The judgments of our Carlo Baldi after the race weekend in Indonesia
March 6, 2023
The second round of Mandalika was thrilling with spectacular racing. Many twists and turns and unfortunately also accidentswhich in some cases have sparked controversy, especially against the FIM Stewart Panel, made up of three experts who have to judge and establish any penalties (not Race Direction, which has nothing to do with it in this case, but we’ll talk about this soon).
The show was not missed even if in Indonesia, as had happened in Australia, Ducati has confirmed that it is a step above everyone else. Its pilots, whether official or private, are always protagonists and the only manufacturer that seems to be able to counter the red domination is Yamaha.
The most positive data for the house of the three tuning forks is that he is no longer the only Toprak Razgatlioglu to stay constantly with the leaders and to go on the podium, but also his teammate, demonstrating how the R1 is undoubtedly the “anti-Panigale”.
The poor results that the Kawasaki riders had achieved at Phillip Island they had been justified with the peculiarity of the track, the variability of the weather and the lack of those soft tires to which the Ninja is used.
The second round, however, partially swept away these alibis and undoubtedly proved itor how the ZX-10RR is less competitive than not only the Ducatis but also the Yamahas. For a declining house here is one on the rise and I mean the Honda which went well in Australia with Iker Lecuona ed it went great in Indonesia with Xavi Vierge. The HRC Team still has to work a lot to improve its Fireblade, but the super concessions, the talent of its riders and above all the Japanese will to win again in Superbike could lead to excellent results.
The BMW always navigates troubled watersand Michael Van der Mark’s sixth place in race 1 was not enough to compensate for the results of the other riders, with the “star” Scott Redding struggling to enter the top ten.
The Superbike is now going into hibernation for about a month and a half, to then meet again at Assen, where we will have the litmus test for Kawasaki, considering that the Cathedral of speed in the past was a land of conquest for Rea and his Ninja. We’ll see.
In the meantime, here are our judgments on the protagonists of the Mandalika competitions
Alvaro Bautista: 9
The Indonesian track, with only one usable trajectory, also betrayed him, crashed in the Superpole Race.
For the rest, the Spaniard made no mistakes and proved to be almost unbeatable in the long races. A real war machine.
Toprak Razgatlioglu – score 9.5 – He is the real (only?) antagonist of the BaBau. In Mandalika he nibbled away two points, conquered his second Superpole (out of two) and was second twice in the long races and won the sprint race, proving to be ready to take advantage of one of the Spaniard’s rare moments of difficulty. What could it do more?
Andrea Locatelli: 8.5
He seems to have really made that leap in quality that we all asked for. The Mandalika races proved that Phillip Island was no flash in the pan. Andrea is tremendously consistent and fast both in the flying lap of Superpole and over the distance of the races, and he makes no mistakes.
Axel Bassani: 7.5
We understand that he has talent, but must continue on its path of growth serenely, without wanting to overdo it. The two aggressive overtakings on the official Yamaha riders (apart from the penalty imposed on them) denote a great determination, but also a nervousness that has no reason to exist. He has to keep working on his weaknesses if he wants to get on the podium. Without forcing.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi: 7
He always lacks something to make a result and as yet fortune cannot be said to be on his side. He can’t find the ideal setting for his V4R and for this reason his front wheel deteriorates quickly. In the Superpole Race he is the umpteenth victim of the “single trajectory” track, and a crash (at the front) robs him of the podium in Race 2. He is on the right track and must not be demoralised.
Jonathan Rea: 6
Jonny has lost the crux of the matter and with it also the confidence he had with his Ninja. The VAI (Variable Air Intake System) has perhaps brought more problems than benefits, and iThe talent and grit of the six-time world champion are no longer enough to cover the shortcomings of the ZX-10RR. He is unable to close the throttle, even at the cost of falling. Luckily for him, there’s now a long break and then he’ll race at Assen, one of his favorite tracks, where he could find a decent set-up.
Alex Lowes: 6,5
His podium in the sprint race saves face for Kawasaki and gives a sense to the weekend of the second driver of Team KRT. As for accidents, English is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Too close to Petrucci in the carom that makes him and poor Baz fall, and too close to the Frenchman when he takes his foot off the platform. He suffers less than Rea from the lack of competitiveness of the ZX-10RR, also because he knows how to satisfy himself.
Daniel Petrucci: 7
He came to Superbike to have fun and rediscover the desire to race in a world championship. After a soft approach, now he’s starting to enjoy it, to get results, complaining about the counters and (rightly) the bogus decisions of the FIM Stewart Panel. Good sign. Petrux is coming back.
Xavi Virgo: 7
Ups and downs for the Honda rider. Unrecognizable in Australia, on the podium in Indonesia. Beyond the results (and an extra year of experience in SBK) both he and his teammate confirm that the Fireblade has improved. From now on, however, it will be necessary to see if the progress will continue or if the limit of the CBR is the current one.
Remy Gardner: 6
Was one of the victims of gastroenteritis which also affected Tom Sykes and Eric Granado. It is therefore difficult to judge him by what we have seen in Mandalika.
Michael Van der Mark: 7
He doesn’t give up, he drives over the problems and tries his best. After an unexpected sixth place in race1, he is betrayed by the track in the sprint race and is eighth in race2. At the moment, nothing more can be done with the M1000RR.
Scott Redding: 5
It’s fine to be honest and spontaneous, but he should also be a professional, being paid as such. The whining, pit lane drama and criticism lead nowhere. You have the only merit of having finally stopped complaining about Bautista’s weight.
Loris Baz: 10
They throw him to the ground and then break his foot and ankle. If we add to this that he drives the BMW of Team Bonovo Action, the picture is complete. The vote deserves it for having immediately forgave Lowes, and for not losing his smile even in the ambulance which among a thousand holes took him to the hospital. A great
