension components including fork and rear shock, lapped the Misano circuit in 1’34.058s with 61 laps to his name. It was also a strong day for German rookie Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) after he topped the morning session. Although he did not improve on his 1’34.214s in the afternoon, he finished in fourth spot as the team worked on the ergonomics of the bike and then the setup of the Panigale V4 R, as well as a new front fork and brake calliper.
THREE BMW RIDERS SEPARATED BY LESS THAN A TENTH
The three BMW riders on track could barely be separated on the timesheets by the end of day two. Rinaldi in fifth was a tenth clear of former teammate Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) as the British rider continued adjusting to his M 1000 RR. Redding’s best time was a 1’34.406s and he completed 48 laps as his team worked on fine tuning the setup of his bike.
He was the sole factory BMW rider on track, but he was closely followed by Bonovo Action BMW pair Eugene Laverty and Loris Baz as they finished within a tenth of Redding’s time. Laverty posted a 1’34.443s to claim seventh spot, ahead of Baz in eighth whose best time was a 1’34.476s, with the pair racking up 49 and 69 laps respectively.
ROUNDING OUT THE WorldSBK FIELD
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) had spent the first day focusing on braking, with his focus for day two switching to a potential time attack. The Italian’s best time was a 1’34.865s as he completed 58 laps. The team also worked on different setups throughout the test, while Bassani was aiming to find some more confidence with his Panigale V4 R. Rookie Luca Bernardi (Barni Spark Racing Team) was only a tenth behind as he continues his comeback from injury and adapts to WorldSBK machinery, posting a 1’34.930s and lapping the Misano venue 45 times. French rider Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) rounded out the WorldSBK field with a best time of 1’36.167s and completed 52 laps, after trying two different chassis throughout the test with a decision to make on which one to use in 2022.
THREE MANUFACTURERS UNDER THE WorldSSP LAP RECORD…
In WorldSSP, three riders for three manufacturers went under the all-time lap record set by Jules Cluzel in 2015 which was a 1’37.482s. Turkish star Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) topped the times in WorldSSP on day two at Misano as he posted a 1’37.209s on his ZX-6R machine with Öncü hoping to work on long runs throughout the test. Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti) was second and also under the lap record with a 1’37.348s with MV Agusta looking at the electronics of their bike. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) was the first to go under Cluzel’s lap record time but finished third in the standings with a 1’37.356s to his name.
Yari Montella (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was fourth in the WorldSSP standings as he prepares for his rookie WorldSSP campaign, with Montella, like teammate Öncü hoping to complete a race simulation. His best time was a 1’37.972s, seven tenths off his teammate’s pace. Austrian rookie Maximilian Kofler (CM Racing) completed 48 laps on his way to fifth in WorldSSP, with a best time of 1’39.081s, while Oli Bayliss (Barni Spark Racing Team) was sixth in the standings and three tenths behind Kofler., WorldSSP300 graduate Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was also out on track throughout the two-day test although no lap times were provided for him.
The WorldSBK times on day two at Misano:
1 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’33.574s, 52 laps
2. Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’33.686s, 70 laps
3. Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 1’34.058s, 61 laps
4. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) 1’34.214s, 55 laps
5. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’34.316s, 44 laps
6. Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’34.406s, 48 laps
7. Eugene Laverty (Bonovo Action BMW) 1’34.443s, 49 laps
8. Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) 1’34.476s, 69 laps
9. Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’34.780s, 54 laps
10. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) 1’34.865s, 58 laps
11. Luca Bernardi (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’34.930s, 45 laps
12. Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) 1’36.167s, 52 laps
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More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team concludes two days of private testing at the World Misano circuit (Italy)
After hosting the bike unveiling of the new Ducati Panigale V4R and V2 of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati and Aruba.it Racing WSSP teams, the World Misano Circuit (Misano, Italy) held two days of private testing; there were good weather and mild temperatures during both days, although obviously much lower than those expected for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round in June.
Alvaro Bautista and Michael Rinaldi carried out intensive work on their respective PanigaleV4R, working on set-up and testing new technical solutions ahead of the 2022 WorldSBK season, which will get underway at the Motorland circuit in Aragon (Spain) in April.
After finishing the first day of testing in the lead with a time of 1’33.983, the Spanish rider took to the track in the afternoon and immediately managed to lower his lap-time by a couple of tenths, then setting the fastest lap time of the tests in 1’33.574.
For Michael Rinaldi, it was his first ‘real’ test of 2022 after the one in Portimao, where he tested the bike despite an injury sustained in training a few days earlier. The Italian rider rode consistently, completing 127 laps over the two days and finishing with the best time of 1’34.316.
Nicolò Bulega was also on track with the Panigale V2 of the Aruba.it Racing WSSP Team. The Italian rider, who will make his debut in the SuperSport World Championship at Aragon, completed XX laps and finished with a time of 1’37.356
Riders and teams will be back on on track 25 and 26 March at the Montmelò circuit in Barcelona (Spain).
