Bulega accelerates time in Jerez tests; Bautista is in pain
Record debut for Nicolo Bulegawhich, after conducting the first day of testing in Jerez, completed the second and final day as absolute dominator with a time of 1:37.809, which broke Jonathan Rea’s 2019 record of 1:38.247. The Aruba Ducati rider registered for the SCQ, but was already very competitive with the official team’s Panigale V4R.
The Italian continues to fight against the current world champion Alvaro Bautista, who must get used to new weight rules, as well as endure the pain of injury. Talaverano has back and neck pain, so could not go beyond 16th place in the classificationlagging behind his partner by more than a second and a half.
“The goal today was to try not to be worse than yesterday. My physical condition was not the best, but better, not 100%, but the pain did not get worse, I could ride more or less, not 100%. easy, but with a work plan to test configurations for data collection and surveying,” he said. “The good thing is that I don’t feel worse, so we are improving and I hope to continue to improve in Portimao.”
The leader was also half a second behind the previous Jerez track record holder, who continues to adapt to the Yamaha. Jonathan Rea was secondwith 78 laps to his name, he ran a good race simulation, which was enough for him to finish ahead of Scott Redding as a final push saw him third.
For his part, Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is feeling increasingly comfortable behind the wheel of his BMW M 1000 RR, was fourth, eight tenths behind the fastest time, while Andrea Iannonemuch improved since returning to competition, posted the fifth fastest time of the day after 61 laps, although he was nine-tenths behind his compatriot.
A very positive day for the German manufacturer with three of its riders in the top ten. Garrett Gerloff in sixth place, ahead Sam Laws, but he will be one to consider for the 2024 season as he has dropped below the second-place barrier to Nicolo Bulega. Remy Gardner was eighth, Danilo Petrucci was ninth and Andrea Locatelli completed the top ten.
The last positions were taken by Philipp Ettel, who scored a very fast lap, which put him in the lead for a few moments, followed by Michael van der Mark, Axel Bassani, Michael Ruben RinaldiJavi Vierge, Tito Rabat and Iker Lecuona, who completed the standings in his Honda.
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