WorldSBK: Rookie Nicolo Bulega fastest at the Jerez test

Nicolo Bulega ends the Jerez test fastest on the factory Ducati.

Nicolo Bulega ended the Jerez test fastest as a rookie, setting a 1:37.809 – four tenths quicker than the lap record. The WorldSBK rookie and WorldSSP Champion is impressing the paddock, setting the time on a Q tyre. He set the time just before midday and it would stand as the clock struck 0.

In second place was Jonathan Rea as he quickly adapted to the Yamaha R1 – setting a 1:38.345. This time put him half a second away from the top spot as he continued to work on a set-up.

Scott Redding was in a remarkable third position on the #45 Bonovo Action BMW. Redding set the time at the end of the day in the last 10 minutes of the preseason test.

The fourth position was occupied by the 2021 WorldSBK Champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu who set 67 laps throughout the day. Razgatlioglu was briefly at the top of the time sheets at the start of the showing, showing a competitive BMW. The BMW test team was also out on the circuit with Bradley Smith and Sylvain Guintoli testing for the German manufacturer.

The returning Andrea Iannone was in fifth on the Team GoEleven Ducati – ninth tenths from the top spot. It is a big year for Iannone, making his racing return for the first time since 2019.

Sam Lowes was seventh at the end of the Jerez test, as he prepares for his first WorldSBK season. Lowes continues to work for the Marc VDS squad, riding a solo Ducati for them this season. The Brit set a team of 1:38.852, one second from the top spot.

Remy Gardner was eighth, building his confidence in preseason testing onboard the Yamaha. Gardner would be the only GYTR GRT Yamaha on the circuit on day two with Dominique Aegerter feeling unwell due to a viral infection.

Danilo Petrucci was ninth, as he prepares to enter his second year in the WorldSBK class/paddock and with the Barni Spark team. Behind Petrucci was the factory Yamaha of Andrea Locatelli who was rounded out the top 10. Locatelli had a brilliant 2023 season, finishing fourth in the standings and is ready to build with Rea as a teammate.

Alex Lowes was 11th at the end of the Jerez test, looking strong and setting 82 laps onboard the Kawasaki. Lowes will have a new teammate this season, with Axel Bassani joining him in the factory team.

Further down the field was the reigning WorldSBK Champion, Alvaro Bautista who was 15^th in the WorldSBK standings. Bautista was struggling with his shoulder but was in front of both Hondas who were outside the top 10 at the end of the day.

WorldSSP

The WorldSSP class was also on the circuit, with Stefano Manzi ending the day as the fastest rider. Can Oncu was behind with Adrian Huertas rounding out the top three on the Aruba.it Ducati.

Bahattin Sofuoglu was 27^th overall and fourth in the WorldSSP class, onboard the MV Augusta. Marcel Schroetter set a 1:42.040 behind his teammate on the second Reparto Corse.

Stefan Bradl was out on the circuit onboard the Honda MotoGP bike, finishing fifth overall in the standings.

Image credit: Ducati Media