The 2023 Catalunya Round was the best-attended Catalunya Round to-date but we’ll be trying to beat it again this year. However, not only is this the fifth season featuring the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the WorldSBK calendar but it’s been five years of history-making too, with 12 different podium finishers. Get our full preview here, with fast facts below!

2023 RACE WINNER: one rider dominates, as in 2022

• Alvaro Bautista (Ducati, Race 1, Superpole Race and Race 2)

Polesitters at Barcelona-Catalunya: 4 different riders and 4 different manufacturers

• 2023: Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) 1’40.264
• 2022: Iker Lecuona (Honda) 1’40.766
• 2021: Tom Sykes (BMW) 1’40.408
• 2020: Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) 1’41.619 (old layout)

Manufacturer podium places (and wins) from all WorldSBK races at Barcelona-Catalunya:

• Yamaha: 12 (1)
• Ducati: 16 (9)
• Kawasaki: 7 (2)

Key gaps Catalunya in 2023:

• Front row covered by: 0.497s
• 1 second in Superpole covered… the top 10: 0.969s
• Closest race gap between 1^st and 2^nd: 2.110s (Bautista 1^st, Razgatlioglu 2^nd, Superpole Race)
• Closest race podium: 2.385s (Bautista 1^st, Razgatlioglu 2^nd, Locatelli 3^rd, Superpole Race)
• Closest-ever WorldSBK race podium in Barcelona: 1.377s (Bautista 1^st, Rea 2^nd, Lowes 3^rd, Superpole Race)

Manufacturer top speeds at Catalunya 2023):

• Honda: Iker Lecuona – 331.3kp/h, Superpole Race
• BMW: Garrett Gerloff – 330.2 kp/h, Superpole Race and Race 2
• Ducati: Danilo Petrucci – 329.2 kp/h, Superpole Race
• Yamaha: Toprak Razgatlioglu – 323.3kp/h, FP2
• Kawasaki: Alex Lowes – 326.2kp/h, FP2

12 podium finishers in Barcelona: Alvaro Bautista (7), Jonathan Rea (6), Toprak Razgatlioglu (6), Michael Ruben Rinaldi (4), Scott Redding (3), Chaz Davies (2), Michael van der Mark (2), Garrett Gerloff (2), Loris Baz (1), Axel Bassani (1), Alex Lowes (1) and Andrea Locatelli (1).

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The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship descends on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week for the first round in Europe, following on from an incredible season-opener in Australia. The low grip track often provides a challenge and there’s an additional one in the form of two new Pirelli tyres, although the riders won’t be going in completely blind after having the opportunity to test them at the Supported Test last week.

NEW SUPER SOFT SCX: the C0900 available

After receiving lots of feedback on the B0800 SCX tyre – which was used a lot when it was available – Pirelli have brought a new variant of the development tyre. After it was tested at the same venue, last week, it forms part of the round allocation. Compared to the B0800, it features a different compound and structure, with the goal of increasing both stability and performance. The test was the first time it was brought to any event by Pirelli, with the Italian brand able to gain more data during the round. The rest of the rear tyres come from the standard range, with the standard SCX super soft, standard SC0 soft and standard SCQ extra soft – for use in the Tissot Superpole session and Tissot Superpole Race – available.

DEVELOPMENT MEDIUM: SC1 C0516 joins the WorldSBK party

The development SC1 medium tyre has been tested at other off-season tests, with Pirelli now bringing it to the Catalunya Round. When compared to the standard SC1, which is also available to use, it features the same compound but a different structure to try and give greater stability for the riders. You can read more about the new development SCX and SC1 tyres HERE. Alongside the two SC1 solutions is the SC2 hard tyre, which is often used at tracks which have a particular demand on the front tyre.

