FIM Supersport World Championship action has fired up at Imola for the seventh round of the 2023 season, with a jumbled-up order making for intriguing reading right from the start. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) hadn’t led a session since a wet FP1 at Magny-Cours last year but that soon changed as he charged to the top late on to take FP1 honours on his first visit to the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola.

Making it a fine start to his first weekend at Imola in WorldSSP, Spanish star Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) came off the back of his best result in the class from Donington Park with fourth to lead the charge at Round 7. He was just 0.055s ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team), with the Italian leading a big chunk of fellow countrymen. Both he and Huertas were in a league of their own, with Yari Montella more than six tenths away from the top time, but nonetheless completing his first Imola WorldSSP experience in third. Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) was fourth on his Imola WorldSSP debut, one place ahead of Championship rival Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), who is in the same boat.

Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was sixth and the fifth Italian inside the top half-dozen, albeit 1.054s adrift of the top time. In seventh place, Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), enjoying a better time of things in Italy than he did two weeks ago in the United Kingdom. Luca Ottaviani (Extreme Racing Service) was eighth and the best wildcard, ahead of Frenchman Valentin Debise (GMT94 Yamaha) and Niki Tuuli (PTR Triumph).

In P11, Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) suffered a late crash at the final chicane but remounted and was OK; he was just ahead of wildcard Emanuele Pusceddu (J.Angel by Edafos) aboard his Yamaha. There was early drama for Tom Edwards (Yart-Yamaha WorldSSP Team) who crashed at Turn 4 but was OK, whilst Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team) suffered a mechanical issue on the approach to Variante Alta. Completing the order, Oli Bayliss (D34G Racing) continues his recovery from injury but was 7.531s off of the top time.

Top six after WorldSSP FP1 at Imola, full results here:

1. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) 1’52.010s

2. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.055s

3. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.631s

4. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.640s

5. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.844s

6. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +1.054s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

One of the key stories heading into the second half of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign is who will partner Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) at the factory Ducati team in 2024. Michael Ruben Rinaldi is the incumbent on the Panigale V4 R, but several riders have their sights set on joining the reigning World Champion next season. During Free Practice 1, Team Manager Serafino provided a brief update on when the decision on Bautista’s teammate will be made.

Rinaldi joined the team for the 2021 season on the back of a race-winning campaign with Team GoEleven and he won races in that season, including at Misano in front of his home fans. Despite his race wins, he finished fifth in the standings. He improved his Championship position in 2022 but didn’t win a race while 2023 has been a mixture of rapid pace, misfortune and mistakes meaning the Italian hasn’t scored as many podiums as he could have.

He faces pressure to secure the seat for 2024 from various riders who are all eyeing up a place alongside Spanish rider Bautista. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) has made no secret of his desire to race in WorldSBK, with the WorldSSP Championship leader saying he “hopes to move to WorldSBK” if he wins the title. Foti namechecked Bulega while speaking during Free Practice 1 but admitted there were “other options”, with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) also revealing they would like a factory seat.

When asked about the second factory seat, Foti said: “Bulega could be an option, but we have other options on the table. We’re not in a rush. We would like to understand what the best compromise for our team is. I think we will make a decision at the end of July or beginning of August.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is back at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola for the Prometeon Italian Round, and after four years away, it felt great to be back at the circuit which boasts so much WorldSBK history. In the opening session of the weekend, there were plenty of riders causing surprises as the field got used to the Imola circuit, but come the chequered flag at the end, it was Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team) who came out on top, although the 2021 World Champion didn’t have much margin behind him.

Throughout the entirety of the session, the battle for top spot was between Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), as the two lapped together on their penultimate runs, before a late time attack brough the session to a close. The #54 is at Imola for the first time with Yamaha but got down to business straight away, making the difference in the final sector to secure himself as the rider to beat. Rea took the flag in second, separated by just 0.003s of a second. Championship leader Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was third, with the top three covered by 0.030s. He was ahead of teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who despite carrying an ankle injury, was down to a strong pace. Popping to the top of the timing tower at various points, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), who is normally slightly further down on Friday, eventually clinched fifth and was less than three tenths off of Toprak’s best time.

Making it four Ducatis inside the top six, WorldSBK’s newest podium finisher Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was looking good, just over a tenth clear of a late-improving Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK). Like teammate Razgatlioglu, home-hero Locatelli had a Kawasaki in his wake, this being the #22 of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who was ahead of top BMW rider Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) by more than three and a half tenths, whilst Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was P10. Surprises included Brad Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) in P12 on his Imola debut, whilst the best Honda was Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) in P14.

