The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is well and truly underway, and anticipation continues to build following the conclusion of testing at Misano, Italy. One man who was around to offer his expert view on all things WorldSBK was none other than former MotoGP™ rider, and previous WorldSBK runner-up, Marco Melandri. who was present at the track to provide mentoring and support for Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK’s Axel Bassani. 

“I TRY TO DISCOVER THE WORLD… THAT’S ENOUGH FOR ME”: Melandri on life outside of racing

The first topic that came up with Marco was life outside of racing. For a person who remains so intricately connected to the paddock, Melandri appears to enjoy life outside of motorsport. Discussing life recently, he said: “I’m just enjoying life. I’m also trying to keep time for myself. I still follow WorldSBK and MotoGP. I also work with a motorcycle company. From when I was a kid, I had a passion to be a DJ, so now I’ve started, more and more, to work as one. I do some mountain bike races with E-bikes, so I try to discover the world – new places, new people. That’s enough for me.”

“I THINK IT’S GOING WELl… HE NEEDS TIMES ”: Marco talks Axel Bassani

Discussing the reason for his presence on the Adriatic Coast, attention soon shifted to KRT rider Axel Bassani, especially given Melandri’s new-found mentor role for the young Italian rider. Discussing how he is finding his role in advising the Italian, Melandri said: “Yes, it’s going well, actually. I like to help him and be with him. I like the technical details of the bike, so I try to see him on track, and to help him and help him to process the data. I try to help give the technicians and Axel an easier time. It’s not easy, it’s step-by-step. But every day we will strive to get better.” The former #33 rider then elaborated on Bassani’s adaptation to the Japanese machinery and had this to say: “For sure, coming from a Ducati is not easy. But I think he’s very motivated. He’s going hard, but there’s been a few times where he’s not had a lot of luck. But when you look at the data, you see that in some corners he is faster than Alex. I think the potential is there, but he needs time, because this is his first time working with a Factory team.” Furthermore, Marco discussed his expectations for the #47 rider going forward and was very positive in his appraisal of Axel: “You actually never know. We’re expecting to improve race-by-race. For me, fighting for the top five is not so far.”

“I HOPE IT WILL BE A BATTLE TO THE LAST RACE”: Melandri expects epic end to Championship

Lastly, Marco Melandri gave his opinion on the 2024 WorldSBK title race, as well as the key players involved. Speaking about the current state of play, Melandri said this: “Yes, it’s very good actually – a lot of fun. I think Toprak can really mix it up; I really like his style of racing. But Alvaro looks like he has found the balance. It looks like the battle for the Championship will be between those two. Bulega looks very consistent. He needs more experience, for sure, to be ready to fight for a Championship. But the spirit he already has…”

Melandri gave his opinion about six-time champion Jonathan Rea, as well as his early struggles onboard the Yamaha R1: “You can see that he is not 100% comfortable on the bike. But for sure, he is so mentally strong; he will never give up. I think he will be ready to fight for podiums soon; I already saw him become much better by the end.” Marco also spoke about fellow Italian, and Team GoEleven rider, Andrea Iannone and had this to say: “He had an amazing start to the season. I expected to see him struggle a little fighting the other guys. I think he’s very strong, so he’s able to fight body-to-body with the other riders. He doesn’t make many mistakes, so I think he’s making very smart progress.”

SURPRISE OF THE SEASON; FINAL DAY DRAMA? Melandri talks dream end to season

Lastly, Marco was asked who, in his opinion, has been the surprise package of the season so far. His response was as follows: “For sure, Bulega. Nobody expected him to get a pole position and win in Phillip Island. I was always sure that Toprak could be fast on the BMW”. And as for his perfect end to the 2024 WorldSBK season, Melandri outlined this scenario: “It’s not so easy. I hope it will be a battle to the last race. I think it will be between Toprak and Alvaro.”

Make sure that you keep up-to-date with all the drama and action in 2024 with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship continues to gear up for the next round of racing, coming from Misano, Italy. Whilst on the Adriatic Coast, Michele Pirro, the official test rider for the Bologna manufacturer, sat down to discuss all things wildcarding, WorldSBK and being a core part of Ducati’s success over the past half-decade.