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19)
“These have been two important days in which we have made further steps forward. It’s only the third testing activity since November and it’s clear that there’s still room for improvement, both for me and the bike, but the feeling is already positive. In Misano we have worked a lot on the bike, trying different solutions that brought very interesting results. During Barcelona testing days we will go forward in this direction, as we are all confident that we can still improve”.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“I’m happy because after the injuries that prevented me from taking part in the November tests at Jerez de la Frontera and hindered my last tests at Portimao, I was able to work well here in Misano and I feel I’m in the right physical condition to be able to ride consistently. I must admit that we are slightly behind schedule but I am happy with these first two days of testing in which we have worked well with the team. I believe that in Barcelona we will be able to give 100% to take that step which will allow us to arrive at Aragon ready to get important results”.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11)
“I am certainly satisfied. Feelings are very good after these two intense days of testing. We are on the right path, the team is doing a great job and the confidence with the bike is growing session after session. A lot of job is still to be done, but if we keep working like this I’m sure we’ll arrive at Aragon in the conditions to obtain good results”.
More, from a press release issued by GRT Yamaha:
NOZANE AND GERLOFF INTO A GOOD RHYTHM AT MISANO TEST
The GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team completed another two-days session of test at Misano World Circuit on 16-17 March in preparation of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship. Kohta Nozane and Garrett Gerloff got the chance to ride again their Yamaha R1 WorldSBK bikes after the first outing of the season at Motorland Aragón on 2-3 March.
Both riders and team could benefit of two good days in terms of weather and took advantage of any single minute of action with just activities stopped for a short time on late afternoon due to a red flag. In the first day with track open from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 (CET), Gerloff and Nozane focused on trying new parts and worked on electronics.
The American rider set a 1.34.376 (72 laps) as personal best with a slight crash in the middle of the day at Turn 7 which didn’t affect work and performance, while Japanese’s fastest lap was a 1.35.455 (74 laps).
Dry conditions on Day 2 as well with a small change on the schedule. Indeed, break time changed from 13:00 to 12:00, so there was activity on track from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00. So, Nozane and Gerloff could continue their plans making significant improves as well.
Despite a red flag interrupted the second day for a bit once again, the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team kept doing his job and took good data for the future. Gerloff ended the day and the tests with a 1.33.686 (92 laps) as fastest time as Nozane made a step forward riding in 1.34.790 (66 laps).
The next pre-season test event for the GRT Yamaha team is scheduled for 25-26 March at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Garrett Gerloff: “We’re in the good direction, I’m impressed and satisfied with the work Yamaha did with the different parts. Today we tried some setup changes and we made a big improvement. The bike feels great and it was nice to have two dry days. Now it’s all about putting the small pieces together, we’ll make another test in just one week at Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya where we’ll have more teams and riders.”
Kohta Nozane: “I’m happy to have had two more days of testing in a circuit I really like. We tried new things and made a step forward from day 1 to day 2 at Misano World Circuit, I’m delighted with the parts Yamaha brought to us. There is still work to do, but step by step we’re putting the pieces together to improve our performance. Now just head down to the next test at Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, another track I’m feeling comfortable with.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Go Eleven:
OETTL SURPRISES IN MISANO TEST – DAY 2!
Second and last day of testing at Misano; the lower temperatures compared to yesterday limited the schedule for making comparisons with Wednesday. However, the WorldSBK riders were able to complete the working day without being affected by the bad weather.
Philipp Oettl, with the Team Go Eleven Ducati V4-RS, surprised by the speed of adjustment to the main category, always remaining calm and focused on the work schedule. In these two days the team had several technical tests, and also during the second day there was no lack of news. The German rider first had to make a comparison between different rear shock solutions, then, once the direction was chosen, the focus moved to the braking area, with an innovative Brembo caliper. As always in these cases, the comparisons were carried out in the race configuration, so much so that Philipp showed an excellent pace, constantly remaining below 35. In the warmest hours, the number 5 rookie had the opportunity to try two soft tyres, the 557 that last year more than once proved to be successful also in terms of the race. In the morning, a few minutes before the end of the first session, Philipp signed a 1’34 “214, which brought him to the top of the provisional ranking, generating a mix of amazement and admiration among the professionals, since it is only of the fourth time on a Superbike. In the afternoon the work returned to focus on the comparisons between components and the race simulations, concluding with a series of start practices.
Day 2 Results:
P 1 A. Bautista 1.33.574
P 2 G. Gerloff + 0.112
P 3 L. Mahias + 0.484
P 4 P. Oettl + 0.640
Despite the low temperatures, in these two days everything went according to plan for Team Go Eleven and Philipp Oettl; the team is more and more in harmony and also in the box there is a nice relaxed atmosphere. Philipp’s riding style is adapting more and more to Ducati horses and electronics, and test after test progress can be seen. The next appointment is in about a week, on the Barcelona track!
Philipp Oettl (Rider):
“Today it was another positive day, we tried a lot of different things again. I think our package is not so bad. We did also a long run which was good, then at the end of the day we did also some starts. We still try to find the best package for us, but I think we are quite close. Now it’s more about how to ride the bike, I think we did a good step from Portimao to Misano. Now we have a short period of time, but I think we can find some small details during those few days off. In Barcelona we will have two more days before Aragon, we have still some things to try, then we will be ready for Aragon!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“I am really happy and positively surprised by these two days of testing at Misano! Today we concentrated on testing some components, mainly different rear shock solutions and the new Brembo calipers. They both gave positive feedbacks, so much so that we closed the morning as the fastest on the track. Oettl is a rookie and being among the first is a good message. In the afternoon we concentrated on consistency, we ran a race simulation, and the pace is not bad. We stopped a bit sooner than expected because it became cold and the track conditions had changed so much that the indications were no longer true. Now we are going back home and working towards the Barcelona test; we still have some ideas to try, the rider’s feeling is always in growth, as well as its adaptation on the bike!”
