Round 2 of the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship took place from Donington Park and the racing was just as frantic as it had been at Misano. The wins were split between Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) and Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) at the Prosecco DOC UK Round after two more incredible last-lap fights, with multiple riders in contention once again.

In Race 1, Carrasco led the field from pole position, and it turned into a five-rider group for the win over the course of the 12-lap battle. The #22 diced with her rivals but ultimately had a strategy for the final lap, ensuring she was ahead on Lap 12 and just keeping enough of a gap to Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha), Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) and Herrera behind to claim her first WorldWCR win, and her first win since Race 2 at Misano in WorldSSP300.

Discussing her win, Carrasco said: “The race was a bit crazy. After Superpole, I didn’t expect there to be a big group of five riders. I thought two or three but, in the end, the group was bigger, so the fight was even more difficult. I tried at the beginning to push to make a gap to them, but it was impossible because the slipstream here is really important. I was having fun in the group, trying to have a good position for the whole race. On the last lap, I decided to go to the front, because at this circuit you can have some moments that put you out of the fight. My strategy was perfect, I was in front for the whole last lap. In the last two corners, I expected someone to overtake me, but it was easier than I expected!”

In Race 2, Neila led the way from pole position after her fastest lap in Race 1 – see her shocked but very wholesome reaction to finding out the news here – but Carrasco and Herrera soon pulled a gap over the rest of the field. Again, the race came down to a final lap shootout between the two Spaniards with the #6 able to come out on top, despite revealing she almost came off her Yamaha R7 at the final corner. Carrasco tried to pass her rival under braking at Turn 11 for P1 but went slightly wide, allowing the #6 to cut back and keep the lead before claiming victory.

Reacting to the last-lap fight, Herrera said: “I’m really happy to win but also in this way. I battled hard in the whole race. I pushed from the beginning to the limit. I wanted to create a gap. I know in a group of five riders, it’s difficult for me to finish at the front. I enjoyed the battle a lot. I was thinking about how I could manage the nerves and the confidence in the last lap. At the final corner, I almost… didn’t crash, but I was low as I felt the front close a little bit!”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s fifth round is done and it was another memorable weekend which saw an incredible display of racing and battling. Right throughout the grid, stories were made and they continued when the riders spoke to the international media at the end of each day, leading to some rather spicy headlines. Check them all out below!

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “We’re coming step-by-step for the world title”

A second consecutive hat-trick, seven wins on the spin, nine wins in 2024 from 15 races, Toprak Razgatlioglu’s on fire, leaving the rest to just admire: “Last year, it wasn’t easy to breathe on the bike; every lap and corner, I was pushing more than 100%. Now, the BMW is fast on the straight, the engine braking is incredible and the bike is working. It’s stop and turns easily and now I’m riding like in my style but with a different bike. This weekend, everything was under control, I’m just lucky that we didn’t have a technical problem. I did three wins; we’re coming step-by-step for the world title; every weekend, we improve the bike. The feeling is very good but maybe at Most, everything changes. I hope I win there with three wins too but we’ll see there.”

Of course, there was a special seat celebration on Sunday: “The seat is perfect; I think everyone saw that we checked it and it’s really good! It’s helping too; I asked my guys at Misano but now thanks to the other guys, pushing for the new seat, I’m enjoying it more. On corner exit, I’m not sliding or going back. In general I am happy as we did three wins. There were some complaints by another team and we chanegd the seat; normally we use a lower one and instead we used a higher one but it didn’t change.”

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “There’s certain people where you see a special talent…”

Talking about the level of Toprak, old sparring partner Jonathan Rea reflected on the #54’s weekend: “There’s certain people where you see a special talent. You see it all around the paddock, there’s lots of talented people and they have opportunities, but they fall or don’t make the most of them. Toprak’s now made the best of all the opportunities. A super talented guy and it’s nice to see a rider riding like that, as much as it sucks to race against him. It looks almost effortless. People can think it looks easy but it’s far from easy, I can assure you. Toprak’s now the benchmark in WorldSBK. I can’t take any credit for Toprak’s success at all, but when he first joined the Championship and the Kawasaki family with Puccetti in Superstock, I was a massive fan. He was like a teammate. We’d eat a lot together, even when we had rival times. He’s a good guy, a hard rider; I always enjoyed my battles with Toprak. It’s nice to see him get the success he deserves. I didn’t expect him to be so dominant this year. In a class full of fast guys, he’s definitely a standout.”

