IMTBike Motorcycle Tours has released its full 2025 calendar. Destinations include Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, the Alps, and Morocco along with MotoGP tours and Global tours in Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam. Check out the IMTBike 2025 tour calendar for dates, details, and pricing. Sign up now to lock in IMTBike’s current prices.
Many of IMTBike’s tours feature new and improved routes for 2025, and the company’s fleet of more than 240 BMW motorcycles will be updated with the latest models. Established in 1997, IMTBIKE has been running outstanding motorcycle tours for the past 27 years.
Check out the IMTBike testimonials page to find out what many clients have to say.
Rider‘s Editor-in-Chief, Greg Drevenstedt, will be joining IMTBike next month on the Morocco Adventure Motorcycle Tour, Oct. 12-21, 2024.
Our Fall Buyers Guide has motorcycle gear to help you enjoy riding in the fall season. Photo by Kenneth W. Dahse.
While falling orange leaves signal the approaching end of summer and shorter days, the fall season also offers fantastic riding. With the summer heat subsiding, a moto camping trip with friends or a crisp weekend ride is just what the doctor ordered.
Our Fall Motorcycle Gear Buyers Guide includes products that’ll help you make the most of the fall season, including apparel, tires, gadgets, and more. The companies listed here support Rider and help us keep the lights on, and you can pay that forward by supporting them.
Treat yourself to something new, call up your riding friends, and hit the road. We’ll see you out there!
Founded in 1948, Barnett Tool and Engineering remains family owned and operated, and its high-quality clutches and control cables are made in the USA. Its hydraulic brake and clutch lines are designed to match Barnett cables and are available in Classic Stainless braid, Platinum Series bright silver, Black with chrome fittings, or Stealth black-on-black. The brake and clutch lines are available in stock or custom lengths to fit American-made Harley-Davidson and Indian models as well as metric models, and ABS lines are also available.
The Brake Free helmet light solves a problem common to motorcyclists – a lack of visibility to other motorists. The system is an ultra-light, small, wireless brake light that easily mounts to most helmets. The device’s built-in sensor-based technology detects when you slow down using gyrometers and accelerometers and activates the light. There’s no need to splice wires or download an app to use the device: simply stick on the universal helmet mount, attach the device, and ride. Available in black or white for $169.99.
Compared to the Roadsmart III, Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV sport-touring tires are claimed to improve mileage by 23% for the front and 26% for the rear and provide 15% lighter steering on turn-in. The new compound has Hi Silica X and Fine Carbon technology for grip and stopping performance in wet conditions, and a new sidewall construction improves handling. The rear tire features Multi Tread Technology, which allows the center compound to last longer, while compounds on the shoulders provide better grip. They have a ZR speed rating and start at $227.95.
EagleRider, the world’s largest motorcycle rental and tour company, offers new Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, BMW, Honda, Indian, and other brands for rent. All motorcycles are maintained to meet strict factory standards for a fun, safe, and affordable riding experience. EagleRider operates from more than 200 worldwide locations, leads over 100 guided and self-guided motorcycle tours (including Route 66 and the Wild West), and offers convenient one-way rentals, luggage storage, free parking, free use of helmets, generous Club EagleRider membership benefits, and more.
This air-cleaner kit for Harley-Davidson Dyna (1999-2017), Softail (2000-2015), and Touring (1999-2007) models lengthens the intake runners and increases air velocity, delivering added volume for balanced dynamic flow. It features a billet-aluminum velocity stack, a reusable air filter, and a one-piece billet cage. The kit’s one-piece design creates a clean look and allows for easy installation. It’s set up with OEM-style cylinder-head breathing, routing into the intake with optimized vent hole locations to meet emissions standards. Available for $659.95.
This modular helmet features P/J homologation for use in both open and closed positions. The Energy Impact Resistant Thermoplastic shell has an abrasion-resistant finish, the interior comfort liner is anti-static and moisture-wicking, fit is intermediate oval, and crown, chin, and rear vents provide ventilation. The faceshield is double-pane, extra-wide, and Pinlock-ready. It also features a retractable sunshield, wind stops, a breath deflector, and a quick-release chinstrap. Available in sizes S-4XL in the new Supertour graphic design starting at $169.99.
