Both Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and teammate Nicolo Bulega were rapid on Day 1 of the Supported Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the #1 finishing third and the #11 taking top spot. It continued a strong start to the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign for the Ducati team, after Bulega’s Race 1 win in Australia and Bautista’s second place in Race 2 and neither could hide their delight following the test day.
Bautista had been lurking inside the top ten for most of the day, but he surged up the order in the final 30 minutes, initially moving into second before being overhauled by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). However, despite finishing behind his teammate, the reigning Champion was more than happy with how his day went, declaring that he had “no problem” riding the bike after an injury-stricken winter left him unable to train properly.
A jubilant Bautista said after completing more than 100 laps and posting a 1’41.029s: “Now, I am happy because I am feeling like I am back again. After the Australian Round, I was quite confident and, today, I started like a bit awkward but then I felt good on the bike. I can say I don’t have problems riding the bike. We didn’t make a lot of changes because, for me, it’s important to get the feeling with the bike. The bike is basically the same as last year. A bit more weight but basically the bike didn’t change. It’s important to get the feeling, get used to the new weight of the bike and see in which areas we can push more or less.”
On the other side of the box, the #11 was one of the first riders to lap in the 1’41s bracket on Day 1 of the Supported Test, before improving to a 1’40.305s and completing 72 laps. His best time came on his 67th lap as he went provisionally went more than a second clear, but his rivals halved the gap. It means Bulega has now topped test days at all of his WorldSBK tests, starting from the first one at Jerez last year to the most recent.
Explaining his programme for the day and his remarkable pace to leave him almost half-a-second clear, Bulega said: “It’s not a bad feeling to be P1! I know it’s just a test, but it gives me a lot of confidence to be P1 but also if I was P2; I’m fast, so it’s good. I used the SCQ, I think like everybody. I used it like Alvaro, Toprak and a lot of guys. I tried the new Pirelli C900 tyre, and I liked it; I think it can be a good choice for the round. All the tyres I tried today, I had a good feeling. We concentrated a lot on the clutch because, in Australia, my three starts were bad. We tried something new on the clutch to start better. I improved a little bit, so I’m happy, but when you are in the races, it’s more difficult.”
A NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: watch all the action from WorldSBK in 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Testing is a time for manufacturers in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship to test new items and components, and that goes for tyre supplier Pirelli too. At the two-day Supported Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, they brought a new front SC1 solution and rear SCX solution which the entire field were able to test during the two-day outing in Spain.
Pirelli are always searching for innovation and that continued with the introduction of the rear SCX C900 development tyre with the aim of providing extra stability compared to the the current standard solution to make the tyre an even better option. It comes off the back of the A800 development solution used widely in WorldSBK last year, with the Italian company always enhancing their tyres.
Explaining the SCX tyre, WorldSBK Project Leader at Pirelli, Steven Neumann, said: “The C900 is a rear tyre, and this tyre is a development from the SCX. It’s quite a nice tyre so it’s the first time we will test it in WorldSBK. It’s an improvement on the SCX based on what we know from the previous development tyre of the SCX. The compound is the same, it’s just that we are looking for something better. It’s already a really good tyre. As you saw last year, it’s been used for full races. We had, last year, the A800 as a development tyre. This tyre is an improvement of that development. It’s not something softer or harder but bringing something new to have something better. You are supposed to have more stability on drive, and more edge grip.”
The SCX tyre is not the only innovation at the test, with a new SC1 front tyre also available in the test. Both solutions will be available to use during next week’s Pirelli Catalunya Round, with the new SC1 also designed for more stability especially when conditions are warmer or at tracks which can be demanding on front tyres.
Neumann discussed why a new development tyre was available, saying: “There’s a new front tyre, it’s not linked to the rear tyre. It’s just a development soft tyre which is in the SC1 family. Our target is to give more stability on the front, mainly when it’s hotter and on really demanding tracks on the front, like Barcelona, in heavy braking areas or when you’re leaning and starting to brake. The compound remains the same as the SC1, so we are looking to have better stability.”
