WSBK Superbike, Misano J2 Test: Rinaldi close to absolute record

De Pierpaolo Franceschini / Corsedimoto.com

Despite a fall, Rinaldi finished the Superbike test in the lead: behind him, Razgatlıoğlu, Gerloff and Redding. Locatelli's progression continues, 5th.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi closes the two days of Superbike testing at Misano in the lead. The new Ducati rider from Aruba is the fastest of all at the end of the sessions and, with a time of 1'33.688, is also very close to the track record. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu had to give up his place after leading all the sessions, but he was the only one, with Rinaldi, to go under 1'34 (1'33.886 for the Turkish driver).

Misano, second day: several crashes

There was no shortage of falls during this last day of testing. In the morning, the same Toprak Razgatlıoğlu tasted asphalt, as did Christophe Ponsson, who had to end his program prematurely after destroying his motorcycle. Michael Ruben Rinaldi also fell in the afternoon, fortunately without consequences. The Italian was brought back to the pits by Can Öncü and the session was suspended for a few minutes (you can find the video of Edoardo Vercellesi at the beginning of this article).

Rinaldi, what a ride!

When operations resume, Michael Ruben Rinaldi has not lost confidence and prints the best reference of the day, as well as all of the two days of testing. Behind him, as mentioned, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, who leaves Misano after two days at the summit. Garrett gerloff, for its first time in Misano, is followed by Scott Redding (+0.7). The rookie Andrea Locatelli closes the top 5 in 1'34.7.

The rookies sharpen their weapons

A trio of rookies followed: Lucas Mahias leads with a 1'34.8 ahead Axel Bassani (+1.2) and Kohta Nozane (+1.4). The Japanese driver, like his teammate Gerloff, took advantage of these two days to get to know Misano. Behind them, Tito Rabat (+1,6); the Spaniard from Barni finished the session an hour early. Christophe Ponsson closes the peloton, but he did not ride after destroying his bike in the morning.

Supersport: Öttl better than Odendaal

In Supersport, Phillip Öttl confirms to be the fastest of these two days. The Puccetti team driver once again beat Steven Odendaal, who today wore the new livery of the BARDAHL Evan Bros. team. The German set a time of 1'37.711, two tenths behind the South African. Come next Randy Krummenacher, slower by a few thousandths than Steven Odendaal, and Can Öncü (+1,5), which fell during the morning session.

Read the original article on Corsedimoto.com

Photo: Marco Lanfranchi