Two weeks on from a dramatic MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, the Championship heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round. There will be four different classes in action in Spain to enjoy with your tickets, which you can purchase HERE, as well as a multitude of off-track activities to get stuck into to enjoy the Catalunya Round in full. Enjoy the incredible racing in style complemented with paddock access including the WorldSBK Paddock Show to meet your favourite riders. Access to the paddock is available with selected tickets.

WorldSBK, WorldSSP, WorldSSP300 and the Yamaha R3 European Championship will take place during the Catalunya Round with hours upon hours of track action to watch from the stands. However, there are also several activities taking place which you can enjoy between sessions or after races to get you closer to the riders. Chat shows with several riders throughout the weekend, interactive sessions and quizzes as well as the podiums will all take place in the Paddock Show. There are several activities on different days to enjoy in the paddock as well as the incredible on-track action.

Purchase your tickets for the 2023 Catalunya Round HERE!

Source: WorldSBK.com

It’s the home of Gaudi, a historic old town, rambling avenues, soft sandy beaches and a dramatic landscape, with a strong culture sweeping through this part of Spain. Just 30km away from the centre of Barcelona, nestled in the hills behind, one of the most famous racing venues in the world. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya makes Barcelona one of the most attractive race weekends on the calendar, and WorldSBK is one of the most attractive events to enjoy. However, whilst fans may take in the Sagrada Familia and take pitstops in the tapas bars, riders and teams will be at their own sacred venue, ready for whatever is served their way.

UNSTOPPABLE, UNBEATABLE: the hallmarks of a Bautista triple once more

With a Championship lead that has soared to 56 points, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) could afford to have an ‘off’ round, but it doesn’t look like coming here. The reigning World Champion breezed to victory in 2022 with a dominant hat-trick as he got the first fingers on the title, and with upgrades to the Panigale V4 R in the off-season and a successful test conducted at the track, who would bet against that continuing? It’s true that every year is different in Barcelona; the low grip is a constant after five laps, but bad weather does roll in unexpectedly and there’s always one rider who surprises. On paper, Bautista has this weekend covered and smart money says a hat-trick, but races aren’t won on paper.

WHO CAN STOP HIM? A strategic fight coming from old foes

Whilst Bautista does go extremely well at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, his rivals’ determination and tenacity will see them scrap it out with him if the opportunity arises. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) took three podiums at Assen and is second in the Championship. He’s yet to win at Barcelona but did try going with Bautista in 2022’s Race 1, only to suffer a big tyre drop at the end. If his Yamaha crew can improve the longevity and pick up from last year’s P3 in Race 2, then perhaps Toprak will lead the charge. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is likewise in better form with two Assen podiums and he won in Barcelona back in 2020, albeit not with Bautista on the Ducati. For those two, it was clear at Assen that attack is the only chance they have when they spoke after the Superpole Race, so could teamwork be seen? Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has a win in Barcelona and two other podiums at the track; ignore his poor form when it comes to a low-grip situation at Barcelona. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took a podium in 2022 in Barcelona, maybe he’ll have a say in the top three again?

Other riders who could figure towards the front include Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), who is third overall in the Championship and in mighty fine form with a podium at every circuit so far in 2023, although at the March test in Barcelona, ‘Loka’ wasn’t too far up the order. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) is fourth overall in the standings after a stellar start to the season but is yet to take the podium he “needs”; he led a race for the first time and finished second two years ago in Race 1 – what an achievement that’d be if he was to fight for victory this weekend. One rider who impressed at Assen was Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), with the Swiss star very strong at the end of races, conserving tyre life for a late attack; if he repeats that in Barcelona, a track where tyre life will be the number one focus for all, he could repeat GRT’s podium success from 2022. That was with Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), and whilst 2022’s challenge is a different one, don’t be surprised if Gerloff gets his best result of 2023 so far this weekend.

ALTERNATIVE CHARGE FORWARDS: Vierge and Lecuona headline the chasers

It was a weekend to forget at Assen for Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and teammate Iker Lecuona, with no Honda inside the top ten in either of the full races during a weekend for the first time since Magny-Cours, 2020. However, Barcelona is arguably their happiest of hunting grounds; strength in testing has always seen Lecuona feature inside the top three, whilst he took pole in 2022. Before that, it was Alvaro Bautista in 2020 who led a race before a monumental highside at Turn 4, whilst he took a podium in 2021. It’s Xavi Vierge’s home round and he’ll want to continue having the measure of his teammate, but both will hope to end the crashes that littered the Dutch round.