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The feeling I have with the bike isn’t the best and it doesn’t help to keep racing”

Reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista is yet to announce a decision about 2025 and after a tricky Donington Park, the decision is no clearer: “The feeling I have with the bike isn’t the best and it doesn’t help to keep racing. Let’s see. At the moment, we need to find something that makes me ride the bike as I want. After Most, I think we have more time, and let’s try to make a decision. It’s not clear yet. For me, it’s important to have fun with the bike. Right now, I don’t. I know if have fun and I can ride as I want, I’m sure we can fight for good things like the Championship. Until we have that feeling, it’s impossible.”

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “It’d be a dream to have been in the factory Ducati MotoGP™ and factory Ducati WorldSBK teams.”

One rider who’d enjoy replacing Bautista if necessary is Danilo Petrucci, with the Italian speaking on Friday, saying: “I’d be happy if I can continue with Barni and I don’t know, at the moment, what situations are open. I’m not looking at the market. I can’t move in the chess game if someone doesn’t move. First of all, I’m feeling very good with Barni but I think these two rounds are the key for next year. I’d like to go on Alvaro’s bike! It’s a target but it doesn’t depend on me. Even if I can be faster than Alvaro, he will be racing in the same team. If he stops, I’d very happy to go on his bike. It would be a dream to have been in the factory Ducati MotoGP™ and factory Ducati WorldSBK. It’s something that maybe Bayliss and Melandri did, also Checa; big names.”

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven): “I prefer racing here”

Andrea Iannone’s future was once again a key story throughout the Prosecco DOC UK Round, starting on Friday: “Lots of news but I follow my priority like before. If people are waiting, I’m waiting, no problem. I don’t have stress, I have my target. I know for trying to win the Championship, I know what I want and I want to fight for this. At the end, the reality is at Assen we finished the race really close to victory. In case I struggle here, maybe I prefer to struggle in different championships. It doesn’t only depend on me. There’s a lot of passion in the garage, it’s like a family but I don’t see many families winning the Championship. I’m here because I want to try to achieve the best result possible. In MotoGP™ now, it’s another story. Independent teams are at a good level, supported by the manufacturers. I remember when I started with Pramac in 2013, they started with me with a good relationship with Ducati. It was a factory supported satellite team. The story and the target is to get young riders ready for the factory team. Here’s a little bit different. It’s another Championship, another story. This Championship is really good, I love it and the passion inside this paddock. I prefer racing here. We will see. My opinion is don’t stress. It’s important to have a factory bike in WorldSBK, with factory support.”

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “Pere is 15% bike, 85% about me and my confidence”

On Saturday, Alex Lowes spoke of the improvements made within Kawasaki and his new crew chief as well as the change of dynamic within the KRT box: “I’m riding in a lot of a better way and a lot of it is what I’m doing myself but also with my team in the garage. Taking the most of the bike and getting everything out of it. The bike has won six world titles and it’s very good. We have a lot of experience with the bike. When I joined Kawasaki, Marcel Duinker was perfect as he had so much knowledge about the bike but with Pere, he’s 15% about the bike and 85% about me and my confidence. For my character, it’s working better. In the end, you have to take the most from the bike and yourself with as little mistakes as possible and as close to the limit as possible and that’s what Pere is about.

“When I first jumped on the Kawasaki – I don’t even want to say it because I don’t want to talk about Jonny; Jonny’s fantastic – but I won my first race with Kawasaki. Away from the track, I had so many injuries and problems. Last year, I had two operations in August and September. I came back and I qualified in front of Jonny twice. Didn’t beat him in the race because I wasn’t as consistent. I have never been slower than him. I would prefer if he was still there, but it cannot be because he’d be with Pere and this has also helped me. I would like to be riding at my best and see how I compare with him. I didn’t want to say that because he’s someone I miss having in the garage. I have a lot of respect for him and everything he’s achieved. He’s one of my best friends in the paddock. I wish he was still there and me riding better to see how I compare because I don’t think I was at my best in the last couple of years.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

After a thrilling UK Round at Donington Park, it’s time to head to the Autodrom Most for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. A modern classic which always provides plenty of drama and excitement, here are 10 reasons why you can’t miss being trackside for the 2024 Czech Round as an enthralling season reaches the halfway mark. Buy your tickets HERE.

