The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was back in action for an exciting Race 1 at the new addition to the race calendar today. Danillo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed his first World Superbike win, making it his eleventh career podium. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took his fifteenth career podium in second whilst Spaniard Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) put in an impressive performance to take third. Petrucci becomes the first rider to win in MotoGP, WorldSBK, STK1000, STK600, MotoAmerica and a stage of the Dakar Rally.
DUCATI LED FROM LIGHTS OUT
It was a Ducati front row start at the Italian circuit, with Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) alongside Petrucci and Bulega on pole position. A close three-way battle followed in the perfect dry conditions. Petrucci, who had been strong all weekend demonstrated his dominance on the bike, pushing hard for his maiden win.
LEUCONA STRONG: Impressive performance from Honda rider
Turn 10 saw Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) crash out of contention despite riding a strong race in the top 10, whilst Spaniard Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was riding hard working his way through the field. Despite looking competitive for the rostrum, it wasn’t to be Iannone’s dream Italian race as he crashed out of contention, leaving Petrucci and Bulega battling for the top spot and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) holding third with 13 laps to go.
RACE RED FLAGGED: Bulega and Bautista secure valuable Championship points
With 12 laps remaining in Cremona, Lecuona made an impressive move to take third place from Locatelli whilst Bautitsa worked his way from seventh position to third with just eight laps to go. At two thirds race distance the race was red flagged, resulting in a Ducati podium lockout, the first time in Italy since Imola in 2010. Honda ride Lecuona took his first top 5 since Portimao 2023 after an outstanding ride at the Italian Circuit. The #9 Petrucci is the 9th oldest rider at his maiden win and becomes the 81st World Superbike winner. He stood on the top step of the podium with Championship contenders Bulega and Bautista completing the Race 1 Cremona rostrum.
BEST OF 2024 FOR BASSANI: a P5 finish for the first time in a year
Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took a P5 finish on home soil, his best result of the 2024 season while it was his also his first top-five result since MotorLand Aragon last year. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) came home in sixth place ahead of Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in seventh, after he started from 17th on the grid. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) was eighth with Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) in P9 and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) completing the top ten.
The top six from WorldSBK Race 1, full results here:
1. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.590s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +6.383s
4. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +7.583s
5. Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +10.125s
6. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +10.211s
Fastest lap: Andrea Iannone (Ducati) – 1’29.397s
Next up in Cremona is the Superpole Race on Sunday at 11:00 Local Time (UTC +1), so make sure you watch the action using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 50% off!
Source: WorldSBK.com