Top six after WorldSBK FP1 at Imola, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) 1’47.661s

2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.003s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.030s

4. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.184s

5. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +0.281s

6. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.426s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Home hero Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) used his Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola experience to full effect in Free Practice 1 as he topped the times by just over a tenth. On track for the first time since Misano, the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship kickstarted action for the Prometeon Italian Round with a 30-minute FP1 session with Vannucci and compatriot Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) topping the times.

As the WorldSSP300 field re-adjusted to Imola, a venue that the Championship has not visited since 2019, it was the #91 who led the way as he set a 2’07.385s. The top five were the only riders in the 2’07s bracket with compatriot Sabatucci in second spot, 0.118s down on Vannucci. He set a 2’07.503s for second place while German rider Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) took third; only 0.003s slower than Sabatucci.

Wildcard Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) was fourth as he looks to repeat his sensational double victory from Misano. The Italian was 0.024s down on Sabatucci in second with the field condensed in FP1. 2020 Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) took sixth as he looks to kickstart his title challenge, while Kove enjoyed their best session of the season in sixth. Marc Garcia (China Racing Team), drafted in for Imola, was two tenths away from Buis as he put the Chinese manufacturer inside the top six.

Mattia Martella (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) was seventh after posting a 2’08.261s as he enjoyed a strong start to his home round, while Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) was only 0.004s down on his compatriot for a place in the top eight. Brazil’s Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) took ninth with Julio Garcia (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) rounding out the top ten.

The top six from WorldSSP300 FP1, full results here:

1. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) 2’07.385s

2. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) +0.118s

3. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) +0.121s

4. Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.142s

5. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) +0.589s

6. Marc Garcia (China Racing Team) +0.725s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Round 7 of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has arrived and the media day for the Championship gave plenty of major talking points before a wheel had even been turned. From declarations about 2024 to hoping to indulge in some Imola success, we caught up with the main stars of the show and got their thoughts about how the weekend could shape up and how 2024’s grid will eventually shake out.

Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going”

“This is a place that I want to have fun at. The track looks so iconic and there’s a lot of history here; I did a couple of laps with the bicycle last night and I had goosebumps. A motorcycle could always be different but it just looks amazing. The trees, buildings, up and downs, I’m really excited to go and ride this track. It’d be nice if the bike was nice to me this weekend and I didn’t have to focus so much on the settings and I could just focus on riding the track. I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going and what I’m doing for 2024.”

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I know the tricks of the trade around here”

“I’m really excited to be back here! It always brings back fond memories; I have had some great races here. It’s a unique part of the world to race in a park, with the undulations and it’s steeped in history. Our track record here has been quite good too. My favourite sector at Imola… it’s hard to give just one! The most iconic part is the drop down from Piratella into Acque Minerali, and then the jump out of there. It’s so difficult to master but when you get as close to perfect as possible, it’s an amazing feeling. You accelerate out of there, uphill and it’s really hard, fighting with the bike. Imola is about having a bike that is easy to ride but that stops very well; we’re stopping really hard in three or four areas of the track. We know we can be stronger here than the first part of the year, to fight for podiums is the minimum we can aim for. I know a few tricks of the trade round here. It’s hard to know whether to go back to our 2019 setting or our current setup.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “I’m only looking at Jonny… I hope we fight for the win”

“I’m very excited to come back to Imola. I remember 2019, I have good memories here as I took a podium. In 2015, I had a big fight with Caricasulo in Stock 600! My goal is to fight for the win again. Jonny is normally very strong here. I hope we are fighting with him; I am only looking at Jonny. Also, I think Alvaro will improve this year as the bike has changed a lot. He will be very strong here. I hope it can be a good weekend to recover some points. This year, I’ll try to win in a long race. I hope we fight for the win.”

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The only expectations that we can have for this weekend are battles!”

“It’s another important round for Ducati because it’s their second home round. It’s an important weekend for me as I don’t have a lot of experience in this track. I just raced here once, in 2019, and it was hard because we had to cancel Race 2 due to the weather. I have good memories of the track; the layout is really nice. There are no expectations because we have to build up the references and the feeling with the bike at this track. It was the same as I said at Donington. I think Donington, Imola and Most are the three most difficult races for us. We have to be thinking step by step. It’s difficult to make some expectations because it’s like we start from zero. The important thing is to find the feeling that I had at Donington or other tracks. I’m sure that if we can get that feeling, I can be competitive. This is a track that we saw many battles in the past. The only expectation that we can have for this weekend are battles. I don’t know whether it’ll be for the win or the podium or other positions but there will be battles because there are a lot of points for overtaking. The way to approach the weekend is basically the same. We must be more careful with the gearing because, in the end, it’s the most critical. We have to try to understand which areas we lose more in and try to work more in those areas.”

