At 10 o'clock this morning, the Live Timing was there for this first major run of the 2021 Superbike season which must take place over two days in Jerez uninterrupted until 18 p.m.
Unfortunately, if the thermometer at 13° was acceptable to keep the tires warm, the rain also came, which was also anticipated Maverick Vinales, one of the three MotoGP riders supposed to be present with Johan Zarco et Stefan bradl, to cancel his arrival.
It was therefore an empty and silent track that the Andalusian route presented to us for the first half hour, before the Ducatis warmed up their engines.
Unfortunately for Superbike enthusiasts, these were not those of Scott Redding et Michael Ruben Rinaldi in Aruba.it colors, nor even those of Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) and Chaz Davies (Team Go Eleven), but machines from the German ERC Endurance team which is lining up Louis Rossi, Mathieu Gines and Sylvain Barrier on a V4R. The beautiful Italian will defend the colors of Michelin against the efficient Bridgestone which now equips the official Suzuki which abandoned the Dunlops.
In any case, no time was recorded during the morning, certain drivers, likeAlvaro Bautista (Team HRC) even preferring to return to the gym of their hotel rather than waste their time in their box.
The first time was achieved by Stefan Bradl a little after noon on the handlebars of his Honda RC213V in 2'18.129, which gives us an idea of the track conditions, the record belonging to Maverick Vinales in 1'36.584 since 2020.
Obviously, the Honda MotoGP test rider then gradually lowered the times to 2'06.981, 2'02.274, 1'59.710 and 1'57.845.
Here we are for the moment, after this first and only run.
Expected on track in Jerez:
MotoGP:
- Stefan Bradl (HRC)
- Johann Zarco (private Ducati Panigale V4S)
Superbike:
- Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).
- Scott Redding and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati).
- Álvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam (Team HRC).
- Chaz Davies (Team Go Eleven).
- Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team).
- Loris Cresson (OUTDO Kawasaki TPR).
- Isaac Vinales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura).
- Michele Pirro (?)
Supersports:
- Leonardo Taccini (Orelac Racing).
Endurance:
- Louis Rossi, Mathieu Gines and Sylvain Barrier (ERC Endurance Ducati)
See you this evening for the report of the day!