This GPS tracker allows you to keep tabs on your motorcycle at all times and will alert your phone if any movement is detected while you’re away from the bike. The device, placed on the bike in a discrete location, connects to the included key fob. The device is deactivated when the key fob is nearby, but when the key fob moves away from the bike, the device automatically arms and will send alerts and its GPS position to your phone if movement is detected. It’s available for $169 and includes two months of SIM service. The subscription rate thereafter is $49 per year.
This classic-styled medium-weight leather jacket features a soft poly taffeta liner, articulated curved sleeves, a gusset action back, and two-way CF zippers. The removable full-sleeve liner is quilted and insulated for warmth in colder months, and the snap adjusters at the waist allow for a customized fit. The jacket includes a left chest zippered exterior pocket, a zippered interior pocket, and two zippered handwarmer pockets. Available in black in men’s and women’s sizes. Visit your local Tucker Powersports dealer for pricing.
Spectro’s new Heavy Duty Golden Synthetic SAE 20W50 oil offers performance, protection, and reliability for V-Twins. Top-tier, highly refined hydrocracked group-3 base oils are combined with the most advanced anti-wear additive packs to reduce wear, extend component life, and eliminate valve sticking. This synthetic engine oil reduces friction, offers tremendous lubrication, and provides superior protection in extreme heat conditions, especially for air-cooled Harley-Davidson and Indian engines. It meets all OEM warranty requirements.
This communicator not only allows speaking with riders/passengers, taking phone calls, and streaming music, it also includes a new IMU that enables built-in crash detection that can send an emergency notice in the event of a crash. This new comms device uses Gen 2 Dynamic Mesh that can pair several riders on a single Bluetooth channel, its speakers are 45mm JBL, and its Natural Voice software allows voice-activated operation. The Packtalk Pro is fully waterproof at up to three feet of depth, and the rechargeable battery can last up to 13 hours. Available for $459.
Spanish rider Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) tightened his grip on this year’s FIM Supersport World Championship title with victory in Race 1 and second in Race 2 at the Cremona Circuit. Couple with a crash for title rival Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), it meant the #99 left the Acerbis Italian Round with a 43-point lead over his title rival with three rounds to go in what’s been a rollercoaster campaign.
Huertas stormed to a third consecutive pole position in Friday afternoon’s Tissot Superpole session, and he was able to convert that to a win in Saturday’s Race 1. The Spaniard, who is hoping to become the first WorldSSP300 and WorldSSP Champion, led every lap on his way to victory and won the race by more than four seconds ahead of Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) in second, with Montella coming home in third.
Speaking on Saturday after Race 1, Huertas said: “I’m super happy. I’ve been working so hard to be here again because we struggled a little bit in the last two rounds. I enjoyed it. I had an incredible pace and I’m very happy with what we’ve done. This victory is really important for us. Let’s try to repeat it on Sunday. It’s incredible. We had some difficult times and we managed to keep working, keep focused and not listen to other people; just focus on ourselves. We did a good job, and we’ll keep doing this until the end of the season.”
Sunday’s Race 2 was a dramatic affair for the title fight. Montella moved ahead at the start before Huertas came through a few laps into the race. When the Spaniard ran wide a few laps later, Montella and Manzi were both ahead of him although Montella’s charge ended when he crashed at Turn 7 from P1. That handed the lead to Manzi with Huertas trailing the Italian, although the Ducati rider opted to settle for second and gain 20 points over Montella.
Discussing Race 2 and the incredible title fight, Huertas stated: “It was a good race. I managed to get to the front after Yari led for a few laps. I felt quite comfortable but then, because of a technical problem, I ran wide and lost two positions. When I recovered, I didn’t have the same feeling. Then I saw Yari crashing when I caught them. I could have the pace, probably, to make more today but when you have the opportunity like this for the Championship, I need to take the opportunity of scoring points. I think I am happy about that, but I want to leave this Championship with some more wins. I think we need to keep enjoying it, flowing, finding the pace of Race 1 and when we win races, we’ll be around there in the standings for the Championship.”
With three rounds and six races to go, Huertas holds a 43-point lead over Montella. Manzi trails the #99 by 50 points and with 50 points per round up for grabs, this year’s WorldSSP crown could be going to one of three ridders.
