Test Portimao, Day2: Razgatlioglu leads the way at lunchtime, Bagnaia stands out in MotoGP

The countdown is on for to first WorldSBK round at Phillip Island on 23-25 February, with riders and technicians continuing their prep work at Portimao before the Superbikes are crated and shipped to Australia. Out front for now is Toprak Razgatlioglu, increasingly consistent and quick aboard his new BMW M1000RR, followed just 0.050 of a second behind by Nicolò Bulega, no longer a surprise.

Toprak out front at lunchtime

At 14:30 on Tuesday it was the new BMW rider who led the way at Portimao on the final day of testing arranged by the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team. The Borgo Panigale outfit invited all WorldSBK teams to take part, making this two-day session a true comparison test ahead of the action in Australia in one month’s time. Mid-way through the final day and it was Toprak Razgatlioglu on top with a time of 1’39”225, just 0.050 of a second ahead of Nicolò Bulega with the factory Panigale V4 R, a sure thing in terms of the time attack with the SCQ. Just two other riders had ducked below 40” by this point, namely Andrea Locatelli and Danilo Petrucci, though both lay seven tenths from the leading pair. American Garrett Gerloff was in fifth with the BMW of team Bonovo Action, setting 1’40”136 to lie just a tenth ahead of Alex Lowes with the factory Kawasaki, one full second from Razgatliolgu.

Seventh for factory BMW rider Michael Van der Mark, ahead of the R1 of GRT rider Remy Gardner and the factory bike of Jonathan Rea. Just tenth for world champion Alvaro Bautista, who continues to work to adjust his Panigale V4 R, now six kilos heavier due to the new regulation. A solid performance for Bradley Ray, who is close to the current world champ, as is rookie Sam Lowes with the team Marc VDS Panigale. Andrea Iannone continues to struggle, 1”7 back, after a complicated day on Monday.

Bagnaia the quickest among the MotoGP

The current world champion was the quickest of the Academy riders on track in the Algarve this week. Bagnaia improved further on Monday’s time, setting a 1’42”778 to move more than three tenths ahead of Franco Morbidelli and half a second ahead of Marco Bezzecchi. Fourth for Enea Bastianini, followed by Luca Marini, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Celestino Vietti and Andrea Migno.