Rounds ups from opening WorldSBK/SSP/SSP300 races at Portimao

2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship
Spherical 11 – Portimao

WorldSBK Race One

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a hard-fought victory within the opening race at Portimao to increase his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship lead over Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) by 5 factors. The reigning Champion initially dropped again through the opening race of the Pirelli Portuguese Spherical however fought his rivals exhausting to maneuver forward and take his twenty second win of the yr as he closes in on a second title.

The holeshot belonged to Razgatlioglu as he stormed into the lead whereas polesitter Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Staff WorldSBK) dropped to fourth by Flip 1, earlier than trying to reply at Flip 3.

On the entry into the tight hairpin, Rea made contact with the again of Bautista’s Panigale V4 R. Each stayed on their bike, however Rea dropped to seventh earlier than combating his approach again into the highest 4 on Lap 3. On the identical lap, the six-time Champion swept up the within of Bautista to maneuver into third.

Firstly of Lap 4, Rea received a superb run and moved into second forward of Lowes when all of it kicked off. Bautista thought he’d received forward of Razgatlioglu however the Turk responded into Flip 2 and three to assert the lead, whereas Rea left the nook third with Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff) fourth – the Dutchman staying with the lead group earlier than him and Lowes had a battle for fourth. The reigning Champion used his benefit down the straight to briefly get forward of Razgatlioglu however the 2021 Champion responded beneath braking into Flip 1 to defend his lead on Lap 5.

On Lap 6, Bautista was capable of take the lead and maintain it by the primary 4 turns earlier than Razgatlioglu responded into the Flip 5, left-hand hairpin beneath braking. Bautista repeated the transfer a lap later however was capable of defend his place regardless of Razgatlioglu’s finest efforts. With a transparent lap, the Spaniard posted a 1’40.489s, near lap document tempo, extending his result in nearly a second. Regardless of initially pulling a niche, it remained inside a second as Razgatlioglu tried to maintain strain on his rival.

Rea was round four-seconds down on Razgatlioglu on the line to take third whereas Bautista’s win secured Ducati the 2023 Producers’ Championship standings.

Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Motion BMW) got here out on high in an epic four-way scrap for P4. He labored his approach up by the sector, together with a surprising battle with van der Mark at one level. On Lap 16, the American tried to come back by the Dutchman in Turns 11 and 12 however Van der Mark defended across the outdoors. A lap later and Gerloff tried the identical transfer, combating exhausting together with his BMW stablemate, to take P4. This allowed Lowes and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Staff) to stick with the pair, with each coming by to complete fifth and sixth respectively. Van der Mark completed seventh regardless of his valiant efforts.

Iker Lecuona (Staff HRC) took eighth as he secured one more top-ten consequence, ending simply over a second again from van der Mark. He was forward of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) in ninth. Locatelli was sanctioned after ignoring the black flag with orange disc flag in Race 2 at Aragon with a again of the grid begin for this race and ‘Loka’ made constant progress all through the sector. He was capable of end in ninth, giving him optimism for tomorrow’s Tissot Superpole Race the place he’ll line up on the entrance row. Xavi Vierge (Staff HRC) accomplished the highest ten, 3.4 seconds down on Locatelli.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had extra misfortune whereas operating within the high ten earlier than getting into the pits with a technical subject.

WorldSBK Race One Outcomes

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WorldSBK Quotes

Alvaro Bautista – P1

“I’m very joyful for this victory, which additionally provides Ducati its second consecutive Producers’ World Title. It is a crucial consequence for the Borgo Panigale household and I’m very happy to have made an actual contribution. Even through the race there have been many feelings with thrilling duels and a robust wind that made issues tough. The sensation on the bike was not the identical as this morning and I couldn’t push as I wished, so I considered not making errors.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – P2

“In qualifying, I did a superb lap time however for me it’s not sufficient to begin in P4 – however within the race additionally we began effectively and somewhat bit combating with Alvaro however the tempo was very robust. Each lap I hold pushing lots, greater than 100% to attempt for the perfect place – all corners I’m coming step-by-step but it surely’s not straightforward. Within the final laps I’m feeling the rear grip drop and I used to be ready for Alvaro’s rear tyre to drop as effectively to have an opportunity to assault, but it surely didn’t occur. Each lap I received nearer however final nook and within the straight he’s too robust. However, we perceive one thing now and I believe tomorrow in Superpole everybody will take pleasure in, I’ll push greater than 100% once more and attempt to win.”

