Hold onto your helmets, folks, because a seasoned racer has just dropped a bombshell about who might be crashing the podium party at Phillip Island! While the whispers of Ducati dominance are loud, Danilo Petrucci, a rider with a keen eye for the track, has pointed to a couple of unexpected contenders from a rather surprising manufacturer. This isn't just about who's fast; it's about who's making unexpected leaps and could shake up the entire WorldSBK pecking order!
The Australian World Superbike round is shaping up to be a Ducati-centric affair, with Nicolo Bulega already setting the pace. He's been on fire, topping every single session during the recent test and boasting an impressive four wins from his six previous starts at Phillip Island. It's safe to say he's the favorite to claim at least one of those coveted podium spots. And then there's Sam Lowes on his Marc VDS Ducati, who showed strong pace in the test, trailing Bulega closely. However, the gap between Lowes and the rest of the pack seems considerably smaller than Bulega's lead – though, let's be honest, speed trap figures can be a bit tricky to interpret when you can't tell who's getting a helpful draft from another rider!
The sheer strength of Ducati is undeniable, with four of their riders occupying the top four positions in the test. Notably, these weren't even the factory bikes of Iker Lecuona or the two-time champion Alvaro Bautista, highlighting the depth of talent within the brand.
But here's where it gets controversial... Amidst all the Ducatis, two machines that have truly caught Petrucci's attention are the Bimota KB998s, piloted by Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes. These Italian bikes, powered by Kawasaki engines, finished a respectable fifth and sixth in the test, respectively. Alex Lowes, a three-time winner at Phillip Island himself, even matched Bulega's speed in the speed trap on Tuesday, a significant indicator of their straight-line prowess.
Petrucci believes these Bimotas aren't just quick; they're genuine podium threats. He shared his thoughts with WorldSBK.com, saying, "Let's say Bulega is doing another job, but it was not a surprise because also last year he was doing a great job. I've been quite surprised about the two Bimotas, really fast." He elaborated on his observations, noting, "I was able to follow them for a few laps – both Axel [Bassani] and Alex [Lowes] – and they are really fast, and compared to last season they are even fast on the straights. So, I think they are quite good contenders for the podium."
And this is the part most people miss... While Petrucci's focus is on the Bimotas, he also gave a nod to his compatriots, Lorenzo Baldassarri and Luca Montella, who also impressed in the test. He mentioned being surprised by Baldassarri's speed and expressed happiness for his former teammate Montella, who was consistently fast last year at Phillip Island.
So, the question for you is: Can these Bimota-Kawasaki machines truly challenge the Ducati juggernaut for a spot on the podium? Or is Petrucci seeing something others are overlooking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with Petrucci's surprise picks, or do you think the Ducatis will continue their reign?
This insightful analysis comes from Alex, who joined the Crash.net team in August 2024 after two years covering consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown.