ALWAYS UNPREDICTABLE: who will come out on top?

Most joined the calendar in 2021 but there’s been no shortage of action despite a relatively short time hosting WorldSBK. Last-lap deciders and fierce fights are common place and even the weather  has had an impact… what does the 2024 visit have in store?

CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE TWISTS: drama always in store

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) currently holds a 41-point lead in the title fight but the Autodrom Most was the scene of one of the biggest swings last year when the #54 crashed from the lead and handed Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) P1. Will there be more big swings this year?

RIDERS IN CONTENTION: more competitors at the front?

While Donington belonged to one rider –Razgatlioglu – expect more riders to fight at Most. BMW have always gone well here, and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) seems to have found something, while it’s been a relatively strong track for Ducati, Yamaha and Kawasaki too.

PADDOCK SHOW: plenty of off-track entertainment

The Paddock Show is, of course, a key pillar of fan engagement in WorldSBK and that continues in the Czech Republic. From meet and greet shows to the podium ceremonies, it’s the beating heart of the paddock and a great chance to get closer to your favourite riders.

THE TITLE RACE CONTINUES: WorldSSP’s battle continues

Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) is on a four-race winning streak right now but he’s being pushed all the way by Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) as the pair start to open up a gap. Their fight will continue on at Most so expect some more incredible action between the two Ducati riders.

WORLD SUPERSPORT 300 IS BACK: all-out action

After not racing at Donington, the WorldSSP300 field is back at Most and it’s a track that always keeps the fighting going until the line. Last year’s Race 2 – in the wet – was decided by just 0.169s while it was even closer in Race 2 back in 2021: 0.130s covered the top four, with the podium trio 0.032s apart.

REA’S POSITIVE TREND: a podium last time out, a winner here in 2023…

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) has had a difficult start to life with Yamaha, but pole at Assen and a strong performance last time out perhaps show the tide is turning for him. He was a winner at Most last year – albeit in mixed conditions – so will he be able to repeat his rostrum success?

CLOSE TO PRAGUE: a beautiful city to visit

Just over an hour away by car, the Czech capital Prague is a must-see destination for all fans heading to the round. Beautiful architecture mixed with its unique culture make it an incredible place to visit. If the hustle and bustle of a city isn’t for you, then Most itself is a small town with plenty to see and do – options for everyone.

THE LAYOUT: a mix of everything

Long straights, slow corners, heavy braking zones, fast turns… the Autodrom Most has everything. It lends itself to some incredible racing across all categories that will be on track at the weekend, so expect the unexpected at Most.

ONE FINAL CHANCE: the last sector

All four sectors at Most are good for racing, but the final sector is the last chance to make a move. It builds tension and excitement until the penultimate corner, which is the last opportunity to make a move stick before the run down to the line. We’ve seen it before; will we see it again?

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Source: WorldSBK.com

It was a successful home round for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship descended on Donington Park for Round 5 of the 2024 season. The British rider continued his run of top-six finishes while adding two more trophies to his collection during the Prosecco DOC UK Round, claiming second in Saturday’s Race 1 and third in Sunday’s Race 2.

Lowes had to fight his way to the rostrum on Saturday, starting from ninth, and he moved up the order in Sunday’s Tissot Superpole Race to fifth to secure a second row start for Race 2. He utilised this well in the 23-lap Sunday afternoon race to claim third place, his second podium of the weekend and his sixth of the season. It also means he’s now visited the rostrum in four out of five rounds this season, and he’s finished inside the top six in all but one race.

