No rest for WSB
Teams are flat out testing in prep for February 2023 kick off
Don’t be fooled by the sleepy days between Christmas and New Year, there’s no lull in World Superbikes. Feverish activity saw teams testing in Jerez earlier this month and, no sooner than Big Ben has chimed in 2023, they’ll be back in action on the Iberian Peninsula for more before the season blasts into life at Phillip Island in February.
It’s the shortest ever offseason. There’s a lot to do and not much time to do it. The December Jerez tests were about a lot more than keeping the riders in shape; in a very limited time, the manufacturers had to commit to a direction for 2023, as for three of them (Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda) this involves parts being crated and shipped in from Japan. On a similar note, Garrett Gerloff was a ‘special delivery’ as GRT’s press officer transported the American to Bonovo BMW on a palette truck in the Jerez paddock – this proved a hit on social media.
The numbers were out in force. A big red #54 replaced #1 on Toprak Razgatlioglu’s Yamaha, while Dominique Aegerter’s luminous #77 appeared on the GRT superbike for the first time. Eric Granado’s #51 was almost as bright on the MIE Honda, as the smiley Brazilian played around with electronic settings. Also working with MIE is highlyrated British crew chief Mick Shanley, who switches from Puccetti Kawasaki.
GRT grabbed the headlines thanks to their exciting pairing of Aegerter, the Swiss double World Supersport Champion and MotoE World Cup winner, and 2021 Moto2 World Champion Remy Gardner of Australia. The level of secrecy was more 007 level than #77, but MCN did learn that Aegerter completed ‘around’ 47 laps as he focused on the riding position.
In the PATA factory team, test rider Niccolo Canepa did some riding to ensure Toprak and Andrea Locatelli look after their ten-day testing limit.
Showing off his lilac #28 aboard the Motoxracing Yamaha was BSB Champion Bradley Ray. Images aplenty were posted from the Kent rider’s visit to his new team’s Italian base. “The team and facility have exceeded all expectations,” Ray revealed.
‘The team have exceeded all expectations’