A new era is set to kick off in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock. From bombshell transfers providing a huge shake-up of the grid, new rules coming into effect and much more, 2024 will be an unmissable campaign as riders look to overcome new challenges and new rivals. This season promises to be unforgettable for so many reasons and the build-up to 2024 starts now, with just weeks to go before the Phillip Island Official Test and the first round of 2024.
THE GRID: gigantic changes after bombshell transfers
Jonathan Rea moved to Pata Yamaha Prometeon to replace the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team-bound Toprak Razgatlioglu, while Axel Bassani got his dream move to a factory team as he took Rea’s place at the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK. While their change wasn’t part of the domino effect Razgatlioglu started, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati made their own switch with Nicolo Bulega getting the nod to race alongside reigning double Champion Alvaro Bautista. In fact, out of the five factory teams in 2023, only Team HRC have kept the same line-up as last year.
THE REST OF THE GRID’S LINE-UP: a new team joins alongside big-name riders
With all the changes at the aforementioned teams, it had a knock-on effect across the grid. Elf Marc VDS Racing joined the grid with Moto2™ stalwart Sam Lowes, Andrea Iannone is linking up with Team GoEleven, Tarran Mackenzie makes the step up with the Petronas MIE Racing Honda outfit, as does Adam Norrodin, while there are other changes too. Michael Ruben Rinaldi is at Motocorsa Racing and Scott Redding with Bonovo Action BMW to ensure race winners are stacked throughout the grid.
NEW RULES: weight rules, fuel reduction and more… what impact will they have?
The big new rules package coming into 2024 includes a change to the weight rules, with riders under a reference weight having to add ballast to their machine – read more details about how this rule will work here. It’s not the only change for 2024 though, with a fuel capacity limit of 21 litres now in place, while work is in place on fuel flow regulations which includes some bikes collecting data this season. There’s also changes to RPM limits – every manufacturer has what they ended 2023 with, except Ducati, who start 2024 as they started 2023 – while they can only be reduced in specific scenarios.
TWO BRAND NEW VENUES: Balaton Park and Cremona join the calendar
While classic venues make up the 2024 calendar, two new circuits will debut as they look to make their mark on the Championship. The Balaton Park circuit, situated just under 100km from capital city Budapest, is set to host the return of WorldSBK to Hungary towards the end of August, while the Cremona Circuit is set for a debut as the third-last round of 2024. The track in northern Italy joins a long list of illustrious circuits in the country to host a WorldSBK round and both will be hoping to write their name as a modern classic when lights go out.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW? WorldWCR debuts, changes in WorldSSP and WorldSSP300
After being announced in 2023, the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship debuts at six WorldSBK events, to help promote women in motorcycle racing. It’s not the only change though, as there’s been a tweak to the rules in WorldSSP, WorldSSP300 and WorldWCR – the grids for Race 2 will now be based on the fastest laps set in Race 1 for the top nine. Not only that, but there’s a schedule change that’ll mean the Tissot Superpole sessions for all Championships except WorldSBK take place on Friday, adding excitement and drama to the first day of a round.
A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every single moment from 2024 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
Round Five – Budapest, Hungary
Making it five overall victories in a row, Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt topped the podium at the fifth round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Securing three races wins from three starts on the night on his FE 350, the defending world champion extended his championship lead to 33 points.
Prestige Race One
Billy Bolt was quick on the gate drop to score the holeshot ahead of Manuel Lettenbichler while Jonny Walker was caught up in the pack.
Walker eventually fought his way forward and eventually got the better of Lettenbichler for second place, who then went down trying to chase the leading duo. Letty’s crash opened the door for Diogo Vieira (POR-GASGAS), and the Portuguese rider was in for a big night, moving into a strong third in the race and never looking back.
At the front, Billy Bolt appeared to be on for a trouble-free run to the finish line but there was huge drama in store for the championship leader… while the Brit was closing in to lap Lettenbichler, the KTM rider dropped his bike in the matrix. The triple World Champion had no choice but to spectacularly leap over the stricken German and his machine. The factory Husqvarna rider scared himself by falling heavily on his already injured left leg, but both riders rejoined the race. Despite the pain, Bolt went on to secure the victory ahead of Walker and Vieira.
Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 11 laps, 7:20.187
Prestige Race Two
Portugal’s Diogo Vieira snatched the Airoh Holeshot and remained at the head of the field for a decent length of time before Billy Bolt got the better of him and raced away to victory.
Vieira was left to battle a feisty Dominik Olszowy (POL-Rieju) to secure second place. The Pole began to make mistakes, leaving Vieira to take second place.
The big disappointment in this second bout was Jonny Walker, who failed to climb higher than fifth position. Lacking rhythm and a victim of several falls, the 2023 Vice-World Champion was left feeling frustrated.
Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 10 laps, 6:39.761
Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 10 laps, 6:47.852
Prestige Race Three
Jonny Walker took the Airoh Holeshot in front of Bolt and Lettenbichler but again it was Bolt that forged his way to the front before going on to take the final race victory of the night by 13-seconds over his compatriot. Lettenbichler rounded out the podium
Diogo Vieira fell very early on but with the idea of a maiden overall podium on his mind, he launched an incredible comeback. From last place Vieira patiently overtook his opponents one by one and climbed back to a respectable sixth place. A position sufficient to guarantee him his first MotoZ FIM Enduro World Championship podium.
Prestige Race Three Results
Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 12 laps, 6:55.701
Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 12 laps, 7:08.635
Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 12 laps, 7:12.845
Eddie Karlsson (SWE), Husqvarna, 11 laps, 6:58.692
Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS
2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
Round Four – Romania
In the championship standings, Billy Bolt is starting to build an insurmountable advantage, the Brit is now 33 points ahead of Jonny Walker.
Manuel Lettenbichler consolidated his third place in the standings over Will Hoare who had a very tricky night with seventh overall.
Billy Bolt
“I’m massively pleased with my riding tonight. From the get-go I felt good on the track and I really wanted to deliver a good result. With three wins from three starts, I can’t really ask for more from myself. Of course I’m still managing my knee injury from round three in Germany, but I’ve learned how to deal with it. Naturally there were some moments out on track during the evening, but that’s part of the sport. Overall my starts were solid and I grew stronger with each race. With two rounds remaining, I’ll keep chipping away at things and be ready for Bulgaria.”
Jonny Walker
“I felt good and I was happy with the track, but when it came to racing I just really struggled. The first race wasn’t too bad but it felt slippery like I was losing the front, and then I got a bit of armpump too. The second race was an absolute nightmare for me – I must have crashed four or five times and I had some collisions too. I turned it around a bit in the last race, but Billy was on fire again. Let’s see what happens in the next rounds.”
Manuel Lettenbichler
“I’m pretty happy with how tonight has gone! Speed-wise, my riding was good, but I just made a few mistakes with line choices, especially in the first race. I had good pace, but when someone crashed in front of me, it was tough to settle back into a good rhythm. In the second moto I fought back from pretty much last to fourth, which was good. I feel like we could see the speed was there in the last race and that the changes we made to the bike are helping. For my championship position, today has helped me strengthen third overall.”
Prestige Overall Round
Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 62 points
Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 48 pts
Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS, 42 pts
Mitchell Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 41 pts
Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 40 pts
2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship Points
(After Round Five)
Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 301 points
Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 268 pts
Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 193 pts
Will Hoare (GBR), Rieju, 171 pts
Dominik Olszowy (POL), Rieju, 157 pts
The MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship next heads to Bulgaria on February 24.
The 250 East Championship got underway with a turn one pile-up including Haiden Deegan, Jalek Swoll, Cameron McAdoo, Seth Hammaker, Evan Ferry and Tom Vialle.The event seemed to be triggered by Hammaker getting out of shape and punting Vialle, who then got tangled up with a gaggle of riders.
Most were up and running quickly enough but Deegan’s YZ250F had sustained some damage. The youngster continued to circulate but indicated to his crew he had problems.Hammaker visited the mechanics to try and get his bike bent back straight.
Well away from that melee had been Chance Hymas, Austin Forkner and Max Anstie.Forkner moved through to the lead early on then started to pull away from Hymas.
As the track roughed up into the second half of the bout Anstie managed to reel in Hymas, eventually taking that second position and pulling away from the teenager.
Daxton Bennick then also chased down and passed Hymas, the 17-year-old then pulled away from the HRC rider to claim his first podium.
All the while Forkner had been completely untroubled up front, taking a clear victory over Anstie despite the Brit chasing him hard over the latter part of the race.
The polar opposite of how Forkner’s season started in 2023, when he was on the deck before turn one with a torn ACL. What a way to make a comeback, and you could tell how much it meant to him.
Jalek Swoll put Triumph firmly inside the top ten on debut, despite getting caught up in that turn one melee. A sixth place finish a huge shot in the arm for Triumph’s fledgling campaign.
Spanish rookie Guillem Farres impressed with an eighth place finish ahead of Henry Miller.
After showing such strong form early on Chance Hymas slipped back through the field in the closing laps to finish tenth.
McAdoo recovered from that turn one fall to claim seven-points for 15th place.
Deegan battled on with his bent up bike to claim six-points but was two laps down by the flag. The youngster’s right-hand bar was bent a long way forward and it was a wonder he was able to effectively use the throttle and front brake to lap what was a pretty brutal course.