BMW’S WOES: a tough start and van der Mark out injured

Unequivocally, with the updates brought in 2023, BMW’s start to 2023 has been something of a far cry from what they’d have wanted. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is their top rider in 12^th place overall and on a run of five consecutive points-scoring finishes, with a best of P7 coming last time out at Assen in Race 2. Redding crashed out of the two main races in Barcelona last year and only took two points from the weekend with P8 in the Superpole Race. A tough time in testing at the track saw him 12^th, with BMW’s ability to put the power down at the circuit still an issue. However, they did test four different swingarms, so they’ll have plenty of data of which to use. They’ll also have a different rider on the second bike with Michael van der Mark out injured…

INDEPENDENT CHALLENGES: Petrucci and Gardner count on experience

Sitting seventh overall in the Championship and just three points behind incumbent factory Ducati rider Rinaldi, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) is having a solid debut season in WorldSBK and will be hoping that his MotoGP™ experience in Barcelona and tyre management could help him be in the hunt for his first WorldSBK podium – he enjoyed a MotoGP™ podium for Ducati in 2019 with third. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) could count Barcelona as a second home-round, having lived in Catalunya during the racing season. He won from pole position in the Moto2™ Grand Prix in 2021 and with a tenth and eighth at Assen in the full races, he enjoyed his best round in WorldSBK yet.

Other riders who go well in Barcelona are Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven), with the German a top six finisher there last year, whilst Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) aims for a first top ten of the season, having had a third place in Barcelona in 2020. Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), Hafizh Syahrin (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) all got points last time out and will hope they can repeat it in Barcelona. Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) just missed out on a first point of 2023 at Assen, whilst Eric Granado (PETRONAS MIE Racing HONDA Team) heads to a track he knows well. Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK) showed good potential at Assen, whilst Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing) readies for his second round of 2023. Gabriele Ruiu (Bmax Racing) will also be back in action and in quest for his first points of 2023.

Get the FREE Official Programme here, the full entry list here, catch-up on round three from Assen with highlights and make sure to enjoy Barcelona’s action LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

After the drama of the 2023 Dutch Round, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship moves west from the Netherlands to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round. WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 will be in action along with the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Championship and it’s this that starts track action at 09:00 Local Time (GMT+2) on Friday. WorldSSP300 Free Practice 1 follows at 09:45 with WorldSBK at 10:30 and WorldSSP at 11:25. In the afternoon, WorldSSP300 Free Practice 2 gets underway at 14:15 followed by WorldSBK at 15:00 and WorldSSP at 16:00. The first racing action takes place on Saturday, with WorldSBK Free Practice 3 starting the day’s action at 09:00, followed by three Tissot Superpole sessions: WorldSSP300 at 09:45, WorldSSP at 10:25 and WorldSBK at 11:10. The racing action starts with WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 12:40, WorldSBK Race 1 at 14:00 and WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 15:15. On Sunday, three Warm Up sessions start the day from 09:00 before racing gets underway at 11:00 with the WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race, followed by WorldSSP Race 2 at 12:30, WorldSBK Race 2 at 14:00 and WorldSSP300 at 15:15.

Watch every moment from Barcelona LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Friday, 5^th May (all times Local Time, GMT+2)

09:00-09:30 – Yamaha R3 Championship Free Practice

09:45-10:15 – WorldSSP300 Free Practice 1

10:30-11:15 – WorldSBK Free Practice 1

11:25-12:10 – WorldSSP Free Practice 1

13:30-14:00 – Yamaha R3 Championship Superpole

14:15-14:45 – WorldSSP300 Free Practice 2

15:00-15:45 – WorldSBK Free Practice 2

16:00-16:45 – WorldSSP Free Practice 2

Saturday, 6^th May

09:00-09:30 – WorldSBK Free Practice 3

09:45-10:05 – WorldSSP300 Tissot Superpole

10:25-10:45 – WorldSSP Tissot Superpole

11:10-11:25 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole

11:45 – Yamaha R3 Championship Race 1 (11 laps)

12:40 – WorldSSP300 Race 1 (12 laps)