LIMITED CHOICE IN WORLD SUPERSPORT: two front, two rear choices

In WorldSSP, riders will have four solutions in total to choose from, spread equally between the front and rear tyres and all four come from the standard range. At the front, riders can choose the SC1 soft or SC2 medium compounds while, at the rear, the SCX super soft and SC0 soft tyres are available. WorldSSP racing in Barcelona has often been frantic and unpredictable and there’s no reason why that won’t continue in 2024.

PIRELLI SAYS: “this is a fairly demanding track… an excellent proving ground”

Explaining the tyre allocation, Pirelli’s Motorcycle Racing Director, Giorgio Barbier, said: “For us, Barcelona is an ideal circuit to introduce new tyres, first of all because the race weekend arrives shortly after two days of testing on this very track; therefore, we already have some data available, and also because this is a fairly demanding track for the tyres so it is an excellent proving ground to immediately understand if a solution has weak points. This year we bring two new tyres with the aim of further improving performance and stability compared to the standard solutions. The development front SC1 has already had good feedback both in the two tests carried out at the beginning of 2024 and in the one of last week, and for this reason it was a natural choice to add it to the race allocation. We have less information on the new C0900 rear, only coming from last week’s tests;  it is a solution that follows in the footsteps of the B0800 introduced in 2022 and already widely used in 2023, we proposed it to the teams for the test last Thursday and Friday and the feedback was positive, which is why we decided to include it in the allocation for the race. High top speeds are achieved on the Barcelona circuit and riders should benefit from the greater stability offered by these new options”.

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The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship is readying for its eighth season of action and where better to start than a venue that has provided some of the closest finishes in the Championship’s history: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. 11 race winners are on the grid, even more have had podiums, poles and fastest laps but there’s a clear favourite with a new challenge for the year ahead.

HEAVYWEIGHT FRONT-RUNNERS: Buis, Gennai and Vannucci – WorldSSP300’s titanic trio?

Reigning World Champion Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) made history last year when he became the first rider in the class to be crowned a double Champion; now he aims to become KTM’s first Champion and the first in the class with two brands. A main rival in more ways than one will be Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki), who replaces him at MTM Kawasaki. Gennai was third overall last year and just 27 points off the title and has similar history to be made in Race 1, Barcelona. He could become the first rider in WorldSSP300 history to win back-to-back races for different manufacturers – Yamaha last year in Portimao’s Race 2, perhaps Kawasaki in Race 1 of 2024? He and Buis shared the Barcelona wins last year. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) is the highest-placed returnee who doesn’t change teams; continuity has been crucial in previous seasons.

DARK HORSES: alternative takes for success

A Championship leader last year, Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) aims for consistency again but this time, over a full season. He, like Vannucci, stays in the same team with the hope that he can hit the ground running. A star in the second half of 2023, Loris Veneman’s (MTM Kawasaki) first year saw a podium and a win, although Barcelona was the only round he didn’t score points at in 2023. Expect him to contend this year, along with the likes of Daniel Mogeda (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kawasaki) and Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse), both of whom took rostrums in 2023.

YEAR OF BOUNCING BACK: Di Sora, Sabatucci and Ieraci aim high

A big change awaits Samuel Di Sora (ARCO MotoR University Team) as the Frenchman moves from Kawasaki after five seasons to Yamaha and the 2022 World Champions ARCO MotoR University Team. He was on the podium in Race 1 in Barcelona last year and is something of a specialist in Montmelo. For ex-teammate Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo-PL Performances), the Italian aims to win again for the first time in five years but it’s Bruno Ieraci (Prodina Kawasaki Racing) who is of real interest, having wildcarded and won both races at Misano last year; he’s back full-time in 2024.

