Image: Supplied.

Pata Yamaha with Brixx’s Toprak Razgatlioglu has fired a warning shot ahead of the 2023 Superbike World Championship, fastest on both days of testing at Jerez while Australian Remy Gardner was 10th quickest as he continues to adapt to the R1.

Every rider inside the top 14 improved their best lap on the second day of the test, with Razgatlioglu’s benchmark of 1m38.269s just under a tenth clear of Jonathan Rea’s (Kawasaki Racing Team) fastest.

Razgatlioglu’s outing wasn’t drama free, however, with the Turkish rider suffering a sizeable crash on the morning of day two before posting his best time. Reigning Superbike world champion, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.It Racing Ducati) completed the top three, 0.280s from Razgatlioglu, ahead of teammate Michael Rinaldi in fourth, and Kawasaki Racing Team’s Alex Lowes (1m39.175s) in P5.

Double Supersport world champion Dominque Aegerter was the top rookie in sixth, the GYTR GRT Yamaha rider notching a 1m39.193s to conclude a promising outing, as Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK), Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) and Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha) feature inside the top 10.

Gardner completed over 160 laps across the two days, testing 2023 development parts late Wednesday afternoon. His best time of 1m39.464s was under 1.2s from leader Razgatlioglu, and less than two-tenths from his teammate in P6.

Fastest of the limited number of WorldSSP riders in attendance was Nicolo Bulega, the Aruba.It Racing Ducati rider notching a 1m41.685s on the second day.

Detailed results