14:00 – WorldSBK Race 1 (20 laps)

15:15 – WorldSSP Race 1 (18 laps)

16:15 – Yamaha R3 Championship Race 2 (11 laps)

Sunday, 7^th May

09:00-09:15 – WorldSBK Warm Up

09:25-09:40 – WorldSSP Warm Up

09:50-10:05 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up

11:00 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race (10 laps)

12:30 – WorldSSP Race 2 (18 laps)

14:00 – WorldSBK Race 2 (20 laps)

15:15 – WorldSSP300 Race 2 (12 laps)

Source: WorldSBK.com

As the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship had a weekend away from the race circuit, Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was in action during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez in the MotoGP™ World Championship. The Spaniard was deputising for the injured Marc Marquez in the Repsol Honda Team, something Lecuona hailed as the team of his childhood dreams ahead of action commencing on Thursday.

With there being no expectations, Lecuona took 18^th in his first MotoGP™ Sprint outing on Saturday afternoon after qualifying in 25th. On the opening lap of the Sprint, he had a collision with Augusto Fernandez but managed to stay on the bike. The Sprint was red-flagged after a multiple rider crash at Turn 2 involving Franco Morbidelli, Alex Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi. In Sunday’s Grand Prix, the race was red-flagged for another opening lap crash at Turn 2, this time involving Fabio Quartararo and Miguel Oliveira. Come the end of the race, Lecuona took 16^th, less than half a second from scoring points. 

Talking about the weekend, Lecuona said: “I’m really happy with the job, so thanks to the team for all the work they did. We improved every time I jumped on the bike, the feeling, pace and lap time. At the beginning, I was in the grip but after ten laps, I felt the first drop and missed the lap time a bit. I learnt a lot in the race to keep a good lap time and at the end of the race, I recovered a lot to get to Raul Fernandez. I think I needed half a lap to overtake him but to finish three tenths from a point… overall I am really happy!”

“After a year and a half away from this paddock, it’s hard to come back. It was my first time on this Honda, my first time with the new front tyres and my first time with many new things. I am really happy because run by run, I felt more comfortable and better on the bike. I need to be happy.”

Watch all the 2023 season unfold chapter-by-chapter with the comprehensive WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto hosted a very special presentation on Saturday as the FIM and Dorna Sports announced a new project: the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship. The new competition is intended to widen access to the sport of motorcycle racing for women and create a platform of representation for female riders.

On launch in 2024, the initial series will primarily run alongside the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The target for the first season is at least six rounds, with two races to take place per round. The grid will race on equal machinery, with a single motorcycle supplier to be announced in due course.

The new Championship aims to create opportunities for female riders who are already competing – providing an environment in which they can build a professional, viable career in motorcycle racing – and looks to lay the groundwork for more equal representation across all motorcycling paddocks of the future. Providing a positive example for prospective female competitors, the series will further underline that motorcycling is a sport for all to enjoy, on and off track.

Jorge Viegas, FIM President: “This is the first time ever, since 1904, that we are going to start next year with the FIM Women’s World Championship. I also hope you like the logo, it’s a surprise for all of you!

“We gave a lot of thought to this, and we had a lot of demand. As we do in Motocross, Enduro and Trial, we are starting with a women’s World Championship next year in circuit racing. Our plan is to have six races in Europe, and we are planning to do a single brand competition. We will try to have women from all over the world racing in this new Championship. It will be organised primarily within the frame of the WorldSBK Championship.

“It’s a Championship where we want women to be pro. It’s not a step to another category, we want women who race here to be able to earn a wage as a rider, as professionals. We hope to start in March or April next year.”

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director: “When I was informed about this project and its possibilities I took a lot of interest and had a lot of enthusiasm. Currently, we thought that the World Superbike platform could be one of the places to start this project, but it doesn’t mean that it could only be in Superbike. It’s within Dorna, so we will see how this develops.

“We don’t have all the details yet, this is a live project, evolving all the time. It’s important that we expand the opportunities available, and especially seeing a lot of Cups and projects that we’ve started, I think it’s a big challenge but all of us must be proud of being able to offer this opportunity. At the end of the season I would like to see a good progression for the future ahead in order to have more riders and more possibilities in this sport.