A NEW ERA HAS BEGUN: watch every single moment LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in Apex Gray
In addition to earlier news about the all-new 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, the company has now released information and pricing on the 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and INT650, both of which receive upgrades and new colors for the same MSRP as the 2023 versions. Also included in the announcement is the price of the Shotgun 650.
“We’re excited to be bringing some updates to the Continental GT 650 and INT650 that make them more comfortable and stylish,” said Mark Wells, chief of design at Royal Enfield. “The new Twins have the same old-school cool factor that fans have come to expect, but with some more premium touches.”
2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 in Slipstream Blue
True to the Royal Enfield brand, the Continental GT 650 cafe racer and INT650 roadster feature retro-inspired aesthetics that lean on their 1960s origins. They’re both powered by an air/oil-cooled 648cc parallel-Twin that makes a claimed 46.4 hp at 6,250 rpm and 38.6 lb-ft of torque at 5,150 rpm and with electronic fuel injection – the same engine also found on the Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor 650.
Both bikes also feature a Harris Performance steel-tubular frame. Up front is a telescopic fork, and suspension in the rear is provided by piggy-back gas-charged twin shocks with preload adjustability. Braking comes in the form of a 2-piston front caliper with a 320mm disc and a 1-piston rear calipeer with a 240mm disc, and ABS is standard.
2024 Royal Enfield INT650 in Cali Green
Upgrades to the Continental GT 650 and INT650 include LED headlights, improved CEAT tires, and an improved seat design with foam-mesh material. Also included are new aluminum switch cubes, handlebar grips, and adjustable brake and clutch levers.
2024 Royal Enfield INT650 in Black Ray
These two models also get six new color options for 2024, each with their own style and personality. The 2024 Continental GT 650 will be available in two blacked-out variants: Apex Gray and Slipstream Blue. The 2024 Royal Enfield INT650 will be available in two blacked-out variants and two with a traditional chrome finish. The blacked-out color options are Barcelona Blue and Black Ray, and the colors with chrome finish are Cali Green and Black Pearl.
The 2024 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 has an MSRP of $6,349, and the 2024 Royal Enfield INT650 starts at $6,149. The 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 has an MSRP of $6,899. All three models are on sale now at Royal Enfield dealerships throughout North America.
In this issue, we review the updated Royal Enfield Himalayan, a 450cc adventure bike we tested in the Himalayas of northern India.
Kickstarts has first looks at the new 2025 CFMOTO Ibex 450 adventure bike and 450CL-C cruiser, the new 2024 Moto Morini Calibro cruiser, and the updated 2024 Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorers.
As the spring riding season gets underway, we help you prepare with our Buyers Guide showcasing cool gear and products, as well as our semi-annual Rides & Destinations Guide to help you find your next motorcycle getaway.
This issue includes three On the Road features about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Route 66 in Arizona, and great roads in Alaska. And our Favorite Ride is a scenic loop ride around Casa Grande, Arizona.
Our Exhaust Note comes from Grace Butcher, Rider’s first female columnist, and Quinn Redeker discusses cornering techniques in Motor School. Celebrating Rider’s 50th anniversary, our Rider Rewind section showcases some of our favorite ads from 1974 to 1999.
2024 has begun for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship but testing continues, particularly at the Supported Test in Spain. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the host for two days of track action with plenty of teams and riders getting up to speed for the round as well as long-term development. For Honda, it’s a vital test; a disappointing start to 2024 in Australia has happened but new team boss Jose Escamez outlines Honda’s strategy to fight back and get closer to the front.
BRIEF ROUND 1 REVIEW: “Not what we expected or were looking for”
Starting with a quick glance back to Australia, it was a far from ideal introduction to WorldSBK for the new team principal: “The first round was not what we expected or looking for, but the important thing is that we got information in order to keep developing our new bike. Unfortunately, Iker had an early crash and that wasn’t in our plans, it’s not what we want. We got positive information in order to keep us going and we have the hope that it’s going to be much better during the season.”
Talking about Iker’s comments to the media about how the project has been going, Escamez was understanding in his response: “It’s obvious that a rider always wants something else. Other manufacturers have made a huge step and maybe we’re not at the same level yet, but I’m confident that we will get there and with all the information we got from Australia, we have a much clearer idea about the way we want to go and what the targets are. When you have a crash and don’t understand why, it’s normal to be upset so I really understand Iker.”
