So, BMW chose not to address the main issues in their ‘23 redesign, nor are they taking advantage of their ‘super concessions’ to make chassis improvements? Or, have they done things that just aren’t panning out yet? For the moment they are solidly last of the manufacturers. Baz, GG, VDM, and Redding all running close times, and none inside the top 10. That’s rough.
Not too hard to guess. The rules don't allow modifications. I'm not sure the exact details but I think the spec is even lower than what you can do to a superstock bike. They are pretty much on the street bikes with slick tires. Quartararo got himself in trouble a couple of years ago when he practiced in France on a borrowed R1 from the French superbike championship, which uses pretty restrictive specs. I can't remember what the penalty was.
Bautista and a couple others well within range of gp qualifying times. What if they go faster? Is it the tires getting near the same level? The bikes? The riders (we already know some are)? https://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/101...portimao-lap-record-alvaro-bautista-tops-test
I think it was a bit of perfect track conditions? Johnny Rea set his time on a SCX race tire but didn't like the Q for some reason? Tire technology marches on.
Doesn't look good for KTM's MotoGP team when you see Remy Gardner lap faster at Portimao on a Yamaha Superbike than he could on their MotoGP bike. Especially considering he's got barely any seat time on it so far - he's new to the tires, team, etc... Was also expecting to see Danilo much closer to the front at Portimao - he knows the track and was way closer to the front guys at Jerez - seeing how fast Alvaro and Rinaldi were shows it's not an issue with the Duc thats for sure.
