Friday round up from WorldSBK/SSP/300 FP at Portimao

2022 FIM Superbike World Championship
Round Nine – Portimao, Portugal

Despite topping the session and improving his time throughout the day, Toprak Razgatlioglu wasn’t looking completely at one with his bike. The reigning World Champion was reporting brake problems at the start of the session and missed the first ten minutes of the session before slamming in a lap time on his first flying lap and going to the top of the timesheets.

Razgatlioglu returned to the pits, again not seemingly overly happy, but was back out in the last 15 minutes. Laying down the gauntlet and continuing to showcase his strengths, Razgatlioglu led the way at the end of the day and tracked Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) for a good portion of the time, whilst team-mate Andrea Locatelli was only eighth, more than a second away from Razgatlioglu’s top time. Razgatlioglu ended his session with another jump over the rise before Turn 9, having recorded a 16 metre distance of air-time in FP1.

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – P1

“For me it was a very good Friday because we started really strong. I am happy today, we tried some different set-up combinations and now we are ready to race. After some changes at the start of FP2, I see very good lap time 1’40.7 with SC0 tyre – also not a new tyre, it was used one. I am really happy for this and after we try race simulation with different tyre and finally we know which tyre is better for the race.

“I love this track and this year, I try my best for three races, three wins. We will see, it’s not easy I know because everyone is very fast but I am coming here for the win. For the jump, I didn’t feel very long flight but we look at the data and I jumped 21 metres! Looks not long, but I think it was very fast! I learned how to jump the R1 when we went to Cadwell Park, for me this is fun after the hard work in the session.”

Top Ducati honours went to Italian rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who wasn’t able to improve on his time from the morning but nevertheless held onto second overall.

Michael Rinaldi – P2

“It was a pretty positive Friday. We started this morning on the right foot and in the afternoon we worked a lot in sight of the race. All in all it was a very consistent day and the race pace is positive. The goal for tomorrow is to get a good start and stay with the front group for the whole race.“

Rinaldi’s teammate, Alvaro Bautista, was likewise on the pace at Portimao and having been just fifth in FP1, he was up inside the top three for most of the session in FP2. He improved his overall fastest time in FP2 and worked on race pace with a good run on track.

Alvaro Bautista – P5

“We worked a lot on the tyres in both FP1 and FP2. The feeling in the morning was very positive while in the afternoon, probably due to the higher temperature, I wasn’t able to make the most of the softer tyre. Anyway, I am confident ahead of tomorrow”.

Three Independent riders inside the top ten, the first of which was Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), as he led FP1 before finishing a strong third at the end of the day. He couldn’t improve his overall time but consistency was key as he hopes to repeat his Barcelona podium from last time out this weekend.

Garrett Gerloff – P3

“A rollercoaster day for sure. In the morning everything felt pretty good with the bike, and we were quick from the very beginning. Unfortunately, we struggled a little bit more in the afternoon with the higher track temperature, but we leave this evening with some ideas on where we can improve tomorrow.“

The next Independent rider was Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), with the current best Independent in the standings taking ninth, one place ahead of fellow Ducati rider Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven), who improved his time by nearly half a second from FP1 to FP2.

Continuing to improve at Portimao, a track that he’s enjoyed so much success on before, Jonathan Rea was on the pace in the afternoon session. He set a new personal best lap time but was unable to get to the top of the time-sheets, despite being particularly strong in the first sector. Rea had the measure of team-mate Alex Lowes, with the Englishman in the pits in the closing stages of FP2 whilst sitting in sixth place. Come the conclusion of the session, it was second for Rea leaving him fourth overall, whilst Lowes took seventh on the combined times.

Jonathan Rea – P4

“We found some positives during some private testing we did last week and we just confirmed some items here. We have found a base set-up but I am struggling a little bit with entry traction – it’s backing in on the rear – so we need to find more entry traction for the first race. I felt my rhythm was good; I just didn’t find that one out-and-out lap time. For day one, I feel we were there or thereabouts.”

Alex Lowes – P7

“Not a bad first day at Portimao but we were struggling to stop the bike a little bit. Now we have clear ideas on what to try tomorrow to improve that and make a step forward. It’s always so much fun to ride here, because of the nature of the circuit, so I’m excited to get into some racing tomorrow.”

Finishing fifth in FP2 with an improved time, Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) continued to try and make gains with rear grip, something he spent time on during testing in a post-Catalunya Round test at MotorLand Aragon. At Portimao on Friday, Lecuona was making incremental gains but was seven tenths adrift of Razgatlioglu, but he was sixth on the combined times. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) was one of the fastest riders in sector four in FP1 but that pace couldn’t translate into a strong lap time; Vierge finished his day in 12th

Iker Lecuona – P6

“It was a positive Friday for us and I felt strong and confident on my bike. At the same time, when I made a few laps with Alvaro and a final one close to Johnny towards the end of FP1, I could feel that something is still missing.