TALKING TECH: powerful engine but how can they profit from it?
“The engine is really powerful,” continued Escamez, with attention turning to how they can fix their underlying grip issue that has plagued the Japanese manufacturer since they returned to WorldSBK. “The only thing we are trying to solve in the short term is trying to have profit of this power. We can’t generate the grip, we struggle to stop the bike and then in the corners, we go wide. This is the main target and this is something we already faced in the past. In Australia, we got a lot of information that’s going to help us solve all this.
“We’ve got new items. We have a lot of faith that they’re going to work. It won’t be something that solves all our problems, it’ll be a little step that we’ve not tried on track. That’s why we’re here, to test them on track. It’s just to have more engine brake and it’s important to solve this aggressive response from the engine. It’s base setup and electronics, it’s something we knew. It looks like a pointless thing, but the way we lost a test day at Portimao in December due to rain, we delayed our development a little bit. We’re getting closer to where we want to be.”
NAGASHIMA PRESENT AND TESTING: Honda strengthen development programme
With test rider Tetsuta Nagashima in the paddock once again and undergoing a vigorous testing plan, Escamez put spotlight on the importance of data acquisition: “Nagashima will test something today that our riders will test tomorrow. We wanted to try it first on track. As much information we can get, the better. It’s part of our project.
“At the moment, aside from the electronics and power delivery, we’re still working on the base setup which is not bad but something we can still improve. We’re looking at little details to have the perfect bike… which is impossible! We didn’t get our proper base setup yet. Different tracks can adjust better.”
KUWATA MOVES ON: no knock-on impact expected
With a change in Honda’s organisation in Tetsuhiro Kuwata moving onto a new role in the company and being replaced by Taichi Honda as HRC General Manager, Escamez shed light on the situation: “This is a natural procedure in the company, which is nothing related and nothing wrong with that. He’ll get another role in the company, then Taichi Honda will replace him. I don’t think it’ll effect much. He’s a guy who’s supported us a lot and we can just say thanks for all his support, his knowledge but it’s not going to be a big change.”
NEW APPROACH “With this new planning and mentality of Honda… it’s going to be much better”
Confirming that working processes and procedures are a bit different and more efficient back in Japan, the new team boss highlighted that eventually, they’ll have better times: “Since this year they’ve improved the willing and the reaction, and working harder than before, maybe it’s not going to be as fast as we’d like but it’ll be much better than before. With this new planning and mentality of Honda, it cannot be an immediate reaction but it’s going to be much better.”
Finally, when asked about whether or not his experience in MotoGP™ – which dates back over 20 years, having worked with the likes of Max Biaggi – can help in WorldSBK and Honda’s project here, he was humorous as well as humble: “I really hope so! Otherwise, there’s no reason for me to stay here! It’s not something you think about, you just trying to give your knowledge from the best ones and I hope it helps us improve or at least be more effective.”
The two-day test for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will feature several test riders from four of the five manufacturers competing in WorldSBK, with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad bringing in Michele Pirro. The Italian, using the #51 bike, brings a wealth of experience from competing in the Italian Superbike championship as well as helping to develop the Ducati MotoGP™ project, with the Italian testing alongside racers Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Nicolo Bulega.
Pirro’s world stage career began in the 125cc World Championship back in 2003, where he stayed until 2006 before competing domestically in the Superstock class, winning the title on the Yamaha R1. From there, he moved into WorldSSP, taking victory at Imola, before moving to Moto2™ and then MotoGP™. He has taken part in wildcards for the factory Ducati team since a full-time career came to an end, but his primary role has been as the team’s test rider, helping develop the Desmosedici GP to the force it is now. His valuable work was rewarded with a contract until the end of 2026.
Because of his experience in developing the MotoGP™ machine, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati are utilising his skills on the Panigale V4 R. Explaining why, Ducati Corse Technical Coordinator Marco Zambenedetti said: “First of all, we are here to prepare for the round weekend as that’s always important. Fortunately, Barcelona seems to have good weather and is quite a complex and complete track; this gives us the possibility to setup the bike and test something new. Many of the things aren’t visible because they’re more about power delivery and the character of the engine with the new fuel control. There is also the test team that will help us improve the bike with Michele Pirro, who, especially in these areas, we can get the best from his experience in MotoGP™.
