WSBK’s litmus test
How will the cards fall when WSBK hits Europe for round two of the series in Barcelona this weekend?
The start of the 2024 World Superbike Championship in Australia at the end of February was just about as scintillating as it gets. As the subsequent Bahrain and Saudi Formula 1 Grands Prix, as well as the Qatar MotoGP, have demonstrated, so far this year WSBK is the World Championship when it comes to all-out drama, side-by-side action and unpredictable results.
Granted, Phillip Island always throws up unusual races and one swallow doesn’t make a summer, but the fact seven riders finished on the rostrum across three races shows how close things are and how small is the margin for error.
This weekend, Barcelona has the job of hosting the first full-length races of the year (Phillip Island was broken up by pit-stops and red flags). Like Australia, Catalunya has had a pre-event test for everybody to get to grips with things. Unlike Australia, the track doesn’t offer the same levels of grip and tyre life will be a factor.
‘WSBK has been the series for all-out drama’
Bulega on fire with other Ducatis in hot pursuit
As testing proved last week, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba Ducati) has unlocked the Ducati’s key to success: corner speed. Can double World Champion teammate, Alvaro Bautista, sort out his rear grip problems in Friday practice or is No1 going to be put in the shade by No11 Bulega? Andrea Iannone (GoEleven Ducati) grabbed a front row start and debut podium last time out – and knows Barcelona from his MotoGP days. But perhaps the Ducati to keep an eye on is Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark). At long last, the Italian has cracked a setup which allows him to feel comfortable both on new tyres and soft tyres – his previous weak points. “In Barcelona, the rear tyre just wants to spin, spin, spin,” Petrucci, who was third in testing, told MCN. “You don’t have any rubber left on it. It’s not unsafe but you just leave a ton of rubber on the ground, so the tyre wear is smooth and constant, but you could end the race three seconds slower than your best lap.”
Toprak is always there – and doesn’t make mistakes
The BMW test team of Sylvain Guintoli and Bradley Smith were back out last week, no doubt looking to make those tyres last on what BMW have long since feared as their worst circuit. Changes include a new BMW-manufactured swingarm plus new shocks, front forks and linkages. Once again in testing where Toprak finished a strong second fastest to Bulega , there’s a large void between Toprak and the other beemers… and let’s hope the engine problems of Australia are a thing of the past. “Toprak looks very strong and you know he’s going to be there all season,” a cautious Ducati employee states. “Others may have their blips but he will just be there.” With Jonathan Rea still not quite up to speed with Yamaha we should probably expect the Turkish superstar to be Ducati’s closest challenger this weekend.
Don’t forget the green machines!
Oh, yes… Alex Lowes is leading the championship for Kawasaki! The Provec team now head to their home round. As the designated number one rider, the onus is always on Lowes for testing as Axel Bassani is still some way off and continuing to learn the ZX-10RR. Despite a couple of crashes at last week’s test, Lincoln’s Lowes seemed pleased enough, saying: “I did a race simulation and tried to look after the tyres, especially the front.” Trackside, an insider told MCN: “Alex is close to the top five but not much better.” Everyone hopes Pirelli’s latest SCX tyre generates the stability it promises.
Elsewhere, Iker Lecuona (HRC Honda) missed most of the test due to the shoulder he dislocated in Australia and was replaced by Tetsuta Nagashima. At MIE, Mick Shanley becomes Tarran Mackenzie’s crew chief as he doubles up, maintaining his Technical Director role.