Discussing his Sunday success, Lowes said: “I’m really happy. Starting from fifth place instead of ninth, that row one up, helped me in the first couple of laps. Scott was really strong in the first six or seven laps but I could see that I was maybe a little bit quicker. I managed to pass him. I wasn’t really thinking about Toprak, he’s been on another level this weekend especially, a win for me would’ve been to get P2 like Saturday. Nicolo was so fast and consistent. Every time I gained one or two tenths, he managed to open it up again. The last six or seven laps, I was sliding a little bit on the front. With a little cushion behind, I didn’t want to lose the podium. It would’ve been nice to have a little bit more speed at the end, but I can’t complain. The team have done a fantastic job, we’ve been strong all weekend. It’s a busy week for your home round. You’re doing a lot of stuff before the weekend, you’ve got family and friends here, so to deliver two podiums, I’m really happy.”

With the #22 having to fight through the field in Race 1 and the Superpole Race, he was able to fight on track with twin brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), former teammate Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to name just a few. The Brit expanded on his fight with just some of his rivals when speaking on Sunday afternoon, explaining how he tried to manage the battles.

Lowes said: “Sam’s learning all the time in World Superbike. It’s a tough place to come at Donington Park. He rode here before but not on the WorldSBK bike. Battling with Jonny is always great. I’ve had plenty of good battles the last few weekends with Alvaro. I enjoyed the battling. I tried to be precise and clean if I made a pass, not miss the apex. You have to be a bit aggressive now otherwise, if you’re not attacking, people are attacking you. It was enjoyable but stressful at times.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign has been a challenging season for Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) so far, finishing in the top ten only twice prior to the Prosecco DOC UK Round. A retirement in Race 1 when running in the top five started the Donington Park visit with more difficulties, but it was a Sunday to remember as he secured two fourth place finishes to comfortably take his best results of the season.

In Saturday’s Tissot Superpole session, Redding put his M 1000 RR machine onto the front row and was under the existing lap record although he did have a huge margin to polesitter Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) after the Turkish star’s stunning lap time. A technical issue forced him out of Race 1, but Redding was able to convert his front-row start to P4 in the Superpole Race before finishing in the same position in the 23-lap Race 2 later that afternoon to complete his best weekend of the season.

Summing up Sunday, Redding said: “First of all, I’m just happy with how the weekend’s gone and finished up. I’ve gained a lot of confidence. It was a big change for a race weekend. The Superpole Race was not good, not bad. I’m still happy! To finish fourth in a Superpole Race, if you told me that in the last three rounds, I’d have ripped your arm off! I’m not fully happy because I feel like I could’ve had that podium. I just messed the start up a little bit. I felt they were holding the lights a little bit longer than we’re used to, so the hand was definitely trying to go. I didn’t get such a good start and then you’re a little bit in the mix and then I lost that group. I was slowly starting Jonathan a little bit and I thought if I was closer, the potential was there. I’m still happy with the fourth and actually in the race.

“In Race 2, I got a great start and battled my way through a little bit. I felt really good, trying to stay calm. I didn’t want to do anything silly as I wasn’t going to beat the first two guys, so I just stayed in my position. Alex passed me and I was staying there and felt pretty good, but I was struggling with the front brake. I had to adjust it something like five times per lap and I was suffering a little bit with arm pump. I was kind of riding with one arm and trying to manage the gaps. I made a small mistake. It was quite intense because I was having a good weekend and I wanted to finish strongly. I had the pressure of Alvaro behind; the gap was coming down and he’s normally quite fast at the end of the race. I had a lot of stress, but it was definitely worthwhile! For me the biggest thing was building confidence this weekend, telling myself, ‘You can do it’, and proving to myself I can do it. Not riding at the front is mentally different compared to when you’re riding in 15^th position and that was probably the hardest thing, fighting with myself to stay calm and not make mistakes and I felt I did good. Hopefully, being at the front here on in a bit more, it’ll come back to me.”

WorldSBK is back in action this week as the 2024 campaign reaches the halfway point at the Autodrom Most, a circuit Redding and BMW have gone well at before. He won there in 2021 when with Ducati while claiming a podium in Race 1 in 2022 for BMW. He’s only been outside the top ten once in the Czech Republic, which will give the 12-time race winner hope he can fight at the front once again on his M 1000 RR.

Previewing the Czech Round, Redding said: “I’m excited just at the fact I feel like we have made a step with the bike settings. We’re still not where I feel we need to be for me but we are going in a good direction where I feel positive, and the results also show that’s a big factor. Going to Most, somewhere I’ve enjoyed a lot in the past, and the BMW goes well there, I’ll be looking to try and stay on this form there.”

