WSBK News

Although Iker Lecuona ‘felt much better’ at the two-day WorldSBK test in Portimao, the Honda rider remains concerned by the gap to the leaders.

Despite finishing his third WorldSBK test earlier this week, two-time WorldSSP champion Dominique Aegerter remains surprised by the braking prowess of his Yamaha R1 which is ‘something I need to get used to’, says the Swiss rider.

Toprak Razgatlioglu claims to be fully ready for the 2023 WorldSBK season after another strong two-day test in Portimao, albeit one where he finished slower than world champion Alvaro Bautista on both days.

While slower motorcycles being on the same circuit as WorldSBK machinery is the first thing that should change during testing, according to Keith Huewen, the former Grand Prix rider believes Alvaro Bautista was overly critical of Ana Carrasco following their incident in Jerez.

WorldSBK rookie Danilo Petrucci admits he’s ‘still looking for the correct riding style’ after finishing 2.4s down on world champion Alvaro Bautista in Portimao. 

Jonathan Rea was one of four riders to break the existing Portimao WorldSBK lap record during this week’s two-day test, but how that was achieved might be the biggest surprise…

Despite being in ominous form ahead of his WorldSBK title defence, Alvaro Bautista has played down his stunning performance at the Portimao test which saw him break the official lap record.

Alvaro Bautista finished the Portimao WorldSBK test fastest despite a turn seven crash, while Jonathan Rea, Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Toprak Razgatlioglu also went underneath the existing lap record.

Alvaro Bautista’s stunning performance at the Portimao WorldSBK test has continued during the final day after smashing the lap record on race tyres.

Alvaro Bautista was third fastest on the opening day of the Portimao WorldSBK test, after team-mate Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Jonathan Rea managed to narrowly pip the reigning champion.

On a day where the Portimao WorldSBK lap record came close to being broken, Remy Gardner signalled his intent by finishing as the fastest rookie by over five tenths.

Quickest on day-one of the Portimao WorldSBK test despite failing to improve with a qualifying tyre, Michael Ruben Rinaldi remains at a loss for his lack of performance over one lap.

One of two WorldSBK rookies making their first appearance of 2023 - the other being MIE Honda rider Eric Granado - Bradley Ray made a solid start aboard the Motoxracing Yamaha as he finished 2.7s down on Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

After finishing second in the opening session of the day, Michael Ruben Rinaldi went one better in the afternoon to end day-one of the Portimao WorldSBK test quickest.

Andrea Dosoli believes the six-rider Yamaha WorldSBK line-up for 2023 is the strongest field of talent it’s had since 2016.

Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli have unveiled their 2023 Pata Yamaha WorldSBK machine, as pre-season testing continues at Portimao.

GRT Yamaha have officially taken the covers off their 2023 WorldSBK machine as Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner get set for their second pre-season test of the year. 

Scott Redding has pulled no punches after claiming BMW is ‘maybe’ focusing too much on selling motorcycles to the public, rather than winning in WorldSBK.

Jonathan Rea believes Alvaro Bautista will face a different type of challenge in 2023 as the reigning WorldSBK champion, which the Kawasaki rider knows all about after successfully defending his title in 2016.

Less than a week after the opening WorldSBK test of 2023 at Jerez, the action ramps up again with another two-day test at Portimao, beginning on Tuesday.

Toprak Razgatlioglu had fears of a broken leg following a dramatic turn 13 crash at the Jerez WorldSBK test, but the Pata Yamaha rider was instead fine to continue before finishing fastest with another stunning lap time.

Ana Carrasco has launched a scathing attack on WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista after confusion during last week's two-day Jerez test led to Bautista crashing at turn one.

Alvaro Bautista says he was more controlled and relaxed during his fiery WorldSBK battles with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea in 2022, while also alluding to Superbike machinery allowing the rider to fight in a different way than MotoGP.

Iker Lecuona has ended the opening WorldSBK test of 2023 in a ‘much happier’ place after brake issues throughout day-one saw him struggle to unlock the Honda's true potential.