Zambenedetti also reviewed the manufacturer’s Australian round, where rookie Bulega won his debut race in WorldSBK and Bautista ended the weekend strongly as he took second in Race 2 after losing out in a last-lap fight with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Although it was a strong weekend for the Bologna-based manufacturer, it wasn’t as strong as the last two seasons where Bautista won five out of six races at Phillip Island in 2022 and 2023.
Discussing the Australia Round, Zambenedetti said: “About Australia, let me say I was positively impressed about Nicolo’s performance. We start to know him and his talent, but I’m impressed at the time it took for him to get to the top with this new bike. He adapted very quickly. Australia is always a friendly track for Ducati, and, in this case, it seems very good for Nicolo. Alvaro was struggling a bit as he tried to recover his confidence with the bike and find a new bike balance with the ballast that has been fixed on his bike. We’re still working on that area to give him the best package possible. I hope being in Barcelona, with all the references he has in his career, will help him and us to understand what the better setup with the ballast is. I’m pretty sure we will make an improvement with respect to Australia, and I hope we will be in the same position as last year.”
A NEW ERA HAS IGNITED: watch the 2024 season unfold in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is underway and after an unforgettable season-opener in Australia, attention is now on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a two-day Supported Test. Every rider is present, along with several test riders, as teams and manufacturers look to maximise their data collection and prepare for the round in perfect fashion. Read a full preview of the test HERE. All times are Local Time (UTC+1).
10:48: Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) is now fastest ahead of the #54, with 0.134s separating the duo. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) is P3.
10:40: A new name at the top of the timesheets as Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) takes P1; he’s the first rider in the 1’42s bracket as the times drop.
10:33: Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) leads the way with a 1’43.543s, a couple of tenths ahead of Scott Reddung and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing).
10:18: Bradley Smith is also on track, as are Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), Tetsuta Nagashima (Team HRC) and Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team),
10:00am: the green flag waves and we’re underway in Barcelona. First out is Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) followed by Florian Marino (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), on Alex Lowes’ #22 machine, shortly after 10am.
Rocker MC regulars, clockwise from far left: Luck Henderson, Jason Stafford, Jake Aloia, Amanda Bury, Monk Schane-Lydon, Tyler Farnsworth, Messiah Vision, and Helen Cohen. (Photos by Gregory Cherin and Dan Carp)
Some think the face of motorcycling is aging. Not so in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where one man is bringing the biker zeitgeist to Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Known as “The Rock,” it’s an early college that gives 10th and 11th graders the experience of post-secondary life at a tender age. Many students graduate with a bachelor’s degree at age 20, which I did in the ’80s, and it was the smartest decision I ever made.
Monk Schane-Lydon hopes students will also leave the school with a love of heavy metal thunder. Monk, a former Air Force helicopter crew chief, is an adjunct instructor and advisor to the Simon’s Rock Motorcycle Club, or “Rocker MC,” a self-funded club that restores old bikes.
“Our first bike was a Honda CX500,” Monk told me. “It came in boxes and was essentially a $100 donation of parts.”
A couple years ago, the Rockers hosted me for a reading during my national book tour for Spirit Traffic. I was so inspired and impressed by their passion that I chased them down for a series of phone interviews.
Rocker MC, or just “Club” as the students call it, is the brainchild of Sean Lamoureux, who brought bikes to students for a spring term workshop in 2015. Later, Bill Powers, a parent who wanted his kids to get out of their dorm rooms and work with their hands, bought the club its first motorcycle lift. Since then, Monk has been slowly accumulating tools.
Monk said only two students currently ride. “The ‘over-my-dead-body mom’ is still a reality for some. Tyler even named his bike ‘The Mother Disappointer.’ Our students are ages 15-19, so they must have permission to ride. But it’s not about riding for most of them; it’s more about building and creating.”
Adjunct faculty member and club adviser Monk Schane-Lydon teaches students how to use tools and the ins and outs of maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding motorcycles.
