Philipp Oettl tested the Ducati Panigale V2 ahead of his World Supersport return
10/25/2024 06:35 AM
After three years in World Superbikes, Philipp Oettl will return to the World Supersport Championship in 2025.
Philipp Oettl made his return to the World Supersport Championship at the Jerez Test after the 2024 World Superbike finale.
The German rider spent three years in the World Superbike Championship (2022, 2023 and 2024). Two seasons with Ducati and one with Yamaha. However, before his time in World Superbikes Oettl rode in World Supersport in 2020 and 2021.
Oettl will ride the Panigale V2 in the 2025 World Supersport Championship for the newly branded Feel Racing. The 28-year-old will ride the same bike that Adrian Huertas took to the 2024 World Supersport Championship.
Talking about re-adapting to World Supersport machinery, the German said: "It's very difficult because the speeds on a WorldSBK machine are really different. You have no traction control. In the beginning, it was really difficult but with time, you adapt a little bit better.
" I think we did a good job. We tried two different bikes, basically to make myself a little bit more comfortable: rider position, and rear brake on the handlebar. Very simple adaptations then tried the different tyres to see how the bike reacts. In the afternoon, we tried a few different setup things on the bike. We tried to keep it simple."
During the test, Oettl completed a total of 126 laps at the Spanish circuit. Oettl was one of three World Supersport riders on track and his pace improved by around half a second across the two days.
Explaining his test programme, Oettl said: "It was really exciting because, after such a difficult year in WorldSBK, it was good to make some fast laps on the WorldSSP bike. I think adaptation was a big thing in these two days, but I got used to it quite well.
"It takes a little bit more time than two days. I think we found the basics and what I need, what I want. We had two bikes, and it was good to test a few different things and for the next test at Jerez in January, we're well prepared. I'll do some winter training and everything should be alright."
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