“The best platform to start with is a single brand, and we’ve been discussing it informally with manufacturers already. We will start to define the details, but we expect something in a similar range to Supersport displacement. There has been a lot of interest but this is a project that is progressing, and can progress through the years to expand with different manufacturers, teams… we want to create a destination where female riders from around the world can join the Championship and find professional success. That means we can also explore new ways to promote the motorcycle industry. If we start from zero, we can be more creative. Like I said from my side, I will put in my full commitment to make it happen and to make it work at the standard that we want, and hopefully, we can be successful and enjoy it.”

Françoise Emery, FIM CEO: “We created a commission for women in motorcycling more than twenty years ago now so it is not really anything new in the FIM. We try to promote and support the women in motorcycle racing. What we try to do is offer female riders all opportunities and possibilities for them to ride, and as mentioned by the FIM President, we already have championships in Motocross, Enduro and Trial. So now we are pleased to launch a women’s Championship in circuit racing.”

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are used to making announcements in extraordinary Press Conferences, and today is an extraordinary one! After much reflection, we have taken a decision, along with the FIM, which is very important both for us and for the future of the motorcycling world.

“We’re very happy to announce this project and be part of this important initiative, the FIM Women’s Motorcycle Racing World Championship.”

Source: WorldSBK.com

The music has started and at the moment, there are plenty of seats ready and waiting, but that is guaranteed to change. As the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is three rounds out of 12 into the season, the European leg is well underway and with that comes plenty of market talks. From futures hanging in the balance and at a cross-roads to the majority of the field looking to strike a deal for next year, we summarise the situation with what we know so far.

SIGNED. SEALED. DONE DEAL: future secured for…

One rider on the current grid has a contract for 2024 and that is the most successful World Superbike rider of all-time, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). The six-time World Champion inked a two-year contract extension in 2022 which sees him through 2023 and until the close of 2024. However, his teammate is not decided for 2024 yet.

HOLDING THE CARDS: Bautista and Razgatlioglu are potential changes

Reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is in his second season back in Ducati, having signed a one-year extension in 2022. However, Bautista teased his future during the Pirelli Dutch Round at Assen, saying that he “doesn’t have a clear idea” about 2024. In his Sunday debrief, he stated that he would “take a decision” after the third round, and that “personal life is becoming more special and more important” with his wife and two daughters, as the latter grow up.

In blue, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) is arguably one of the riders who holds all of the cards; his MotoGP™ test at Jerez in April was impressive, with him being just 1.7s off Dani Pedrosa and KTM at top spot, whilst he was 0.6s behind Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow. Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director commented that Toprak was one of the “prime candidates” for the factory MotoGP™ should current rider Franco Morbidelli’s form not improve, whilst Razgatlioglu himself has confirmed that a move to MotoGP™ is a “dream” in 2024. Toprak’s manager, five-time WorldSSP Champion Kenan Sofuoglu, stated that the 2021 World Champion “wasn’t built” for MotoGP™ and that he believes that Razgatlioglu will remain in World Superbike. Sofuoglu also spoke to Italian media, stating that his ideal situation would be to renew with Yamaha in WorldSBK, with a decision made by Barcelona, but that two other factories are interested.

OTHER FACTORY SEATS: what’s the situation so far?

Let’s start with the reigning World Champions, Ducati: Alvaro Bautista looks set to continue with them or step away from racing for more time with his family, with a decision to be reached by Barcelona. So, what about his current teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi? Rinaldi signed a one-year extension in 2022 for this year and was the final factory rider confirmed. Last year, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) made it clear he wanted the ride and has stated again that he hopes his rides in 2023 have already caught the attention of factory teams. He’s currently fourth in the standings, Rinaldi lies sixth. Besides that, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) stated that he’d like to get on a factory bike in 2024 and Nicolo Bulega has been impressive in WorldSSP; could he be in-line to move up like those before him who have gone on to win the WorldSSP title?

In the other factories, Alex Lowes’ (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has his contract finish at the end of the 2023 season with Kawasaki, so he is up for renewal. Both Team HRC riders, Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, also have their contract up for renewal at the end of this season. Team boss Leon Camier has always spoke highly of both riders, especially Lecuona’s natural talent and ability to learn new track and ride in low-grip situations. At the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, Scott Redding is in his second season of what is a “multiple year” deal, although the length hasn’t been confirmed. For current teammate Michael van der Mark, he stated that he’d like to continue with BMW but his injury at Assen definitely came at the wrong time.