250 Main Results
Pos
Rider
Bike
Laps/Interval
1
Austin Forkner
Kawasaki
21 Laps
2
Max Anstie
Honda
+02.557
3
Daxton Bennick
Yamaha
+06.162
4
Coty Schock
Yamaha
+21.884
5
Pierce Brown
GASGAS
+24.562
6
Jalek Swoll
Triumph
+39.979
7
Henry Miller
Honda
+45.324
8
Guillem Farres
Husqvarna
+50.828
9
Marshal Weltin
Yamaha
20 Laps
10
Chance Hymas
Honda
+08.911
11
Trevor Colip
Honda
+10.279
12
Luca Marsalisi
Honda
+14.831
13
Preston Boespflug
Suzuki
+19.074
14
Nicholas Romano
Yamaha
+30.207
15
Cameron Mcadoo
Kawasaki
+37.212
16
Haiden Deegan
Yamaha
19 Laps
17
Gage Linville
GASGAS
+16.086
18
Tom Vialle
KTM
18 Laps
19
Bryton Carroll
Yamaha
16 Laps
20
Cullin Park
Honda
6 Laps
21
Seth Hammaker
Kawasaki
DNF
22
Evan Ferry
Triumph
DNF
250 East Championship Points
Pos
Rider
Points
1
Austin Forkner
25
2
Max Anstie
22
3
Daxton Bennick
20
4
Coty Schock
18
5
Pierce Brown
17
6
Jalek Swoll
16
7
Henry Miller
15
8
Guillem Farres
14
9
Marshal Weltin
13
10
Chance Hymas
12
11
Trevor Colip
11
12
Luca Marsalisi
10
13
Preston Boespflug
9
14
Nicholas Romano
8
15
Cameron Mcadoo
7
16
Haiden Deegan
6
17
Gage Linville
5
18
Tom Vialle
4
19
Bryton Carroll
3
20
Cullin Park
2
21
Seth Hammaker
1
22
Evan Ferry
0
450 Main
Jett Lawrence scored the holeshot ahead of Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac.
Dylan Ferrandis fourth, Jason Anderson fifth, Malcolm Stewart sixth ahead of Ken Roczen.
Hunter Lawrence ninth early on while last week’s Aason Plessinger was down in 14th place on lap one.
While challenging Anderson for sixth place a couple of laps in Malcolm Stewart went down and by the time he was going again was way down in 20th place.
Ken Roczen had been steadily working his way forward, passing Anderson and Ferrandis to move up to fourth place with 16-minutes left on the shot clock. The German was the fastest man on track at this juncture and that saw him reel in and pass Tomac for third place.
Cooper Webb was also working his way forward, relegating Anderson to seventh place by one-third race distance.
Dylan Ferrandis then got the better of Eli Tomac. Moments later Tomac’s team-mate Cooper Webb relegated him further to sixth place. Tomac obviously not real comfortable and just hanging on for points.
Jason Anderson also not on top of his game, making some mistakes which allowed Aaron Plessinger to close in and attack the Kawasaki rider. But things then got worse for Tomac as both Plessinger and Anderson pushed him further back to seventh.
Jett had a clear four-second lead over Chase Sexton with seven-minutes remaining but a mistake almost cost him dearly, the youngster saved it and lost little ground, but that was a warning. Ken Roczen was still third while Webb had moved up to fourth. Jason Anderson had regrouped and was back up to fifth place after getting the better of Ferrandis and Plessinger.Further back Hunter Lawrence had relegated Tomac to ninth.
At the last lap flag Jett led Sexton by six-seconds. Roczen was a further eight-seconds away in third but with a handy nine-second buffer over Cooper Webb.
Jett Lawrence the first two-time winner so far this season and a repeat performance of round one, leading every lap.
Chase Sexton bagging great points once again with that second place finish and moved into the championship lead and will take the red plate to Arlington in two weeks time.
Roczen moves up the championship table to seventh off the back of that podium.The German also carded the fastest lap of the race and said that he was really happy with how he rode.
At the top of the table it is incredibly close. 98 points for Sexton, 97 for Jett and 96 for Plessinger. Cooper Webb also looming large only four-points further behind. Riders now have a weekend off before reconvening in Texas on February 24.
Team GoEleven have become the latest to take the wraps off their 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship challenger. With Andrea Iannone joining the team for his maiden WorldSBK season, ‘The Maniac’ has been quick in testing and will be looking for a strong start to his rookie campaign. With preparations ramping up for the #29’s maiden season, including Iannone showing stunning pace throughout testing, their Panigale V4 R for this year has now been revealed. Check out the imagines of their contender in the incredible gallery at the top of this article.
A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow Iannone’s rookie season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Pedro Acosta got his 2024 campaign going with a three day Shakedown at Sepang this week. As the sole rookie, Acosta was joined on track by test riders on the first day, and other MotoGP riders allowed to test following the new concessions rules shared the track with him from day 2. Three important days of experience were gained before the rest of the class joins the fray on February 6.
