In 2024, French rider Emily Bondi is preparing for her second season in motorcycle racing, making the step up from her national championship—where she won the 600cc Women’s Cup on her debut—to the new FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship. As the start of the new Championship draws nearer, Bondi attended the French GP at Le Mans, where she met a growing fanbase and caught up with fellow French riders Johann Zarco and Fabio Quartararo.

“IT’S AMAZING TO BE ON THE WORLD STAGE” – can Bondi convert previous success in 2024?

Speaking about what it means to participate in the inaugural Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, Bondi shared the excitement of many: “It is a very important thing for me. It is amazing to be on the world stage since it’s only my second year of racing. To be with those women, the best in the world here on the world stage for the first time, is very important. Also, to be a reference for all the women who want to do some racing and motor racing, is also very significant for me. It’s incredible to get here just in the second year of my adventure.”

Preparation is always vital in motorcycle racing, with Bondi getting ready to take to the track against her rivals at the forthcoming Cremona test despite an injury: “Preparation is a very important thing and to be honest, I already began in January, so it’s been a few months that I know the R7 and have been preparing myself mostly for the entire season—not only the Cremona test. I know this bike; I couldn’t do much more to be honest. I know I will be OK despite the injury. I’m happy to be back on the bike very soon, which is great.”

“I GOT IN FRONT OF A HUGE CROWD!” – a popular figure in France

Speaking from the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, she was able to enjoy the warmth of the record-breaking MotoGP™ audience of over 295,000 across the weekend: “On Friday, I was able to go to the fan zone. I got on stage in front of a huge crowd, which was a first for me! The people’s reaction was amazing, and I now have a lot of support—not only from the women but from the French motorcycling fans community in general.”

“I HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH ZARCO… HE’S COACHING ME” – a special training partner

One of the key topics for Bondi’s preparation has been that she trains with the likes of MotoGP™ Grand Prix winner and double Moto2™ World Champion, Johann Zarco: “Obviously, when I became interested in MotoGP™, I started to follow them because they are the top French riders. I had the chance to meet them both and have formed a good connection with them. I have a great relationship with Johann Zarco as I often ride with him. He’s coaching me, helping me a lot on the mental side of things and then on the bike. It’s very important to me to have the support of a rider like him and to get his advice, as he’s one of the best in the world.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha Team) is one of the big names in the inaugural FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, with new opportunities arising to bring more diversity and inclusivity within the sport. This brand-new Championship promises to deliver excitement from the start and we caught up with Carrasco herself about this new chapter.

“IT’LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE AT CREMONA WHO THE BEST RIDERS ARE” – a new era dawns

Giving an overview of the Championship, Carrasco said of the positivity that comes from it: “The Championship is a very positive idea; it’s important that Dorna and the FIM tries to help all female riders. We’re not many and it’s important to get that help. For me, to be in this Championship was also important because for the first time ever, everyone is trying to push the female riders. I’m one of the top female riders around the world so I think it’s good for me to try and be in the Championship in this first year. It’s important that the Championship has the biggest level possible.”

Discussing the line-up, it will be fresh competition with new rivals emerging for the 2018 WorldSSP300 Champion: “The line-up will be interesting; I don’t know almost any of the riders because they come from different countries! It’ll be interesting to see at Cremona who the best riders are. I think it can be a good Championship if we are very fast. It’ll be a good Championship with a lot of fights. I see the Championship as a good platform to try and have some riders with good level and then move onto other classes inside the Champìonship. I think it’s a good idea.”

“IT’S IMPORTANT THAT TOP TEAMS PUSH WorldWCR” – synergy cascades through WorldSBK paddock

The Yamaha R7 will be the bike for all riders, with the Murcian rider talking about the style and also her Evan Bros. team: “It’s a step between 300cc and the 600cc, so it’s a good bike to do the Championship with. Almost every rider is coming from 300 so this is the best option so everyone adapts to the bike as fast as possible. The bike is very good; I’ve tried it at some tests at home and it’s quite big and good fun. The riding style is similar to a 300cc; the power is between a 300cc and the 600cc but the weight is more of a 600cc. You’ll have to be fast in the corners to not lose the speed.

