Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1491840
Bautista Tops Portimao WorldSBK Test T he final Europe-based pre- season tests for the majority of the 2023 WorldSBK paddock, plus a few other important WorldSSP riders, took place at Portimao in Portugal between January 31-February 1, in consis - tently clear winter sunshine. Better conditions could hardly be expected at this time of the year, even in southern Portugal, which was part of the reason why fastest rider of all, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba Ducati), set a best lap almost into the 1:38s, with a 1:39.035 on the final day. That is pretty much into MotoGP territory, which shows how much the pace is being pushed by the top riders in WorldSBK—and how gnarly the Portimao layout is, of course. Bautista had another crash on day two, finding the limits of the new Panigale V4 R, with its smoother engine character help - ing both top Ducati riders in mid- corner and on the exits. Alvaro clearly left the test happy, very relaxed, and is looking forward to going to Phillip Island for round one to retain his WorldSBK title. Others are fully intent on stop - ping him, of course. Second, and only just 0.009 seconds behind Bautista, even if he could not get the softest tires to improve his best pace when in attack mode, was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team). The six-time world champion was satisfied that most of the small changes to the Ninja ZX-10RR for this season were going to be beneficial, but it seems certain that one big leap forward in engine performance is not going to mate - rialize. The 2022 big three may be a big four this coming season if Bautista's team - mate, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, can continue the form he displayed at Portimao. Fastest on day one, he was finally third best and looking the part as a factory rider again. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha) was eased out to fourth place as he continued to work on component choices after setting a good time of 1:39.441 on the final morning. It was too cool in the afternoon to try to go faster, after he back-to-back tested new swingarms and other smaller parts. Andrea Locatelli, Razgatlio - glu's official factory teammate, was fifth, with the best HRC Hon- da belonging to Iker Lecuona. There are no more concessions to start this season for Honda, and the 2023 chassis mods are actually the same ones made for the end of last season. The vast majority of the top riders set their best times on the second day, after building pace and machine setup but Xavi Vierge was seventh overall for HRC Honda thanks to his Tues - day time. Remy Gardner (GRT Yamaha) was top rookie and top indepen- dent rider at Portimao, in eighth place, boding well for his first- ever WorldSBK race at his home circuit in Australia at the end of this month. Alex Lowes had a crash- marred Portimao on his KRT P28 Number one led the way in Portimao. Alvaro Bautista's pace was scorching on the Panigale. PHOTOS: GOLD & GOOSE