“Generally speaking, we’ve found consistent pace, and this is good – we put the focus on the tyre life because we generally struggle at the end of races once the grip drops significantly. So we tried to work to improve this area of the bike and yes, we’ve found something, nothing huge but definitely something that allows us to be more consistent.

“Looking at the big picture, I feel both good and a bit frustrated because, compared to the top three guys, I’m still losing a little everywhere, which means that we need to keep up the good work and try to close this gap.

“Looking at what we achieved during the last test and also here today in terms of set-up, I feel happy and am looking forward to tomorrow. Our target for qualifying is a place on the first two rows and then, for the race, to try and be consistent throughout and especially in the final stages, and of course to score the best possible result.”

After having no representation inside the top ten in Superpole back in Barcelona, there were no BMWs inside the top ten at the end of the first day of action at Portimao. The best result went to Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in 11th place, whilst the one was Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) in 13th; he led the next two BMWs too: Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in 14th and Eugene Laverty (Bonovo Action BMW) in 15th. Laverty is competing at ‘home’ for the last time, with him living in Portugal. They’ll hope to turn it around come the weekend starting on Saturday, with Superpole being crucial.

Outside of the top 15, Roberto Tamburini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) begins his final weekend of the year in 16th place, one place ahead of Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who was back in action in FP2 after a big crash in FP1.

Leon Haslam (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) returns with 18th place going into the weekend, whilst wildcard and reigning MotoAmerica Champion Jake Gagne (Attack Performance Yamaha Racing) was 19th, one place ahead of Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha), who is also in his final weekend of 2022.

Hafizh Syahrin (MIE Racing Honda Team) took 21st ahead of Kohta Nozane (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), wildcard Marvin Fritz (IXS – YART – Yamaha), who suffered a big highside at Turn 15.

Portimao WorldSBK Friday Practice Combined Times

1. RAZGATLIOGLU Toprak TUR Yamaha 1’40.720
2. RINALDI Michael Ruben ITA Ducati 1’40.965 0.245
3. GERLOFF Garrett USA GRT Yamaha 1’41.082 0.362
4. REA Jonathan GBR Kawasaki 1’41.196 0.476
5. BAUTISTA Alvaro SPA Ducati 1’41.223 0.503
6. LECUONA Iker SPA Honda 1’41.453 0.733
7. LOWES Alex GBR Kawasaki 1’41.639 0.919
8. LOCATELLI Andrea ITA Yamaha 1’41.760 1.040
9. BASSANI Axel ITA Ducati 1’41.765 1.045
10. ÖTTL Philipp GER Ducati 1’41.836 1.116
11. REDDING Scott GBR BMW 1’41.847 1.127
12. VIERGE Xavi SPA Honda 1’41.858 1.138
13. BAZ Loris FRA BMW 1’41.923 1.203
14. VAN DER MARK Michael NDL BMW 1’42.066 1.346
15. LAVERTY Eugene IRE BMW 1’42.072 1.352
16. TAMBURINI Roberto ITA Yamaha 1’42.297 1.577
17. MAHIAS Lucas FRA Kawasaki 1’42.313 1.593
18. HASLAM Leon GBR TPR Kawasaki 1’42.750 2.030
19. GAGNE Jake USA Yamaha 1’42.760 2.040
20. PONSSON Christophe FRA Yamaha 1’42.944 2.224
21. SYAHRIN Hafizh MAL Honda 1’43.161 2.441
22. NOZANE Kohta JPN Yamaha 1’43.329 2.609
23. MARVIN Fritz GER Yamaha 1’43.415 2.695
24. MERCADO Leandro Honda 1’43.416 2.696
25. BERNARDI Luca ITA Ducati 1’43.807 3.087
26. KONIG Oliver CZE Kawasaki 1’45.625 4.905

WorldSBK Championship Points

WorldSSP600

Finnish rider Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) went fastest in both Friday sessions, finishing with a best time of 1’44.260s, 0.070s clear of Stefano Manzi (Dynavolt Triumph) in second spot.

Reigning Champion and current Championship leader Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), in search of his first win at Portimao, took third spot in the combined classification, only 0.104s slower than Tuuli.

Oli Bayliss was the top Aussie on Friday in P22 while countrymen Ben Currie and Tom Edwards were P26 and P28 respectively.

Oli Bayliss

“A very tough but positive day. I’ve made my first real laps at Portimao, a track that is really crazy and hard to interpret. In FP1 I tried to get to grips with the track and in FP2 we focused on set-up. In the end, we made a change to the rear of the bike and althought the situation didn’t improve, I was able to lower my lap time. That means I have room for improvement and so I’m feeling confident heading into tomorrow.” 

