(Motorsport-Total.com) – The new season of the Superbike World Championship is in its early stages. The traditional kick-off will take place next weekend (February 23 to 25) at Phillip Island. Teams are already traveling to Australia to get used to the time difference with Europe.
The Superbike World Championship will have just one test day at Phillip Island
An official test is scheduled to be held there early in the week. Originally, the Superbike World Championship could have had extensive racing on Monday and Tuesday. Now the exam has been reduced to one day.
Promoter Dorna Sports cited “unforeseen logistical reasons” as the reason for the new plan. No further details were disclosed. The teams were surprised by the news on short notice as they had already drawn up a test plan.
The new schedule indicates that Supersport World Championship teams could hold their official test day on Monday (February 19). Then it's the turn of the Superbike World Championship on Tuesday (February 20).
According to information from our Italian colleagues GPOne.com Logistical problems are related to the crisis situation in the Red Sea. Attacks by Houthi rebels have forced many ships to avoid the area and go through the Suez Canal.
In December, Dorna accompanied two freighters on a “down under” trip to send supplies. One of them has arrived in Australia, but the second has been delayed. Therefore, the cargo on board had to be adapted for air transport.
Due to this situation, the test plan had to be adjusted. Along with preparing teams, Tuesday will also be important for tires. The Phillip Island route has been completely revamped.
Pirelli tires will also be the focus of testing
When the asphalt was resurfaced last year in 2013, the MotoGP race in the dry had to be changed to a flag-to-flag race because the wear on the Bridgestone tires at that time was too high in the fast corners. Prolonged prone position.
These fears now also exist in the Superbike World Championship arena. Pirelli knows from races in the Australian Superbike Championship that the track has changed rapidly with new asphalt and tire wear greater than last year.
Pirelli will analyze the data from the WSBK test in detail and then consult with officials. It is not completely ruled out that the two main races may require a pit stop with a tire change.
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