DISCOUNT OF YOUR OWN ACCORD: a round-up of the others keen to make a mark

The AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by MS Racing squad and their all-Brazilian line-up of Enzo Valentim and Gustavo Manso will be as box-office as ever. Indonesian pairing Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP Racing) and brother Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) are race winners and will be in the mix. 2017 Champion Marc Garcia (Kove Racing Team) is keen to put Kove in the mix whereas ex-Moto3™ top ten finisher Elia Bartolini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSSP300 Team) is readying for his debut alongside Emiliano Ercolani, who was the Yamaha R3 European Champion in 2023. With fastest laps growing in stature, Briton’s Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) is fast and ready to make a step. For a full look at the entry list, click here. To see who we’re tipping for success in the class, click here!

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The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya might be a relatively new addition to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship calendar, but it’s consistently provided moments of brilliance and unforgettable action across WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300. There’s been a host of surprises in the four previous Catalunya Rounds, and lots of action to go with it, as the Spanish venue became an instant classic on the calendar.

GERLOFF’S FIRST PODIUM: a breakthrough weekend for the #31

In his rookie season, Garrett Gerloff, then with GRT Yamaha, had been improving and making steps with every round but the rostrum remained elusive. That was until WorldSBK’s first visit to Barcelona in 2020, when the Texan stunned to take third in Race 2, fighting with Michael van der Mark for the Pata Prometeon Yamaha team with the Dutchman coming out on top by a tenth. It kickstarted a run of three podiums at the end of the season, while his last podium to date came in Race 1 at this venue in 2022.

MAIDEN PODIUM AND TECH ISSUES: rain plays havoc…

Like Gerloff, Axel Bassani, then racing for Motocorsa Racing, took his maiden podium in Barcelona. He was second in Race 1 in 2021, fighting for the win against Toprak Razgatlioglu when he was with the Pata Prometeon Yamaha team. The #54 – showing strong wet-weather prowess for one of the first times – had a technical issue which dropped him out of contention, allowing Bassani to lead and fight for victory. He was denied a maiden win but came home in second place for his first of six rostrums so far.

LECUONA STORMS TO POLE: unexpected top spot in Superpole

In his debut season, Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) showed strong pace in Tissot Superpole sessions and races, but it didn’t always come together. A podium at Assen was the highlight in racing, but home soil was the scene of his best Superpole result. He beat Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) by just 0.023s to claim his first pole position in WorldSBK, and Honda’s first since van der Mark at Buriram in 2016.

HISTORY MADE: Verdoia masters wet-weather conditions for victory

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has a history of throwing up surprises, and Race 1 in WorldSSP in 2020 was no exception. It had looked like another Andrea Locatelli victory was coming, but a mid-race downpour changed everything. Plenty of riders dived into the pits to change to wet weather tyres, but a few riders didn’t. One of these was Andy Verdoia, who remained on track until the red flags were shown to claim his first, and only, win in WorldSSP and becoming the youngest ever winner in the Championship.

NOTHING IN IT: 0.003s separate the top two…

The run to the line in Barcelona allows plenty of close finishes and this was proved in WorldSSP300 in Race 2 in 2021. At the time, it was the closest finish in the Championship’s history although it’s since been beaten; somewhat ironically, it’s the same rider who finished second in both. Bahattin Sofuoglu and Alvaro Diaz created history in 2021 when they crossed the line only 0.003s apart after an incredible race.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: stunning moves and unexpected results

Back in 2020, van der Mark claimed his final Yamaha win with victory in the Tissot Superpole Race ahead of Jonathan Rea when he was at KRT while, in Race 2, it was Chaz Davies’ penultimate win in WorldSBK when he beat the #60 by around 2.5 seconds. In WorldSSP, Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) claimed his first win here last year and he’s the only Barcelona winner on the 2024 grid. For WorldSSP300, it wouldn’t be possible to ignore Yuta Okaya’s two stunning final corner passes – in 2020 and 2022 – to claim his only wins in the Championship.