A new name stepped onto the FIM Supersport World Championship podium at the Cremona Circuit as Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) claimed third place in Race 2. The Brit lined up from eighth place on the grid but was soon running inside the top four, before taking advantage of a crash ahead of him to move into third. It ended a wait of almost three years for Booth-Amos, whose last World Championship podium was at Portimao in 2021 when he raced in WorldSSP300.
There has been a huge change in form for the #69 since the French Round. Up to and including the Portuguese Round, ‘TBA’ had scored five top-ten finishes in 13 races (he missed Most Race 2 through injury). Since then, he’s scored four consecutive top-tens: P9 and P4 in France and P5 and P3 at Cremona. His third place in Race 2 meant he became the first British rider to take a podium on a British bike since Chaz Davies in 2010, also with Triumph.
Discussing his podium, a relieved Booth-Amos said: “It’s a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. We’ve worked so hard all year to finally find something where I feel comfortable with the bike. In these last two races, we’ve shown that I’m getting stronger and stronger. Finally, I’ve got a podium! I’m over the moon. In the beginning of the race, I always struggle a little bit with the new tyres, so I have to wait for the race to come back to me. I started to feel that after about 8 laps, I could go. At this point, I could see the leaders maybe 1.5 or 2 seconds in front. I thought ‘Okay, sit in this position and it’s another solid fourth place’. Unfortunately, I saw Yari crash. I thought, ‘Now it’s a podium!’. Unfortunate for him but a big gain for me.”
The Brit then went on to explain where the step in performance and results has come from, revealing the hard work that’s gone on behind the scenes to get him comfortable with the Triumph Street Triple RS 765 machine. He stated: “We’ve been working really hard all year, including the guys in the Triumph factory. We’ve been working super hard to make me comfortable with the bike. We finally changed something at Magny-Cours and that was the big step and the change in the season we needed. Before France, we were nowhere near where we should’ve been. They made this and now I can ride exactly how I want. We’re just missing this little bit at the start of races to help me fight for the win.”
PTR Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster added: “After day one we were really pleased with the improvements and steps we made to be more competitive but what can I say about today! I am so happy for everyone in the team, a great job by Tom but I think it is important that we all understand that both sides of the garage contributed so much to this week. We had a rough start to the year but we have kept the faith, kept building and working together as a team unit. Great result today, there are three rounds to go, and we are going to keep working this way.”
Two new faces climbed upon the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship podium at the Cremona Circuit. Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) made it an Acerbis Italian Round to remember with a home rostrum, while Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) battled from a poor start to claim third. Ponziani had been in the fight for victory and Relph was P5, but both benefitted from a last-lap crash to secure the podium.
Ponziani has often been fighting in the top five this season – in fact, she’s only had one finish outside of the top five once when she was P6 in Race 2 at Portimao. However, until Cremona, she had been unable to break into the top three. In Race 2 in Italy, the #96 started from pole and was running with leaders Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) and Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) but was unable to get ahead every time she looked at Turn 11. On the last lap, Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) and Herrera collided and took both out of the race, promoting Ponziani and Relph to first WorldWCR podiums.
Reflecting on her home rostrum, Ponziani said: “The only thing I can say is that I am so, so happy. I knew I was fast here, but Saturday was difficult to overtake, and I was always behind. On Sunday, I said to myself, ‘I have to overtake because I’m fast and can reach the podium’. I did my best. The race was fighting with Ana and Maria. Maybe we had a gap with Sara but in the end, she caught us. When I saw we were in fourth, I knew I wasn’t on the podium, so I had to fight to overtake and on the last lap, I tried to use the slipstream to overtake Ana and Maria. When I braked, I saw Sara and Maria crash together. I’m sad for them but it’s racing. I’m happy to be on the podium at home, it’s fantastic.”
For Australian rider Relph, it was a different story to get the podium. The #8 started from P8 on the grid but lost a position on the opening lap. However, by the end of Lap 2, she had moved into seventh after getting ahead of Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA), Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) and Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1). She gained two more positions on Lap 8, moving ahead of wildcard Avalon Lewis (Carl Cox Motor Sports) and Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) before staying in P5 until the final lap, when she was promoted to second following the Sanchez-Herrera crash.
