2024 was always going to be a season to remember but already, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has showcased a mega opening three rounds and nine races. At Assen, we had a second maiden winner of the season in extraordinary circumstances, a new Championship leader and huge passion from the fans, making this week’s hot headlines echt pittig from the Netherlands.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I almost cried! Many people come to support me… I felt the power so I needed to win this race to give them a present”

A massive Turkish following came to Assen to support Toprak Razgatlioglu, who was nearly moved to tears when he gave them a win in Race 2: “Everyone started to sing ‘Toprak, Toprak’ and I almost cried; many people come to support me and not just from Turkey but from all of Europe. The Turkish guys come and it’s family but it’s really important because I feel the power, so I needed to win this race to give them a present. I was just fighting for this. After the race, I was almost crying because of people shouting ‘Toprak’. Germany is close to Assen and a lot of people came from there; I’m happy for this and I think it’ll be bigger in the future. It’s good for the Championship too with everyone enjoying it. It’s been a very special weekend for me to win here and with BMW.”

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) “I think it’ll be a three-rider fight”

Talking about where Toprak is better compared to last year and where he’s weaker, Alvaro Bautista said: “Watching from the outside, Toprak was stronger on braking and entry to the corner last year, leaning with more confidence. This year, he brakes hard but on corner entry, it’s not the same; I don’t know if he hasn’t got the confidence or the bike doesn’t allow him to do it but for sure, on acceleration and top speed, he’s much better than last year. If he had the same top speed of last year with this bike, he’d be worse because in the flowing areas, he’s slower than last year. I think that Bulega, Toprak, myself – and other riders in some races – but I think the Championship will be between us. In all conditions, we’re strong so I think it’ll be a three-rider fight.”

Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team): “The team made the decision… lucky with the red flag!”

Speaking after his epic race win on Saturday, Nicholas Spinelli was rather humble: “I’m very, very happy because on Friday, I tried the Superbike for the first time. It’s incredible with a lot of power! With my team, before the race, I asked them whether I should do slicks or intermediates. The team made the decision as I don’t have any experience but it was very good as in the first laps, it was raining in the first sector, so I could get a good gap. However, when the gap started coming down, I was thinking ‘when will the race finish?!’ but I was lucky with the red flag! Top ten would be a good result but this is better!”

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) “What a f*****g idiot I am for leaving the door open to Alex…”

Despite a podium in the Tissot Superpole Race, Gardner was frustrated to wait a race extra for a maiden WorldSBK podium: “I said to my girlfriend before the weekend that if we’re going to get a podium, it’ll be here. I was a bit doubtful after yesterday and this morning… what a f*****g idiot I am for leaving the door open to Alex this morning! I as kicking myself big time… I managed to get it back on the box in the afternoon but I think the bike just works well here, I’ve been enjoying the track and the front end has felt good. Everything’s working, feeling good with the team and experience, putting it all together and that’s about it. Winning races in Moto2™ and the Championship, you expect yourself to be at the front anywhere you go. It’s not that easy to come from a completely different Championship with a completely different concept and go fast on a completely different bike. More than anything, what’s been hard has been understanding the tyres and what tyres work when. If I didn’t have the experience, I would have gone for the SC0 perhaps.”

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Every time I get a podium, it’s a surprise”

Nicolo Bulega maintained a bright mindset with P8: “Every time I get a podium, it’s a surprise. It’s difficult to get to a new track without testing, bad weather and be first for almost the full Superpole Race and stay in the front group in Race 2. We have to take the positives from this weekend; I know I won in Australia and in Barcelona, I did a good weekend with two podiums and here it seems it’s not very good. However, it’s been a difficult month with the operation and I wasn’t able to train like always. Assen is a difficult track physically too, so I take the positives and try again at Misano.”

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven): “We received support from Ducati but I need more”

Without a prior test for the first time in his WorldSBK career, Assen’s tricky weather didn’t help Andrea Iannone’s title charge, whereas he also called for more support from Ducati: “With one practice in normal conditions, we’d have arrived on the podium because we learnt. It was a complete disaster in the Tissot Superpole Race, the tyres went immediately and I finished without rubber; I arrived on ice! In the end, we recovered and it’s a great point to start at the end of Race 2. I think we can win but we need to work; we need to test and work. I don’t have the bike at 100%, especially on the electronics side. For this, I think to win and always get the podium, we need to work and improve my feeling. At Misano and Cremona, we’ll try to work a little bit more. We received a bit of support from Ducati but I need more. Well go to the test to try and improve but I hope I can have a little bit more support. I spoke with Gigi, Marco and everybody and they all support me but it’s the last details, it’s different. I felt like we can win. I need that everything is perfect and I push for that. It’s possible, we have a chance to win and I want to achieve.”