Monk added that besides mechanical skills, bodywork, and painting, students also learn patience. “These things are not done overnight. They also learn self-confidence. We had a fork seal that needed to be replaced. I said, ‘Okay, Helen and Jake, take that front end off. The book is right there.’ In two hours, they had taken it entirely apart and replaced the front seal. They were so satisfied with their work. Students here learn to complete their goals.”
“When I show them bodywork,” Monk continued, “I tell them to close their eyes and feel it. Being able to dial in and trust your feelings is a talent.”
In addition to advising Club, Monk teaches graphic design. “One of my students, Luck Henderson, created graphics for a Virago to give it some attitude,” he said. “I taught them how to use Photoshop and Illustrator. Another student, Ava, took off mechanically and tackled her Mazda Miata, pulling the rear end and putting her own brakes on. She [did it] on her own in her driveway. The wild thing is her dad was not mechanically inclined at all.”
What are the big takeaways for Club students? “You’ll have to ask them.”
Rocker MC teaches students to solve problems. Here, Club member Helen Cohen rewires the headlight bucket on a 1978 Honda CX500. Later, she’ll test the new indicator lights for the turnsignals, neutral, high beam, and oil pressure.
Helen Cohen is an 18-year-old psychology major. She doesn’t ride motorcycles (her mom “has quite an aversion” to them) and steered clear of Club until the second semester of her junior year, when a friend invited her to join.
HC: [Club] appealed to me. I wanted more technical experience and a better understanding of how machines work. I drive an old car – a 2006 Volvo S60. I wanted a better understanding of how to keep it going.
HC: Confidence and an appreciation for the machines that take us places. There is so much involved, but it’s not as complicated as I thought. When I first walked in there, the only thing I was brave enough to mess with was sanding a gas tank. I later learned how to solder and am learning more about auto mechanics. Motorcycle knowledge can apply to cars. The skills give you a way of thinking, so you’re not quite so concerned by things like blown fuses.
I feel much more confident now. And it’s a way to learn about motorcycling and the motorcycle community.
It’s fun. Being in Club demystifies things and makes me feel like I can take an active role in repairing things. It has already saved me from having to call roadside assistance. It has nothing to do with my career, but that confidence will follow me forever.
Under the watchful eye (and camera) of advisor Monk Schane-Lydon, Club member Jake Aloia tightens down the rocker arms on a 2004 Triumph Bonneville T100 after adjusting the valves.
Jake Aloia is also 18. He is a double major in psychology and criminology. During the summer before starting at The Rock, he took an MSF course with his dad. They got their motorcycle endorsements together, and they share a Triumph Street Twin. Jake joined Club as soon as he got to school and has been part of it ever since. “Such a niche club at a niche school. It felt so perfect. I showed up at my first meeting; it took me less than an hour to fall in love,” he said.
CJT: How’s Club going for you?
JA: I get a lot out of it. A big part is having space to work with my hands. It’s meditative. Creating something with your hands is a nice step away from the hustle and bustle of being a student. Showing up and tinkering is therapeutic. At the same time, you gain so much knowledge. Every time you go, you have a new problem to solve. Having the limitations of a not-decked-out shop gives you better problem-solving skills.
CJT: What are your biggest takeaways?
JA: Two. Every problem has a solution. In life when you don’t know the solution, you want to give up. You think, ‘This is too complicated.’ But you don’t have to be an expert. Every problem can be solved in one way or another.
The second is: Less is more. You don’t need every tool to solve these problems or repair these bikes. You can do a lot with a little. Each time, we must ask ourselves: How can we do it with what we have?
I’m much more confident as a rider and troubleshooter. If something happens, I might be able to take care of it myself. It all boils down to confidence, problem-solving, and understanding how the machine works.
CJT: How will this experience influence your life?
JA: It is monumental for me. I have always loved working in this kind of mechanical setting, and I’ve gained a big enjoyment of it in Club. Being able to maintain my own vehicles, being able to carry that confidence, knowing the machine is not in control of me, and knowing what is happening under me as I ride make me a safer and smarter rider. For as long as I ride, I will feel that.
Left to right: Messiah Vision, Helen Cohen, Monk Schane-Lydon, and Rosie Echols work on Rocker MC’s 1978 Honda CX500.