Jonathan Rea – P3

“It was so good to take one other Superpole. It was a superb lap however so unusual as a result of it didn’t really feel like a pole place lap as a result of there have been a number of errors in there. On the again finish of the session there have been plenty of yellow flags so I received my time in early. It was so good for Alex to be on the entrance row too, and good for the crew. Within the race I struggled on the very starting as a result of Alvaro reduce in T3 and he simply picked me up somewhat bit. Thankfully I stayed on the bike after which I needed to regain observe place. I received proper again there however then the tempo, for me, was simply too quick. I couldn’t do 1’40s laps. All weekend I’ve been doing low 1’41s. So the entrance two have been simply getting away, getting away – after which within the final half lasted the race I simply struggled in nook exit. The rear tyre was spinning, the electronics have been working an excessive amount of and it was only a mixture of issues. So, there may be room for enchancment and hopefully tomorrow we will get a bit nearer.”

Alex Lowes – P5

“I really feel I’m not in my finest form, perhaps as a result of I misplaced out on a race in Motorland. We had the large break in the summertime, then an harm, I had an operation on my arm, so I’m somewhat bit behind on my health. I then had ten days recovering after my knee operation. It didn’t actually give me any ache and I’m positively joyful to be again. It’s much more enjoyable using than watching! And I used to be second in Superpole. l was on a superb qualifying lap, however then there was one other yellow flag when somebody crashed. I slowed down then went for an additional lap as a result of it’s so tight in WorldSBK now that if you happen to miss a few tenths it will possibly imply you might be a few rows additional again on the grid. Qualifying is sort of extra vital than some other session as a result of it will possibly actually change your weekend. I used to be joyful to do my finest lap ever right here, particularly after having a while off and two operations, so you’ll be able to’t anticipate way more actually.”

Remy Gardner – P6

“I fought till the tip, it was positively a difficult race. To be sincere, we anticipated somewhat bit extra, however we’re pleased with the consequence general. I used to be unfortunate within the Superpole with the yellow flag, for positive ranging from the entrance would have helped. Then, in Race 1, I made a mistake in my first flying lap and I misplaced a little bit of confidence, however within the latter phases I used to be capable of catch the group in entrance, producing robust laps within the last a part of the race. We’ll now work exhausting, totally on rear and edge grip, to enhance our place tomorrow, we really feel there’s potential and that we will take pleasure in a superb Sunday.”

Iker Lecuona – P8

“All in all, we’ve had a superb day, to be sincere. A very good qualifying, through which we have been somewhat on the restrict, however finally simply half a second down on Johnny’s pole time. So we’re pleased with our efficiency there. As for the race, effectively, situations have been a bit loopy, I imply, trickier than at Aragón, with plenty of wind and in addition very excessive temperatures. We usually undergo lots within the warmth however in the present day I used to be very shocked with how robust our race tempo was. I didn’t make the perfect begin maybe however was comfortably sticking with the fellows forward when, on lap three, Rinaldi made an aggressive go by flip eight and I misplaced nearly a second and a half there. Lapping with very related tempo to the riders in my group, I principally wasn’t capable of progress an excessive amount of by way of place. However I’m pleased with how the race went, with the tempo we have been capable of hold, and with the work we’ve accomplished within the storage as a result of it’s the primary time I’ve been capable of preserve robust tempo till the tip of the race in scorching situations, which is an efficient step for us.”

