Bautista Brains 'Em In Phillip Island Test
A
lvaro Bautista (Aruba.it
Racing – Ducati) stamped
his authority on the two-day
tests that will soon give way to
the first round of the WorldSBK
Championship at Phillip Island
in Australia. The reigning world
champion was only narrowly
ahead of the second-quickest
rider, Andrea Locatelli (Pata
Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK
Team), but his race pace was so
strong and consistent some of
his rivals had already said he will
be on a different planet come the
races themselves.
Third-fastest rider was the
evidently improved Michael Ruben
Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati),
ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu
(Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldS
-
BK Team). The Turkish rider was
still working hard on his machine
setup on the final pre-season track
sessions, but everyone expects
him to show strongly in the races,
including Bautista.
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Rac-
ing Team), with an uprated Ninja
ZX-10RR to utilize, but a not a
great deal of extra engine power,
was fifth and yet still looking
to fight for podiums come race
weekend.
Strong rookie rider and two-
time WorldSSP Champion,
Swiss Dominique Aegerter (GRT
Yamaha) was sixth, ahead of
another strong German-speaking
independent rider, Philipp Ottl
(Team GoEleven Ducati).
Iker Lecuona (HRC Honda)
was a disappointed eighth-
fastest, and top Honda rider,
saying that his bike did not feel
confidence-inspiring as soon as
they got on track at PI.
2023 rookie Remy Gardner
(GRT Yamaha) was a hometown
ninth, one place up on regular
rider Axel Bassani (MotoCorsa
Racing Ducati). Danilo Petrucci
(Barni Spark Racing Ducati) was
knocked off by Axel Bassani on
P40
WIND
IN THE
Alvaro Bautista's race pace
has everyone worried in
WorldSBK.
PHOTOS: GOLD & GOOSE
