Some teams and riders from the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have opted to stay in Italy for the time being and complete a two-day test at the Cremona Circuit. The new-for-WorldSBK venue is scheduled to host its first round in September and, after a test in May, a handful of teams from both WorldSBK and WorldSSP have tested there again ahead of the inaugural round there later this year.

The times on Day 1 were topped by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), whose 1’28.578s was almost a whole second quicker than Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in second. The #54’s time was also around three tenths faster than that set by Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in the May test, when the #87 posted a 1’28.860s. In WorldSSP, Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was the pacesetter with a 1’32.579s. There will be more track action on Thursday.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The SBK Commission is currently working on the introduction of a new entry class to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2026, marking a significant evolution in the racing landscape. This new class will replace the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300), which has successfully served as a feeder class since its inception in 2017.

WorldSSP300 has fulfilled its mission of providing a sustainable and affordable platform for emerging talents to enter the World Championship. Building on this success, the introduction of the new class aims to further enhance the sporting and commercial relevance of the entry category.

One of the key objectives of this new initiative is to smoothen the progression path for riders moving up to the larger classes, particularly to the FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP). By closing the performance gap between the entry and intermediate classes, the aim is to create a more seamless transition for riders, fostering their development and preparing them for the competitive demands of higher categories.

Additionally, this move is designed to attract greater interest from manufacturers by allowing them to showcase machinery that reflects a growing market segment. The new class will feature nimble bikes with more powerful mid-tier capacity engines, details of which will be specified by the SBK Commission in the coming weeks and months.

Launched in 2017, the WorldSSP300 class provided a global platform for young talents, allowing them to showcase their abilities and learn the intricacies of a world racing series and quickly becoming a popular entry point for aspiring professional riders.

The final season of the WorldSSP300 series will take place in 2025, providing teams and manufacturers ample time to prepare for the transition to the new class in 2026. This period will ensure a smooth and well-coordinated shift, allowing all stakeholders to adapt to the new technical and sporting regulations.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The Superbike Commission, composed of MM. Gregorio LAVILLA (Dorna, WorldSBK Executive Director), Paul KING (Director of the FIM Circuit Racing Commission), Biense BIERMA (General Secretary of the MSMA), coordinated by Paul DUPARC (Manager of the FIM Circuit Racing Commission & Secretary of the SBK Commission), in the presence of Jorge Viegas (FIM President), Ludovic REIGNIER (FIM WorldSBK Technical Director) and Svetlana NAZAROVA (FIM CCR Coordinator) met at the circuit of Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” on 14 June.

Among the discussions held, the following decisions were taken:

• It is specified to all teams to warm-up the bikes with the exhaust towards the pitlane (not towards the pit boxes in order to avoid fumes to get in).

• For the WorldSBK class, Any Superconcession part earned at the last checkpoint of the season must be nominated and introduced for the following season. No further Tokens will be earnt until the full introduction of the Superconcession part in one of the events of the following season.

• For the WorldSSP NG, in order to avoid at anytime potential modifications to the oil pump which could affect engine performance, Oil pumps shall remain as approved; However, in case the manufacturer needs to change the oil pump for performance or durability issues, he must declare it beforehand, get the approval of the Technical Director and register this oil pump in the FIM approval parts list. This will enter into force in 2025.

• In all classes, various decisions have been taken, in particular, to ensure better respect for the hierarchy of disciplinary bodies and to increase the authority and competence of the FIM Appeal Stewards.

• The SBK Commission is currently working on the introduction of a new entry class to the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship in 2026, marking a significant evolution in the racing landscape. This new class will replace the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300), which has successfully served as a feeder class since its inception in 2017. This new category will be the subject of a separate communication.

The resolutions of this Superbike Commission have been approved by the Permanent Bureau.

The 2024 FIM SBK Regulations which contains the detailed text of the Regulations changes may be viewed shortly on the FIM website HERE.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

One key talking point from the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is the future of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), whose contract expires at the end of the season and there’s been no news about the Spaniard’s plans. At the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, plenty was said about the topic, so we’ve gathered it all in one place for you…

THURSDAY’S INTERVIEW: “I don’t feel like I’m in a hurry to sign a new contract…”

The first chance to speak with the #1 came on Thursday, with Bautista discussing his future by saying: “Honestly, signing a new contract isn’t something I’m worried about, I’m not in a hurry. First, it’ll be important to see if I can reach my best performance with the bike because, from the first round, I didn’t feel that we were at our best. Our first target is to arrive to that level. After that, we’ll think about the future. I don’t feel like I’m in a hurry to sign a new contract. I’m relaxed and I’m just focused on myself, the bike, the track, and the team. From their side, I don’t feel like they’re pushing to Nicolo or me or other riders. They’re also working on the team for the future. At the moment, everybody’s very calm in the team. We’ll try to do well in the present and then think about the future.”