LIFE TESTING THE BOLOGNA BULLET: “This is not simple…but this is my job”

Michele Pirro is a core, fundamental component of Ducati’s setup, playing a pivotal role in testing and development of all racing machinery. Pirro sat down to discuss his views on testing such a variety of machinery. It is interesting to note that Pirro had split duties, testing the Desmosedici GP bike in the morning, before switching to the Panigale V4 R Superbike in the afternoon. Speaking about his role, Pirro said: “This is not simple! When you arrive at the track, and you use two different bikes at the same track…it’s for the whole package. When you exit the track two or three times just for new parts and then after switch for a new bike, this is not simple. But this is my job. The first thing that is important is to improve the MotoGP™ area, and now in the afternoon I only try and improve the Superbike and keep the feeling. I understand the tyres and the bike. The feeling is improving lap by lap, and I am happy.”

WILDCARDING AT MISANO: “Good chance to stay at a good level”

The #51 rider next spoke about the opportunity to appear in a wildcard capacity for Ducati on the Italian Coast. Needless to say, the Italian was extremely happy about the opportunity to ride a Panigale V4 R. Speaking about his upcoming wildcard appearance, Michele had this to say: “For this year, the wildcard is a dream! WorldSBK is a good chance to stay at a good level. For my job, as a test rider, it is necessary to stay at a top level, and this wildcard is a great chance to do that.” Pirro also offered a realistic insight into his chances during his wildcard, saying this: “Today, my big problem is understanding the front feeling, because the Pirelli tyre is a different story compared to Michelin, and also the Dunlop. I check the data of the other riders, but I try my best.”

THE STATE OF THE WORLDSBK CHAMPIONSHIP: “The level is very high!”

Given his extensive experience of testing the Ducati Panigale V4 R and being generally involved within Ducati’s WorldSBK efforts, Pirro was asked for his views on the Championship, and offered this insight: “I am old, compared to five or six years ago! I see the level of WorldSBK is very high and the bikes are very competitive. I see the BMW and also the Yamaha is fighting a lot more compared to the past. But we will see at the race weekend. It’s my home race, and I’m really happy to be riding in the Aruba colours at the Italian race.”

PIRRO PROCESSES PART PLAYED IN DUCATI SUCCESS: “The story is completely different to when I joined”

Lastly, Italian Pirro was asked whether he felt proud of his part played in the revitalisation of Ducati’s competitive fortunes across the motorsport classes. Pondering this question, Pirro said: “The story is completely different to when I joined Ducati in MotoGP™ 12 years ago. I am really happy, because I am still in the middle of all of this, and I test the best bikes. When you are one rider, you are also trying to put all this experience and information into this one bike. I think this is the first company to try and create this situation. Not just with one thing, but over the last five or six years, trying to improve in EVERY championship.”

Follow the rest of the 2024 Championship race with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship fires back into racing action soon after a break from Assen, with the Misano World Circuit “Marco SimoncellI” in Italy hosting Round 4. At Assen, we caught up with double World Champion Troy Corser and after speaking largely about his own career in Part 1, evaluates the grid as it stands now and some of the biggest stories of the year.

“IT’S NOT A SURPRISE… WHEN YOU START BEATING A WORLD CHAMPION, CONFIDENCE GOES UP”

Speaking about the current grid in WorldSBK, the double World Champion started with revelation of the season Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and his level: “It’s not a surprise for me! I’ve watched him for a few years now and to come off a WorldSSP bike onto a Superbike, the gap is a lot less now. He’s just learning to ride with a bit more power but I did expect him to just jump straight in and be fast but behind Bautista, not in front like he has been! He’s a young kid and takes that one tenth more risk whereas Alvaro now a little bit older on that racing side. As I know myself, when you get older, you don’t take that one tenth more risk because you’ve got kids at home and he’s already a World Champion and all that stuff. It’s good to have the World Champions against the kids because back in our day, it was just one kid and one World Champion. Bulega has moved into a team that has won, that he knows and any good rider, give them enough time, will get better and good, the same as what happened with myself against Carl.”

It’s a similar story to the three years (1995, 1998 and 1999) that Corser shared the box with Carl Fogarty: “When you start beating a World Champion, the confidence level goes up and the team trust goes up with your feedback, as you’re getting results, whereas generally, the #1 rider is the leader of development. I was doing that already when I came in 1995 with the 916. The results speak more than actions and you’re only as good as your last ride.”

IANNONE AND GARDNER: two stars to keep an eye on in 2024

As far as other riders go, podium finishers Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) have been at the sharp end throughout the opening three rounds: “I always rated him and after what happened, it’s probably made him hungrier. He’s a very talented rider. For Remy, expect better results from him as now, he knows the tracks and understands the bike a lot better. Massimo Neri, his electronics guy, was my guy back in the day. I know he’s got good people around him and he’s a good rider. I’m expecting some good results from him this year.”

