Like the test at Jerez just a few days ago, the Portimao test also concluded with a day of rain, which prevented the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team’s riders and technicians from continuing with the constructive work they had begun on the previous day, when the track was dry.
On Tuesday 28 January, Tito Rabat made 54 laps the track, the best of which in 1’43”222, while his team-mate Bahattin Sofuoglu completed 28 laps and recorded a time of 1’43”078 despite two innocuous crashes.
On Wednesday, rain made its presence felt and the Spanish rider preferred not to head out on track, while the young Turkish rider chose to make a few laps in order to build confidence with his R1 in the wet. In doing so, unfortunately, Bahattin suffered a crash at turn 1 and was taken to the medical centre and then to hospital, where he is undergoing further tests. It is feared that he may have fractured his collarbone.
An accident that tarnishes the outcome of positive test sessions at Jerez and Portimao, where the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK riders completed a great deal of work with their respective technical teams and continued to build confidence with their YZF-R1 machines.
The winter tests now over, Sandro Carusi’s team turns its attentions to preparing for tests on 17-18 February at Phillip Island, which will also serve as the stage for the first round of the 2025 WorldSBK Championship just a few days later.
"This Portimao test was only positive in part. Yesterday, on a dry track, both our riders continued the work they began at Jerez, with very good results. Today the rain put paid to our test day and, in addition to being unable to complete the work we had scheduled, there was also a crash for Bahattin. We hope it’s nothing serious and that he can continue to prepare well for the first round in Australia”.
“Unfortunately, rain stopped us from completing everything we had planned at Portimao. In the end, between Jerez and Portimao, I was only able to ride on two days but luckily, we have another two days’ testing at Phillip Island, because we still have a lot of things to sort out in order to find the best set-up for my bike. I’m getting on very well with the team and can’t wait to get back on my R1”.
“The first day of testing was definitely positive. I was increasingly quick as I started to build confidence with my bike. Today I unfortunately crashed at high speed at the bottom of the straight and have a painful shoulder. I hope it’s nothing serious and that I can continue to work hard to prepare for Australia and my WorldSBK debut. A big thank you to the team for all their support.”