Relph: “That was a very hard-fought race. I absolutely cooked the start, and I was 10th or something going into Turn 1. A little part of me thought the race was over after such a good Race 1, I knew I had the pace to run with Beatriz. When I cooked the start, I was quite devastated., but then I guess the Australian grit in me came out and I just kept pushing. I saw I was always making up ground and I know my strengths at this circuit, and I used them to the best of my ability. I managed to make a fair few passes so it definitely wasn’t an easy podium, no matter what happened on that last lap. It was a hard-fought race and for sure the hardest and strongest I’ve ever ridden in my career.”
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A title race has come alive, seven different winners in a season and a brand new venue which brought some of the most passionate fans of the season, the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s inaugural visit to Cremona will be remembered fondly. Everything was laid out for all to see in front of the international media, resulting in some rather speziato headlines and stories.
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “My passion keeps me alive… great to see the stands full of people, everything was almost sold out”
An emotional Danilo Petrucci revealed all about his fight back from injury as well as his joy at seeing a sell-out Sunday crowd: “I was in the hospital with the face all smashed up, the collarbone and the shoulder blade all broken. The doctors said that ‘there were so many people in here that are ill and you crashed on a bike: why are you doing this? You risk your life and there are people fighting for their life’ and I replied “my passion is what keeps me alive. Maybe it will kill me but it is why I wake up everyday” and it is days like this that I forget all of the pain and all the suffering and sacrifice. It was great to see the stands full of people. I was looking for some tickets for my friends on Tuesday to come here this weekend but everything was almost sold out. It’s something that WorldSBK should have more races like this. I’d love to see this crowd more and especially, everyone was cheering for me and it was really nice. All these things don’t have a price; as I said, it’s something that has paid back all of the pain and sacrifice.”
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “It’s not good to race without Toprak”
Having closed right in on the Championship lead, Nicolo Bulega firstly paid tribute to the absent Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu: “First of all, I want to say that I’m really sorry that Toprak isn’t here. I’m being serious; when a rider has a serious injury like he has, I’m sad for them. I know the situation because it happened to me in the past. It’s not good to race without Toprak. At the same time, we are rivals and I’m trying to recover a lot of points to get the Championship closer. I didn’t feel any pressure; I just knew I ahd to get the bike to the chequered flag because I don’t like the track a lot. I hope Aragon will be good; last year, I won both races from pole and with a track record in WorldSSP. It’s a track I like and I hope that this year is the same with the Superbike.”
Iker Lecuona (Team HRC): “I could say I’m the last one of the first group”
Three top six finishes for Iker Lecuona and knocking on the door of the podium, Honda’s fortunes have really turned around recently: “The top six we took across the weekend is not far from the first group but it’s fantastic to be there! I could say I’m the last one of the first group at times and it’s so nice. The bike has started to work well and I’ve realised the weak points for us when we’re in the first group with Iannone or Alex. We need to improve some points and I needed to force a lot in braking but we can do it. I can make a gap with the riders behind. We don’t turn naturally with the chassis; we need to turn in a different way which uses more tyre. On the drive area, we lose almost two tenths on the straight and I recover into the braking area. After 18 laps pushing like that, my arms said ‘man, stop!’ so I just finished the race. It’s a very weak point but we’re in the main group. We need to put the focus there.”
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The only place where I felt it was safe to pass Nicolo was at the end of the straight”
Alvaro Bautista made a crucial move in the context of the Championship with a pass on Bulega in the closing stages, reiterating the importance of doing it cleanly on his own teammate and as well for his own rib injury : “The only place where I felt it was safe to pass Nicolo was at the end of the straight but I was always behind him. On the lap I made the move, I knew I had to exit Turn 10 well to try and get a good place for braking. I managed to do it and at the same time, I kept him on the outside and that was it. I was happy because I was patient to make that move and I’m happy to get two podiums.”
Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW): “When we have a good setup and I feel confident, it’s easier to ride loose – a bit cowboy style.”