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “It would be a dream to get a podium here!”

“It’s really special because I haven’t been to Imola since 2011. However, I was already with Barni Racing and I have good memories. I can’t wait to ride again on the track again, because it’s one of the most beautiful around the world. Nothing is chosen about my future; as I said at Donington Park and at the start of 2023, I want to win a race here. I am here to do that. With Alvaro, Toprak and Jonny and others, it’s difficult. Maybe I need one more year to try and win and be more consistent in the Championship. After the podium at Donington Park, we want to repeat that performance but we will see because both at Donington Park and Misano, we had a new track surface. This time, we’ll have something a bit more normal, so it’s a good test for us to see if we can fight for the podium regularly. It would be a dream to get a podium here.”

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “We’ve been dreaming about this!”

“I’m excited for him and the team! We’re really close but to have another good team in the WorldSBK Championship is good and maybe in the future, it might even be two riders. For such a good team in Moto2™ to arrive here is only going to make the Championship stronger. Marc van der Straten is a fantastic guy and his personality will be great. On the other side, about my brother, it’s fantastic! We’ve been dreaming for a long, long time since we were kids, to race motorbikes and maybe race together one day. On a personal note, away from the track, I am so, so happy. With our current schedules, we spend a lot of time apart but to race together, travel together, it’s going to be fantastic. The team have been World Champions and Sam has won a Grand Prix just two months ago, so the level he is riding at is fantastic so we can expect him, the bike and the team to be strong.”

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I love this track… it’s unbelievable to ride!”

“It was a hard crash at Donington Park but this morning, we decided with the doctors to at least try and ride the bike. I feel pretty good; last week, I didn’t feel too good, so we have done more examinations, especially with the head. It’s the hardest part to check and to make sure it’s in the right way for racing bikes. I feel good with the head now, the ankle is still not so good but it’s not broken, so I’ll try my best to ride the bike and get good results. I love this track and it deserves to stay on the calendar; it’s unbelievable to ride here. My best memory was when I won the STK1000 race after a strange race with two red flags, three starts and on the last one, my mechanics had to change the clutch! It was tough as they finished changing it when the pitlane was open and we only 50 seconds to exit the pitlane! About my future, I hope that there will be updates, but for the moment, the focus is to get back on the bike with a good feeling.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship descended on the world-famous Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola for the seventh round of the 2023 campaign. It’s a track that WorldSBK hasn’t visited since 2019 but makes a welcome return to the Championship this season and several riders have spoken about their favourite parts, or memories, of the stunning circuit ahead of the Prometeon Italian Round.

“MANY DIFFICULT CORNERS, LOTS OF NICE ONES…”: home hero gives his view

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) comes into his home round on the back of his first-ever WorldSBK podium. Discussing his favourite parts of Imola, he compared one section to Laguna Seca and said: “I can’t wait to ride here again as it’s one of the most beautiful circuits in the world. Imola is a really flowing circuit. There are many chicanes and changes of direction. I really like after Tosa corner. You go uphill but then you go on a right bend, have to brake, and then the track goes downhill and also the track changes direction to go left. You do a lot of things in just one braking area. It’s quite similar to the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca; it’s a really difficult braking area. There are many difficult corners but a lot of nice ones.”

“WHEN YOU GET IT NEAR TO PERFECT, IT’S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING”: Rea on the ‘most iconic’ section

Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has enjoyed plenty of success at the historic venue with nine victories. On his favourite section, he said: “When I saw Imola was back on the calendar, it brought back fond memories. I’ve had some great races here and it’s a unique part of the world. It’s steeped in history. My favourite sector? It’s hard to say just one! Probably the most iconic part is the drop down from Piratella, into Acque Minerali and then the jump out of there. It’s a section of the track that’s so difficult to master but when you get it near to perfect, it’s an incredible feeling. Then you’re accelerating up really, really hard; fighting the bike.”

“MY FAVOURITE TURNS ARE THE CHICANES”: can Razgatlioglu claim a maiden Imola win?

Imola was the venue for Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team) first podium in 2019, when he was with Turkish Puccetti Racing onboard Kawasaki machinery. Talking about the track, the 2021 Champion said: “My favourite turns are the chicanes and the downhill. We will see with Yamaha. With Kawasaki, I liked it. The level’s changed after four years, a big change and I think I’m riding very well. Normally, in general, my favourite corners are chicanes.”