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “It was a mistake trying to pass”

Talking about the crash with ex-teammate Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes held his hands up: “Jonny was doing the opposite to me in terms of he had a good start and was coming back whereas I struggled and went back at the beginning before coming back into it later on. Our bike’s been working great but it’s not the easiest to pass people on as we haven’t got the best acceleration. I got a really good run off the last corner compared to Jonny and broke later to try and pass him. Turn 1 was the best chance to pass but it’s easy for both to go wide or I go wide and then the other rider passes you back. So I tried to stop the bike a bit more at the apex so not allow him back through but as it got tighter, I crashed, all by myself but because I was passing him, where could he go? So, he hit me as he had nowhere to go; I didn’t smash into him or anything like that. It would’ve been another good chance for a solid performance but it was a mistake trying to pass.”

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “I expected to be more competitive”

A weekend with a first Yamaha pole, Jonathan Rea wanted more in the races: “Certainly, I expected to be much more competitive but a sixth and a fifth, I got taken out in the last race but it’s racing. What really sucks is that we’ve got four days testing planned but due to the resting restrictions, I can’t use all the days and we have to be clever with how we budget that too. I need time on the bike, the crew and the crew needs time to understand. We need to make steps forward with the bike in all areas; a chassis point of view, electronics and step by step, understand each other more. At Assen, I understood the feeling but riding the R1 round here, it’s really nice but like a completely different track. Different gear patterns at different corners but as you could see with ‘Loka’ and Remy, they did a really good job, so I just need to find that last bit of being competitive. To be competitive and win, I think we need to make a step as a team, manufacturer and a rider myself, everyone has to take responsibility for that. When you see how serious manufacturers are taking World Superbike, I feel like we need to take that next step now.”

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Sunday at the TT Circuit Assen was a mixed bag for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), with another MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship rostrum added to his collection in the Tissot Superpole Race before a crash with Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) in Race 2 ended his race and dropped his former teammate down the order and out of the points-paying positions. It was Lowes’ first retirement of the season after he’d enjoyed a strong start including at the Pirelli Dutch Round.

STARTING ON A HIGH: third place in the Superpole Race

Lowes started the Superpole Race from fifth on the grid but was soon in the podium fight. He started the final lap in fourth place, behind Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), but ended it in third. He passed the #87 at the final chicane to claim his third rostrum of the season and start his Sunday in style, pulling off the typical Assen overtake.

Reflecting on the podium, Lowes said: “We used the SCQ tyre and obviously there wasn’t much dry track time this weekend. I felt great at the start, I was able to make some passes and the speed on the bike was good. Like everybody, I think the tyre didn’t quite last. I was having a good battle with Jonathan, and I just managed to look after the tyre enough to do the famous Assen last corner attack on Remy. It was nice to be back on the podium and a solid way to start the day. I think he expected me to not be there, he passed me quite easily a couple of laps before. He opened the corner right up and it would’ve been rude not to have a go!”

FINISHING IN THE GRAVEL: a collision with Rea ends their hopes

After securing a front-row start for Race 2, Lowes was hoping to utilise that for another podium. With rain starting to fall in the early stages of the race, it provided another layer of complexity to the battle, and Lowes was close to the podium fight. However, he came down at Turn 1 after a crash with Rea, with the #22 forced to retire while his former teammate was able to continue albeit well out of the points, finishing in 19^th.

Explaining what happened at Turn 1, Lowes said: “It wasn’t really an incident for him. I crashed up the inside trying to pass him. I could see he was dropping from the group a little bit and I struggled at the start on the SCX tyre, I couldn’t really get it going, but after three or four laps I felt strong, and I was going forward. I tried to pass into Turn 1. It’s a corner that really tightens up if you’re not careful you run wide, you can take both riders wide or leave the door open for the guy to pass back. I was trying to squeeze the brake a bit to make the apex. I crashed by myself and obviously, because I was in a position where I was trying to make the pass, he had nowhere to go. Nothing for him, my fault, I’ve apologised to him. He’s a good friend of mine. It was a mistake from me. I crashed and he had nowhere to go, sorry to him.”

REA’S VIEW: “Frustrated because you don’t need to be kicked when you’re down”

Six-time Champion Rea also gave his view, saying: “I was off the group. I lost the tow from Iannone, then Alex tried to make a pass at Turn 1. He stuck the pass, to be fair, but unfortunately for him he tucked the front right on the apex and I was just there so his bike collected mine. Down I went. I’m frustrated because you don’t need to be kicked when you’re down. It just feels like it’s hard to catch a break, but we can take some positives from the weekend.”