Tyler Farnsworth is a 20-year-old biology major. He has been in Club for three years and initially joined because he was interested in riding and realized he did not know much about how engines work. He wants to apply that knowledge to other things, namely his car.
CJT: What are you getting out of Club?
TF: Obviously knowledge in terms of mechanical skills, but possibly more important than that is friends. I met people here I would not have met otherwise. I met my roommate, Jake, who is now my best friend.
I have always been interested in mechanical stuff. I wanted to try the robotics team in high school, but the kids were not willing to teach you what you didn’t already know – that is the opposite of Club. Even if a student only comes once or twice, they are still going to learn something and meet some really cool people.
Club proves that anybody can work on and learn about this type of stuff. It doesn’t matter who you are. Even if you never ride or never need to work on your own car, you’ll learn problem-solving skills that will apply to many different areas of your life.
What makes it fun and interesting is that every time you show up, it’s never the same. I’ve done electrical work, I’ve taken apart a carburetor, replaced parts, and done bodywork.
Rosie Echols uses a grinder to modify the rear frame loop of a Yamaha Virago, which is being converted from a cruiser to a bobber. No mechanical knowledge or experience is required to join Club. All students are welcome to learn and have fun.
CJT: Do you ride?
TF: I have a license but no bike. My dad doesn’t want to deal with my mom’s anxiety about it. But once I have a job and my own place…
CJT: What’s your dream bike?
TF: There are a lot of bikes out there. Right now, my dream is to finish the [Honda] CX500. I am graduating at the end of this semester, so maybe that will happen!
CJT: How will your experience at Club influence your life?
TF: When I showed up for the first time, I was new at Simon’s Rock and did not feel good about doing things by myself. I came to Club alone and felt okay about being on my own, meeting new people, and making new friends.
At Club, I felt more affirmed that I can try something on my own, that I will be accepted and welcomed. I was talking about how anybody can and should show up – it’s important that you mention that I am transgender. Nobody ever mentions it. I want to encourage people that ride motorcycles – and everyone else – to embrace who they are and be themselves.
Are these smart young early-college students the new face of motorcycling? All signs point to a resounding “yes.” They share a love of motorcycles, individualism, and kinship with all generations of bikers. The future of our two-wheeled family looks bright indeed.
C. Jane Taylor is the author of the moto memoir Spirit Traffic, published in 2022. Her second book, Riding the Line, and her Sunday Love Letters are available on Substack. Subscribe here.
Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) is delighted to welcome the China Endurance Festival (CEF) into the SBK® Roadway programme. This strategic collaboration between CEF and DWO aims to integrate Chinese motorcycle sports into the global arena.
Established in 2023, the China Endurance Festival is dedicated to creating a unique celebration for Chinese motorcycle enthusiasts. The festival, highlighted by a thrilling 4-hour endurance race, offers a fair and highly entertaining platform for manufacturers, teams, and motorcycle enthusiasts. Beyond the race, CEF serves as a test field for leading motorcycle companies to showcase new products and advance technology.
The success of CEF in 2023 has garnered recognition from DWO, prompting the official inclusion of CEF in the SBK® Roadway project for 2024. DWO’s SBK® Roadway is a long-term initiative designed to facilitate the seamless integration of emerging talents and manufacturers into WorldSBK.
In the upcoming year, CEF will collaborate closely with DWO to elevate the festival’s content throughout the series’ four rounds. In addition to the four-hour endurance race, a noteworthy addition will be the CEF Women’s Cup, showcasing a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the sport — a cause that aligns with WorldSBK’s involvement in supporting the upcoming FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.
The CEF is the third competition to be included in the SBK® Roadway programme after the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup and the Yamalube R3 bLU cRU Latinoamarica.
It’s back! Some of the craziest, most entertaining and closest World Championship racing you’ll likely see comes from the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship. It’s always a land of opportunity but this year, there’s a clear group that should fight for the title and those who will have flashes of brilliance. We’ve (somehow) slimmed it down to five favourites and five outsiders for title success – if you disagree, take a look to the entry list here and let us know your thoughts!
