Circuit Racing WSBK 2023

And, we're off...well just about.

Round one of the 2023 season kicks off at the Island this weekend and the combatants have been busy dialling their bikes and themselves in with a couple of days of testing. Usual subjects in the mix plus some extra spice from some of the 'rookies'.

Calling at least three of the new boys 'rookies' seems almost insulting! https://tinyurl.com/fm6vfe2u

Day 1 included a few tumbles, but 2021 champ lead the field even after his oops moment.



Speed trap times seem to indicate BMW's new aero package is working well.



And, day two results so far appear to mirror last year's order, but we'll wait for race day(s) to confirm if the form guide is on the money or not.

 

This article covers the changes each manufacturer has made since last year and what was tested at the Island test recently. The Ducati puts out 240.5bhp with its new exhaust.

https://tinyurl.com/34hwa92x

Final testing results. Aegerter and GRT Yamaha second; Remi in 5th on the same bike.



WSBK WorldSSP might be a Ducati benefit if testing is anything to go by. Olli in the mix too.

https://www.worldsbk.com.au/latest-...er-two-days-bayliss-remains-in-fighting-form/

 

The fun starts tomorrow morning.

 

Saturday is Super Pole and Race 1

 

And, Sunday is the SuperPole Race and Race 2. I don't mind the multiple races format. Gives everyone a chance to dial in and makeup for any poor decisions in previous races.

 

Racing starts today, so no more updates until after the weekend. Here are the results (top 15) from FP2 yesterday. Ducati 1-2-3-4 seems ominous, but Toprak and Rea in 13th and 14th respectively might mean not everyone was attacking. Race 1 should confirm who is faking and who really has the pace.

 

Yeah, and at the same time he managed to alienate Turkish people everywhere!

Tom Sykes should have stayed home.

Aegerter was the surprise of the weekend for me. The boy can ride.

Petrucci settling in nicely.

Honda better than usual.

Bautista's ride in the wet was impressive.

Little Bayliss not doing too well in the SSP class.

 

Well, that was a different weekend of racing! More red flags than a Crypto Currency Investor Seminar. Remy had a case of the Bali Belly and missed race 1, but he still managed to gain points on his team mate, who I am starting to suspect isn't great at the circuits where you need to change direction and speed a lot, but we'll see how he goes when the show starts up again after its...Summer Break? Seriously, they're having a 6-week break until the next round. They must be literally shipping the bikes back to Europe. My weekend takeaways without giving too much away.

Tom Sykes should have stayed home.

Aegerter was the surprise of the weekend for me. The boy can't ride at certain tracks.

Petrucci settling in nicely.

Honda MUCH better than usual.

Bautista's ride in race 2 was impressive.

I'll let the Chief tell you that Lowes crashed again (he wasn't alone for a change).

 

Wow, it has been so long since the last round of the 2023 WSBK (5th of March!) you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a whole new series! None-the-less, the slowboat from China (Indonesia actually) finally made it back to Europe and the fabulous Assen track. I fear Mr. Rea won't be bothering the scorers too often in 2023 as the poor bugger is having to override his bike to even keep in the hunt and the inevitable trip off the hard stuff seems to be the final result. The weekend was a Bautista benefit round and he is now in a pretty strong position to take another title to add to last year's. My weekend takeaways without giving too much away.

Tom Sykes should have stayed home (even though he managed to score a point!).

Aegerter rode well. Seems to like it when the track is dry.
Remy recovered well to score some good points.
Locatelli also looking the goods at this track.
Rinaldi had another shocker!

Petrucci not settling as nicely as hoped for.

Honda form poor at this track.

Bautista is dialled into that Ducati.

I'll let the Chief tell you how many times Lowes crashed (he actually went okay for a change).

 

There's no such thing as a 'sure thing', but you'd have to expect bookies wouldn't be taking too many bets for Lowes falling during a race; probably only what lap and how many other riders he takes out! Maybe they have a some kind of quinella bet going for him and Marques?

 

The SBK boys are in Holland this weekend, so maybe I can get odds on a family Quinella?

 

WSBK Show is in the UK this weekend and Race 1 was worth watching. The first half of the race was an absolute cracker.



I normally leave my weekend summary until Monday, but I'll post my interim thoughts now...

• Tom Sykes going better at his home track and on a more competative bike.
• Aegerter rode okay for the first half of the race.
• Remy recovered well to score some points (10th).
• Locatelli also looking good at this track.
• Rinaldi had another shocker!
• Petrucci finally making some forward progress.
• Honda form poor at this track.
• Bautista is dialled into that Ducati. In fact, all the Ducatis seemed to go well in Race 1 (except Rinaldi).
• I'll let the Chief tell you how many times Lowes crashed (he actually went okay so far).