Looking fresh in newly revealed Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 colours Acosta delivered an impressive first day after he finished just 0.152 seconds away from fastest rider Dani Pedrosa with a 1’59.385. That is 1.894 seconds off the all-time lap record of the Sepang International Circuit, set by Pecco Bagnaia in qualifying for the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix just two months ago. Not bad at all for what was the young Spaniard’s second day on a MotoGP bike.
The learning process continued on Friday in a hot and humid Sepang as Acosta continued the work to discover the category, sharing the track with more riders than the past day. Halfway through the day, he had already lowered his fastest lap time to 1’58.531, closing the gap to the circuit’s record (1’57.491). Friday was then interrupted by quite heavy afternoon rain.
Saturday saw the rookie continue his efforts for a final day, lowering his marker to a 1’58.189. A small crash put an end to the morning session, before the afternoon session was again disrupted by heavy rain. Acosta used that opportunity to try a MotoGP bike in the wet for the first time.
Acosta finished the final day of Sepang Shakedown at the top of the timesheets, 0.066 seconds ahead of Pol Espargaro. Two rest days are now ahead, before the entire MotoGP grid hits the track for three days of testing.
Pedro Acosa Sepang Shakedown Times
Day 1 – Time: 1’59.385 – Laps: 45
Day 2 – Time: 1’58.531 – Laps: 42
Day 3 – Time: 1’58.189 – Laps: 33
For reference, the all-time lap Sepang record was set by Pecco Bagnaia at 1m57.491 during qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix last year. The race lap record at Sepang was set by Alex Marquez last year at 1m58.979. Acosta’s time would have placed him P5 in last year’s Sepang Test overall standings, and there are still three more days to go in that event next week.
Pedro Acosta
“We spent these three days mainly trying to work on my riding style, trying to understand the tyres in MotoGP, find a bike set up, and we have to be happy with this first test. We did some good fast laps, but we most importantly had a good race pace on the dry. We even got a bit of time in the wet, which is always a bonus. I tried to follow Dani Pedrosa a bit today, and it was not that easy! In the Sepang Test, we will try to follow the lines of the other riders, and understand everything a bit more. Very happy, now I am going to enjoy two days of rest!”
Nicolas Goyon – Tech3 Team Manager
“The Sepang Shakedown is a tradition and usually kicks off the MotoGP season, and this year it was quite interesting as there were more bikes on track with the new concessions rules, so more references for our rookie. Pedro Acosta and the whole Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team are really happy with these three days, everything went really well. Pedro could set some decent lap times on the dry, and he got to try a bit the wet too, which is always good to take. We did not turn the bike upside down, we just tried to find a comfortable setting for him, and it worked out well because he did an amazing job. This is just the beginning of the season, but it is a good one, and we are looking forward to the Official IRTA Sepang Test with all riders on track.”
As we saw across the previous two days of Shakedown action, the factories have ramped up the aerodynamics game in 2024. Honda’s upgraded ‘stegosaurus’ rear wing can be seen below.
On Day 3, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) was spotted testing a different swingarm, and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) has confirmed that Honda’s 2023 bike isn’t in Sepang. Honda are focusing on the package they had at the Valencia Test and on a new prototype they’ve got. A “change in direction”.
Zarco was the fastest Honda on Saturday, ahead of Mir and then Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Nakagami, peppered throughout the top ten.
Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) finished the Shakedown in P4, while new team-mate Alex Rins was a tenth off him in P7.
Yamaha Test Rider Cal Crutchlow ventured out with a new, longer exhaust and an updated aero body.
The progress of the two Japanese factories will be closely monitored at the Sepang Test.
For Ducati and Aprilia, repped at the Shakedown by Michele Pirro and Lorenzo Savadori, respectively, there were the previously mentioned aero updates on obvious show, and the event saw plenty of prep for the rest of their riders to join the fray at the Sepang Test.
That will include reigning Champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) meeting his new steed ahead of another title defence campaign, and 2023 challenger Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). It’s also another chance to see Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) heading out, although that’s not on a 2024-spec bike…
Meanwhile, alongside Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro at Aprilia, there’s also a complete novelty of a different kind in the Noale camp as Trackhouse Racing prepare to land in MotoGP, with Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez likely soon to appear in their new colours on track for the first time.
Next up it’s the official Sepang Test from the 6th to the 8th of February, where we’ll see everyone back out and back in business ahead of their assault on 2024.
MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Times
Saturday
Pos
Rider
Bike
Time/Gap
1
Pedro Acosta
GASGAS
1m58.189
2
Pol Espargaro
KTM
+0.066
3
Johann Zarco
Honda
+0.211
4
Fabio Quartararo
Yamaha
+0.249
5
Dani Pedrosa
KTM
+0.289
6
Joan Mir
Honda
+0.328
7
Alex Rins
Yamaha
+0.354
8
Luca Marini
Honda
+0.746
9
Cal Crutchlow
Yamaha
+0.794
10
Takaaki Nakagami
Honda
+0.883
Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar (Updated)
Rnd
Date
Location
1
10 March
Qatar Lusail International Circuit
2
24 March
Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
3
07 April
República Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
4
14 April
Americas Circuit of The Americas
5
28 April
Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
6
12 May
France Le Mans
7
26 May
Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
8
02 June
Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9
16 June
Kazakhstan Sokol International Racetrack
10
30 June
Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
11
07 July
Germany Sachsenring
12
04 August
Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
13
18 August
Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
14
01 September
Aragon MotorLand Aragón
15
08 September
San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano
16
22 September
India Buddh International Circuit
17
29 September
Indonesia Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
18
06 October
Japan Mobility Resort Motegi
19
20 October
Australia Phillip Island
20
27 October
Thailand Chang International Circuit
21
03 November
Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
22
17 November
Comunitat Valenciana Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Reserve Event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit.
Portugal & India remain subject to contract.
Kazakhstan is subject to contract and homologation.
More riders joined the fray on Friday but it was still Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on top, this time thanks to test rider Pol Espargaro. Pol ended the second day of the Shakedown fastest with a 1:58.241, a lap time just under three-tenths clear of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who took part for the first time on Friday. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) continued to impress, third quickest and just thousandths off 2021 Champion Quartararo.
After remaining on the sidelines for the opening day of Shakedown action, the Yamaha and Honda riders all allowed to take part thanks to the new concessions system headed out. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) was the first rider on track, with team-mate Joan Mir, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also in action. Likewise, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) got stuck in, settling in to his new team.
It was another eye-catching day for MotoGP’s sole 2024 rookie Acosta. Pedro’s best time on Day 2 was a 1:58.531. For context, Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) quickest time at the 2023 Malaysian GP was a 1:58.080 (Q2), Augusto Fernandez’ (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was a 1:58.107 (Q1) and Jack Miller’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was a 1:58.232 (PR)…
A new piece of front aero – more specifically a front fender wing – was spotted on Dani Pedrosa’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine on Day 2, while Aprilia Racing – with Lorenzo Savadori – continued to lap on the Noale factory’s new ‘Batmobile’ rear wing (below). Honda and Stefan Bradl have been busy testing an upgraded stegosaurus-looking rear wing too.
In the hands of Michele Pirro, Ducati’s main aero update that we’ve seen so far – teased by Gigi Dall’Igna at the 2024 team launch – comes on the side fairing. The addition of a further “ground effect” panel can be seen next to Ducati’s usual downwash duct, so it will be interesting to hear the comments of the riders on what effect this has.
For the full-time riders, most of the day was spent getting themselves back in the groove on a MotoGP bike after the winter break. Quartararo and Rins had three bikes – two ’23 spec and one ’24 spec – each, with Mir spending a lot of his time on the bike he used at the Valencia Test. The same can be said for Marini, with the Italian largely focusing on adapting to the RC213V.
A heavy rain shower meant dry running was cut short on Friday ahead of the final day of Shakedown testing on Saturday.
MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Times
Friday
Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 1:58.241
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) +0.283
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) +0.290
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) +0.409
Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.431
Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) +0.846
Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) +0.850
Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) +0.971
Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) +1.028
Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) +1.529
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing) +1.633
Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) +1.915
Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) +2.579
Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar (Updated)
Rnd
Date
Location
1
10 March
Qatar Lusail International Circuit
2
24 March
Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
3
07 April
República Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
4
14 April
Americas Circuit of The Americas
5
28 April
Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
6
12 May
France Le Mans
7
26 May
Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
8
02 June
Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9
16 June
Kazakhstan Sokol International Racetrack
10
30 June
Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
11
07 July
Germany Sachsenring
12
04 August
Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
13
18 August
Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
14
01 September
Aragon MotorLand Aragón
15
08 September
San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano
16
22 September
India Buddh International Circuit
17
29 September
Indonesia Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
18
06 October
Japan Mobility Resort Motegi
19
20 October
Australia Phillip Island
20
27 October
Thailand Chang International Circuit
21
03 November
Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
22
17 November
Comunitat Valenciana Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Reserve Event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit.
Portugal & India remain subject to contract.
Kazakhstan is subject to contract and homologation.
It’s often said that good things come in threes, but so do the challenging ones – especially when purchasing motorcycles. When it came to seeking out Ducati DesertX parts to upgrade, it was no different.
Reflecting on the motorcycles I’ve brought home over the past three decades, I’ve consistently upgraded three key components: the seat, the windscreen, and the lighting. It’s become almost a ritual, something I’ve come to term the “trinity crisis,” an inevitable part of every new or used bike purchase.
Seats and windscreens are a bit of a wild card, highly subjective to the rider’s preferences. A seat’s comfort can vary wildly depending on whether you’re decked out in full gear, just cruising in your everyday jeans, or if your back end has a bit more, um, natural padding. As for windscreens, your torso height, posture, and seat position drastically affect turbulence and buffeting.