FRIDAY’S COMMENTS: “I would like to have something new now… next year is too far away for me”

Bautista was philosophical about his plans, saying: “I think there’s no timing. For me, it’s important to have fun with the bike; it’s the main reason I keep racing. First of all, I have to find the good feedback with the bike so I can ride as I want and then I will decide. I’m not in a hurry, I’m quite calm. The moment the team comes to me and says, ‘we have until this deadline for you to choose whether to stay or retire’, then I will think. At the moment, the team is happy and supporting me, so why think about the future if I have a lot of work to do in the present?”

Not specifically about his future, but about how things could look on-track in 2025, the 39-year-old addressed potential changes in his media debrief: “I speak with Gigi all the time, after all the tests and races. We are always in touch, not only when he comes to races. He knows what I need and request. The fact he’s here doesn’t change anything about the information. I know that there will be a new model, but I haven’t seen it yet. Honestly, I would like to have something new now that I’m racing; next year is too far away for me. Who knows what can happen?”

SAID ON SUNDAY: “I’d like to understand why I don’t have the feeling I had last year, and this is the main problem, not my decision about the future…”

Winless at Misano after a hat-trick here in 2023, Bautista spoke about previous comments where he said Misano was important for his future: “I said this weekend was important because we were coming from strange weekends like Australia, Barcelona is a tricky track and Assen with the mixed conditions. This weekend was like a more normal situation. It was important to recover the feeling. I didn’t. I feel that we’re working. I said after Misano, but that could be tomorrow, or in November; after Misano, we have a long time. I haven’t spoken with anybody, and we have a month before the next race. If I have something clear, I will do it. If not, I’ll wait. I’d like to understand why I don’t have the feeling I had last year, and this is the main problem, not my decision about the future.”

He expanded on this in his media debrief, adding: “At the moment, I don’t have any deadlines for my future. In my mind, there’s some questions and the main question is why I don’t have the same confidence as last year and what do I need to improve? About my future, I have no idea and Ducati or Aruba haven’t asked me what I want to do. Maybe in this month, before Donington, we’ll speak or not. I’m more worried about recovering my confidence on the bike than deciding my future.”

WHAT IS DUCATI’S VIEW? “Our first choice will be Alvaro”

Ducati Corse General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, was at Misano during the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round and gave the Ducati point of view on the subject. He said: “We are renewing the contract with Aruba; we’ve almost closed the deal with them. After that, we also have to finalise the contracts with the riders. Alvaro is a double Champion with us, so he’s an important rider for us and we would like to continue with him. Andrea was without racing for four long years. He came back some months ago and it’s not easy. He’s shown his potential sometimes, but he has to improve a little bit. I’m confident because I know him and his talent. He can do very well. Our first choice, for sure, will be Alvaro.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has one third of its season completed and there’s a different look to the title race to when we entered the round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” in Italy. With a heroic triple, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) takes charge in the standings whilst there’s a new top dog in Ducati in Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who is second overall.

4311 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took BMW to the top of the WorldSBK standings after his Race 1 win at Misano for the first time since after Moscow’s Race 2 in 2012 when it was Marco Melandri. That is a wait of 4311 days. He’s the first BMW rider to lead for more than one race.

154 – Razgatlioglu lead the WorldSBK standings with 154 points after the Superpole Race before going on to lead with 179, the most he’s had after 12 races.

45 – Razgatlioglu moved clearly into P5 in the overall win rankings with a 45th win in Race 2.

38 – A 38th podium for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) with P3 in the Superpole Race.

30 – Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) came into the weekend with a six point lead over Razgatlioglu but trails him by 24 after it, a swing of 30 points.

10 – Back in the top ten in all three races for Iker Lecuona (Team HRC), with a best of P7 in the Superpole Race. It’s his first top ten results of the season.

6/9/12 – Of the last nine races, Toprak’s won at three tracks and taken six victories. That means he’s won half of the races so far this season. After 12 races, this is the best start to a season he’s had.

6 – A first top six with Kawasaki for Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in the Superpole Race.

4 – Four Championship leaders so far this season, the highest value since 2020 (Lowes, Razgatlioglu, Rea, Redding).

4 – Four race wins in succession for BMW in WorldSBK for the first time ever, the first manufacturer to achieve it this year.

4 – Four race wins in succession for Toprak Razgatlioglu in WorldSBK for the first time ever.

3 – For the first time since stepping up to WorldSBK, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) secured three podiums at the same track.

1 – For the first time ever, BMW completed the triple, joining Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha.

0.067s – In the first-ever WorldWCR weekend, both of the races finished with a gap less than a tenth of a second. Race 1 was the closest at 0.067s whilst Race 2 was won by 0.085s, both by Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team).