Riding loose but fast was the order of the day for Garrett Gerloff, with the American revelling in front of a passionate northern Italian crowd: “After moving up a row in the Superpole Race, it helped a little bit. Everyone’s going so fast in the early laps when they have grip so going forwards isn’t easy. Once everyone lost grip, I felt good and was able to start going forward and it was nice. If I have a good feeling and I can feel like I can predict the bike, then I can ride a bit looser and feel like I know what’s going to happen, which gives me a lot of confidence. The only thing that wasn’t good in the race was when I caught Alex, I lost the rear brake and that wasn’t helping me at all. I was pushing the front, I couldn’t slide the bike like I wanted to which is why I stalled a bit when I caught Alex. I think I could have passed him earlier and had a little bit of a gap. When we have a good setup and I feel confident, it’s easier to ride loose – a bit cowboy style. The atmosphere was unbelievable and it’s so nice to have all the fans here. The paddock was insane and it was so tricky to leave the truck and walk anywhere. I love this place; the track doesn’t have the most grip which makes the racing more technical and exciting but I do really like it there.”
History was made at the Cremona Circuit on Saturday when Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed his first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship win, before making it a hat-trick on Sunday. Rivals past and present discussed his win, from both the MotoGP™ and WorldSBK paddocks, with eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez and reigning MotoGP™ Champion Pecco Bagnaia leading the plaudits, as well as double WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
“IT’S AMAZING WHAT HE’S ACHIEVED” – Bautista
Bautista joined ‘Petrux’ on the podium on Saturday and said: “I congratulate him because it’s amazing what he’s achieved. He’s won in MotoGP™, Dakar, MotoAmerica and now WorldSBK. It’s amazing. I don’t think any other rider has won in those categories. Congratulations to him. He’s doing a really good job. He started a couple of years ago, he’s grown up and it’s nice to have more riders fighting for victories.”
“HE’S MAKING HISTORY, HE’S A LEGEND” – Di Giannantonio
One-time MotoGP™ race winner Fabio Di Giannantonio said: “He did amazing! He’s making history, he’s a legend. It’s fantastic that a rider could do this. I think no one else could do an amazing achievement for him and I’m so happy for him.”
“HE’S BEEN THE STRONGEST RIDER IN THE LAST COUPLE OF ROUNDS” – Alex Lowes
Speaking on Sunday after Petrucci’s hat-trick, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) said: “It doesn’t get much better! We all want to beat each other, but it’s nice to see guys do well, get his first WorldSBK win and then win all three races! He’s had a lot to deal with away from the track and I just want to say congrats to him. To come back from that and, apart from Toprak unfortunately being out, he’s been the strongest rider in the last couple of rounds; on the podium in every race. I just have to give respect to him and congratulations.”
“HAPPY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE’S A SUPER NICE GUY” – Marc Marquez
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez expressed his delight for Petrucci, saying: “I’m super happy for Danilo. I didn’t see the race unfortunately, but I’ll watch it maybe on Monday. Happy for him because he’s a super nice guy. He had that kind of charisma that’s important and happy for him, congrats Danilo!”“
A GOOD MILESTONE, HE DESERVES IT” – Bagnaia
Double MotoGP™ Champion Pecco Bagnaia said: “I’m very happy for Danilo because I think he deserves it. I think he’s the only man in the world to have won Dakar, MotoGP™, WorldSBK and MotoAmerica so it’s something great for him. A good milestone. I’m very happy for him, I think he deserves it.”
“STOKED FOR HIM… COOL TO SEE HIM ON THE TOP STEP WHERE HE BELONGS” – Miller
Teammates to Petrucci at Pramac Racing in 2018, Miller on Saturday said: “I was watching it live! I was happy to see Petrucci bring it home. I’m stoked for him especially after the year he’s had. He’s had some great results but smashing his head to pieces, it’s cool to see him on the top step where he belongs. Not many can say they’ve won a Grand Prix in Italy and a WorldSBK race in Italy and also the Dakar. He’s got a pretty good resume!”
“REALLY HAPPY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE’S A GOOD GUY” – Bassani
Compatriot Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was delighted for the Italian, saying: “I’m really happy for Danilo. There’s been a lot of races where he’s been battling for the victory and today he won. He deserved it. He’s doing a really good job and riding well. I’m really happy for him because he’s a really good guy.”
“I THINK ‘PETRUX’ IS A GOOD RIDER IN ALL DISCIPLINES” – Bastianini
Enea Bastianini, who also won in Italy at the weekend, said: “I think ‘Petrux’ is a good rider in all disciplines! It’s fantastic to see him on the first step in WorldSBK. I want to say congratulations to him because it’s super nice. It’s very good for me to see ‘Petrux’ on top.”