When it comes to lighting, the discussion shifts. Here, it’s less about personal preference and more about safety under dark conditions, from night riding to longer tunnels to riding through a line of trees that create a dark canopy effect on the trail. And it’s not just about how bright your lights are but how far and wide they can throw their beams.
This brings me to my current favorite adventure bike — the Ducati DesertX. A beauty for sure, but not without its own trinity crisis. The stock seat was decent for a quick 80-mile jaunt. The windscreen did its job off-road and at slower speeds but on the highway? Not so much. And let’s not even start on the need for better night illumination.
Enter Wunderlich, a name synonymous with top-quality BMW accessories. To my pleasant surprise, the German company also offers a tailored lineup for the DesertX, including the Aktivkomfort seat, Marathon windscreen, and LED Microflooter 3 auxiliary lights.
I put all three to the test, hammering the DesertX both on and off the road for 1,200 miles. And since the DesertX spends about 90% of its time off-road, I also added the Wunderlich axle sliders to keep things safe during those inevitable drops and crashes.
Market leaders like Corbin, Saddlemen, and Sargent have been my go-to for aftermarket seats. I’ve personally used each of these brands across my collection, including a heated Sargent seat on a Multistrada for well over 40,000 miles with zero complaints.
While researching the Wunderlich windscreen, I discovered the other Ducati DesertX parts, so I figured I’d pivot from the typical brands and test the Aktivkomfort seat, one of the first aftermarket seats for the DDX. The unique name caught my eye, as did the specs.
The seat is offered in standard, high, and low versions. I went with standard, which is about a half-inch higher than the stock seat of 34.5 inches. I have a 32-inch inseam and can flatfoot the DesertX with the OEM seat. With the Wunderlich, I am not fully flat-footed, something I’m used to after many years of riding taller bikes like the KTM 1190 Adventure R.
The Aktivkomfort focuses on an ergonomic 3D contour, which is claimed to promote a more natural posture than the OEM seat. The seats are constructed to prevent “buckling” of the padding, distributing sitting pressure evenly across a larger area. Wunderlich also makes another bold claim here, saying the design significantly reduces pressure on your behind and coccyx, the small bone in your lower spine that typically aches after long rides.
After the first few miles with the seat, I agreed with these two claims, and after 1,000-plus miles of riding, I agreed even more. The seat does take some time to break in. Mine felt better after 500 miles (likely less if sat more often, but I spend a lot of time standing off-road). Also, some wider seats are comfortable while sitting but push on the inner legs while standing. The Wunderlich Aktivkomfort is barely noticeable while standing.
Another notable feature is the ThermoPro technology, which keeps the DesertX’s seat up to 77 F cooler in direct sunlight during summer heat than standard untreated cover materials. This is a significant advantage over the OEM seat, which quickly heats up in the sun. And just like every Ducati, right legs tend to bake naturally, although the DesertX, by far, is my coolest-running Ducati. The cooler seat cover helps alleviate some of that feeling when the sun is beating on the bike, something that happens often in open off-road sections while standing for longer periods of time.
To further enhance comfort when riding in hotter conditions, the seats are made with a sweat-reducing cover material, combined with Alcantara pin-tucks and refined, dropped “cut” seams. These materials are not only durable but also offer, along with the shape, optimal grip for stability under hard acceleration and braking.
The seams are taped and welded using modern air welding machines, ensuring 100% tightness. The seat shell is constructed from high-strength RoburC material, indicating the high quality and durability of these seats.
Overall, the Wunderlich Aktivkomfort seats are a significant upgrade over the stock OEM seats for both rider and passenger. By a long shot. It does take some time to break in, and a heated version would provide additional advantages for East Coast riders like me. Also, there may be some sticker shock; the rider seat sells for $600, and the passenger seat is $550.
The seat is offered in all black or the black and red version I have on my bike.
In stock form, the DesertX’s stock windscreen results in some buffeting at higher speeds. This is also attributed to the round mirrors, but the solution there is simple: Rotate the mirrors back about an inch, and that middle-chest blast on my nearly 6-foot frame subsided.
I tried the OEM touring screen, which helped with buffeting, making it tolerable even at highway speeds.
But the Wunderlich Marathon windscreen is by far the best option, offering significantly lower wind buffeting on the head and upper body. The results are a more comfortable and less fatiguing ride, particularly over long distances on highway rides.
The windscreen also complements the distinctive styling of the DesertX, enhancing the bike’s overall appearance by mimicking the stock screen’s looks.
Made from high-quality PMMA plastic, the Marathon is scratch-proof and UV- and petrol-resistant, ensuring durability and clarity over time. It measures 15.4 inches tall (stock is 14 inches), 14.3 inches wide at the top (stock is 8 inches), and 19.0 inches wide at the bottom (stock is 14.5 inches), with a thickness of about 0.2 inch.