“UNBELIVABLE TO RIDE HERE!”: Rinaldi recalls ‘strange’ race

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) raced at the circuit in STK1000 in 2015 when he won in what he called a ‘strange’ race: Discussing Imola and that race, Rinaldi said: “I love this circuit. I love coming back here. It’s unbelievable to ride here. My best memory was 2015 when I was in STK1000. It was a strange race. Two red flags, three restarts. On the last restart, my mechanics had to change the clutch and it was really tough. They finished this when the pitlane was open and we had, on the monitor, 50 seconds left to exit the pitlane. It was really tough, but we were able to win, and it was one of the best memories.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Rev limits in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship category will be updated for the Prometeon Italian Round, as announced by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO).

Following the latest analysis of the relative performance of the machines over the last three rounds, the maximum rev limit for Ducati will be decreased by 250 rpm – as per article 2.4.2.2-3* of the regulations.

Ahead of Round 7 in Italy, Kawasaki has elected to use five concession points to benefit from a 250-rpm rev limit increase as per article 2.4.3.3 of the regulations.

*The rev limit may be updated (according to Art. 2.4.2.3) at the end of every 3rd event provided at least 3 events remain in the season.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Ahead of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s return to Imola, one home-hero has been given the all-clear to start the racing weekend. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has been given the green light to start the event but will undergo a review after FP1. The #21 was involved in an opening lap incident at Donington Park during Race 2 with Tom Sykes (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW).

The Italian suffered mild concussion and a right ankle injury during the incident. Five days later, a statement from the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team said that Rinaldi had carried out an MRI scan and found that the result was normal. After FP1, he will be reassessed and his participation for the rest of the Prometeon Italian Round will be clearer one way or another.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

A new team will join the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid from 2024 as Moto2™ powerhouse Marc VDS Racing Team make the step into WorldSBK with Ducati machinery. The team will bring Sam Lowes, who rides with the outfit in Moto2™, into the Championship as he returns to the paddock he made a name for himself in by winning the World Supersport title in 2013. Next season will mark both the team’s and Lowes’ debut in WorldSBK.

The team have secured a deal with Italian manufacturer Ducati to run a Panigale V4 R next season as they make their WorldSBK debut, competing with the bike that has won most races this season in the hands of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). The team have opted to bring a known quantity for their first rider in WorldSBK as Sam Lowes remains with the squad but also makes the switch to WorldSBK.

Discussing the move to WorldSBK, Marc van der Straten, Team Owner and Team Manager, said: “I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship. It gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes. I’m also very proud to start this new adventure with Ducati, which is undoubtedly the bike to be on in WorldSBK. This opportunity for expansion comes at the perfect time. After 14 years in MotoGP™, where the Marc VDS Racing Team has shown great potential, we are ready to face a new challenge. We have competed in Moto3™, Moto2™, MotoGP™ and MotoE™ and won three titles.

“As this is a long-term project, we’ll be aiming to adapt quickly, so that we can get to the front of the pack as quickly as possible. It’s also a source of pride to be taking this step with Sam Lowes, a great rider who has shown what he’s capable of in Moto2™, and who shares our team’s values and know-how. Finally, counting on Ducati’s experience and success completes a package that has everything to be perfect and exciting!”

Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director, added: “We are very pleased to welcome the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Ducati family for WorldSBK 2024! Marc VDS is one of the most professional and successful structures in the Moto2™ World Championship, with three world titles won, and their participation in WorldSBK next year with the highly competitive Panigale V4 R will surely add more value to the whole Championship. I would like to personally thank, also on behalf of Ducati Corse, Marc van der Straten for his trust and commitment to this exciting new racing project together with Ducati.”

Lowes will get to race against brother Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) next year, something the pair have openly spoke about wanting to do. Sam is one of four rider who have taken victory in Moto2™ this season, alongside Pedro Acosta, Tony Arbolino and Jake Dixon. Currently eighth in the standings, Sam will remain with the team but have a new adventure next year as he makes his WorldSBK debut.

The Brit does have plenty of experience from inside the WorldSBK paddock as he returns to the place where he was crowned World Champion. The 32-year-old spent three full seasons in WorldSSP after making his debut in in 2009. He failed to score a point in five races that season but returned in 2010 at Donington for a one-off appearance and secured tenth place. That propelled him to a full-time campaign in 2011 and six podiums in 12 races put him sixth in the standings before his first win came a year later.

On home soil at Donington Park, Lowes wowed the crowd with his first WorldSSP victory and he backed that up with a second at Aragon as he took third in the Championship. In 2013, the wins, podiums and poles flowed for Lowes. 11 podiums in 12 races, including six wins as well as nine pole positions, secured him a world title as he beat Kenan Sofuoglu in the standings by 49 points. He earnt a seat in Moto2™ for 2014 on the back of this and he has been a consistent points scorer and podium contender throughout his time there.