Follow all the action from the Autodrom Most this weekend using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 30% off!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid visited Donington Park, and it was an up and down Sunday for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad. Nicolo Bulega was able to bring him two podiums on the final day of racing, with Alvaro Bautista requiring last-minute repairs to his Panigale V4 R following a crash on the sighting lap, before fighting to fifth place at the Prosecco DOC UK Round.

The reigning Champion’s weekend started with sixth in the combined Friday standings, but he could only manage 11^th in the Tissot Superpole session. In Race 1, he took a tyre gamble by using the softer SCX tyre from Pirelli but it paid off as he came home in third but that was Bautista’s only rostrum of the weekend. Sixth in the Tissot Superpole Race was followed up with fifth in Race 2, but not before a Turn 12 fall on the sighting lap.

“Why does everybody talk about the problem on the sighting lap and not the problems in the race race!?”, began Bautista with a joke about his pre-race fall before explaining it further. “I was trying the SC0 tyre on the rear and I was pushing and crashed. Fortunately, I have a really good team who fixed the bike before the race.”

Expanding on his Sunday race, the Spaniard said: “Basically, it was like Saturday. It felt similar because we didn’t change the bike. The only difference was I used the SC0 tyre on the rear but honestly, it wasn’t a big difference. About lap time, it was very similar. I was more consistent than Saturday. Right now, it’s the performance we have. We need something that’ll help us to improve. Until now, it’s the maximum we can do. We did that. In Race 1, we finished on the podium, in Race 2, we finished in fifth place. It’s the maximum. I cannot be angry me and my team because we are doing our best, but we need to find something to help us make a step forward.”

It was a contrast for teammate Bulega, who took two second places on Sunday and moved further clear of his teammate in the Championship standings. ‘Second’ was the theme of the #11’s weekend in truth, starting there for Saturday’s Race 1 before dropping down to fourth behind Bautista, and finishing there twice on Sunday after following triple winner Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in the early stages of Race 2.

Reflecting on his weekend, Bulega said: “I’m really happy for Sunday because we improved the bike from Saturday, and we worked a lot on Saturday with all the guys in my garage. We found some solutions. Honestly, I improved the feeling. It was a great Superpole Race because I started very well. Toprak overtook me and when that happened, I forgot about him because he was very, very fast this weekend; it was impossible to stay with him. I tried to stay second and achieved a good second position. I understood that if I could try to follow Toprak in the first laps, I could make a gap to the guys behind me. Alex was very fast at the end. He pushed until the last lap, he never gave up, so it was difficult to keep the concentration and stay on the bike until the last corner.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Class rookie Alessandro Di Persio took a maiden FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup victory in a spectacular and unpredictable Race 2 at Donington Park. Marc Vich was penalised on the final lap to finish second, while title leader Gonzalo Sanchez completed the podium.

Conditions for the second R3 bLU cRU World Cup race were much more settled than Race 1 where a rain stoppage and tyre change were necessary. Sunday’s sunshine provided a warm and dry Donington Park circuit for the 16 young hopefuls.

The Race 2 grid is based on the best laps from Saturday’s race, and it was therefore Di Persio who started on pole with Eduardo Burr and Sanchez alongside him. It was the Spanish series leader who shot to the front of the pack at the start of the 10-lap race, but he was unable to pull any advantage over the chasing pack. Race 1 victor Marc Vich was keen to continue his run of strong finishes and it was the Mallorcan and Di Persio who made their way to the front while a big group fought it out behind them.

With everyone on identical machinery and tyres there was little to split them, and by the halfway point of the race there were numerous riders still in contention. Sensational riding in the final laps from the likes of Sanchez, Vich, Mario Salles and Takumi Takahashi made for an exciting run to the finish line. A final push from Vich saw him cross the line in first place, but he was found to have exceeded track limits on the last lap and he was demoted to second. Italy’s Di Persio was thrilled with a maiden victory after an impressive weekend on an unfamiliar circuit, while Sanchez took an important third place and useful championship points. The Japanese pairing of Takahashi and Shoma Yamane completed the Top 5.

