WSBK Phillip Island.

[Yorick]

Woo hoo we're racing again

And these could be interesting races coz they've added compulsory tyre change stops in the long races. Bound to throw up some anomalies

https://bikesportnews.com/world-superbi ... -concerns/

[weeksy]

Absolutely pathetic. They've had year upon year upon year to address this and they think the answer is to still build a shit tyre that can't survive.

Disgrace.

[Skub]

I bet Alvaro could make his tyres last.

[wull]

I bet Alvaro could make his tyres last.

Maybe not with the added weight, he’s struggling.

[Skub]

I bet Alvaro could make his tyres last.

Maybe not with the added weight, he’s struggling.

Or maybe sandbagging?

We'll know soon enough.

[mangocrazy]

Compulsory tyre change stops should play into Ducati's hands - they're the only factory with a single sided swingarm on their bikes.

[Yorick]

Compulsory tyre change stops should play into Ducati's hands - they're the only factory with a single sided swingarm on their bikes.

Often they introduce a time window so that things aren't rushed.

[ChrisW]

It's looking interesting so far.

[weeksy]

Well i don't think anyone would have predicted that top 5.....

Although it's pretty damn tight with only 0.5s on the first 13 riders.... Although Rea is a chunk off the pace as is Redding and gerloff.


I'm actually starting to believe in Bulega !

[Tricky]

Yup, it's a proper shake-up this season, no doubt of that.
My money is currently on Bulega and Toprak to be fighting it out this weekend, with Sam Lowes and Iannone to be in there too from the word go.
And Bautista will come good and be winning races- not sure whether it will be at this round, but he will, I've no doubt of that.

As for Jonny, he does seem a bit detuned and off the pace at the moment, but I'll be rooting for him

[Couchy]

Redding has a problem now seeing how fast the BMW can go, dunno how he’ll deal with that. Rea maybe realising the Kawasaki wasn’t that bad after all but he’ll move up as there’s 3 Yamahas in front of him which shouldn’t be… However don’t see those times staying like that apart from Bulega near the top, hope he’s got race pace too as it’s good to see someone new come in and shake it up especially someone a bit younger than the majority of them as it shouldn’t be an old man’s sport with a 40 year old world champion

[Yorick]

I see Rea the moaner is back on top form

“We’re working as a team through the items, trying to eradicate it,” said Rea. “Right now, it’s unacceptable; something’s not right and we need to find the problem.

“I’ve been told I can’t say too much but it’s frustrating for me as well as I’d love to say the full story… it’s been a difficult day, one of the most difficult.

[weeksy]

I see Rea the moaner is back on top form

“We’re working as a team through the items, trying to eradicate it,” said Rea. “Right now, it’s unacceptable; something’s not right and we need to find the problem.

“I’ve been told I can’t say too much but it’s frustrating for me as well as I’d love to say the full story… it’s been a difficult day, one of the most difficult.

Moaning or answering a direct question ?

[Yorick]

I see Rea the moaner is back on top form

“We’re working as a team through the items, trying to eradicate it,” said Rea. “Right now, it’s unacceptable; something’s not right and we need to find the problem.

“I’ve been told I can’t say too much but it’s frustrating for me as well as I’d love to say the full story… it’s been a difficult day, one of the most difficult.

Moaning or answering a direct question ?

He's always been the same since the Kawasakis stopped being the best bikes.

[Couchy]

I see Rea the moaner is back on top form

Moaning or answering a direct question ?

He's always been the same since the Kawasakis stopped being the best bikes.

The kawasaki that's fastest with his slower ex team mate on

[Yorick]

Moaning or answering a direct question ?

He's always been the same since the Kawasakis stopped being the best bikes.

The kawasaki that's fastest with his slower ex team mate on

You know what I meant

[Tricky]

I see Rea the moaner is back on top form

[Yorick]

Compulsory tyre change stops should play into Ducati's hands - they're the only factory with a single sided swingarm on their bikes.

Often they introduce a time window so that things aren't rushed.

Pit-stop window: in both classes the riders will have a three-lap window in which to change tyres, with a fixed time in the pit lane.
WorldSBK the window will be between laps 9 and 11 while in WorldSSP between laps 8 and 10. It is mandatory for all riders to change the rear tyre while they will be able to decide whether or not to replace the front tyre also based on the tyres each rider has remaining. 

[weeksy]

Well that was entertaining

[wull]

What a race, a qualifying session as well, unbelievable time set by Bulega.

The time penalty cost Toprak 4th as Alex finished close behind him, I think it worked out at just over a 1 second time penalty which as Toseland said was a bit harsh considering he triggered the beam something like 3 tenths before the 63s pit time, it is what it is I suppose, funnily enough he had slowed down as he approached the exit line of the pit coming to a stop nearly as he clearly had some sort of timer on his dash.

The sprint race and race 2 will be finished to watch.