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As the start of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship creeps closer and closer, January will prove crucial in the preparations for this year’s grid. These preparations continue with two days of testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto on Wednesday and Thursday this week, with the majority of the 23-strong WorldSBK grid heading to southern Spain for two crucial days with the start of the season around a month away.

‘TITANIC TRIO’ REUNITED: Razgatlioglu to test alongside rivals

One big novelty from this test is it’ll be the first time Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) tests with his rivals following his move to BMW. He has tested the M 1000 RR already, but running was limited, and he did not have any of his rivals alongside him. He’s joined by teammate Michael van der Mark, while the BMW test team of Sylvain Guintoli and Bradley Smith will also be at Jerez.

Not only will Razgatlioglu be on track with his adversaries, but we will also see the ‘Titanic Trio’ on track together in their new colours for the first time. Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon) will continue his adaptation to the Yamaha YZF-R1 while teammate Andrea Locatelli will get to work with his new crew chief, Tom O’Kane, for the first time; at the last test he was at, ‘Loka’ was with GRT Yamaha’s Damiano Evangelisti while he waited for O’Kane’s arrival. Elsewhere, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will be on track as he checks his fitness following an injury he sustained during his last test while rookie teammate Nicolo Bulega will be continuing his adjustment to WorldSBK following his graduation from WorldSSP.

NEW HONDA, KAWASAKI WITH CHANGES? All five factory teams on track

Honda unveiled a new CBR1000RR-R machine at EICMA in November, with riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge trying it for the first time at Jerez in 2023. Like with Razgatlioglu at BMW, it’ll be the first time the revised machine is on track with the majority of its rivals as the Japanese manufacturer looks to make gains. Elsewhere, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and new KRT rider Axel Bassani will be at the test as the team evaluate “the latest options and offerings” that will be available to them throughout the test, with Lowes specifically referencing “used tyre performance”.

INDEPENDENTS JOIN THE PARTY: Iannone and Sam Lowes prepare for rookie season

One of the big names heading to WorldSBK for 2024 is Team GoEleven’s Andrea Iannone after four years away from competition. He showed impressive speed during his first outing at Jerez in the post-round test, and he will be hoping more time on the Panigale V4 R will continue his impressive start to life in WorldSBK. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) is also making his WorldSBK debut this year, along with his team, and the Jerez test will be the first time he joins his competitors on track after he made his first V4 R appearance in December. The test will be the first look at Philipp Oettl with his GMT94 Yamaha team, having switched from Team GoEleven to Yamaha machinery.

PLENTY OF RIDERS ON TRACK: more Independents prepare for 2024

In total, there will be six BMW riders at Jerez. Alongside the factory team and test team, Bonovo Action BMW will continue their programme with riders Garrett Gerloff and Scott Redding as the former aims to start 2024 as he ended 2023, in strong form, while Redding adapts to his new team albeit with the same bike. Tito Rabat returns for a full campaign with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team and, with it, comes a factory machine leased by KRT as the Japanese manufacturer aims to make a step forward. Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s new home, Team Motocorsa Racing, will take to the track at Jerez on Thursday only as they have a one-day test for the #21. Elsewhere, Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner prepare for their second season with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, as does Danilo Petrucci at BARNI Spark Racing Team.

ALSO TESTING: 12 WorldSSP riders hit Jerez

As well as the majority of the WorldSBK grid, several WorldSSP riders will be on track. Yari Montella (BARNI Spark Racing Team), Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Gabriele Giannini (Prodina Kawasaki Racing), Hikari Okubo (Vince64 Racing Team by Puccetti), Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing), MV Agusta Reparto Corse duo Marcel Schroetter and Bahattin Sofuoglu, Stefano Manzi and Glenn van Straalen from Ten Kate Racing Yamaha and Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team’s Niccolo Antonelli and Piotr Biesiekirski will be at the test.

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