The top two in the championship standings, Sanchez and Vich, are now separated by just 10 points.

FULL RESULTS – R3 bLU cRU World Cup – RACE TWO 

Alessandro Di Persio said: “Donington is a difficult track to learn, I tried hard from free practice onwards to study the more experienced riders and I worked with my team and the bLU cRU staff to understand the best way to ride. Yesterday I was very happy to achieve a podium here, especially with the changing conditions, but today it feels incredible to win. When I started from pole today I told myself ‘this time I’ll win’ and when I saw Marc (Vich) exceed track limits I knew I had it. A huge thanks to my family, my team and everyone at Yamaha.”

The R3 bLU cRU World Cup will return to action from September 6^th – 8^th in Magny-Cours, France.

Source: WorldSBK.com

It was an impressive weekend for Scott Redding and the entire Bonovo Action BMW Team, with the #45 returning to the front in all three races at Donington Park. Redding earned a spot on the front row after finishing Superpole in third position on Saturday. During Race 1, Redding battled inside the top five before being forced the retire with five laps to go. However, on Sunday, Redding returned to the front, finishing fourth position in the Superpole Race and Race 2.

Meanwhile, teammate Garrett Gerloff secured two-point scoring finishes with a 14^th in Race 1 and 13^th in Race 2 on Sunday. Discussing the weekend from both sides to the garage Michael Galinski (Bonovo Action BMW Team Manager) said: “Of course, we are really happy about Scott on his side and not 100% on the other side with Garrett but also there I think we found a solution. With Scott, the main thing was to change something with the electronics and it is not so easy as it is really complex and we found a good step and a good way for this weekend.”

Their strong results at Donington come weeks after Bonovo Action announced that they would withdraw from WorldSBK at the end of the 2024 season. However, MGM Racing Performance, led by Michael Galinski, aims to remain in the Championship next year.

Galinski explains his hopes for next year: “All I can really say is what I told you yesterday, that we want to stay in this paddock and it looks not bad. We have a lot of small meetings, also at Most, and I really want to tell you the news ahead of Portimao.”

Bonovo Action BMW is currently eighth in the Team Standings, just eight points behind Team GoEleven. Redding’s fourth in Race 2 was the team’s best result so far this season, while Garett Gerloff’s best result came in the opening round in Australia with an eighth place.

Galinski has yet to choose a factory for next year, adding that he has spoken to Ducati: “For sure, we talked with Ducati. It is not sure that we will ride a Ducati, but it doesn’t look bad and the package is good. But we’re also looking for other manufacturers.”

Galinski also confirmed that he is currently looking at running a one-rider team to maximise their performance on track: “At the moment it looks more like one rider. We want to concentrate on one rider, two riders are double the money, and it is really expensive. For me it is the same, if you want to do it you do it good, you concentrate on one rider in the moment and we’ll see what happens.”

With Michael Galinski aiming to run only a one-rider team next season, the focus also turns to who will ride for his team in 2025: “We speak with a different rider, it is one of our ideas to do, Bonovo pushed young riders into top form but also we speak now with Scott for sure, so we will see.”

Follow the entire 2024 WorldSBK season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 30% off!

Source: WorldSBK.com

It was a perfect weekend for Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who completed the clean sweep in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Donington Park. Razgatlioglu exits Donington Park with an extended Championship lead of 41 points after securing the maximum points available.

Toprak started Sunday strong, claiming the Superpole victory by an impressive 4.826s after hitting the front on Lap 3 – winning from Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). The #54 was consistently running near the 1’25 bracket in the Superpole Race, with the victory allowing “El Turco” to start on pole position for Race 2. Toprak then charged to win his 48^th race, taking Race 2 victory from Bulega by an incredible 8.062s after an epic 23 laps.

Razgatlioglu came into Donington Park with confidence after securing pole position and three wins at Misano: “The feeling is incredible. After Misano, we did the hat-trick again. This is an incredible year for me and with BMW. This is the new challenge and, every race weekend, we’re getting better and stronger. The team is working more than 100% every round. Before coming here, I was thinking about winning three races again, like Misano.