Besides being larger, the key design elements that help buffeting are the more contoured profile and the bottom portion of the Marathon wrapping around the fairing more, helping push more air off the chest area.
The windscreen’s edges are hand-polished, eliminating the need for separate edge protection. This meticulous craftsmanship not only improves the windscreen’s aerodynamics but also reduces wind noise, contributing to a more enjoyable riding experience.
It also reduces vibrations, thus preventing muscle tension, especially on long routes. The consistent aerodynamic shape ensures a laidback, relaxed, and upright sitting posture, which is crucial for comfort during extended rides.
The windscreen is designed to seamlessly integrate with the DesertX’s cockpit and overall layout. It preserves and emphasizes the bike’s lines, underscoring its Italian character. This integration ensures that the windscreen does not detract from the bike’s special character but rather enhances it.
Installation is straightforward, as the windscreen can be easily swapped with the OEM unit. Have some patience, though, especially when positioning the washer that goes between the windscreen and the upper fairing.
As for pricing, the screen is available in clear or tinted and will set you back around $278.
Ducati DesertX Parts: Wunderlich LED Microflooter 3 Auxiliary Lights Review
With the seat and windscreen covered, the next big upgrade to my DesertX was some extra lighting – a must for adventure motorcycles due to night riding and dark, tree-covered trails.
Compared to those on the market, the Wunderlich LED Microflooter 3 is one of the brightest currently available for the DesertX, providing an extra 8,000 lumens of light. And the absolute best part? These are designed for an easy plug-and-play installation with zero wire splicing. I hate playing with wires, and this quick install makes life simple.
You hook the wiring harness to the battery, route the wires (I ran mine along the left side of the trellis frame), and plug that harness directly into each light. There is also a third wire that you can run along your clutch line to your left controls that turns them off and on.
Take note: These only turn on when the bike is running. I have no clue how that works, but I thought I had some issues when I first attached it to the stock lithium battery.
Each light houses two individual LEDs, ensuring not only an intense luminous flux but also redundancy – if one LED fails, the other continues to function, ensuring continuous operation. This dual-LED setup also contributes to the lights’ distinctive and recognizable illumination pattern, a signature feature marked with the Wunderlich brand logo.
The lights arrive with fold-down protective grids to not only protect from rocks, tree branches, or whatever else hits them but also for easy cleaning. Simply flip up the hinged cover and clean the lights.
They are operated via an illuminated handlebar switch, integrating seamlessly with the bike’s controls. The color temperature of the lights matches the main headlight, providing a uniform and realistic color spectrum that reduces rider vision fatigue during night rides.
The auxiliary lights significantly broaden the field of vision, especially in low-light conditions. They not only improve the rider’s visibility but also make the bike more noticeable to other road users thanks to their ability to optically enlarge the motorcycle’s front silhouette. This feature is crucial for enhancing both active and passive safety in a variety of lighting conditions, thereby reducing the risk of accidents due to poor visibility.
The Microflooter 3’s housings are made from black anodized aluminum, and the brackets are crafted from black powdercoated stainless steel, ensuring durability and resistance to the elements.
Another note: These don’t work with the OEM crash bars. I took my crash bars off to install them with the brackets but later reinstalled the bars. I am currently creating a bracket to attach these directly to my crash bars versus the brackets that are included.
Here are some stats:
Light output: Each headlight delivers an impressive 4,000 lumens, totaling 8,000 lumens.
Energy efficiency: Operating on 12 V/40 W.
Longevity: Approximately 100,000 hours of service life, equivalent to about 4,000 days.
Water resistance: IPX7 tested, ensuring performance in all weather conditions.
Integration: Specific brackets that blend with the body and are simple to install with four bolts (two on each side). But again, remember that these don’t work with Ducati crash bars.
These lights not only improve the riding experience but also significantly contribute to safety due to more visibility for other drivers and riders. With their easy installation – again, no wire splicing! – and impressive features, the Microflooter 3 lights at $600 are a worthy addition to any Ducati DesertX.
Ducati DesertX Parts Review: Concluding Thoughts
Each of these Ducat DesertX parts from Wunderlich not only addresses the “trinity crisis” but elevates the overall riding experience to new heights. They blend seamlessly into the DesertX’s design, enhancing its capabilities and, I argue, enhancing its aesthetics.
While the investment might seem steep at first glance, the value these upgrades bring to your riding experience is immeasurable. It’s like giving your DesertX some added superpowers – and who wouldn’t want that?
If you’re looking to transform your DesertX into a machine more worthy of long-distance travel while not sacrificing off-road worthiness, Wunderlich has got you covered. It’s not just about fixing what’s wrong; it’s about taking what’s right to a whole new level.