Andrea Locatelli – P9

“It was for positive a tough Race 1! Particularly within the first couple of laps, with the slipstream and the wind pushing on the braking level in Flip 1, it was not straightforward to cease the bike. So, I believe we misplaced somewhat bit the chance to battle with the entrance group and doubtlessly to complete within the high 5. The rhythm was not so dangerous although! Now we stay up for one other two probabilities tomorrow as a result of we did a extremely good job within the qualifying and can begin from P3 within the Superpole Race. We must be happy with this and look ahead. We’re working lots from Friday and in the present day to enhance the bike, and now I’ve a extremely good feeling with my R1. I’m actually joyful and feeling assured from my capacity to battle with the entrance group for qualifying, so let’s see what we will do tomorrow – particularly within the lengthy race.”

Xavi Vierge – P10

“We will’t be pleased with a tenth place end after all, however we form of “saved” the day. Proper from the primary session on Friday it appears as if every part that would go incorrect has gone incorrect. However we labored effectively as a crew, holding our focus and sustaining a cool head. On this approach, we have been capable of make the proper selections and overcome the difficulties. And the sensation on the bike in in the present day’s race wasn’t so dangerous in the long run, we have been lacking somewhat one thing maybe however not a lot. I additionally need to thank the crew as a result of they repaired the bike extraordinarily rapidly after the crash in qualifying and every part was good for the race. We’ll work this afternoon to try to discover this little one thing we’re lacking with the intention to run higher races tomorrow.”

Danilo Petrucci – P12

“One of many worst days of the yr. Many riders quickly received previous me and I ran broad greater than as soon as, however the greatest drawback is that I didn’t have feeling with the bike. We had good tempo in apply, however I wasn’t capable of match that within the race.”

Dominique Aegerter – P14

“Sadly the qualifying didn’t go as we anticipated. The hole was not too huge, however I needed to begin from far behind, which wasn’t straightforward in any respect. I used to be struggling a bit on overtaking the opposite riders, and battling it out isn’t straightforward. It was tough to make my very own rhythm, however we’ll attempt to work to enhance and be extra aggressive once more. I’d have favored a greater consequence for my birthday, however we nonetheless gained helpful knowledge for tomorrow. Thanks lots for the birthday needs!”

Luigi Dall’Igna – Ducati Corse Common Supervisor

“Right now is a extremely vital day for us. For the second consecutive yr, Ducati is the perfect producer in Superbike with the Panigale V4 R, however not solely that. The Aruba.it Racing WSSP crew rider Nicolò Bulega was topped WorldSSP World Champion and for the primary time we’re additionally Producers’ World Champions in Supersport with the Panigale V2, which made its debut within the championship final yr. We’re extraordinarily happy with these outcomes, an indication of the nice dedication we’ve at all times put into the production-based world championship. I thank all of the women and men at Ducati Corse who, with ardour, did their job impeccably. Congratulations to Nicolò and his crew for this unimaginable success and a particular thanks to our Superbike and Supersport riders, who with their outcomes have allowed us to succeed in these objectives. Now we simply have to remain focussed: the Superbike riders’ title continues to be open, and we’ll do our utmost to defend the title obtained by Alvaro final yr.”

World Superbike Championship Factors

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WorldSBK Superpole

The rollercoaster of Portimao at all times brings surprises and it was no completely different in Superpole, as Kawasaki bagged a 1-2 with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Staff WorldSBK) took back-to-back poles at Portimao and in 2023, simply marginally off the lap document, while the 2 title contenders are behind him on the second row.

WorldSBK Superpole Outcomes

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WorldSSP Race One

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Staff) secured the FIM Supersport World Championship title with a commanding Race 1 victory at Portimao.

His win gave Ducati their first WorldSSP Producers’ Championship title because the Italian model celebrated a double success in WorldSSP and triple on Saturday after securing the latter title in WorldSBK in Race 1. Bulega completed immediately forward of rival Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) who, regardless of holding the strain on Bulega, was unable to delay Bulega’s crowning second.

On Lap 7, Montella had a technical subject at Flip 11 which dropped him out of rivalry, giving Bulega a 1.4 second lead over Manzi initially of Lap 7 and promoted Navarro to 3rd.

On the finish of the 18-lap race, Bulega was 1.371s away from Manzi whereas Navarro took third after his strongest weekend in WorldSSP continued.