BMW’S DEVELOPMENT TO TITLE CONTENDERS: Toprak working the magic, “it’s in the hands of the riders”

With Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) just six points adrift of the Championship lead, Corser spoke of BMW’s rise throughout the years: “When I first went there, we were getting a lot of assistance from non-motorcycle engineers. The project from F1 and the engine, it was slightly more car oriented. Over time, they’ve got more people from the motorcycle industry involved to understand what the rider needs. Chassis, connection, throttle and power delivery; the mechanical grip of the bike looks different to me and that was something that we were always chasing, even back in my day. We had to have a lot electronics which gave us less power but mechanically, their current bike is better with the tyres so they don’t perhaps need so much electronic input and it’s more in the hands of the riders which is what you want. Toprak is a perfect example of that.”

“THE RACING IS AWESOME” – riders changing teams, hardcore fans and grandstands full ‘like the old days’

“I think the racing is awesome!” began Corser, who enjoyed the Assen spectacle. “Riders changing colours suchas Jonny from green to blue, Toprak moving out too which has been a nice change, so it’s not the same as before. It’s a good shuffle and it’s created a lot of interest and brought the Championship up too. It shows that the riders can jump about and not just stay on one manufacturer for their whole career which was how it was back when I joined. Carl was always Ducati, Edwards on Honda, Nori on Yamaha – I was one of the few to jump around. So, that’s coming back now and now, fans are following the riders and not the brands. It’s about liking characters.

“In WorldSBK, you get more families and hardcore fans; I couldn’t believe how busy it was at Assen on Saturday. The grandstands are packed and to turn around and hear the noise and the atmosphere, was like being back in my day! WorldSBK is back now; the Paddock Show, the fan areas, the connection with the riders and it’s closer to the fans and get access.”

TOP 3, NO BAUTISTA: “I’m not sure about the order”

 “I’ll say my top three prediction but I’m not sure about order: Rea, Toprak and I’d like to say Bulega,” said a bold Corser, leaving out current Championship leader Bautista – although this was before Bautista won the Superpole Race win and Race 2 podium. “Jonny’s got something different to work with now; different team, personnel etc. I know the people who he’s working with who he’ll never have had access to work with before and they’re skilled. They’ve been waiting for someone to come in with new information. Maybe the problem isn’t what it used to be for the team to work on, it’s a different problem, so the picture opens up. With BMW, Toprak’s talking about stuff that the others didn’t even mention or think about. To do that, you get a lot of satisfaction out of being able to fix it and find a direction.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship makes its debut in 2024 with a new era of motorcycle racing getting underway. The Championship will be broadcast around the world, providing plenty of reach and exposure for the new series. Millions of people from all corners of the globe will be able to watch it on their broadcasters, while it will also broadcast on the WorldSBK VideoPass and on the WorldWCR YouTube channel, ensuring everyone can access WorldWCR.

ACROSS EUROPE: 14 broadcasters for maximum reach

Eurosport will be one of the biggest WorldWCR broadcasters in Europe, providing coverage across its various platforms and channels including in the United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Norway, Israel, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Austria; all have representation on the WorldWCR grid. In total, Eurosport will broadcast to more than 50 countries in Europe. In Spain, you can watch it on DAZN as well as Movistar+ while in Italy, Monaco, and Malta, it will be shown on SkyMotoGP; in Malta, you can also watch on GoMalta. To watch German and Austrian stars Lucy Michel (TSL-Racing) and Lena Kemmer (Bertl K. Racing Team), races will be covered on Servus TV and their online platform, while Germany will also have coverage on Sky Sport through a highlights programme.

French fans will be able to watch Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) and Ornella Ongaro (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) on Canal+’s Dailymotion page, while fans in Israel will be able to follow Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) on THE SPORT CHANNEL as part of the 5 Sports network. In Belgium, the action will be on RFTB Auvio, while coverage in Luxembourg will be provided by RTL. Travelling across Europe, Hungarian coverage will be on Arena4. Cytavision will provide coverage in Cyprus, while SportKlub will broadcast the action in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. 