© Photos by Thomas Seidenglanz

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Alongside the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the legendary TT Circuit Assen was the Northern Talent Cup, as the Cup launched its 2024 campaign in style. It was as dramatic as you’d expect at the incredible circuit combined with ever-changing weather conditions, with Antoine Nativi (Racing Nativi Team) taking the Race 1 victory and Tobias Kitzbichler (Racingteam Kitzbichler) winning Race 2.

RACE 1: Nativi storms to opening win of 2024

Antoine Nativi (Racing Nativi Team) won the first Northern Talent Cup race of the weekend in Assen, his maiden victory in the category. The Frenchman was fastest ahead of polesitter Thias Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) and local hero Jurrien van Crugten (BB64 Academy) in the wet race interrupted by a red flag.

The NTC grid were all on wet tyres, but without Kyano Schoo (KS-Racing) and Delano Greven (DG Motorsport), both Dutchmen having failed to meet the minimum qualifying time, so it was just 22 drivers who started the thirteen-lap race.

Fast as lightning off the line, Thias Wenzel opened a gap immediately ahead of teammate Binder (Kiefer Racing) and Kitzbichler (Racingteam Kitzbichler) behind. On lap 3, Anakin Zelenak (Mass Sports Racing by JRP Motorsport), having made up six positions, crashed out of third place. Rider OK. With seven laps to go, Van Crugten was up to second behind Wenzel, but with a three-second gap to the leader.  Just as it looked like Van Crugten might make a push for the lead, Irmscher (Racingteam Irmscher) crashed out of eighth and the race was red-flagged. Rider OK.

On the restart of five laps, it was Wenzel and Binder with good starts off the line, with the Swiss taking the holeshot. The teammates battled it out until the German asserted his place at the front, though he couldn’t make a gap to the rest of the field. Van Crugten, who got a terrible start that saw him outside the top ten had risen through the field quickly and within a few laps was on the back wheel of the race leader.

On the last lap, a fierce four-rider battle raged behind between Nativi, Van Crugten, Phommara and Wenzel. In the final sector, Phommara went with an audacious move around the outside of Van Crugten and Nativi that almost saw him take the lead into the final chicane. It wasn’t to be though, as Nativi held his line and in a close finish took the chequered flag ahead of Van Crugten, Wenzel & Phommara. Van Crugten was adjudged to have exceeded the track limits on the last lap at Turn 17, following contact with Phommara (Phommara-Racing), so Wenzel was classified second and Van Crugten had to settle for third, and the final podium place.

Phommara, Kitzbichler and Binder completed the top six in this five-lap race. Local rider Tom Kuil (Zelda People Racing) finished 11th in the first race of the weekend.

RACE 2: rookie Kitzbichler shines in the Netherlands

Race 2 was won by Tobias Kitzbichler (Racingteam Kitzbichler) in stunning fashion, having led from the first lap until the end unchallenged. The Austrian crossed the finish line first after fourteen laps at the TT Circuit Assen, ahead of Dutchman Van Crugten (BB64 Academy) and Frenchman Nativi (Nativi Racing Team).

With the same grid as Race 1, in similar conditions, and with each rider that much more experience on the new Honda and in the tricky weather, the stage was set for an exciting rematch. The two Kiefer Racing teammates Wenzel and Binder made great starts and seemed to yet again establish themselves at the front of the race. Would it be a repeat of Race 1? Not exactly. On lap 1 the Kiefer teammates were left in the dust of a charging Kitzbichler who roared past and disappeared into the distance, 1 second a lap faster than his nearest rival for the first 10 laps.

Behind the Austrian, and with 10 laps to go, a battle for second place was shaping up between Van Crugten, Antoine Nativi and Ferre Fleerackers (Junior Black Knights). The Dutchman, struggling with the clutch at the start, had dropped as low as 21st, but like a rocket ship, he weaved his way through the field so that within five laps he had already joined the group fighting for second place.

In the end it was Van Crugten who came out on top of the compelling battle for second place. He finished just over six seconds behind Kitzbichler, but just ahead of Nativi and Fleerackers. Behind this trio, though at some distance, and completing the top seven, were Binder (Kiefer Racing) in fifth, Phommara (Phommara-Racing) in sixth and polesitter Wenzel (Kiefer Racing) in seventh place.

At the end of a successful first weekend for the NTC Frenchman Antoine Nativi sits atop the standings with 41 points ahead of Kitzbichler & Van Crugten, tied for second with 36 points each.

The Northern Talent Cup now looks forward to Round 2 at the Sachsenring in just under two weeks.

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Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) continued to shine in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, even if the sun didn’t too much at the TT Circuit Assen. Fourth place in Race 2 was the highlight for ‘The Maniac’ during the Pirelli Dutch Round but his pace when the rain started to come down during that race was phenomenal, as the Italian hauled himself up the order to fight for the podium places.

