With most of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock descending on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for two days of testing, it was an ideal opportunity to try new components. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was one rider who had new items to try during the two-day test as he goes in search of a more comfortable rider position on his Panigale V4 R, with the Italian rider trying a new seat and fuel tank.

Petrucci ended Day 1 with a best time of 1’42.355s after completing 62 laps, with his best time coming on his 51^st lap. On the first day in Barcelona, Petrucci and the team didn’t test the new components as they went in search of a setup on the bike at a track where tyre wear is critical. On Day 2, his best time was a 1’42.224s with 29 laps to his name. Petrucci set his best lap time on his seventh lap of the day.

His second day was interrupted by two crashes with one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both occurred at the left-hander of Turn 5, one of the slowest corners at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with Petrucci able to return to the track after both crashes. After the test, he reviewed his second day of action.

Petrucci said: “It was quite a short day because of two crashes; fortunately, really low speed at Turn 5 in the middle of the corner. We were testing something different and also a different seat, a lower one. Let’s say we are quite good on race pace but not on the flying lap when we put new tyres. I can’t use the potential of the new tyres so I’m not really fast on the timesheets. The feeling was more or less okay on both days but, for sure, we need to understand why I struggle a lot with the new tyre. I can’t wait to go to Assen. It’s one of my favourite circuits.”

On Day 2, Petrucci was able to try the new fuel tank and seat on his Panigale V4 R which is something he had discussed before. The idea would be to give him a more comfortable rider position to ensure he could get the best possible results as he looks to join the exclusive club of riders who have won in MotoGP™ and WorldSBK.

Discussing the new items, Petrucci said: “Not really, I expected it to be better and to feel more comfortable. It was not the problem. We struggled a lot throughout the test with the lack of grip we haven’t found anything to really improve the situation. The new seat, we still have to understand whether it’s better or not. For sure, I was expecting a little bit more.”

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