anywhere close to the top ten, did at least score a couple of points.
BRIDEWELL / MACKENZIE On the Superbike Advocate’ s Ducati, Tommy Bridewell’ s mid-season surge had faltered in the previous three rounds. Whilst Jerez showed some return of form, seventh in qualifying being a good place to start the weekend, he went backwards in every race and ninth in Race One was his best result of the weekend. Sadly, MGM Optical Ducati, with Loris Baz deputising for injured Taz Mackenzie, announced at the conclusion of the Jerez round that this would be their final season in WorldSBK.
NEXT SEASON So, what of next season? Clearly improvements in parity would be on the impartial observers’ wish lists. A switch of tyre supplier to Michelin, and all its MotoGP experience, replacing Pirelli may or may not have a significant effect and manufacturer specific rev limits and fuel flow will likely
be used more proactively by the regulator. A switch to a single supplier of fuel makes achieving parity, or something close to it, a little easier and one of the most significant changes is mandating that the Brembo Hyction, composite carbon-ceramic, brake system will be used on all bikes. The intention is that a single rotor specification and a single pad compound will be used at all tracks giving consistent performance for all riders. The Hyction rotors are lighter than the current steel rotors, of which there are multiple combinations, which will reduce unsprung weight – rarely a bad thing. By the time this report airs, the first of the five two-day 2027 pre-season tests will be have been done and the picture for next season will become clearer as testing continues right up until the first round of season 2027 back at Phillip Island, the last time WorldSBK will race there for the foreseeable future, in late February. If time permits, we’ ll provide an update on the testing as it plays out.
38 KIWI RIDER