Bulega’s 14th win of the season meant he was topped Ducati’s first WorldSSP Champion of their second season since returning, and he additionally secured the Italian model’s first Producers’ Championship crown.

Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) held on for fourth after a three-rider battle. The German rookie handed Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) at Flip 1 on Lap 13 to maneuver into fourth and held on regardless of the Frenchman’s finest efforts. Initially, the #94 was shedding floor to Schroetter however stabilised this as soon as the MV Agusta received by. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Staff) took sixth after shedding floor within the closing phases, ultimately ending 1.160s down on Debise.

Schroetter’s teammate, Bahattin Sofuoglu, fought his approach by the sector to take seventh, forward of Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura). The WorldSSP veteran was given a Lengthy Lap Penalty after a collision with Tom Sales space-Amos (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) when the Brit was in seventh. The Brit got here off his bike however was capable of re-join and end in fifteenth to take residence some extent and safe the WorldSSP Problem title. Niki Tuuli (PTR Triumph) was ninth with Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Staff) accomplished the highest ten.

Regardless of ending as the highest WorldSSP Problem rider in eleventh, Tom Edwards (Yart-Yamaha WorldSSP Staff) was unable to stop Sales space-Amos securing the title. Edwards was forward of John McPhee (D34G Racing) in thirteenth with the Brit scoring factors for the second consecutive race on Ducati equipment.

Can Oncu’s (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) robust Superpole didn’t translate right into a high ten end, however he nonetheless scored factors with 14th, ending forward of Sales space-Amos.

Anupab Sarmoon (Yamaha Thailand Racing Staff) was seventeenth however was concerned in a crash after the chequered flag was proven with Federico Fuligni (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) on the run between Turns 4 and 5. Each riders got here off their bikes with Fuligni taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash. Fuligni was declared unfit with a fracture to his first and third metatarsal bone, and a fracture to his huge toe on the proper foot. The incident was positioned beneath investigation by the FIM Stewards.

The opening lap of Adrian Huertas’ (MTM Kawasaki) might solely be described as a nightmare. The Spaniard received off the road poorly and dropped to final earlier than re-joining the race, but it surely got here to an finish at Flip 13 on Lap 1 when he crashed. Leonardo Taccini (Vince64 by Puccetti Racing) retired from the race as did Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Staff) after a Flip 8 crash on Lap 15.

Luke Energy crossed the road in 18th place.

Nicolò Bulega – 2023 WorldSSP Champion

“I can’t discover the proper phrases to explain this sense.: for me it’s a incredible day. I’m enthusiastic about the numerous difficulties I’ve encountered on a sporting degree in latest instances and feeling like a type of chief of the Ducati Supersport mission has positively made me pull out one thing particular. I knew that this might be my final probability to proceed as knowledgeable rider and I can solely thank Aruba.it Racing for giving me this opportunity. With out all of them this could not have been doable. I additionally need to thank all those that have been near me throughout this season: my supervisor, my coach and my girlfriend Camilla. Let me additionally make a dedication to my crew as a result of collectively we’ve accomplished a powerful job, particularly this winter. After a not straightforward apprenticeship we’ve grown lots this season. Within the subsequent future I can’t wait to get on the Panigale V4 R and enter the storage of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Staff, however now let me rejoice for a number of hours. We won’t exaggerate anyway, as a result of tomorrow we’re again on observe and I’d like to finish the weekend and the season in the absolute best approach.”

WorldSSP Race One Outcomes

World Supersport Championship Factors

WorldSSP Qualifying Outcomes

 

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WorldSSP300 Race One

Mirko Gennai (Staff BrCorse) claimed a dramatic Race 1 victory on the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in a red-flagged battle as he led residence his team-mate, Marco Gaggi.

When it comes to the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship title race, the battle goes on to Race 2 on Sunday as Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) took a podium with chief Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) in eighth after two penalties on Saturday.

WorldSSP300 Race One Outcomes

WorldSSP300 Qualifying Outcomes

WorldSSP300 Championship Factors

 

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WorldSBK Portimao Schedule
(AEST)

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