The necessary rain has deprived us of the last great duel of the WSBK in preseason, already left us the first notice of Bimota. We have already seen from the beginning that, the project in which the Italian brand is involved together with the KRT, is being competitive and although the situations have been special, the best time of Alex Lowes confirms it.
In addition, Bimota alternates to his pilots because the best of the Italians the first day was Bassani, and that is a sign that the motorcycle has sufficient competitiveness to fight for the head posts from the beginning.
Of course, this last day of collective tests, which are the last before the officers that will take place before the championship starts in a few weeks, leaves many uncertainties on the table. More than certainties because although Lowes and his Bimota were in front, Toprak Razgatlioglu, the dominator of the first day, only stayed five thousandths of the best record before the rain began.
The Bimota are consistent, but BMW, Yamaha and Ducati are at their level
And we must not lose sight of the fact that Toprak is still recovering from the injury in his hand that prevented him from being in the previous tests. To this we must add that another of the great candidates a priori, Álvaro Bautista, has been third but without having good feelings, almost a second of Lowes and with a strong fall included. The Spanish, who luckily could return to track after despite the spectacular, says he does not feel confidence with the motorcycle, something they will have to solve in Australia.
Few more were the pilots who went on track and marked time on this last day although the two Yamaha pilots, Andrea Locatelli and Remy Gardner who are competitive again regardless of the track situations did. The feeling that Honda has also taken a step forward and that private Ducati can give to a great level leave us more doubts than certainties, but above all, a great desire to start the competition.
Now it only remains to wait for February 21 to start the championship, although a few days before we can enjoy the tests in Phillip Island. Of course, taking into account logistics, you have to think that more than some tests like the ones we have seen in Europe with more options to try and develop will serve as a last motorcycle and pilots.
CLASSIFICATION DAY 2 PORTIMAO
- Alex Lowes (Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) 1’42.096s
- Toprak Razgatlioglu (Rokit BMW Motorrad Worldsbk Team) 1’42.101s
- Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’43.061s
- Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 1’43.131s
- Remy Gardner (Gytr Grt Yamaha Worldsbk Team) 1’43.373s
- Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) 1’46.369s