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As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heads back to Europe, there’s been an update to the list of FIM-homologated bikes for 2024. The original list can be found HERE with no changes to the list of bikes in WorldSBK although there are updates to WorldSSP and WorldSSP300. Previously, the Kove 321 RR-S (model code P310) was pending both Phase 1 and 2 homologation; this has now been completed. The Kawasaki Ninja 400’s homologation has been extended until March 2025 after pending a Phase 1 homologation for the extension. In WorldSSP, the QJMOTOR SRK 800 RR was previously off the list but now features although the bike is still pending both Phase 1 and Phase 2 homologation, and any points scored will remain provisional until both phases are completed.

Click HERE to see the full, updated, list of FIM-homologated machines for 2024.

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Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) made his racing comeback in last month’s Australian Round, securing a front row start and a podium at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. It was a memorable return to racing and his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship debut, stunning everyone with incredible performances during his first competitive weekend in four years. In Australia, ‘The Maniac’ sat down to discuss in-depth his return to racing, the WorldSBK paddock and his first weekend in World Superbike.

HOW THE COMEBACK CAME ABOUT: watching WorldSBK, speaking to Dall’Igna…

The Australian Round marked Iannone’s first race weekend in four years after his ban and, when WorldSBK went Down Under, the one-time MotoGP™ race winner explained how he felt during his ban and how the comeback came about, including a trip to Misano with his father and talks with Ducati Corse’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, which led to the #29 racing on the Panigale V4 R with Team GoEleven.

Having how he felt during his ban and the comeback process, Iannone said: “My four years without racing… in the beginning, it was dramatic. It’s difficult to understand and adapt because I lost my whole life. When you lose everything, you are a little bit disorientated. It’s like a big crash, but when you have a big crash, maybe you stop for a year. I stopped for four years. It’s tough to explain this situation. I felt a lot of support from my fans, my family, and my friends but it wasn’t easy. Especially in the first year, I was a little bit more closed in on myself but, step by step, I started to live a normal life a little bit.

“I stopped following MotoGP™ and started following WorldSBK. I don’t know why but this is the reality. When I followed some races, I felt like I wanted to be in the races and the battle, and this is why I started talking with Gigi Dall’Igna sometimes. One day, I went to Misano with my father and met him. We spoke a little bit and he said, ‘So, Andrea, you want this, and you think you’re ready?’. I told him I was. I’m back after a long time, I’m really excited for this comeback. I’m happy, I live this dream. I won’t recover what I lost; it’s impossible, but in part, I want to try to recover my happiness.”

THOUGHTS ON WORLD SUPERBIKE: “The level is really high… the first 10-12 riders are really fast!”

Iannone’s WorldSBK debut forms part of the new era in the production-based Championship, with rookies making their mark early on, Champions making massive moves to new manufacturers and more. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a debut win in Race 1, joined on the podium by Iannone, while Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took a podium in the Tissot Superpole Race in his first weekend with the German manufacturer. Despite all the stories, the 34-year-old was able to write his own headlines and gave his thoughts on why he wanted to race in WorldSBK.

Detailing his attraction to World Superbike, Iannone said: “WorldSBK is really good, the atmosphere in this paddock is fantastic. I felt a lot of passion for the motorsport, for the bike, it’s a really good energy for me. All my career, I thought it was the best Championship. Now I’m here and want to enjoy it. The level is really high because every rider is fast. I think the first 10-12 riders are really fast.”

THE FIRST FEELINGS: “I was immediately fast… feeling with the bike was good”

Although Australia marked his first race in World Superbike, he began his testing programme in October at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto when the 2023 campaign concluded. Since then, the #29 has been quick at every circuit he’s tested or raced at, as he continues to get back up to speed on a race bike. He’s tested at Jerez, Portimao, Phillip Island and Barcelona and has been quick at all four circuits, boosting confidence and raising hopes in the team he’ll be quick all season.

Talking about his initial thoughts when he first jumped on the V4 R, Iannone said: “At Jerez in October, when I tried the bike, I was immediately fast. We finished the first test in fifth place with a lap time that wasn’t bad. The feeling with the bike was immediately good. In any case, I think I need more kilometres. We need to work a lot. We understand everything a little bit better, especially the bike and tyres. For the tyres, everything changed because the tyres are different compared to MotoGP™ tyres. I think we worked well during pre-season and it’s important we have support from Ducati.”