“I’m so happy to be with Evan Bros. because it’s one of the top teams in the paddock; they have a lot of experience in WorldSSP so for me, it’s important to be in a team that I can have room to improve and try and move into WorldSSP. I’m happy to be in the team and I think it’s important that some top teams in the Championship are pushing the WorldWCR a lot because they have a lot of experience and they will help it grow faster.”

“AFTER THE TEST, IT’LL BE EASIER TO SEE WHICH RIDERS ARE ON TOP” – vital test at Cremona awaits

Looking forward to seeing who the main competition will be, the Cremona test will be vital for the 27-year-old: “I only know the Spanish riders; the others, I’ve never been on track with them. After the test, it’ll be easier to see which riders are on top. It’s a new circuit for almost everyone so it’ll be good; we’ll test the bikes there, the team and being on a neutral track will be good to see exactly what the level is. If you ride a lot in one circuit, maybe you’re quick but then, it changes. It’ll be a good place to do it.”

“THE WorldSBK PADDOCK IS LIKE HOME” – Carrasco back to make more history

With so much success before, Carrasco comes back to the paddock in which she’s enjoyed some of the best moments of her career: “I’m really happy because the WorldSBK paddock is like home; I spent the best years of my career here and it was important for me to come back here. I was two years in MotoGP™ and it was good but I was trying to come back here. I feel very good here and for a rider, it’s important to feel like you’re at home to give your best. I’m happy to be here and I hope to stay in the Superbike paddock a lot of time.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Three rounds down and the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is well and truly alive, although a famous name from the past popped into Assen, with Troy Corser being one of them. The double World Champion discussed helping more Australian riders on their path to success, reflected on his own career and compared one current star to an old rival from days gone by.

A NEW GENERATION OF AUSTRALIAN TALENT: why is Troy Corser back in the WorldSBK paddock?

Starting with an obvious topic of why exactly Corser is in WorldSBK environment once again, he stated his work with Cameron Swain in the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup: “The main reason I am here is to help Cam Swain in the R3 Cup. He won the championship in Australia last year and after his wildcard at Portimao, he got some good results and some good contacts and they asked him to come back. I’m hoping to do most of the races if I can but it’s up to the family, as usually his dad comes along with him. He’s an ex-rider himself as well but I’ve asked if I can come to give some more professional help at the track and so far, it’s working well.”

“IT’S ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE A FAST, COMPETITIVE TEAMMATE” – Corser on being next to Fogarty

Pressure or motivation? The Australian reflects on his steep learning curve with a Champion teammate next to him: “There were positives and negatives actually as I knew that I had the same material as Carl and the factory behind me; then, I had the pressure that I wanted to be as good as my teammate who is the Champion, so you have to be at the top. I learnt a lot from those early days and it’s always nice to have a fast, competitive teammate. You can work off of each other; back then, we didn’t work with each other too much but now teams are starting to do that more to develop the bike – BMW are a perfect example. Racing is a lot different now compared to the 1990s.”

THE FIRST TITLE IN 1996: “It was great to win at home in Australia”

With Carl Fogarty leaving Ducati for Honda in 1996, Corser was looking to go one better than his 1995 campaign: “I guess I was also the #1 rider for Ducati in 1996 because Carl won it 1995 and I was second but he’d moved away, so I was the highest Ducati rider from the year before. Although we were a ‘satellite’ team, we were the ones who were going to get results for them so they gave us extra help and the attention was focused to us a little. We actually had Claudio Domenicali working with us closely as an engineer at the time! He could see that we had potential, also Davide Tardozzi, so we had the full package. It was also my second year and I knew all the tracks so it was the year to win it and we did it.