Portimao WorldSSP600 Friday Practice Combined Times

1. N. TUULI FIN MV Agusta F3 800 RR 1’44.260
2. S. MANZI ITA Triumph Street Triple RS 1’44.330
3. D. AEGERTER SUI Yamaha YZF R6 1’44.364
4. R. DE ROSA ITA Ducati Panigale V2 1’44.471
5.  L. BALDASSARRI ITA Yamaha YZF R6 1’44.510
6. F. CARICASULO ITA Ducati Panigale V2 1’44.521
7. J. CLUZEL FRA Yamaha YZF R6 1’44.524
8. C. ONCU TUR Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’44.676
9. N. BULEGA ITA Ducati Panigale V2 1’44.832
10. G. VAN STRAALEN NED Yamaha YZF R6 1’44.971
11. H. SOOMER EST Triumph Street Triple RS 1’45.132
12. I. VINALES ESP Ducati Panigale V2 1’45.210
13. Y. MONTELLA ITA Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’45.239
14. A. HUERTAS ESP Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’45.373
15. A. VERDOIA FRA Yamaha YZF R6 1’45.387
16. M. BRENNER SUI Yamaha YZF R6 1’45.398
17. L. TACCINI ITA Yamaha YZF R6 1’45.435
18. P. HOBELSBERGER GER Yamaha YZF R6 1’45.532
19. B. SOFUOGLU TUR MV Agusta F3 800 RR 1’45.822
20. O. VOSTATEK CZE Yamaha YZF R61’45.615
21. S. JESPERSEN DEN Yamaha YZF R6 1’45.640
22. O. BAYLISS AUS Ducati Panigale V2 1’45.799
23. P. SEBESTYEN HUN Yamaha YZF R6 1’46.001
24. T. BOOTH-AMOS GBR Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’46.067
25. F. FULIGNI ITA D34G Ducati Panigale V2 1’46.204
26. B. CURRIE AUS Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’46.230
27. J. BUIS NED Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’46.271
28. T. EDWARDS AUS Yamaha YZF R6 1’46.301
29. M. KOFLER AUT Ducati Panigale V2 1’46.469
30. M. KAWAKAMI BRA Yamaha YZF R6 1’46.716
31. J. GIMBERT FRA Yamaha YZF R6 1’46.946
32. J. DIAZ CORBELLA ESP Yamaha YZF R6 1’47.152

WorldSSP Championship Points

WorldSSP300

Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing) topped both FP1 and FP2 while Championship leader Alvaro Diaz (Arco Motor University Team) took second place in FP2.

Young Aussie Harry Khouri was taken out in FP2 and is P26 on the time-sheets.

Harry Khouri – P26

“Luck wasn’t on our side today unfortunately. In the second free practice myself and another rider were taken out at high speed and forced me to finish the session early. More tomorrow with qualifying and race.”

Portimao WorldSSP300 Friday Practice Combined Times

1. J. PEREZ GONZALEZ ESP Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’55.197
2. V. STEEMAN NED Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’55.351
3. M. GENNAI ITA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’55.697
4. A. DIAZ ESP Yamaha YZF-R3 1’55.729
5. I. IGLESIAS ESP Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’55.778
6. B. IERACI ITA Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’55.924
7. A. MILLAN ESP Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.025
8. K. SABATUCCI ITA Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.058
9. D. GEIGER GER Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.074
10. R. BIJMAN NED MTM Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.173
11. M. VANNUCCI ITA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’56.190
12. Y. SAIZ MARQUEZ ESP Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.209
13. F. SEABRIGHT GBR Yamaha YZF-R3 1’56.455
14. D. MOGEDA ESP Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.463
15. M. GARCIA ESP Yamaha YZF-R3 1’56.532
16.  E. VALENTIM BRA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’56.555
17. H. MAIER BRA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’56.598
18. S. DI SORA FRAKawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.603
19. H. DE CANCELLIS FRA Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.654
20. Y. OKAYA JPN Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’56.668
21. L. LEHMANN GER KTM RC 390 R 1’56.909
22. T. ALONSO POR Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’57.013
23. D. BERGAMINI ITA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’57.043
24. A. ZANCA ITA Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’57.262
25. I. GARCIA ABELLA ESP Yamaha YZF-R3 1’57.426
26. H. KHOURI AUS Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’57.601
27. I. PERISTERAS GRE Yamaha YZF-R3 1’57.633
28. S. MARKARIAN FRA Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’57.656
29. M. GAGGI ITA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’57.697
30. W. NUGROHO INA Yamaha YZF-R3 1’57.730
31. D. BORGES POR Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’57.771
32. T. ALBERTO PHI Kawasaki Ninja 400 1’57.844

WorldSSP300 Championship Points

Portimao WorldSBK Time Schedule
AEDT

2022 WorldSBK Calendar