The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was back on track at the Italian circuit in Cremona for a dramatic Superpole Race, with Danilo Petrucci securing his 12th career podium victory in WorldSBK and Ducati’s 428th win in WorldSBK. Behind the Italian hero at the line was Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), and Andrea Iannone Team GoEleven taking the third spot on the podium.
LIGHTS OUT: Petrucci strong start
Starting from third on the gird, Petrucci claimed the hole shot and stormed to Turn 1 ahead of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Bulega and #29 Iannone, who also had a strong launch. Britain’s Alex Lowes was keen to take part in the action at the front of the pack, overtaking Bulega into third position, just one lap into the Superpole race. Further back it was a three-way battle for fourth place, with Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) determined to continue his impressive performance from yesterday’s Race 1, showcasing some close battles between rivals Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Xavi Vierge (Team HRC).
Everyone’s a @Petrux9 fan!
Alex Lowes
@andreaiannone29 #ItalianWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/cyOB4L5Dya— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) September 22, 2024
BAUTISTA FIGHTS: Spaniard works his way through field
Race 1’s podium finisher, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who put on an impressive performance to take third in Saturday’s Race, demonstarted another strong ride today. The #1 was outside of the top 10 during the first half of the rcae, but picked up speed throughout, managing to secure some vital championship points with a 6th place finish.
PODIUM BATTLES: Bulega, Lowes, Iannone fight
It was all to fight for in the closing stages of the Superpole race, with Alex Lowes showing some late race pace after opting for the SCX tyre choice, pulling an impressive overtake on Bulega on the penultimate lap, and once again through on Iannone into the last lap at the Italian circuit. Out ahead though, it was the #9 who was back on top of the rostrum once again at his home track, with almost a two second lead over his rivals before crossing the chequered flag.
Now Alex Lowes is through on @andreaiannone29
What an ending for the Brit!#ItalianWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/8XAHrRCiTG
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) September 22, 2024
CHAMPIONSHIP CHASING: Toprak holds onto first
It was Italian Nicolo Bulega who held onto fourth place ahead of Lecuona and Bautista, whilst Andrea Locatelli, Honda’s Vierge and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) rode in to the top 9 positions. Toprak Razgatlioglu will continue to lead the WorldSBK Championship heading into Aragon regardless of Sunday’s Race 2 results, meaning it is all to fight for with just three rounds of the season remaining.
The top nine from the Superpole Race, full results here:
1. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team)
2. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +1.797s
3. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +2.572s
4. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.431s
5. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +4.729s
6. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +5.578s
7. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +5.909s
8. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +6.650s
9. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +6.815s
Fastest lap: Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) – 1’28.289s
Make sure you tune in for Race 2 at 14:00 Local Time using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 50% off!
Source: WorldSBK.com