“If Aaron had finished in front of Anthony then the points would have been different in the last race. You never know what could happen in racing; perhaps the bird would have missed me in the second race and it was just by chance that it hit me. When I threw it, it could have hit Colin Edwards and could’ve have crashed or whatever. It’s all part of racing, you take it on the chin but it was great to win at home in Australia in front of all the family and friends.”

“YOU ALWAYS FELT SAFER WHEN YOU COULD SEE NORI IN FRONT OF YOU!” – Corser’s toughest rival

“Me and Nori had lots of close races actually, as teammates and competitors,” started Corser, who shared the garage with Haga in 2007 and 2008 at Yamaha, after many years going head-to-head, particularly in Corser’s early Ducati years. “That’s how racing was back then. We respected each other anyway and it was never an intentional shove off the track or crash into somebody. In our day, we’d have three fast laps at the start, a steady part in the middle and then a fast end to the race. Now it’s fast from the first lap to the end! We had great times in racing back then but now, it’s just a different level.”

A rivalry that spanned three decades of WorldSBK, Corser reminisced about old foe ‘Nitro Nori’ Haga: “My toughest competitor and teammate was Haga. It wasn’t that we didn’t get on but because the bikes were so close, we raced quite close – as in he was touching my tyres from behind! You always felt safer when you could see Nori in front of you than when you couldn’t work out where he is. Then you’d feel a nudge and you’d be like, ‘ahh, there he is behind you’! Frankie Chili was also tough on the track. He was great off the track but when the visor went down, he was a different rider. Carl was tough too but everyone was a rival back then! At the same time, we’d all meet up and have a beer at a hospitality party and if they won, you’d have a beer with them and if you won, they’d come to you. There were so many different characters back then and there still is now!”

MODERN DAY VERSION: “I’d put Toprak and Nori as very similar… it comes from pure rider ability”

Speaking about whether a hard-charging Haga’s style can be compared to Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) tenacity, he assessed of similarities: “Toprak’s bike control allows him to do what he does, whereas with Nori, although he looked out of control, it wasn’t often that he crashed and he was within his limit. I think he was on the limit sooner than most of us and perhaps he had to ride a bit more like that because of the bike or the tyre. I’d put Toprak and Nori as very similar but a lot of it comes from pure rider ability and natural talent. Both came out of the blue from nowhere in a way and then they were at the front.”

TO THE FUTURE: “I’d like to bring on Australian riders”

“I’m enjoying working with younger riders, passing on my knowledge and experience on the bike but also mentally and preparation, said Corser. “Unless you’ve done what I’ve done, you can’t do it. I have the connections with all the manufacturers in the paddock so having that toolbox to work with, I’d like to bring on Australian riders. It’s shortcutting the learning period and if you learn from the best, then you’ll get the information sooner. You want to give them the right advice and the right help.”

CAREER REGRETS: “I should’ve stayed in WorldSBK; perhaps the Sugo crash wouldn’t have happened”

Speaking of whether or not he had any regrets in his career, there were a couple: “I only have two: one was when I crashed at Sugo in Warm Up in 1998 and I regret that I wasn’t more experienced then and had just picked the bike up and ran off the track. I was still quite young then and I panicked a bit and then ruptured my spleen. I was so young and hungry but then I suffered the consequences. The other one is moving from WorldSBK to 500cc in 1997. I should have stayed in WorldSBK and if I had, perhaps the Sugo crash wouldn’t have happened.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Whilst the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship battle continues to rage after three rounds, doing important homework will be just as vital to try and gain an advantantage on rivals. Although the season is underway, there will be plenty of tests to come during the season; we list them below and will keep them updated throughout the year.