Works at the Autodrom Most are continuing ahead of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returning to the Czech Republic in July, with Most set to host its fourth WorldSBK event. First on the calendar in 2021, the circuit has become an instant classic due to its mix of fast and slow corners and incredible races that the circuit has produced over the years. Every year, work at the circuit has been completed and 2024 is no exception.
The track works this year have been focused on three corners, Turns 16, 17 and 20, to improve the run-off areas, while there’s also work going on at other corners. The approach to Turn 1, one of the heaviest breaking zones on the circuit, is being reworked while the pit lane entrance is being widened. In the final section of the circuit, new kerbs will be installed which will be suitable for both two-wheel and four-wheel racing.
There’s also other works continuing to enhance and improve safety systems around the circuit. After a new camera system was installed last year, changes will be made in 2024 to bring in the use of artificial intelligence, with the plan being that the AI can detect fire or ‘unusual’ vehicle moments. As well as the use of AI, two magnifying monitors will be installed which will allow for increased imaging capabilities. While the works for 2024 are ongoing, plans are in place for future improvements to be made looking into 2025. The design and construction have started on a new medical centre, which is hoped will be open next year.
Discussing the changes, the Autodrom Most’s Sports Director, Jindrich Hrnecek, said: “The race control is now undergoing further modifications, in which we want to make use of our experience from recent years. Probably the most interesting modification at the race control will be the testing of artificial intelligence in the camera system, which will help us to be more efficient in case of accidents. There will also be a further extension, which we are working on with a local company. We are trying to move our race track every year according to the latest rules and safety recommendations.”
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The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s new season is getting closer, and the rev limits for each manufacturer have been unveiled. With new regulations coming into effect that mean rpms can only be changed in specific scenarios – more details here – the limits are the ones that each manufacturer ended last season with, with the exception of Ducati who return to their original 2023 number as part of the new package of rules.
Below are the RPM limits for the 2024 WorldSBK manufacturers, see more information here:
Kawasaki: 15100
Ducati: 16100
Yamaha: 15200
BMW: 15500
Honda: 15600
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Testing is a chance for riders to get prepared for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, but it’s also a time for teams and manufacturers to try new components and find gains. Tenths of a second, or even hundredths or thousandths, could be the difference between a good day and a bad day, with the recent tests at Jerez and Portimao the last chance to confirm items before everything is sent to Australia for Round 1. Here, we detail some of the latest updates spotted in the pitlane.
DUCATI’S CHANGES: adapting to new regulations
The focus for winter testing at Ducati has been adapting Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) machine with the extra weight he’ll race with in 2024, with the Bologna-based manufacturer aiming to minimise the impact. Across the box, Nicolo Bulega tried a radiator cooling system at Jerez although this was discarded on Day 2. In terms of Independent outfits, Sam Lows (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) had new fork internals and new stuff from Ohlins, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was running with a new lower seat at Portimao while Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Motocorsa Racing) tried a new exhaust and a swingarm that ‘Petrux’ had tried, although the #21 wasn’t a fan at Portimao.
REFINING THE R1: what were Yamaha trying?
Yamaha were working on lots of aspects for Pata Prometeon Yamaha duo Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli, plus their riders at other teams. New forks were fitted to the Yamaha R1 machines which provided extra stability under braking in a straight line as well as improved grip while turning. There were different swingarm variations on display too, track surface sensors and some chassis items. At GMT94 Yamaha, Philipp Oettl tried a thumb brake on his machine at the Portimao test as he adapted to his new bike.
LOWES ON DEVELOPMENT WORK AT KAWASAKI: lots to try on the ZX-10RR…
With Alex Lowes becoming de facto team leader at the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, as Axel Bassani adjusts to life on the ZX-10RR, he carried out the bulk of test items. A new swingarm, works on the chassis, new items from Showa, a slightly different front fork and electronic work to help extract the power better were all part of his programme. In the box next door, Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was on a factory bike, leased to the team from KRT, while the Spaniard also tried a new triple clamp and swingarm.
BUSY TIMES AT BMW: test team alongside two race teams
With new recruit Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) already making waves, there’s a lot of optimism at BMW. There was a new swingarm on display at both tests – van der Mark revealed he didn’t like at Jerez but did at Portimao – while BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers explained there was some revised aero on the M 1000 RR. Electronic works continued, while there’s also a new engine specification for all six riders (two at ROKiT BMW, two at Bonovo Action BMW and two from the test team) who were at the tests.
HONDA’S TESTING PROGRAMME: the new machine with lots of changes
Japanese manufacturer Honda unveiled a new package last year and the thoughts immediately were positive, although the last couple of tests have proven to be more challenging. Team HRC’s Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge’s new machine includes revised aerodynamics, chassis, gearbox, a lighter crank and split throttle bodies. At the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team, Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin only tested on Day 2 at Portimao with a hybrid bike featuring items from both 2023 and 2024. They hope to have the full 2024 package in Australia.
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