WorldSBK: Rinaldi finishes fastest on day one at Portimao

The WorldSBK paddock heads to its second test of 2023 at Portimão, with over 10 riders within a second.

It would be perfect conditions for track running in WorldSBK, with a total of 50 bikes out on track today. Many riders would set their fastest laps towards the end of the day, as they prepared for qualifying runs.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi would top the time sheets, proving how strong Ducati looks to be this year. Rinaldi would complete over 70 laps throughout the day, as the Italian prepares to spend his second year with the factory team.

Alvaro Bautista would lead throughout the morning, testing multiple motorcycles throughout the day. It is believed that Bautista and Ducati will continue to finalise engine settings, electronics and the chassis. He would finish the day third overall, setting the time on his second motorbike.

Jonathan Rea ended the day in second as he continues to work on the 2023 bike step by step. He would set a lap time of 1:39.700 ahead of his teammate, as he focuses to work on electronic settings.

Alex Lowes would have a tough morning at Portimão, bringing out the red flag after a crash at turn 10. Lowes would later rejoin the session on his second bike and would end the day in seventh place.

Toprak Razgatlioglu would finish the day in fourth place, with a 1:39.851, as he continues to work on getting drive out the corners. His crash from the Jerez test clearly has not hindered the Turkish rider, who competed for the top spot throughout the day.

Andrea Locatelli will continue with Yamaha this season and finished the day in fourth position. He would finish just 0.071 behind his teammate and looks to feel confident for the season.

Honda looking fast on day one

Xavi Vierge would also crash in the morning session bringing out the second red flag of the day. He would crash at turn 13 and would be okay, as the Spaniard returned to track later on in the day. Vierge would end the day in sixth place, looking confident on the 2023 Honda Fireblade.

Honda teammate Lecuona made his fastest time of the day on his second bike, finishing the day in eighth. Lecuona looked happy on track, as he competes in his second year with the Japanese manufacturer.

Scott Redding was the first BMW of day one, finishing in 12th place with a lap time of 1:40.749. While his teammate Michael van der Mark was behind in 14^th position, on the ROKiT BMW Motorrad bike.

BMW continue to work on their new 2023 bike, with an updated fairing, aero package and gearbox. Most notably they will continue to use the new air intake and will switch to Brembo brakes.

Petrucci ended day one in 14^th position, much lower than he was at the Jerez test one week ago. Fellow rookie Remy Gardener would end the day in ninth position, as the Australian continues the change from MotoGP.

Bradley Ray would make his debut on track today with the Yamaha Motoxracing team, on his first run in WorldSBK. The reigning British Superbike Champion would end his first day in 19^th place with great feedback. He would spend the day working on his position on the bike and getting used to the traction control and engine braking.

Speaking to worldsbk.com, Ray said: “Short runs today to get myself comfortable on the bike with my position and today was basically all about learning electronics, learning the chassis, the bike and obviously working together with the team. Been a busy day. Not as many laps as I probably need at the minute but the laps, we did were very valuable.”

WorldSSP

Tarran Mackenzie would make his debut in Supersport riding the returning Honda, with the MIE – MS Honda Racing Team. His teammate, Adam Norrodin would also be on track today, but both would not set a lap time, due to no transponder.

Nicolo Bulega would finish first in the Supersport class today, riding the new Ducati. He run 53 laps across the day and would set a lap time of 1:43.282.

Can Oncu would return for the second test, continuing to test four different Supersport bikes with the Puccetti Racing team. Australian, Oli Bayliss would make his debut for the D34G Racing team finishing in eighth. His teammate Maximillian Kofler finished in 10^th in class, on the Ducati V2.