Italian Bulega sets the best time on the first day of private practice in Jerez

The Italian pilot Niccolo Bulega (Ducati), a rookie in the category, set the best time this Wednesday at the Jerez-Ángel Nieto Circuit in the first of two days of private Superbike preseason testing at the Jerez track.

In anticipation of this contest, which will have the first race in February at the Australian Phillip Island circuit and the last, certainly in Jerez in October, thirty-five drivers have registered for two days of filming, the organization reported.

Bulega, current Supersport champion and new teammate of the current Superbike king, the Spaniard Alvaro Bautistaset a best time of 1:38.292, just half a tenth off the record on this track set by Northern Irishman Jonathan Rea in 2019 when he was racing for Kawasaki.

Although the times are not official because they are private days and the second and final session is still pending tomorrow, they can offer an idea of ​​the evolution that the teams have made during the break due to regulations.

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki) was second with 1.39.474, followed by BMW driver Toprak Razgatlioglu with 1.39.521 and Michael Van Der Mark (BMW) next with 1.39.531. Fifth best time for Remy Gardner’s Yamaha, who stopped the clock at 1.39.679, followed by Jonathan Rea (Yamaha-1.39.682), Andrea Iannone (Ducati-1.39.684), Garret Gerloff (BMW-1.39.763 ) , Danilo Petrucci (Ducati-1.39.773), closed the top ten of the category Alvaro Bautista (Ducati), who set a record of 1.39.847. Also the Spaniards Iker Lecuona (Honda), Tito Rabat and Xavi Vierge, finished in this order in 16th, 17th and 18th positions.

Six-time Superbike world champion with Kawasaki Johnny Rea has already made his debut with Yamaha at Jerez in October in one of the two most important changes to the team for next season. Another is the departure of the world runner-up, the Turkish Toprak Razgatlioglu, from the tuning fork brand to BMW.

Supersport drivers also participate in these tests and the fastest is the German Marcel Schroetter, with 1.42.015; and Spaniard Adrián Huertas (Ducati) was fourth, six tenths slower (1.42.614).

The improvement works for MotoGP

On the other hand, at the Jerez Circuit, improvement works will be carried out on the Michelin and Peluqui curves before the Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix takes place in April.

These actions, reported the organization, correspond to a request from the Safety Commission of the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) to adapt the curves to the safety standards of the World Championship circuits, with the expansion of the areas of escape The implementation period is two months and the announced budget is 1,449,184 euros.