“I’M HAPPY HE WON, AND WON IN HIS COUNTRY” – Lecuona
Speaking after the race on Saturday, Petrucci’s former MotoGP™ Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) said: “I’m really happy for Danilo. We have a really good relationship from MotoGP™ when we were teammates. I’m happy for him because he also had a big crash this year, he needed to recover. I said to him when he joined that he could enjoy it a lot. I’m really happy he won and also won in his country.”
American star Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) claimed a hard-fought fourth place in Race 2 at the Cremona Circuit on Sunday, which didn’t come without its difficulties for the #31. He was the highest-placed BMW rider in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship race as he got past Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) with just a few laps to go and ended his weekend on a high. However, he revealed an issue on his bike was holding him back.
Gerloff started the Tissot Superpole Race from P11 but secured a third row start for Race 2 by finishing in ninth. He initially stayed in P9 for the first four laps before he started making progress, getting ahead of Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) on Lap 5 and then Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) a lap later. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) followed on Lap 10 before passing Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) to run in P5 at half-distance.
He was trailing Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) at this point but soon started catching the Kawasaki rider. However, he lost his rear brake lever when he got on the back of the #22 although it didn’t stop from him passing the Kawasaki rider. With a couple of laps to go, Gerloff got up the inside of his rival under braking at Turn 11 to move into fourth and secure a fifth-consecutive top five finish.
Reflecting on his fourth place, Gerloff said: “The field’s so deep right now and everyone’s going so fast. It’s damn near impossible to go forward at the beginning of the races unless you have some sort of big advantage. I started ninth after the Superpole Race, but the first laps, I’m just fighting to try and stay in the train with everybody. Once the tyres dropped, I started to feel better. The bike was feeling really, really good. I was able to make some passes and gain more confidence as the laps went on. I caught up to Alex and as soon as I caught him, my rear brake lever came off. That was not making things super easy! It wasn’t easy to ride without it because with the track temps so high, I kept losing the front without the rear brake. It wasn’t the easiest race for me, but happy that I was able to adapt a bit and to finish in fourth. Not as nice as the last race, but really happy to end the weekend like this.”
Gerloff has been quick at Portimao, Magny-Cours and Cremona across different conditions, although it seems the American is quicker with higher temperatures. He finished eighth in Race 1, with track temperatures at 34°C and air temperatures at 24°C. In Race 2, the air temperature was four degrees warmer which led to an increased track temperature of a degree.
Explaining why it seems he’s closer to the front when temperatures increase, Gerloff said: “Andy and Lez, my electronics guy and crew chief, do their homework and bust their butts to make sure I have everything I need for any condition. It seems we get it right more often than not in the warmer temps. I feel pretty comfortable with the bike moving around and so, if that’s the advantage I can take, I will. It’s just when the tyres drop off, I feel like I can keep going. Hoping I can carry that stuff to Aragon where it might be a bit warmer too.”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) secured P5 after losing out in a late-race battle with Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) in Race 2 for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. It was a good recovery for the #22 following his Race 1 crash and he revealed a change of mentality between Race 1 and Race 2 that enabled him to secure fifth at the Cremona Circuit. The Brit also spoke about how the higher temperatures impact the bike.
Lowes took fourth in Saturday’s Tissot Superpole session, although he was promoted to the front row for the Race 1 grid after Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was given a three-place grid penalty. While running in the podium places, Lowes crashed out at Turn 7 which ended his hopes of a rostrum, although he was able to secure second in the Tissot Superpole Race after opting to use the harder SCX tyre while some of his rivals used the SCQ.
In Race 2, Lowes started from the front row following his morning podium but was immediately demoted to fourth, behind race winner Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) as well as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven). He fell behind the charging Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on Lap 7 and remained in P5 for a few laps before passing Iannone for fourth. He remained there until Lap 22 of the 23-lap race, when Gerloff got ahead of him under braking at Turn 11.
Reflecting on his P5, Lowes said: “It was a difficult race. When the temperature jumped up, it was a good 10 degrees hotter than the Superpole Race, I didn’t have the pace to stay with the Ducatis. With our bike, you really need to use the corner speed to make up some of the difference and when it gets hot, I can’t use the front tyre like that. I had a good race. I was accepting of the position, unlike Saturday, and trying to stay consistent. Garrett was catching me, and he was sitting behind me. I had a group of guys behind, and I decided to keep a good pace. With a few laps to go, I tried to push again and went a few tenths faster, but it looked like Garrett had some more speed and he was able to pass me at the end. That’s annoying, to lose fourth position. We did well and our maximum. I couldn’t do anymore today, and we have to be happy with P5.”