With conditions all weekend inconsistent, even during races, it was hard for riders and teams to understand setups and tyres as they would have in a completely dry or completely wet weekend. Iannone’s Tissot Superpole result on Saturday was P9 – just over a second off the pace – with this his first visit to Assen in WorldSBK, and no prior testing at the venue unlike Phillip Island and Barcelona. Iannone showed strong pace in Race 1 before a Turn 3 crash forced him out of the race.

On Sunday, with the skies a little brighter for WorldSBK despite some rain hanging in the air, Iannone dropped to P15 in the Superpole Race before fighting back in Race 2. As he dropped outside of the top nine in Sunday morning’s race, he started from 11^th with Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) taking tenth after he also fell out of the top nine. However, in mixed conditions as the rain fell in the second part of the race, Iannone surged through the field to claim fourth place.

Reflecting on his weekend, Iannone said: “It was a really strange weekend because the weather was crazy! In any case, we tried our best. On Saturday, we made a mistake unfortunately because we had really good potential. I thought we were better than Sunday. Saturday was important for Sunday because we learnt. I think we closed the round in a good way with a good feeling. In the Superpole Race, I destroyed the tyres immediately on the first lap, so in the second race we finished well and fought for the podium and victory. We are competing with the factory teams, this is good. We achieved a great result.”

The WorldSBK rookie was also asked about his feeling in the wet but drying track conditions, or when a small amount of rain was falling, with Iannone happy with how he performed in the challenging conditions despite still learning on his Panigale V4 R. He said: “My feeling was good, also on Saturday, with the half and half conditions, so the feeling with the bike is really good. Sometimes we feel a bit more inexperienced because we don’t have data like everybody, it’s my first year in WorldSBK and everything is new. We’re learning every day. We want and need to try to fight for victories. In the end, it’s important we always remember that this is my first year.”

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950 races, which therefore means 950 stories, battles, winning celebrations and magical moments, coupled for some with ‘what could have been’, disappointment and dejection. Race 2 marked a big moment in the history of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with the 950^th race being an absolute belter from start to finish at the TT Circuit Assen. In this feature, we’ll break down the eras in a different way, with particular focus on the modern era and the current generation of riders. 

BACK TO THE START: those early beginnings

Fred Merkel, Raymond Roche and Doug Polen were early dominators of the Championship, clinching the first five titles between them as WorldSBK found its feet in the world of motorsport. This new attractive brand of racing went across the world from the UK to New Zealand, Canada to Australia and everywhere in between. Come the end of this five-year period, one rider emerged onto the scene and a new era was about to begin with Carl Fogarty.

AFTER 100 RACES: the ‘Foggy’ era begins

Carl Fogarty became a poster boy not just for World Superbike but for motorcycle racing; one of Ducati’s first legends and one of Britain’s biggest sporting names, the Englishman packed out grandstands, raced harder than anyone before him and had some of the spiciest rivalries in the sport’s history, such as with Aaron Slight, John Kocinski and Pierfrancesco Chili, to name all but a few. The first ‘Golden Era’ of World Superbike, Fogarty took four titles with Ducati in 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999, whilst the likes of Corser and Kocinski stopped him in 1996 and 1997 respectively. By the end of 90s, WorldSBK was nearing to 300 races with it being some of the purest motorsport around but new breed was coming at the turn of the millennium. 

PROJECT 2000: the start of new era

Whilst Colin Edwards, Noriyuki Haga, Corser, Chili and the like had been around for a while, the 2000 season saw them all go head-to-head for the title on new bikes and a new sound of Superbike. Troy Bayliss was the new kid on the block though and ripped up the form guide as soon as he landed full-time to replace Fogarty, who’s career ended after a crash in Australia. Bayliss’ addition to the Championship would form one of the great rivalries of all time with Edwards, with them duking it out in style, building to the crescendo of Imola and 2002 – one of the Championship’s most famous races. In this period, Neil Hodgson found a second wind and would go onto become 2003 Champion, whereas James Toseland became the youngest ever to be crowned in 2004. Troy Corser was back to his best as huge manufacturer support returned in 2005, picking up the title with Suzuki. After a spell in MotoGP™, Bayliss was back and took the title in 2006, Toseland doubled up – for Ten Kate Racing – with the title in 2007, whilst Bayliss took a third and final title in 2008, retiring. 