• March 14th – 15th: Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya; WorldSBK – COMPLETED
• May 16th – 17th: Cremona Circuit; Inaugural WorldWCR test – PREVIEW
• May 23rd – 24th: Cremona Circuit; WorldSBK
• May 30th – 31st: Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”; WorldSBK

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) represents a significant advancement in motorsports, dedicated to highlighting the talents of female riders on an international platform. As a single-make series, all participants will compete using the Yamaha YZF-R7, focusing on skill and strategy rather than differences in equipment. This inaugural 2024 season will feature 24 riders from a variety of backgrounds, all poised to leave their mark on this historic championship.

THE LOCATION: Cremona to host first WorldWCR action

These 24 WorldWCR riders will convene for the first time on May 16th and 17th at the newly renovated Cremona Circuit in Italy for a test – just one month before the series’ first round at Misano, the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round. The Cremona Circuit, set to also host WorldWCR and WorldSBK in September, has recently undergone extensive renovations to enhance the track layout and spectator facilities. The circuit features 13 corners, six to the right and seven to the left with a total length of 3.768km. Featuring long straights – the longest is just under a kilometre in length – and a mix of different types of corners, it makes it a good circuit to test at to get up to speed on new bikes.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: a first chance to work out the pecking order…

The first test will be met with intrigue up and down the paddock as the 24 riders get their first look at the competition. With every rider coming from different backgrounds and experience, it won’t be a definitive order – especially at a track that’s new to everyone – but it could still give a rough idea. The key part of the test will be seeing who adapts quickly to the R7 and Pirelli tyres ahead of the WorldWCR season starting at Misano. You can find out more about the 24 riders competing in the historic first season right here, with everyone on the entry list scheduled to be present at the test.

HOW WILL THE TEST WORK? Multiple sessions across the two days…

Before hitting the track, the riders will meet with the WorldWCR Technical Staff. All Yamaha YZF-R7s will be set up and maintained by a technical crew managed by JiR’s Luca Montiron, mirroring the structure of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU FIM World Cup. The riders will participate in their initial briefings and be assigned their own Yamaha YZF-R7, which they will race throughout the six rounds of the 2024 season. After the initial bike setup is complete, they will engage in several practice sessions totalling 1h40 of track time on the first day. On Friday, further practice sessions will provide them with a full two hours to fine-tune their settings. The first track action on Thursday begins at 12:00 Local Time (UTC+2), with six sessions in total, and finishes at 18:20. On Friday, track action begins at 09:00 with seven sessions, concluding at 16:40.

THE BIKE: more detail about the Yamaha R7 machine

In addition to the WorldWCR riders and technical staff, this test will also engage key Championship partners, starting with Yamaha as the provider of the YZF-R7. WorldWCR operates under strict regulations to ensure fair competition, with all riders racing on identical Yamaha YZF-R7 bikes. This bike, the latest in the legendary R-Series, with its high-torque 689cc engine and compact chassis, is ideally suited for the series.

TYRES AVAILABLE: Pirelli’s SC1 compound in use

The riders will use Pirelli DIABLO™ Superbike slick tyres, identical to those used successfully across all categories of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, where Pirelli has been the continuous Official Supplier since 2004. Specifically, each rider will have access to DIABLO™ Superbike 120/70-17 front and 180/60-17 rear tyres in SC1 compound.

OTHER PARTNERS: Motul and Panta Racing Fuel use their WorldSBK paddock experience

Panta Racing Fuel, part of the Mol Group and based in Italy, will serve as the official fuel supplier. With their extensive experience in the WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 classes, as well as other motorsport competitions such as the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup, the CIV (Italian Circuit Racing Championship), the FIM Intercontinental Games, and British Superbike, Panta is the ideal fuel partner for the new championship. Another key partner for this test—and the remainder of the season—is Motul, serving as the official provider of engine oil and lubricants. This partnership ensures that the WorldWCR Yamaha R7s receive the same level of high-performance lubrication as bikes in the premier class.