THE 5 FAMOUS ONES: AN ESTABLISHED GUARD IN 2024
#1 Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing)
The reigning Champion is the only rider in WorldSSP300 history to win the title twice but both times have been in the established title-contending MTM Kawasaki team. For the Dutchman, it’s a change to the Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing team for 2024 as searches to become the first triple Champion and the first for KTM. With the #1 proudly shown, he’s an obvious and clear favourite.
#26 Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki)
Taking over Buis’ place in the MTM Kawasaki team is Mirko Gennai, who won the last two races of 2023 and finished third overall. The most successful Italian in terms of wins joins an established Championship front-running team and history can be made at Round 1. He could be the first rider to win three races in a row as well as first rider to win back-to-back races with different manufacturers
#23 Samuel Di Sora (ARCO MotoR University Team)
Going into a sixth season of action in the class, Samuele Di Sora is a veteran; the Frenchman will be keen to show that he’ll be one to watch in 2024, having won races in the last four seasons, although he struggled in 2023. A new challenge for him in 2024 with a switch to Yamaha and a team that’s previously won the title, can he hit the ground running in Barcelona, one of his favourite tracks?
#91 Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha)
The #91 Italian was a star in 2023 with a race win, podiums and numerous battles putting his name in the title chase despite a mid-season dip. He’s one of just two of our selected ‘favourites’ to remain with the same team and continuity in the class can be the difference at the start of the season. The best-placed Yamaha from 2023 is sure to be right in the mix but can he make the difference?
#7 Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki)
The second MTM Kawasaki to feature on the list for very good reasons. An Aragon winner from the fifth row of the grid and strength shown at various other points, Veneman – the son of WorldSSP podium finisher Barry Veneman – was strong in the second half of 2024. He scored the fourth-highest amount of points from the final four rounds and finished P8 overall; a dark horse for sure.
THE 5 EMERGING STARS: COULD THE FAVOURITES BE OVERTHROWN?
#53 Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki)
He was a double winner at the first round last year at Assen and thus Championship leader but a poor second half of 2023 left a bittersweet taste for Petr Svoboda. The 21-year-old hopes consistency from the first half of last year carries on to become the first Czech World Champion in the class.
The reigning Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Champion makes his move to the big stage and will be keen to show that he’s got what it takes to fight for the top spots. He was first and second in Barcelona last year on his way to the title so it seems a good place to start a new challenge.
#22 Marc Garcia (China Racing Team)
A year in the class for Kove with two top eights means 2017 WorldSSP300 Champion Marc Garcia aims to regularly challenge for top fives and podiums. A title tilt may be hard but this is WorldSSP300 – if you’re new to the class, after Race 1, you’ll understand what we mean! Anything can happen…
A top ten finisher in the Moto3™ World Championship, it goes without saying that Italian rookie Elia Bartolini will be a force to be reckoned with in 2024. He should be fast from the start but nothing is confirmed; with Sandro Carusi’s team featuring heavily, expect something special from the squad.
#47 Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project)
FENTOOOON… we just had to. Three fastest laps in the last six races of 2023 and always building in confidence, Seabright earns himself on a list of riders to keep a close eye on this year. The British rider, with ten top ten finishes last year, continues with the same team, a good base for 2024.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: THOSE BOUND TO SURPRISE AND RISE
Narrowing anything related to WorldSSP300 down to ten is always difficult and there are plenty of riders who can promise a strong campaign in 2024. Indonesian brothers Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP Racing) and Aldi Satya Mahendra (Team BrCorse) are both winners in the class and always fast, whilst Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) is back after a year out and clinching the IDM Supersport 300 title in 2023.
Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo-PL Performances) has hopes of more podiums, Bruno Ieraci (Prodina Kawasaki Racing) is back full-time in 2024 after his wildcard wins and Daniel Mogeda (Team#109 Racing) was building well at the end of 2023. Julio Garcia Gonzalez (Kove Racing Team) has had a podium in the class and wants a first for the Chinese manufacturer, whereas third-placed in the Yamaha R3 Euro Championship Kevin Fontainha (MS Racing) also graduates and represents Brazil with Enzo Valentim AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by MS Racing and teammate Gustavo Manso.
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