NEW LOOK: Spies, Biaggi, Checa, Sykes and Rea

2009 was a huge generational change for WorldSBK; Ben Spies came in as a rookie to Yamaha and with his own crew chief from America – Tom Houseworth – denied Haga the elusive first title in a classic year. A year later and it was Max Biaggi and Aprilia who once again ruled the world before Carlos Checa came good in 2011. ‘Roman Emperor’ Biaggi clinched 2012 by just half a point from Tom Sykes, who in-turn would go on and win in 2013 and finish runner-up to Sylvain Guintoli in a tense 2014 battle. However, the era of Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki loomed large form 2015 onwards, as he wrapped up title after title and won battle after battle against Chaz Davies and Ducati. A fourth title in 2018 saw him be the first since ‘Foggy’ to do so, albeit this time, it was consecutive. He also set a new win tally record but things were about to get different from 2019 onwards. 

A TRUE NEW ERA BEGINS: WorldSBK current ‘Golden Era’

In 2019, MotoGP™ star Alvaro Bautista joined the WorldSBK family and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team; he won the first 11 races and was looking on course to take the title before a series of crashes and an injury saw him reeled back in by Rea who took a fifth title. The Ulsterman took that title at Magny-Cours, where another star really emerged: Toprak Razgatlioglu. Already a STK600 Champion and WorldSBK podium finisher, Razgatlioglu won an epic last lap battle in both Race 1 (WorldSBK’s 800^th race) and the Superpole Race – new since 2019 – to win from 16^th on the grid. A monster had been unleashed and Toprak was soon on his way to Yamaha where the gloves really would come off.

Winning his first race for the Japanese manufacturer in Australia and Race 1 at Phillip Island in 2020, Toprak wouldn’t mount a title charge as he adapted to the bike but was back on-song for the end of the year. After parting ways with Ducati, Alvaro Bautista struggled at Honda, whereas Scott Redding replaced him at Ducati and took the title fight until the last round, ultimately being beaten by Rea and Kawasaki, who took a sixth title – and last – together. 2021 however, was different, with Toprak and Yamaha re-writing what was possible in terms of battling. An emotional showdown in Indonesia saw the Turkish rider crowned for the first time after a season-long fight with Rea, who saw his streak ended. One of WorldSBK’s greatest seasons and fiercest rivalries, who knew what was to come.

TITANIC TRIO ERA BEGINS: the greatest three-way rivalry ever

Alvaro Bautista back at Ducati, Razgatlioglu and Rea staying at Yamaha and Kawasaki respectively, we were in for a proper treat. All three knocked spots off each other like we’d never seen before, with Estoril in 2022 being a particular highlight of ruthless fighting and ‘never say never’ racing. Hitting the 900^th race in Race 1 at Mandalika, Razgatlioglu won again to keep his title hopes alive but it was Bautista who was crowned Champion at long last in Race 2, 16 years after his first title in the 125cc Championship. 2023 and Bautista wore the #1 plate and successfully defended against Razgatlioglu, with both battling harder than we’d ever seen before. Most, Portimao and Jerez all pulling at the emotions of all as the two provided some of the best motorcycle racing ever seen in this Championship and beyond. At the close of 2023, it was all change to halt Bautista. 

2024’s NEW ERA: new rules, new look, new line-up, new stars

With weight rules coming to balance performance, Toprak making a bold switch to BMW and Rea, after an unprecedented amount of success with Kawasaki, swapping to Yamaha, 2024 was always going to be spectacular. Add into the mix the return of Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven), the graduation of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and the addition of Sam Lowes and the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), it was impossible to see how it could play out. So far, we’ve had five different winners, eight different riders on the podium, three last lap battles for victory, new race winners and a return to the top for BMW – and we’ve only had three rounds and nine races. WorldSBK is off the charts in 2024 with some of the most emotional stories, hardest racing and craziest finishes we’ve ever seen. Six points split Championship leader Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu, with rookie Nicolo Bulega in third. We’re in for a truly unmissable grandstand finish. 

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The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season continues to be a breath-taking campaign, with unpredictability the name of the game so far. Three winners from three races came at Assen, including a shock Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team) victory after a tyre gamble paid off, and now attentions are turning to the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simonelli” for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round. So, make sure you get your tickets HERE for the reasons listed below!

WHO WILL FIGHT AT THE FRONT? Anyone’s game, still…

While some names have been at the front consistently in 2024, others have been just behind and occasionally mixing it with the lead group. Three winners at Assen – Spinelli, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) – prove the point well that anything can and will happen in WorldSBK in 2024. Who will join the fight at Misano?

WINNER AND PODIUM FINISHERS IN 2024: five victors, nine on the rostrum…

Only nine races into the season but there have been five different winners, with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) joining the list, and nine on the podium. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven), Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) have also stood on the rostrum, with a huge chunk of the field in contention for top spots.

THE ON-TRACK ACTION: overtakes everywhere you look

Phillip Island, Barcelona and Assen have all had one common theme: new overtaking hotspots are being created at unusual places. Fully expect this to continue at Misano with the competition as fierce as ever at the front of the field. 

IANNONE TO THE FORE: a maiden WorldSBK win on home soil?