COVERAGE OF THE TEST: highlights, interviews, reports…

With the first WorldWCR test comes extensive coverage from Cremona. A team on the ground will be there to gather information and speak to the riders, while you’ll also be able to get your first look at the Championship thanks to end-of-day highlights on Thursday and Friday, giving you a roundup of the first test as well as the news from Cremona. On top of that, there will be web coverage featuring reports, news, and reactions to bring you up-to-date with everything from Italy. Of course, there will also be coverage on the WorldSBK’s social media accounts to bring you events as they happen.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Michael Ruben Rinaldi linked up with Team Motocorsa Racing for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, hoping the combination of a rider with multiple wins to his name and a team that have fought at the front would keep the results flowing. Unfortunately for the #21 and the Motocorsa Ducati outfit, that hasn’t happened so far, with only two top-ten finishes in nine races and a best of sixth in Australia. In an interview with WorldSBK.com, Rinaldi spoke about the start of the campaign, what’s causing the lack of results and his future.

2024 SUMMED UP: “if I had to talk about the first rounds, I can’t say anything positive unfortunately…”

With Motocorsa able to secure podiums with Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) between 2021 and 2023, linking up with a five-time winner and 23-time podium finisher would have given them hopes that would continue this year. So far, the Rinaldi-Motocorsa combination hasn’t worked out as expected, with Race 2 in Australia providing their best result in the first three rounds with sixth and only two finishes inside the top ten, both coming in Australia. In Barcelona, a track Rinaldi has won at on the Panigale V4 R, the best result was 11^th in Race 1.

Reviewing the season so far, a downbeat Rinaldi stated: “It’s been, I think, the toughest season for me in World Superbike. We are not able to achieve the results that we’re used to and for that reason, I’m quite upset. If I had to talk about the first rounds, I can’t say anything positive unfortunately. It is what it is and that’s it. Before the season started, our goal was to keep fighting for what we’re used to, which is podiums and, on good occasions, for the win. We faced too many technical issues at the start of the season, and during pre-season testing. That breaks the chemistry you need to have for the top positions and so it’s tough at the moment. Also, the situation in the team is tense. We will see what happens, if we can get out of this situation, but it’s a really rough moment and tough to face this kind of situation especially when you’re used to better results. For a rider, it’s difficult to handle 13^th position. There is nothing I can do more than what I’m doing but, at the moment, it’s not possible to stay at the top level and it’s a shame.”

ATMOSPHERE IN THE TEAM: “the only solution is to have no more issues… it’s really difficult”

With big results yet to be secured and issues plaguing the team over the first few rounds of 2024, Rinaldi spoke about the atmosphere inside the box: “Results not coming, technical problems we face, engine problems in three races didn’t help the situation inside the team. It’s really difficult in this Championship to achieve good results if everything is okay let alone if you face some problems. For example, we can see Iannone has been really strong at tracks where he tested. But at Assen, where like everybody else, there were weather conditions problems, it was difficult to stay on top. I’ve been facing these kinds of problems since the beginning of the year. It’s almost unachievable to stay at the front. The only solution is to have more issues with the bike and the team, start from zero, and have some races back on my level but it’s really difficult.”

LOOKING TO END THE TOUGH PERIOD: “we have many problems and we’re not seeing the light”

When asked what could be done, and is being done, to help get out of the situation, former factory Ducati rider Rinaldi stated: “I cannot speak about this because it’s something we need to handle inside the team, even if I think it’s really difficult to solve. I cannot give the details, but the situation is not easy. I’ll try to do my best, perform at my best as always, but the situation is really difficult. We have many problems and we’re not seeing the light. It’s not easy to go into the details because it’ll take a long time and there’s nothing I want to say. The situation is not easy, I’m not happy and that’s it.”

