WorldSBK: Toprak Razgatlioglu’s BMW back on top at Portimao

Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider at the Portimao test, ahead of Nicolo Bulega. But after two days of testing in the Algarve how competitive are each manufacturer looking ahead of Phillip Island?

BMW

At the end of the two days, Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider, setting a tie of 1’39.189. Razgatlioglu set his fast time at the end of the day, going quicker than the official lap record in the process.

His teammate Michael van der Mark’s fastest time came on his first machine ending the day in ninth. He set over 40 laps across the day, setting his best on lap 32 as he began to feel comfortable on the 2024 BMW.

On the Bonovo action BMW side of the box, Scott Redding and Garrett Gerloff were on track testing today. Gerloff was the highest-placed satellite rider, finishing the day in eighth – ahead of his new teammate Redding (16^th).

BMW Motorsport also brought their test riders to ride across the two days with 2014 WorldSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli and Bradley Smith joining the German manufacturer. The BMW riders spent the two days testing new parts such as swingarms and confirming some parts from Jerez.

Ducati

Nicolo Bulega continued to impress the paddock, finishing quickest on day one and ending the second day in second. The rookie was the first rider to break into the 1’39.2 bracket on the factory Ducati.

His teammate and last year’s Champion, Alvaro Bautista was 15^th as he continues getting up to speed. The two-time WorldSBK Champion had a crash at the post-season Jerez test, admitting pain in his neck and back.

Danilo Petrucci was the fastest satellite Ducati in eighth position with Sam Lowes looking fast in 10^th as he prepares to make his WorldSBK debut. Lowes admitted at the end of the Jerez test that he is continuing to build race pace and understand the Pirelli rubber.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi was in 15^th position as he continued to build a relationship with Motocorsa Racing. He was also ahead of the final Ducati – Andrea Iannone who was 17th as he built up speed on his return.

Kawasaki

Alex Lowes had a solid test at Portimao, finishing 10^th on day one and an impressive third on day two. Lowes suffered from a technical issue on day one but managed to such 73 laps on day two and do some long runs.

Axel Bassani was 12^th on day two, continuing to get used to the new factory Kawasaki ZX-10RR. Bassani has to still adapt to the bike and understand the bike more under braking on the track.

Tito Rabat was 19^th on the only satellite Kawasaki on the grid, making a solid foundation for his season.

Yamaha

The quickest Yamaha at the end of the Portimao test was Remy Gardner on the GYTR GRT Yamaha machine. Gardner was the only GRT Yamaha on track with Dominique Aegerter returning to Switzerland with a viral infection.

In the factory Yamaha team, it was Andrea Locatelli who was the quickest in the combined standings. Locatelli ended the day in sixth, continuing to work with his new crew chief Tom O’Kane, setting 77 laps and a time attack at the end of the day.

Jonathan Rea was one place behind his teammate in seventh setting a 1’39.685 – 0.376 faster than day one. Rea used both of his bikes on day two as he reconfirmed parts which were tested In Jerez.

Bradley Ray was impressive at Portimao ending day one in 14^th and finishing the second day in 20^th. He was ahead of Philipp Otll who switches from the GoEleven Ducati this year. Ottl suffered a small crash during the test but was straight back on the pace on the GMT94 bike.

Honda

Honda has been struggling in preseason testing with Vierge struggling with electronics and acceleration. Vierge was ninth at the end of the second day and signs were more positive than Jerez. Iker Lecuona was behind in 18^th position on the new 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R.

The MIE Petronas Honda Racing team were also on track today after missing the first day of testing. Tarran Mackenzie was 32^nd in class, suffering from a technical issue before he could leave the pit box at the beginning of the day. Adam Norrodin was the final rider on the timing sheets.

For more WorldSBK content: