With the Cremona Circuit set to make its MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship debut later this year, a couple of riders took advantage of a track day to get to know the recently renovated circuit. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) hit the Italian venue on their road version of the Panigale V4 to prepare for this week’s test at the same venue.

The pair were able to get plenty of laps under their belt with rookie Bulega and five-time race winner Rinaldi utilising the street bike to understand Cremona’s intricacies following recent work on the circuit, which included lengthening it. With mileage under their belt at the Italian venue, both were able to give their first thoughts on the track ahead of the WorldSBK test later this week, which will mark the first track action for the Championship at the circuit.

Explaining why he opted to use a track day at the circuit ahead of the test, reigning World Supersport Champion Bulega said: “This is the standard bike and there’s a big difference to my race bike. I like the track. It’s a very technical circuit, you have to be very precise. It’s a good layout. I hope to be competitive everywhere, not only at Cremona! I came here just to learn the track with the standard bike. We’ll come here with the official bike, so I wanted to have a day of testing, go on the track and when I already know the bike with the official bike.”

Although Rinaldi has some experience of the venue, it came almost a decade ago and before the improvements were made. He explained that this is one reason why he came to the circuit to do a track day alongside fellow Ducati rider Bulega, as he adapted to the revised layout. He also gave his first impressions of the circuit, believing it’ll be “different” for WorldSBK.

Five-time race winner Rinaldi said: “The track has changed. I was here about eight years ago and they’ve made some improvements. It’s not such a fast track so it’s important for us to have a good test because the base setup for everybody needs to be adjusted. It’ll be something different for the Championship.”

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