PREVIEW: Misano to host two-day WorldSBK test as majority of the grid head to Italy
The majority of the WorldSBK paddock, plus a few riders from WorldSSP, will take part in a two-day test at Misano
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field is taking advantage of a break between rounds to get two days of testing in at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” on Tuesday and Wednesday. The test will have two sessions each day, from 09:00-13:00 Local Time (UTC+2) and 14:00-18:00, as teams and riders work on their machines ahead of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the same venue in a couple of weeks.
DUCATIS ON TRACK: looking for even more gains with the Panigale V4 R
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) is the Championship leader heading to his home round and will hope the two-day Misano test puts him in prime position to win in front of his home fans once again. Teammate Alvaro Bautista has made progress with the feeling and his confidence on his Panigale V4 R, and perhaps this test will help him improve the feeling once again. In terms of Independent riders, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) will be there after his three Most podiums, as well as rookie teammate Yari Montella, while Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will hope the test helps him make a step despite making a big gain for 2025. Rookie Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) will hope to make steps a start after a tricky start to the season, though he has been a points scorer. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) was declared unfit at Most, with broken toes, so perhaps the Misano test is a good place for him to return.
CAN RAZGATLIOGLU MAKE A STEP? Both BMWs on track
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) gained three points on Bulega at Most, and Misano is a circuit he secured a hat-trick at last year on the M 1000 RR machine. ‘El Turco’ will be hoping he can make a step that enables him to keep eating at Bulega’s Championship lead, while Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will want to make gains as well after a tricky start to the season; his best result so far this season is P5.
TESTING FOR YAMAHA: five riders across two days as Manzi gets Yamaha R1 outing
The test will allow Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) to continue building up ‘bike fitness’ after so long without riding before returning at Cremona, while he also stated there were things to try at Misano they wouldn’t normally be able to try during a round. His teammate, Andrea Locatelli, will also be on track as will GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK duo Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter. Interestingly, Yamaha will also have their test team on track, featuring Jason O’Halloran on Tuesday and WorldSSP points leader Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) on Wednesday as he gets a taste of the Yamaha R1. The third Yamaha team on the grid, the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK team, won’t test.
HONDA HOPE TO CONTINUE PROGRESS: no Vierge for the Japanese manufacturer
Honda have been in good form this season, finding themselves consistently fighting for the top six positions with riders Iker Lecuona (Honda HRC) and teammate Xavi Vierge. However, at the test, they will be without Vierge after the #97 had surgery on foot fractures after Most. Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) will hope he can continue making steps on the CBR1000RR-R, as will teammate Zaqhwan Zaidi as he takes to the Misano track for the first time.
NEW COMPONENTS FOR KAWASAKI: can Gerloff continue his progress?
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) enjoyed his best weekend of the season at Most, taking his first top ten in 2025 as he adapts to the ZX-10RR following his move from BMW. The Texan star has been continually improving throughout the year and the Misano test will give him the chance to continue working on the bike, with the team planning on testing some new components and working on the setup of the ZX-10RR.
BIMOTA HEAD TO MISANO ON A HIGH: preparing for their home round in June…
Like Gerloff, Bimota enjoyed a strong weekend at Most with Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) claiming P4 – their best result since returning to WorldSBK. Misano will be the brand’s home round with Bimota based in Rimini and will be hoping the Misano test puts them in a position to once again challenge for the top positions with Lowes and teammate Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team).
WORLD SUPERSPORT STARS: several riders from WorldSSP on track
A few riders from WorldSSP will also be on track. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) heads to Misano after returning to the World Supersport podium, while Glenn van Straalen (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) and teammate Eduardo Montero will also be there. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) is also expected at the test, while there’s a possibility of a few other riders opting to test.
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