The Brit went on to explain how there was a change of mentality from Saturday to Sunday, preferring to ‘race his race’ on the final day of the Italian Round whereas on Saturday, he was aiming to take advantage of a couple of riders being out of position. He also refuted the idea that a lack of information was behind not being able to get on the podium, but an increase in temperatures compared to the Sunday morning race.
Lowes explained: “I crashed in Race 1 because I wanted to be in the fight with the Ducatis. You can say, with Iannone and Alvaro a bit behind, there was an opportunity for a podium. My mentality was to try and stay with those guys. On Sunday, I had a different mentality which was just ‘race my race’. As a rider, it’s not as much fun when you do that, but it’s just as hard work and I gave everything I had every lap, with no mistakes, and I don’t feel like we lacked information. The bike was good to the end, my pace was really consistent. We just lacked some speed in the hot conditions.”
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship comes from MotorLand Aragon this weekend, with the Tissot Aragon concluding the first of two double headers that end the 2024 campaign. It’s a frantic end to the year and the title races are getting tense, so make sure you get your tickets for Aragon HERE and don’t miss out on the thrilling action – here are 10 reasons why you should go!
A HISTORIC VENUE: plenty of action in the past
Unlike the last venue, Aragon has held many WorldSBK races and the action is always fierce. Podiums and wins can sometimes be decided by less than a second, there’s plenty of overtaking opportunities and a stunning backdrop with the famous Aragon wall.
THE TITLE RACE IS CLOSE: just 13 points between the top two
With Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) still recovering from his injuries in France, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has been able to close the gap in the title fight to just 13 points. Three rounds and nine races remain, and a huge 186 points are available, but this title fight is heating up.
A CHAMPION COULD BE CROWNED: Mahendra on the verge of history…
Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) is closing in on the WorldSSP300 title and, while it can only happen on Sunday with the right results on Saturday, the Indonesian will be hoping he can become the first rider outside of Europe to claim the title.
WORLD SUPERSPORT TITLE FIGHT: more twists to come?
The title fight between Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) has featured big twists in the last few rounds, including at Cremona when the #55 crashed out of the lead. Huertas leads by 43 points now, with Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) in third just seven points behind Montella. Are there more surprises to come at Aragon?
A SUPERB TRACK FOR RACING: a mix of everything
The 5.077km circuit has everything to help create exciting action. From long straights to low, medium and high-speed corners, plus heavy braking zones, the Aragon circuit provides a challenge for everyone: riders, teams, mechanics and engineers. Who will be able to master it?
THE LOCATION: a stunning place for World Championship action
Alcaniz might only be a small town with a population, as of 2019, of almost 16,000 people but that doesn’t stop it being one of the most beautiful towns the Championship visits. Attractions include a castle and a church that show off the region’s history with incredible architecture.
LOUD CROWDS TO CHEER ON HOME HEROES: expect plenty of support
With several home heroes on the grid, there’ll be big support from the Spanish fans. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Team HRC duo Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, plus Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will all have plenty of support, as will the WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 riders.
PADDOCK SHOW: a must-see part of WorldSBK
The WorldSBK Paddock Show allows fans to get close to their favourite riders with talk shows, interactive activities and much, much more. It’s an integral part of the WorldSBK experience and it’s based on the paddock too; offering something unique to fans.
PODIUM CELEBRATIONS: in the heart of the paddock…
Alongside the activities hosting at the Paddock Show, podium celebrations take place too. It gives fans the chance to see the podium trio in each race celebrate their achievements and, sometimes, the riders make a point of going into the crowd…
MOMENTUM IS KEY: can anyone continue their form?
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) heads into the Aragon round as the form rider. Three wins at Cremona, plus eight podiums in his last nine races, means he’s closing in on third in the Championship. What will he be able to achieve at a circuit that, last year, he started last and finished P5?
DON’T MISS OUT: get your tickets for the Aragon Round by clicking HERE!
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