The Superbike advantage some MotoGP teams take to the Indonesia test
MotoGP teams reckon lap times at the Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia will fall by two seconds compared to World Superbikes in this weekend’s test.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The final pre-season test of 2022 for MotoGP takes place this weekend at the new Mandalika track, which will host the first Indonesian Grand Prix since 1997 in March.
MotoGP had hoped to stage a test at the circuit late last year, but had to abandon those plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
World Superbikes gave the track its international race debut last November with the final of its 2021 season, Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea winning both races.
As well as teams needing to continue their crucial development work for the coming MotoGP season, they will also need to learn the new Mandalika track this weekend.
Yamaha, Honda and Ducati already have an advantage in this area due to these manufacturers having teams in WSBK – while Suzuki, KTM and Aprilia don’t.
Although MotoGP and World Superbikes differ greatly, some bits of data can be transferred – including initial gearing.
One Ducati source told Autosport: "In addition to that, the teams also take as a reference the difference in the lap time of the Superbike and the MotoGP bike at other circuits.
“So, we can make an approximation of the time we think it will be here.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu, PATA Yamaha WorldSBK Team, World SBK champion 2021
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Marc Marquez’s crew chief Santi Hernandez added: “Honda is fortunate to have a team in World Superbikes, so we can pick up some ideas.
“It’s not that it’s a brutal advantage, but it can serve as a guide.”
The current lap record from the WSBK weekend was set by 2021 world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, whose Superpole lap was a 1m32.877s.
It is believed MotoGP will go roughly two seconds faster than this during the three-day Indonesia test, which runs from Friday 11 January to Sunday 13 January.
Though the likes of Yamaha, Ducati and Honda won’t have a major advantage over the rest, Joan Mir’s Suzuki crew chief admitted his team’s work will be slightly more this weekend.
“For us, we’ll have to start from scratch,” Frankie Carchedi said. “That will mean we’ll have a bit more work to do, but we’ll soon get back on track.”
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Marquez: Rossi-like Acosta can't be ruled out of MotoGP title fight
The obstacles Yamaha has to overcome to have a satellite MotoGP team in 2025
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The plot twist that gave Arrow McLaren’s Ward his first IndyCar win as team principal
Formula E’s new Gen3 Evo car breaks cover
The weekly reality check that has kept MotoGP hype off of Acosta so far in 2024
F2 veteran Ghiotto to make IndyCar debut with Dale Coyne Racing at Barber
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments