The final session of pre-season testing is in the books for the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship grid, and making it four out of four in terms of topping sessions, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) goes into the first weekend of the year with a target on his back. Setting the fastest time of the week so far in the WorldSSP class, the #11 Ducati rider was under the existing race lap record as he readies to lay down the gauntlet against a fierce opposition.

ITALIANS DOMINATE: Bulega blasts clear, Oncu P3

Bulega has been on top in WorldSSP throughout the week so far, although today was the day where he looked comfortably faster than anyone else, with nearly half a second advantage over his nearest rival. The Italian rider set over 60 laps on his way to top spot, fending off fellow countryman Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). Manzi was 0.446 behind Bulega but was the only Yamaha rider inside the top eight positions, whilst Turkish star Oncu consolidated his top three status.

Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) took fourth place despite a crash earlier in the day but was OK, getting up to speed and hoping that he’s back in contention ahead of the round. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was next up in fifth but like Manzi and Oncu ahead of him, he relied on his FP1 time. Sixth place was another Ducati and another Italian in Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), who improved his time by three tenths of a second from FP1 to FP2 on day two.

STRONG START TO 2023: Oli Bayliss solid in P7

Flying the Australian flag in the class, Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) was a solid seventh on the combined times and was consistent in his lap times across the sessions. Just 0.049s split his FP1 time compared to his FP2 time, and the #32 has definitely had a better run at things before the season launches than 12 months ago. In eighth place for Triumph, Finnish star Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) was in good form as he continues his adaptation to the British brand and team. Nicholas Spinelli (VFT Racing Yamaha) made good steps, with the rookie going 0.997s quicker in the afternoon than in the morning for ninth place, whilst 2021 WorldSSP300 Champion Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) completed the top ten and suffered a technical issue out on track.

PLAYING CATCH-UP: is there a charge to come?

Outside of the top ten and there were plenty of star names; Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) was 11^th, just ahead of Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha). Another Yamaha rider was next up in Andrea Mantovani (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), who suffered a fast crash at Turn 12 in the morning. German rookie Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was 14^th at the flag as he readies for his full-time debut, whereas fellow rookie and newcomer from Moto2™ Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) was 15^th and suffered a fall at Turn 4 but was OK. Thai rookie Apiwatch Wongthanon (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) took 16^th ahead of Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse). Sofuoglu suffered a late fall that brought out the red flag with six and a half minutes to go in the final session; he was taken to the medical centre for a check-up.

Scotsman John McPhee (Vince64 by Puccetti) secured 18^th and made good progress throughout the second day of Phillip Island track action. Anupab Sarmoon (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team) was 19^th, whilst Harry Truelove (Dynavolt Triumph) continued his adaptation to Triumph in 2023. Adam Norrodin (MIE-MS Racing Honda Team) and teammate Tarran Mackenzie rounded out the order, with Mackenzie setting no laps throughout the course of the day. 

Top six after Day 2, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 1’32.781s

2. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.446s

3. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +0.625s

4. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.724s

5. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +1.021s

6. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +1.155s

THE GOLDEN ERA CONTINUES: the talking stops now; enjoy Round 1 with the WorldSBK VideoPass!