IMPACTS ON THE FUTURE: “my goal was to stay have good results and earn a good contract for 2025…”

With discussions about next year already in full flow – see the latest HERE – Rinaldi knows results and performances will be key to determining his future. Speaking about silly season, he explained how not securing results now could impact him for next year. He said: “We don’t know about the future because in motorsport, you never know. In the first races, my goal was to stay at the front with good results and earn a good contract for 2025. The results aren’t there so, at the moment, I need to go back to fighting for good positions and see what the offers are. In this kind of moment, only the top riders in the Championship can have an almost signed contract but I think I need to wait until half the season is done.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Volume two of the WorldSBK essential bundle is here, after a thrilling first five races from Volume 1! Relive more classic encounters, starting with Donington Park Race 2 in 2000, with a thrilling last lap battle giving two British wildcards the top two podium places. Arguably the greatest race in WorldSBK, Imola Race 2 from 2002 sees Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss go head-to-head for the title. However, on to 2015 and Race 2 from Phillip Island, it was a last lap showdown between Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea.

Aragon Race 2 from 2017 saw another phenomenal finish between Chaz Davies and Rea, whilst Race 2 from Donington Park a year later saw Michael van der Mark complete the double, whilst young Turkish sensation Toprak Razgatlioglu took his first WorldSBK podium as a rookie, toppling fellow Kawasaki rider and reigning triple Champion, Jonathan Rea.

Enjoy volume three here, and watch more World Superbike action with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

After missing the last MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round through injuries sustained in a training accident, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) has opened up about the crash, how his recovery is going and lessons he’s learnt from the incident. ‘Petrux’ also discussed how he felt watching substitute rider Nicholas Spinelli win on his bike as well as how, after competing in and watching from the sidelines this season, WorldSBK is shaping up in 2024.

THE RECOVERY: “at least it’s good because I’m losing quite a lot of weight!”

Petrucci went under the knife following his training crash in Italy, which resulted in the #9 suffering a fractured jaw, collarbone, and shoulder blade but he was discharged from hospital in mid-April after two surgeries. Providing an update on his recovery and explaining when he wants to be back on track, Petrucci said when speaking on May 2^nd: “I have no more stitches. I can’t chew. I can eat but only small and soft things. At least it’s good because I’m losing quite a lot of weight! I need to keep my shoulder still so I can’t move it for another 15 days. I did an MRI, and I don’t have any issues with the ligaments and the tendons, but the shoulder blade needs to be still because it needs to be fixed naturally. I mostly have to wait and see if the shoulder blade, the fracture, heals and I can push on my arm. The Misano test is still the target. We haven’t got a lot of time, but we can be at the test at the end of the month. I’m doing a lot of therapy. In my home, I have a magnetotherapy, it feels like a magnetic field where I lie down during the night, and I have some stuff to put on the broken bone. I’m taking a lot of supplements for vitamins to help the bones to repair. We are doing everything to try to be at the Misano test.”

THE CRASH: “I landed on the ramp of the next jump, like a hammer hitting a nail”

After explaining some details about the crash in the video he posted when he was released from hospital, the four-time WorldSBK podium finisher expanded on that in the interview with WorldSBK.com. He said “It was a big accident, really. I’ve been unlucky because I made that mistake once, you’ll make it one time in your life, and it happened to me. It was a bad area of this motocross track. It was like a ski jump. The faster you go, the higher you are, so I was really afraid. The last thing I remember was being up in the air. I just landed on the ramp of the next jump, like a hammer hitting a nail, so I smashed myself on the ramp of the other jump. I don’t remember anything, just that I was about 15 metres up in the air and I had nothing to do; I just had to wait to go into the floor.”