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport World Champion is once again delivering in spades, with the middleweight class witnessing some epic on-track across the weekend at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”. In a weekend-long duel between two riders, it was Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) who emerged as the clear victor.

“RACE 2 WAS INCREDIBLE”: Huertas talks red-flagged Race 2

In a race which was ultimately cut short by a red flag towards the end of a thrilling duel between Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Huertas, the young Spaniard was ultimately able to pick up yet another impressive win, even despite some equipment failures. Discussing his performance in Race 2, Huertas had this to say: “Race 2 was incredible. We had great pace in the beginning, and I was leading the race by some distance. The race should be calm by that point, but then I had a problem with my helmet. I managed to fix the problem with one hand on the bike, but then it was super good to get that fixed. I had incredible pace and I was able to recover a lot. I don’t know what happened with the red flag, but I hope that the rider is okay.” Their epic battle was also reflected in Saturday’s Race 1, a race in which Montella led for 17 laps of the race compared to Huertas leading just a single one. Ultimately though, that one lap was enough for the Spaniard to complete the first race of what would prove to be an amazing Adriatic double.

“THEY DESERVE THIS”: Huertas discusses Italian win on Italian bike

Of course, an Italian win on an Italian bike is always hugely significant to the passionate home crowd. When asked about this, Huertas discussed the significance of such a feat, saying: “Yeah, I am super happy for the team because they deserve this. They have been working incredibly this whole season. To win here at their home…I look at them, and they are so happy, so I am also happy to see all the people that give me the best support be this happy.”

“THIS IS NOT THE THING TO LOOK AT”: Huertas discusses Championship race

The #99 rider was naturally asked about the WorldSSP title race, especially given that Huertas is now leading said Championship. However, Huertas’ head is firmly focused elsewhere, as the Ducati man had this to say: “This is not the thing to look at at the moment. If we keep going race-by-race, then the points will arrive.” Huertas also discussed the next round of the WorldSSP Championship, which comes from Donington Park. Spain’s Huertas said: “I am so happy and motivated for Donington!”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

With Round 4 of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship now firmly in the books, the grid now looks forward to a trip to Donington Park, the UK Round of the Championship. One man who will desperately be hoping for a real reversal of fortunes is six-time world Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha). The Ballymena native has endured a torrid start to his 2024 campaign, despite flashes of potential onboard the Yamaha.

“VERY LUCKY TO GET AWAY WITH THAT”: Rea recalls rapid crash

During Race 1 on Saturday, Rea suffered an incredibly scary crash at Turn 13, an incident he described as feeling like he was “tumbling forever”. Rea reflected on his Saturday misfortune by saying this: “I’m very thankful that I got to race today. I want to thank Arai and Alpinestars for keeping me safe during that crash…it was 130 miles per hour, and I was very lucky to get away with that.” Rea suffered injuries and contusions on his left hand and wrist, but fortunately would ultimately be cleared to ride on Sunday. Reflecting further on his weekend, the #65 rider said: “With the Superpole race, I started on the fifth row, but I found myself with some good track positions, but I was SO close to crashing into accident (between Gerloff and Gardner). I need to work on making this bike mine. With all the requests and trying to work towards a good setup…it’s just not coming.”

“IT’S HARD TO SEE WHERE THE WAY FORWARD IS COMING”: Rea in the abyss

Next, Rea addressed yet again the issues of his bike, and the feeling of being uncompetitive onboard it. Speaking to his struggles, Rea said this: “From my side it’s frustrating, because since I jumped on the bike, I feel like we’ve made baby steps…I need something that I can fight with. It was nice at the Misano test, being fast over one lap, but we just didn’t start off with that same momentum. I don’t want to doubt myself, but it’s hard to see where the way forward is coming.” Rea went even further with his criticism, saying: “No excuses. We weren’t fast enough this weekend…there’s no excuse for being subpar.” At Misano, Rea, who has won eight times on the Adriatic Coast, endured some very difficult results, including the DNF in Race 1. However, Rea did finish P8 in the Tissot Superpole Race, as well as securing P10 in Race 2, though this was of scant consolation to the Yamaha rider.

“WE HAVEN’T KICKED ON”: Rea laments lack of progression

Rea was next asked in relation to the current issues with his Yamaha R1, where the bike actually is in terms of development. The ex-World Championship was scathing in his condemnation, saying: “Let’s not kid ourselves…Assen was a chaos race. The long and the short of it is that when I jumped on the R1 in the Winter Test, it felt great…but we haven’t kicked on. It’s really, really hard to push when I’m not fully confident. It’s frustrating times for sure.” Furthermore, Rea discussed expectations for future rounds, and he wasn’t exactly optimistic: “I need to forget the podium and expectations, because that’s where pressures come from. The next target is to understand this bike and to really put a lot of pressure on the guys to give me what I need to be fast. It’s frustrating when we’re not addressing problems.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com