‘The Maniac’ has proven he’s still got his talent despite four years out of competition, and what better place for Iannone to claim a maiden WorldSBK win on home soil? His MotoGP™ record there wasn’t great, with two DNFs and a best of fifth between 2013 and 2019, but after leading races early on in his WorldSBK career, he’ll be hoping for success at Misano.

PADDOCK SHOW AND ENTERTAINMENT

As ever, the WorldSBK Paddock Show will feature at Misano and it’s your chance to be at the heart of so many moments. Podium celebrations are the highlight, but there’s so much more: meet and greet sessions, interactive activities and games also take place there between the track action.

A FIRST MISANO WIN FOR BMW? the history books are being re-written…

BMW had never won in Barcelona until 2024, nor had they won at Assen until this season. A huge step forward means they’re now in contention and next up is another track they’re yet to win at. Can Razgatlioglu or teammate Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) make it a hat-trick of first-time circuit wins for the German brand?

A CLASSIC CIRCUIT: it really has everything

From high-speed corners, low-speed hairpins, overtaking opportunities galore and everything else, there’s nothing the Misano layout misses. Lap times can be made in different ways at the legendary venue, so expect races to ebb and flow between several riders and bikes as they all utilise their strengths in different ways.

BASSANI’S TRADITIONAL STEP FORWARD: aiming for a repeat of previous years

Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has made a habit of kickstarting his season at Misano. In 2021, it was his first top-ten finishes in WorldSBK. A year later, he got his first top-four finish of the year there and in 2023, his first rostrum of the season. He has two top-ten finishes on Kawasaki machinery as he continues to adapt to the ZX-10RR and did fight at the front in tricky conditions at Assen. Will history repeat itself for ‘El Bocia’ at Misano to surge up the order?

RINALDI AIMING FOR A STRONG RESULT: a previous winner at Misano…

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) has had some flashes of brilliance in 2024, but not consistently. Next up he’s a track he’s won at twice, both in 2021, and has seven podiums at. With the Motocorsa Ducati outfit proving they could fight at the sharp end with Bassani in previous seasons at Misano, they’ll be hoping for the same in 2024.

STUNNING COASTLINE, PLENTY TO SEE: something for everyone

Heading to Misano in June means catching the start of summer – hopefully at least – and what better place to mark it? Just a few kilometres away from the stunning Adriatic Coast makes it perfect for the weather, but Misano Adriatco also has its own appeal. There’s plenty to do in the region, so why not combine it with the thrills of WorldSBK?

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Spanish rookie Gonzalo Sanchez made an excellent return to the top step of the podium in the second race of the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup at the TT Circuit Assen after a disappointing DNF in Race 1. 

Race 1 winner Marc Vich made the best launch from the line and took an early lead, pulling a gap of one second over the pack before the end of the first lap, but Sanchez was quick to catch his compatriot and make his own bid for the race win. By lap four the Spanish duo had pulled a gap of 3.8 seconds over their rivals, who were in a big group ranging from third to 11^th. This group swapped places many times over the course of each 4.5km lap and was more hectic than the relative calm at the front with Vich and Sanchez. 

Saturday’s winner Vich held firm for the bulk of the 10-lap race, using his experience and track knowledge to put in smooth and quick laps. Although he led on laps two and three, Sanchez preferred to sit behind his rival, following his lines and waiting for the optimum moment to make a move on a circuit he has never ridden before. This moment came on the last corners of the final lap of the legendary Dutch track when he slipped past Vich. The 15-year-old rookie managed to defend his position into the Geert Timmer chicane and take his third win of the season.

After earning 25-points on Saturday Vich added to his impressive haul with second, just +0.018 behind Sanchez. After a tremendous group battle it was Brazil’s Eduardo Burr who came through for another rostrum result in third. Takumi Takahashi was fourth and Dorian Joulin took fifth after a penalty for Dawid Nowak on the final lap. 

The Netherlands’ Indi Schunselaar had a disappointing end to his home race weekend when he suffered a crash at Turn 17 on the third lap.  

Round 3 of the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup will take place at Misano World Circuit from June 14^th-16^th.

FULL RESULTS – R3 bLU cRU World Cup – RACE TWO

Gonzalo Sanchez, Race 2 Winner, said: “I’m back in business! I’m so happy to be back on the top step, especially after yesterday which was hard with the crash. Yesterday evening I spent a lot of time with my team working on the strategy, I had confidence in myself and I pushed very hard during the whole race and this is the result! It wasn’t easy because I have never been to this circuit before, but I studied and did everything I could to learn it in the wet and dry. I need to thank everyone who makes it possible for me to be here, and especially those who support me even in the hard times.”

