Michael Ruben Rinaldi made a striking impression during second practice for the 2024 Jerez WorldSBK, marking a major milestone in what is anticipated to be his final weekend in the series.
The Team Motocorsa rider topped the timesheets with a blistering lap time of 1:39.591, utilizing the SCQ qualifying tire to secure his position at the forefront of the field.
The performance was particularly noteworthy as it represented Rinaldi’s first time leading a session throughout the season, ending a challenging year on a high note.
The day began with Free Practice 1 where Bulega dominated while Michael Ruben Rinaldi finished just outside the top ten in eleventh place. However, he demonstrated remarkable improvement in the afternoon session, showcasing his ability to adapt and find pace as he refined his setup and tire strategy.
His final lap in FP2 was crucial, as he managed to edge out his closest rival, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega by a mere 0.150 seconds. Bulega’s performance was commendable as well; he finished second after improving his time significantly in the closing moments of the session.
Completing the Italian dominance in Jerez WorldSBK FP2 was Danilo Petrucci from Barni Spark Racing Team, who secured third place with a time of 1:39.820. He has had an impressive season and recently clinched the Independent Riders Championship, adding to his confidence heading into the final round.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, riding for ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, finished fourth overall after maintaining strong form throughout both practice sessions.
Despite not improving his time in FP2—his best lap of 1:39.766 was set during FP1—Razgatlioglu remains a formidable contender for the championship title as he aims for his second WorldSBK crown.
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea rounded out the top five with a solid performance that saw him clock in at 1:39.874. The Pata Prometeon Racing Yamaha has been gradually finding his rhythm with the bike after a challenging season and is looking to capitalize on this momentum as race day approaches.
The sixth fastest lap was claimed by Michael van der Mark, also from ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, who showed significant improvement from FP1 to FP2. His consistent pace places him in a strong position ahead of the upcoming races.
Team Go Eleven’s Andrea Iannone and Kawasaki’s Axel Bassani both clocked identical lap times of 1:39.966, finishing seventh and eighth respectively with the results highlighting the competitive nature of the field.
Garrett Gerloff from Bonovo Action BMW finished ninth while Sam Lowes completed the top ten for ELF Marc VDS Racing Team.
Notably absent from the top ten was reigning champion Alvaro Bautista from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, who could only manage eleventh place with a best lap of 1:40.111.
The practice sessions revealed some intriguing dynamics among teams and riders. The Ducati machines dominated much of the top positions, showcasing their strength at Jerez—a circuit known for its technical challenges and opportunities for overtaking.
The Italian manufacturers have consistently performed well throughout this season, but as riders prepare for Saturday’s Superpole session and subsequent races, they must navigate both their competitors’ strengths and their own setups.
The competitive landscape is further complicated by Razgatlioglu’s championship hopes against Bulega’s rising star status within the paddock. With only three races left in the season and a championship title still up for grabs, each rider will be looking to maximize their performance under pressure.
