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Day one at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve test for MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship teams and riders marked an important milestone for two rookies getting their first taste of WorldSBK action. Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) and Luca Bernardi (Barni Spark Racing Team) both got to ride the Ducati Panigale V4 R for the first time after graduating from WorldSSP.

Although both have enjoyed success in WorldSSP, scoring multiple podiums throughout their career, it was the first chance to test their new machine for the 2022 season as well as adjust to their new surroundings. Oettl claimed 11 podiums in his two years in WorldSSP although did not claim a single victory, while Bernardi claimed five podiums in 14 races before his season was ended by injury at Magny-Cours.

Oettl completed 67 laps on his first day on a WorldSBK machine, with a best time of 1’41.707s to put him sixth overall in the standings. Reacting to his first time on track with the Panigale V4 R, Oettl said: “I think we had a really good today and at the end of the day we were one second off the best lap time. The team helped me quite a lot to improve step by step. It’s important to make small steps and in the right direction, try to understand the bike and I’m really happy about our first day. There’s a big difference especially power-wise and also with the electronics. The electronics at the moment is the biggest difference compared to the WorldSSP bike because in World Supersport you don’t have as much help. This is the biggest difference. The power, of course, is also more but the electronics help you get used to the power or manage the power.”

Bernardi was the last classified rider out of the WorldSBK competitors on track as he posted a best time of 1’44.053s with 61 laps to his name. For Bernardi, this was his first chance to hit the track since his injury sustained at Magny-Cours when battling at the front of the field on the opening lap. Looking back on his first day, the Sammarinese rider said: “I’m really happy with this test, my first time with the Superbike. It’s a very beautiful bike! The power is very strong. I’m very happy. I didn’t try anything in particular, I tried to learn the team and the bike. The electronics are really complicated on the bike and, for me, I tried to do as many laps as possible.”

The pair will be on track again for the second and final day of the Portimao test as they continue to acclimatise to their new surroundings. Before the season starts, both Oettl and Bernardi will be able to get more test days and experience to their name as they prepare for their rookie WorldSBK campaigns.

Follow the progress of all six WorldSBK rookies in 2022 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!