Source: WorldSBK.com

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) ended the Pirelli Dutch Round with a Tissot Superpole Race victory and a second place in Race 2, leaving him delighted heading into his team’s home round next time out. The results have given him the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship standings lead over Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) by just six points after a dramatic Sunday at the iconic TT Circuit Assen.

Bautista started the Superpole Race from seventh place and found himself as low as ninth on the first lap after running wide while trying to pass former teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing), but soon charged up the order to move into second place with a few laps to go. From there, he set his sights on 2024 teammate Nicolo Bulega out in front. He made light work of the #11, passing him through the final sector before pulling out 2.6 seconds on his rookie stablemate.

That set him up for Race 2 with first place on the grid and he took advantage of that to lead through the opening few laps, before the rain started to fall to add an extra dimension to the race. Lots of riders took turns leading – Bautista, Razgatlioglu and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) included – with the last two Champions fighting for victory. In the end, it was the #54 who claimed the win after passing Bautista on Lap 16 at the Geert Timmer Chicane.

Reflecting on his win and podium on Sunday, Bautista said: “Race 2 was like all weekend, really tricky and difficult because conditions were really changing. In the morning Superpole Race, I had a good feeling with the bike, and I could push 100%. The conditions were more stable than the rest of the weekend. It was the first time we had normal conditions. I enjoyed it, especially the first laps where I battled a lot with other riders to make a really impressive comeback. In the afternoon, I had a good start. I tried to keep my pace. I was quite confident, making good lines, but then it started to rain a little bit and it basically never stopped lightly raining during the race. In one part of the race, it started to rain a bit harder in some areas. We slowed down a little bit, then, after I tried to push again, I think the rear tyre cooled down too much and I couldn’t get the temperature to push at the end, so I didn’t have the same feeling as the start of the race. To finish on the podium was important. It’s been a really tough weekend.”

The results on Sunday mean Bautista has taken the Championship lead for the first time this season, after a difficult first couple of rounds for the reigning Champion. He leads Razgatlioglu by six points with Bulega in third, the smallest gap between the top two after nine races since 2020, when Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) led Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) by just four points.

With the lead in his pocket, Bautista explained what he wants to achieve next time out at Misano. He said: “I think you can expect what you want to expect! What’s important for me is in Barcelona, we found something that helped me to ride like I wanted again and also here we used the same base setup as Barcelona because in this weather, we couldn’t work on the bike. At Misano, I hope to have better or more normal conditions and try to take a step forward. In the end, the results are the consequences of the good work.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The first rider to hit three wins in 2024, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has stormed into second place in the Championship standings with a mighty Assen win in Race 2. It’s his and BMW’s first at the famed Dutch venue, with a strong start to the season continuing for him and the German manufacturer.

Race 2 looked like it could be a challenge for Toprak on paper, with the 2021 World Champion having to go from P9 on the grid after cold tyre tearing halted his charge in the Superpole Race. However, with a solid start, Toprak was right inside the lead group from the start and on Lap 7, hit the front to give a huge travelling Turkish support what they wanted. However, a rain shower threw the cat amongst the pigeons and soon, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) took turns at the front. However, when the rain went off, Toprak went back into P1 on Lap 16 and stayed their until the end, despite pressure from Bautista in the closing two laps.

IN HIS WORDS: “If you’re really fast, nine positions is not a problem!”

“I felt like in Barcelona but in general, I’m very happy,” began an elated Razgatlioglu. “We did a great job all weekend, especially in Race 2. In the Superpole Race, we used the SCQ tyre like everyone but normally, I thought about using a different tyre but that’s racing. We did a very good job with a Race 2 win; it wasn’t easy but every lap, I pushed really hard! This is my first win at Assen in WorldSBK, also for BMW, so I’m happy for that.”

Speaking about coming back from the third row, the #54 said that it wasn’t that much of an ordeal: “P9 on the grid isn’t really important because if you’re really fast, nine positions is not a problem! At Turn 1, Alex Lowes nearly crashed and I had to close the gas and after, I passed all riders step-by-step. In the race, I felt confident and the engine braking was working – a bit too much, so we need to find the setup. I did a very good pace.”

VICTORY NUMBER 3: “I needed a win this weekend!”

Dealing with the rain wasn’t easy either: “I just closed the gas because I didn’t want to take the risk and I saw Alvaro and just followed him; he has more experience than me. After that, the others came. I forgot about the tear off because I saw everything like it was still raining; after that, I took it off and everything was clean! I started pushing again but it was a very good win! Assen is a strange track and this weekend, the weather has been strange. I’m learning every day and getting experience. I needed a win this weekend!”