REFLECTING ON THE ACCIDENT: “I’m happier now than before”

Despite the seriousness of the crash, Petrucci was also philosophical about the events and believed there were lessons for him to learn. He continued: “I’ve been lucky because I have no injuries on my leg or my back, this is the most important thing, and I was especially lucky too because I received this hit on my head just a few centimetres from my neck bones. I smashed my jaw in the only part where the helmet was not protecting me. I smashed my face on the handlebar, and it was a really, I think, lucky accident. I smashed my jaw in three pieces, there’s a smashed collarbone in two and the shoulder blade is broken. This is the most difficult thing to repair, the shoulder blade, because the jaw is fixed by plates and screws and the collarbone, but the shoulder blade is still broken. I need to keep it still. I think I’m happier now than before. It gives me the strength and I think it was a good thing to learn from and to grow up a bit to not risk as much, change my training a bit and be calmer. I say, ‘at 34 years old, I don’t need to be stronger, but smarter’. I was not doing that. I was just training to be stronger and stronger.”

SEEING BARNI’S FIRST WIN FROM AFAR: “I was really happy to watch that race!”

With Petrucci missing out on the Dutch Round, his Barni Ducati team drafted in Nicholas Spinelli for his WorldSBK debut, and he made the most of it. A stunning tyre gamble in Race 1 – using an all-intermediate combination – coupled with a red flag just as his rivals closed on him allowed Spinelli to win on debut and take the team’s first World Superbike win. Petrucci spoke candidly about watching this from afar, stating he was happy for Team Manager Marco Barnabo – affectionately known as ‘Barni’ – after he was one of the first to visit him after the crash.

He said: “I was happy for Spinelli and Barni. Barni was one of the first guys to come to the hospital to see my condition, and he was sad because we were in a good moment. We were fighting for the podiums and the top five. Assen is one of my favourite tracks. I think, in the end, we’ve been unlucky with the accident but, on the other hand, lucky. Maybe someone up in the air looked down and decided this was our lucky week, for me because I escaped a really bad accident and for Barni, who lost one rider for that race, but he won his first race. I was happy to watch that race.”

WorldSBK IN 2024: “you never know who’s going to win or stand on the podium…”

After racing for two rounds this season, and watching a third from home, Petrucci was able to give his thoughts on WorldSBK in 2024, saying: “It’s nice to watch WorldSBK. I told everyone at the start of the season that I think there are at least 12 different riders who can get on the podium and a lot of them can win races. It’s really challenging to join in because you can be in the top three and, in the next session, in 12^th. It’s hard but it’s nice to watch for the fans because you never know who’s going to win or stand on the podium. From the inside, it’s nice, but hard because we’re all close so it’s really difficult to create a gap. Even if you are in tenth place, you can still fight for the podium, because everyone is close on race pace. The new rules have given a bit more competition.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

WorldSBK and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, one of France’s premier racing venues, are thrilled to announce the extension of their partnership, securing Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours’ presence on the calendar until 2027.

The renewed agreement solidifies a new three-year contract, spanning the 2025, 2026, and 2027 seasons, emphasizing the mutual commitment to the continued growth and success of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The announcement follows the success of the 2023 edition of the event, where attendance figures soared, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and establishing a robust foundation for the event’s future growth.

“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours,” said Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director. “The circuit has consistently delivered great racing moments and showcased the passion and dedication of the French fans. This extension reflects our shared commitment to providing the best possible experience for both riders and spectators. We look forward to the next years of competition at this world-class facility.”

Nestled in the picturesque Nievre department, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours has been a favourite among riders and fans for its challenging layout, technical sections, and enthusiastic spectator base. The commitment of the Nievre local government to the support of WorldSBK events at the circuit is unwavering, with an ongoing partnership that ensures the circuit is devoted to promoting and fostering the socio-economic development of the Nievre region.

As part of this commitment, a state-of-the-art race control room made its WorldSBK debut during the 2023 event. The infrastructure upgrade, featuring new monitoring facilities, was made possible through a joint effort between Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and the Departmental Council of Nievre, an investment integral to maintaining the circuit’s Grade B homologation.