Now after a fantastic weekend, Razgatlioglu explained the weekend and how we secured a second hat-trick of the season: This is my favourite track, and the bike works unbelievably here, especially the engine brake and turning! I need just this, easy stopping and good acceleration. The grip isn’t fantastic, but the bike is working really well. Like this, it’s easy to show my potential. With BMW, we are coming step by step for the title. I’m just focused race by race and getting more wins.”

SEVEN IN A ROW: Consistency was key at Donington Park

Razgatlioglu pulled off a relentless pace in Race 2, lapping consistently inside the low 1’26 bracket with nobody able to match him on Sunday. This pace allowed Toprak to win and secured him a seventh consecutive victory and his ninth with BMW in 2024. The #54 will not have long to rest with all attention now turning towards Most.

Discussing his incredible win streak and the task ahead, Razgatlioglu said: “It’s good… but I need more! We have many races, but we don’t check this. At the end of the season, we will see. My target every race weekend is to try for three race wins, but this isn’t easy. I love Most and it’s almost my favourite circuit, if it wasn’t for Turn 2. I remember last year, I crashed there. I hope we are not crashing like this with BMW, but I’m fully concentrated on Most. I’m feeling positive about it. I hope we immediately find a good setup and that we’re fighting for the win again.”

Make sure you follow all of the action from the Czech Round next weekend with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport World Championship returned to track at the Prosecco DOC UK Round and delivered a spectacular finale to the weekend, with Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) inheriting victory at Donington Park after Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was penalised.

DRAMATIC FINALE: Montella loses victory

Huertas was able to secure the win at Donington Park, completing a perfect weekend in the WorldSSP class. The #99 was declared the winner after Montella exceeded track limits on the final lap and was demoted one position. Meanwhile, securing the final spot on the podium was Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) – a further 3.316s adrift.

REDUCED RACE: A red flag leads to a 12 lap restart

Once the lights went out it was a fantastic launch from Huertas but his lead did not last long as on the exit of Redgate Montella would be the leader. However, there would be an early red flag in Race 2, bringing a halt to track action after an incident involving PTR Triumph’s John McPhee, Krittapat Keankum (Yamaha Thailand Racing Team), TJ Toms (R&R Racing) and Federico Fuligni (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) at Turn 10.

The race was reduced to 12 laps with original grid positions, allowing Huertas to start on pole position. Once the restart got underway it was a carbon copy start from Montella, stealing the lead once again. The #55 was unable to make a gap in the early stages, with Huertas, Navarro and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) on his tail. Meanwhile, Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) and Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team’s Valentin Debise duelled for the final spot inside the top five as the end of the race neared.

FINAL LAP: Montella demoted one position

On the final lap, Huertas closed the gap to Montella in the lead, having a look at the entry to Turn 9. The #99 gave it everything but it would not be enough to match Montella’s incredible pace – settling for second. However, Montella ran onto the green on the final lap – being demoted one position for exceeding track limits. This allowed Huertas to take the 25 points, adding a further victory to his name.

LATE CHANGES: Booth-Amos inside top five

Manzi secured fourth at the, ending the weekend as the top Yamaha after finishing ahead of home hero Booth-Amos. The #69 was able to secure a top five finish after Debise ran extremely wide at the final corner – dropping to eighth in the results. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) and Glenn van Straalen (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) were able to benefit from Debise in sixth and seventh. Meanwhile, D34G Racing WorldSSP Team’s Oli Bayliss took ninth position as Lucas Mahias rounded out the top 10 spots at Donington Park.

TRICKY TURN 12: Early crashes during the restart

Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) would suffer an early fall at the end of Lap 2, losing the front on the entry to Goddards. The #54 was not the only rider to crash at Turn 12 with Gabriele Giannini (Team ProDina Kawasaki) and Kaito Toba becoming the next fallers with eight laps to go before fellow PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda rider, Khairul Idham Bin Pawi crashed one lap later.

The top six from WorldSSP Race 2, full results here:

1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team)

2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.461s

3. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +3.316s

4. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +6.392s

5. Thomas Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) +10.086s

6. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) +10.723s

Fastest Lap: Yari Montella, 1’28.637s

Championship standings:

1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 186 puntos

2. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 161

3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 147

4. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 109

5. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) 97

6. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 96

WorldSSP action will return next week for the Czech Round, so make sure you don’t miss anything using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com