COVERAGE IN THE AMERICAS: from the USA to South America

Across the Atlantic Ocean, and there’s lot of broadcasters showing the inaugural WorldWCR season. In the USA, MAV TV are covering the Championship while in Canada, it’s REV TV. Heading south, ESPN be showing the series in Brazil, on ESPN4, and in a whole host of countries – Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela – be on Disney+, meaning supporters can watch Isis Carreno (AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by Team GP3) in style. El Salvador will also have coverage from LTL, on the Canal4 channel, while, in Venezuela, it’ll also be on La Tele Tuya.

AROUND THE WORLD: plenty of places to watch WorldWCR

With representation from all corners of the globe in WorldWCR, the broadcast coverage matches this. In Africa, Supersport will cover the WorldWCR in the Pan-African territories. Australians will be able to follow Tayla Relph’s (TAYCO Motorsport) campaign using Kayo on the Fox Sports network. In New Zealand, SKY SPORT will cover the action across its various platforms. And in Asia, SpoTV will provide coverage in several countries such as Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Watch every moment from the history-making WorldWCR using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

With the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship proving to be one of the best seasons for many reasons, reminisce about the best classic races from years gone by. Five volumes of classic races will keep you entertained and gives you time to relive those iconic moments that continue to define the Championship today.

Volume 1 was about underdogs: Carl Fogarty taking his first win for Honda in 1996, Regis Laconi’s first career win at Imola in 2001 and Toprak Razgatlioglu triumphing in a final lap battle over Jonathan Rea. Also, in the volume: Leon Haslam beating Michel Fabrizio in 2010 at Phillip Island in the closest finish of all time, whilst Chaz Davies overcame Jonny Rea at Sepang in Race 2 of 2015.

Final lap battles starred in volume 2. Starting with Neil Hodgson’s first win at Donington Park in 2000, it’s then on to Imola in 2002 and the title duel with Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss. In 2015 at Phillip Island, last lap bravery saw Leon Haslam beat Jonathan Rea. Chaz Davies beat Rea at Aragon in 2017, whilst Michael van der Mark headed Razgatlioglu and Rea in 2018 at Donington Park.

Heading to volume 3, it’s all about hidden gems. We start by unearthing Chris Vermeulen’s Race 2 win at Assen in 2004, before reliving the only South American WorldSBK win by Alex Barros at Imola. A year later and it is back to Assen as Troy Bayliss and James Toseland duel, before attention turns to Marco Melandri and his first win in 2011. We end with Eugene Laverty vs Melandri at Jerez in 2013.

Significant wins make volume 4 special. Pierfrancesco Chili’s last win will bring a tear to your eye in 2004 at Misano, before Chris Walker’s wet weather prowess at Assen in 2006. Monza in 2008 sees Noriyuki Haga and Ryuichi Kiyonari battle in a last lap showdown, whilst there’s more Monza battles in 2013. Emotions run high next, with Nicky Hayden’s first and only WorldSBK win at Sepang in 2016.

Volume 5 features modern classics: team orders play their role at Magny-Cours in 2014, a last lap battle on worn tyres between Chaz Davies and Jonathan Rea at Sepang in 2015 and Tom Sykes’ resilience in the battle of Buriram in 2016. A last lap crash between Davies and Rea features in 2017 at Misano before 2018 welcomes the first Dutch winner in Michael van der Mark at Donington Park.

Enjoy all that and more with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Yesterday, it was announced that former Moto2™ rider Lorenzo Baldassarri will ride for WRP-RT Motorsports by SKM Triumph at Misano, replacing Jorge Navarro, who left for Orelac Racing. Interestingly, the Italian has already worked with the team, having tested with the WRP Triumph team during the two-day MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship test at Cremona.

Baldassarri first started out in the WorldSSP Championship with the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team in 2022. Immediately competitive, the Italian took four wins and 16 podiums along the way to finishing second in the Championship but earned himself a promotion to the WorldSBK Championship with GMT94 Yamaha. Now, the Italian native will be hoping to be competitive once more, this time onboard a Triumph Street Triple RS 765.

In terms of his wider career, the #7 rider has achieved success in several different Championships. A Red Bull Rookies Cup™ winner in 2011, Baldassarri achieved five wins and 12 podiums across an eight-year career within the Moto2™ paddock, all within 135 race starts in the Championship.

Overall, Baldassarri certainly possesses a strong Championship pedigree, and he will be hoping to lead the charge, alongside Scotland’s John McPhee, for the WRP Triumph team to victory in the 2024 WorldSSP season.

Make sure to keep involved with action across all classes with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com