Serge Saulnier, Chairman of the Board, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, expressed satisfaction about the extended partnership, stating: “Extending our agreement is the result of close collaboration between Dorna teams and Magny-Cours Circuit. 2024 will mark the 22nd year of hosting the French WorldSBK round, a testament to the enduring loyalty between this championship and Magny-Cours. Our teams, supported by La Nievre department, consistently strive to enhance our infrastructure and ensure the safety of competitors. We eagerly anticipate welcoming WorldSBK fans to Magny-Cours on September 6th, 7th, and 8th.”

The extended partnership marks a new milestone for both WorldSBK and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, reinforcing their dedication to delivering world-class racing experiences. As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship continues to captivate audiences around the globe, the collaboration between these two entities ensures that the French Round remains a highlight on the racing calendar for years to come.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has seen plenty of drama over the years, some of which has come down to choosing the right tyre at the right time. Sometimes it’s starting on a completely different type of tyre – a wet-weather one instead of a dry, perhaps – or choosing a softer compound, but every decision matters and can prove crucial in races. Let’s look back at some of the biggest tyre choices and how they led to success…

NICHOLAS SPINELLI, ASSEN RACE 1, 2024: the intermediate call

Starting with the most recent, if you look up “super sub” in the dictionary now, you’ll see “Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team)”. Epitomising the phrase, Spinelli replaced the injured Danilo Petrucci at Assen and found himself on the top step of the rostrum. He went for an intermediate front and rear tyre on a wet track, while everyone else went for slicks with the rain stopping and track drying. A well-timed red flag – for Spinelli and the team anyway – meant he held on for victory in his first race, after his lead of almost 26 seconds was cut to two at the time of the stoppage, with a third of the race remaining.

JONATHAN REA, MOST RACE 1, 2023: a first, and only, win of the year

Jonathan Rea’s (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) final season with the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK outfit was difficult, with only one win to his name. That came at the Autodrom Most, when he opted to use intermediate tyres while his rivals went for full wets. Losing ground in the opening laps, he stormed his way to P1 when the track dried out, taking advantage of not quite dry conditions and his opponents switching tyres for a last win with KRT.

ALVARO BAUTISTA, AUSTRALIA SUPERPOLE RACE, 2022: a risk pays off

With that year’s title won, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had nothing to lose in the Tissot Superpole Race, and he opted for slicks on a damp-but-drying track. He lost ground at the start of the 10-lap race, dropping to 14^th at the end of Lap 1 from pole position, but was soon into his grove and fought his way into the lead, before claiming victory by just over three seconds. You can watch his epic comeback from his onboard camera right HERE.

SCOTT REDDING, ARAGON RACE 2, 2021: slicks on a drying track

When racing for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) took a big risk at MotorLand Aragon. A pre-race shower had dampened the track but the #45 opted to go for slick tyres and it looked like it wouldn’t pay off for the Brit, initially dropping down to fifth. However, with the track constantly drying, he took the lead on Lap 6 and didn’t look back, going on to claim his first victory of the year by almost 10 seconds.

CHAZ DAVIES, MAGNY-COURS RACE 1, 2016: intermediates as others go for full wets

The Magny-Cours circuit was wet but with the sun shining, Chaz Davies was able to make the intermediate tyre work during Race 1 in France on his Ducati. He started from third and was able to stay in that group throughout the race but lost time in the opening stages, before fighting his way to the front as others opted to make pit stops and change from their full wet tyres. He took the lead ahead of Tom Sykes on Lap 17 of 21 and didn’t look back for the first of his two wins that weekend.

PIERFRANCESCO CHILI, MISANO RACE 2, 2004: a fierce fightback

After dropping to 11^th in the opening part of the race, Pierfrancesco Chili, using intermediate tyres with the threat of rain looming, to full advantage on home soil. With 10 laps to go, the Italian was trailing race leader Regis Laconi by 10 seconds, but the pace Chili had in the closing stages meant that gap came down before a stunning last-lap pass meant Chili claimed his last WorldSBK win.

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Source: WorldSBK.com