Lowes has taken 10 Moto2™ wins and 26 podiums, with his best Championship finish coming in 2020 when he took third place. He finished nine points behind Champion Enea Bastianini in the standings and level with Luca Marini. He also has a season of MotoGP™ experience under his belt when he raced for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini in 2017, finishing 25^th in the standings and scoring five points before returning to Moto2™ for 2018.

Discussing his move to WorldSBK for 2024, Lowes said: “I have a lot to learn with the new category including the bike, the tyres, and some new tracks. I am very motivated and excited for this opportunity. I am very open minded and ready to adapt and learn what I need to be competitive in WorldSBK. I always had a goal to race in World Superbike and after winning the World Supersport title in 2013 it was a normal step. But I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock. I’m happy and proud that I’ve had such a good Grand Prix career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I feel now it’s a great time to move across to WorldSBK to try a different machine and learn how to ride a superbike. I also believe in myself and know I can achieve good things. It’s a privilege to ride for Marc VDS Racing Team and to make this step together is a great feeling, as I am sure it can be a strong and top team in WorldSBK as well. I am very grateful to Marc van der Straten for trusting me to start this new project. We have a great relationship; we have achieved some nice things together and we aim for many more!”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has a longstanding relationship with the Autodromo Internazionale di Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in the historic town of Imola. Balconies as grandstands and terraces full of fans, there’s no place quite like the Italian circuit. From the showdown of 2002 to modern classics and the passion for Ducati, we relive WorldSBK’s golden moments from one of the most iconic circuits in the world.

Everyone has a favourite Imola moment; for many fans it will be Imola’s 2002 title race. For others, it will be the feats of Jonathan Rea, with his 2014 double with Honda backed up a year later with Kawasaki and his record-equaling 59^th race win in 2018. For Ducati fans, they’ll enjoy the achievements of Chaz Davies in 2016 and 2017, when he was unbeaten and on the top step of the podium. There have been other moments too, with the drama of Eugene Laverty’s scary crash in 2017, whilst also being the scene of Kenan Sofuoglu’s retirement a year later.

For WorldSBK, the story began in 2001 with the celebration of its first round. The last event on the calendar, rookie Rubén Xaus drew first blood at Imola with his Race 1 victory, amidst the chaos of Troy Bayliss and Regis Laconi crashing dramatically in the closing stages. Race 2 saw Laconi triumph to end a nine-year drought without a French winner, whilst becoming one of only a few riders to win in WorldSBK and 500cc World Championships.

In 2002, Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards went head-to-head in one of the most dramatic season finales ever. It was a fierce duel between two great rivals, both eager for a second WorldSBK crown. A heroic last lap saw Edwards prevail in one of motorsport’s most iconic battles. Ducati went unbeaten in 2003 and 2004 with Xaus and Laconi respectively, before Vermeulen took the only win of 2005. However, 2006 saw the return of Troy Bayliss and despite only finishing fifth, he took the Riders’ Championship in front of the Ducatisti in Race 1. The winner of the race, Alex Barros, is still the only South American to win a WorldSBK race. Bayliss backed up his crown in Race 2 with a fine victory to cement his Championship crown.

In 2009, after a two-year hiatus, Imola returned and it was Marco Simoncelli who starred. Simoncelli came to WorldSBK following an injury to Shinya Nakano; Aprilia needed a replacement and ‘SuperSic’ didn’t think twice. The 250cc World Champion crashed at Tosa in Race 1 due but in Race 2, he found himself fighting with his teammate Max Biaggi for third place. A bold pass at the last chicane gave him the last step on the podium behind Fabrizio and Haga, while Biaggi managed fourth. Biaggi made his own bit of history at Imola a year later, taking his, Aprilia’s and Italy first WorldSBK title.

2011 called and it was the turn of Carlos Checa to succeed. The favourite for the title since the beginning of the season, the Spanish star took a third position at Imola in Race 1 and a splendid victory in Race 2, putting one hand and a few fingers on the Championship trophy. He grabbed it fully a week later with a double at Magny-Cours, becoming the first Spaniard to be WorldSBK Champion and the last one until Alvaro Bautista last year.

Bautista came into Imola for the first time in his career in 2019 and after 11 straight wins, the Spaniard was beaten in Race 1 by Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). A turning point in the Championship, Bautista was no match for the Ulsterman at Imola that year. Imola has WorldSBK at its core and features illustrious history over the last 22 years. The track has seen it all and we can’t wait to make more history in 2023.

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Source: WorldSBK.com