THE FIRST PODIUM: “Didn’t expect this result… I fought with the best riders in WorldSBK!”

Although Australia was his comeback weekend, everything about it made it look like Iannone hadn’t been away for any period, let alone four years. Second in the Tissot Superpole session was followed up with the holeshot in Race 1 and third place, behind Bulega and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha). He was 14^th in the Tissot Superpole Race despite showing strong pace, and then fought for the rostrum in Race 2 but was narrowly beaten by Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and came home fourth.

On securing a maiden podium, ‘The Maniac’ said: “I didn’t expect this result. When you achieve one podium, it’s a really great result. It’s a really special comeback for me and I’ll never forget this moment and this weekend. After a long time, I lived a beautiful moment one more time. I fought with the best riders in WorldSBK, in my first weekend and first race. What happens now? I’m in front, I’m first, I led the race. It’s incredible. I’m really happy, it’s beautiful. I won’t forget this first weekend.”

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He won WorldSBK races for four different manufacturers, fought for titles regularly and is one of a handful of riders to have won multiple races in both the World Superbike paddock and the MotoGP™ one; Marco Melandri is widely regarded as one of the most versatile riders in the last 20 years of motorcycle racing. The 2011 WorldSBK runner-up, 2002 250cc World Champion and – as recent as 2018 – a WorldSBK Championship leader, was back in the paddock during the recent test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, providing a helping hand to Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), although nothing is confirmed whether it’s a full-time addition for the #47. We caught up with him to find out what he thought about his fellow countryman.

“IT’S LIKE A HOLIDAY TO ME” – Melandri returns to WorldSBK paddock

Speaking at the end of two days, Melandri stated just how nice it was to be back in the paddock: “It’s like a holiday to me! Axel asked me if I could come and see him on track and follow him a bit and it was also a good chance to come back. I like Axel and I know that for a young rider, it’s not easy to jump into a factory team. I have a lot of experience myself and it’s nice to be back here and for me to be back at a track.

“Everything came back so quick! To see them riding the bike, I feel like I am on the bike and every time Axel says a comment, I imagine myself on the bike! I know Marcel Duinker and Danilo Casonato from when I rode in MotoGP™ in 2009, so I helped a little bit. I know how difficult it is for a young rider to explain what he feels. Different riders can explain the same thing in different ways so I wanted to try and help him find the way but I think he’s a smart enough on his own!”

RACING VS TESTING: Bassani’s key strengths analysed

Assessing Bassani’s strengths right now, the ex-MotoGP™ and WorldSBK runner-up said: “His speed and talent are there; he has good potential He’s faster during the race than the test but I think they’ve done a great job. Every time he tested something, he could understand what was working and what wasn’t, so this is very important to improve day by day. He can achieve good results.

“Every bike is working in the same way; more or less, when you modify something, they’re the same and their characteristics are the same as each other. That’s why I think I have a lot of experience that I can transfer to help him. I see him like a sponge; every time I spotted something on track, he was taking it on board for the next run. It looks like he takes information well. His motivation is very high and this is a very good point; it’s not always easy so you have to keep it very high. His riding style is a good aspect too. He needs time to adapt as he comes from Ducati and it’s a different kind of bike. He’s working in a good way.”

“MANY RIDERS CAN WIN RACES” – is the #33 happy to be off the modern grid?

Finally, it was a look ahead to the bigger picture in WorldSBK and the competitive level right now: “I am glad to not race because I am old! Every year has crazy people and we were crazy too sometimes! I saw Nicolo Bulega riding well but then, once you’re in the race and in the middle of the group. You have to not only be fast but also smart. Many riders can win races which is very interesting.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com