Looking to the Championship standings, he’s right in contention and just six points adrift of leader Bautista: “I’m not thinking in the Championship position, just in race-by-race like before. I just want to ride the bike like before, try to enjoy the race and then we’ll see again at Misano. I’m very happy that before Misano, we have a test there and I hope to find a good setup for the race and after, we’ll fight for the win.”

BONGERS IN AWE: “I’m absolutely speechless!”

It’s a home round for Marc Bongers, BMW’s Motorrad Motorsport Director, who is from the Netherlands, meaning the win was even sweeter:   “Being Dutch, it’s even more special but for the entire team, it’s absolutely great! Not just Toprak being fast but also Michael who had a magnificent performance here. It’s a shame he got a penalty so he was sent back to P9. What a weekend again; yesterday, we were in for a win, I’m pretty sure about that but we struggled in the Superpole Race with the tyre. Toprak started from P9 and got it perfect; it was an exciting race to watch in general. To come away from here with a win and to have such a start of the year, I’m absolutely speechless. We bought new stuff here and it was just magnificent. What a feeling, again I’m in tears! Most of the guys are travelling tonight so we have to have the celebration when we have the full success but for sure, I’ll have a couple of drinks with this success! Tomorrow, I’m taking Toprak to Munich to do work on some more details for the next one.”

Speaking about the fans trackside, Bongers was full of praise: “It’s amazing to see; the grandstands here were full with so many Turkish flags. This morning, I tried to concentrate on my laptop a little bit but they were singing, dancing and screaming for Toprak. This is magnificent for the Championship because these people really carry him and it’s a great atmosphere for us and for all the fans here.”

KEYS TO SUCCESS: “You have to have all the parts of the puzzle”

About the process to arriving to contend for wins and podiums, Bongers said: “To become successful in a World Championship, you have to have all the parts of the puzzle with the team and the bike, building it throughout last year, increasing our effort, creating a test team etc. We knew that when we had all these pieces in place, we’d organise the rider allocation, sign Toprak and then it all seems to have come together. We pay a lot of attention to detail; no manufacturer comes to this Championship and wins, it does take years. We’re not at the very top yet but we’re sniffing it, we can smell it, so we need to keep our heads down and move on to the next win.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) ends the Pirelli Dutch Round of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship on a positive note after a successful weekend at the TT Circuit Assen. Gardner finished fourth in the Superpole Race, losing out on a podium on the final lap before his dreams came true in Race 2 to finish third after a hard battle.

The Australian started the Superpole Race from sixth on the grid and spent most of the race inside the top five, battling with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha). However, Lowes overtook Gardner at the final chicane on the final lap, forcing the #87 to settle with a fourth place.

This gave Gardner motivation for Race 2. When he fought his way into the podium positions in the early stages of the race, eventually finding himself in second. However, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) soon made his way into second as rain began to fall at Assen. Gardner would hold on to third, finishing ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha).

Reflecting on a crazy podium, Gardner said: “Finally, yeah, we have had a really tough last year even though we did speed and glimpses of hope, and the first few races definitely didn’t go to plan even though we showed our speed, just luck wasn’t on our side and hasn’t been in a while. But finally, everything has come together, we have had an amazing weekend and have been fast all weekend. Honestly, I feel like we should have had at least two podiums this weekend, but I can’t complain. I think we have maybe broken the curse and are finally back on the box. It has been two years with this podium drought that has finally come to an end.”

It was a monumental moment for Gardner, who now heads to Misano in eighth place in the WorldSBK standings. After joining WorldSBK in 2023, Gardner finished ninth in the standings with a best result of fourth, leaving the Australian wanting more after moving from the MotoGP paddock.

Speaking about how difficult it has been to achieve a maiden WorldSBK podium, Gardner said: “It has been really hard, especially with how my MotoGP career went. It was not good, and I just felt like I was a little discarded as a rider. It has been hard, but I’ve always believed in myself, to be honest, and I’ve kept fighting and pushing because there was one point where I could maybe retire and do something else. But I kept pushing, believing in myself, and kept working as hard as ever. This third position definitely feels like a win to me, that is why it was so frustrating to miss the podium so many times, I think I’ve put in so much work, but finally, good things come to the people who work hard, and it finally pays off.”

The team now head into Misano for the next round, with the team principal for the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Filippo Conti, who is now looking forward to the support in Misano after a great result in Assen.

Conti spoke about his emotions after Gardner’s first podium ahead of Misano: “We are very happy and satisfied. It was not easy, but the race was fantastic, and there were good things with Remy and Domi. It was not unexpected for someone who works so hard and has had the best consistency. The team did an incredible job, and thanks to Yamaha for all their support. I feel very proud of our guys, and I hope this is only the starting point. It is our home race next, and it is very important to us. We are going to have a lot of support and a lot of fun. We are going to have to test and work very hard to be ready for Misano to fight for a great result.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com