INDEPENDENTS: everyone up for renewal

Like the factory seats up for grabs (besides Jonathan Rea), all Independent riders have a contract for 2023 only. Some are understood to have potential options to remain whilst for others, we await exactly what the situation is. Don’t forget, as the motorcycle racing season evolves, riders from various Championships will be linked to WorldSBK. In 2023, riders joined the grid from MotoGP™, British Superbikes, MotoAmerica, MotoE™ and of course, graduating from World Supersport.

Summarised 2024 rider line-up with 2022 riders confirmed. TBA = to be announced

Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK: Jonathan Rea and TBA

All remaining teams: TBA

A breath-taking season is well underway, watch it all unfold in style with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

With a week to go until the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship ignites for round four of the season at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, one rider gets a chance to showcase himself at the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in MotoGP™. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) will have big boots to fill as he replaces eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez in the Repsol Honda Team this weekend, with the #93 out injured following a first-round crash at Portimao. 

From Assen to Jerez. From @WorldSBK to @MotoGP. @LecuonaIker is ready for the #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/28ZiRJsuqD

— Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) April 27, 2023

Lecuona has plenty of experience in the MotoGP™ paddock, with two podiums achieved in Moto2™ before he graduated up to the premier class, where he’d become a top six finisher and regular top ten contender in what was his final season in 2021. He then switched to WorldSBK and the factory Honda outfit, where he instantly impressed with a first podium of the season during round two at Assen. In 2023, he’s been luckless in the last two rounds with crashes catching him out, but ahead of racing in Barcelona, he’ll have the chance to prove himself in MotoGP™.

Speaking ahead of the weekend on Thursday afternoon, Lecuona was somewhat surprised at the chance to return to MotoGP™ for a round: “The feeling was crazy, honestly! I don’t understand a lot about this, maybe one and a half days. When I got told the news, wow, it was a big surprise for me. I didn’t expect it as I expected that Marc is here and that I am at home. I said yes, of course. It’s my dream team. It’s an amazing opportunity so thanks to Honda, Team HRC and Box Repsol; I appreciate it a lot that they’ve given me this opportunity. I’ll try to enjoy because I think that is what this opportunity is for.”

Continuing about what he hopes to get out of this weekend and if he has set any goals, Lecuona commented: “I don’t have any expectations, I’ll just try to enjoy. It’s the first time in two years that I’m back in this paddock and on these bikes, so there are a lot of new things to understand. It’s also the first time with Honda and this machine. I need to learn and we’ll see how Friday goes. I am very excited to start!” 

Watch all the 2023 season unfold chapter-by-chapter with the comprehensive WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship 2023 season got underway at the TT Circuit Assen with the Pirelli Dutch Round and the racing action was as unpredictable ever. Despite all the fights and drama in both races, Czech rider Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki) claimed a historic double at Assen to start his season in style, taking a maximum 50 points from the first round of the season.

Svoboda took 11^th in Saturday’s Tissot Superpole session which was held in mixed conditions. The track started off damp with riders on wet-weather tyres but it soon dried up with riders switching to slick tyres halfway through the 20-minute session. Svoboda’s best time was a 1’53.588s, 2.3 seconds down on polesitter Matteo Vannucci’s (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) time.

In Race 1, Svoboda was able to fight in the lead group and was running in second place on the final lap before Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) made an error when trying to break away from the chasing group, with Svoboda taking the lead before holding on to claim his first victory in WorldSSP300. He also secured the Czech Republic’s best result in the Championship, beating Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing MOVISIO) when he took third at the Autodrom Most in 2021.

Race 2 was another dramatic affair and the results changed after the flag due to several last-lap track limits infringements. Svoboda had initially crossed the line in third place behind Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) and Vannucci, but the pair were deemed to have exceeded track limits on the final lap. Maier was demoted one spot to second place, and Vannucci from second to third, promoting Svoboda to victory.

Reflecting on his Race 1 success, Svoboda said: “The race was difficult for me because I struggled in Superpole because it was held in mixed conditions. I wanted to be in the first group as soon as possible from the start. I made some pace and waited for the last five laps. I didn’t expect this, but it comes. I was second but Samuel Di Sora made a mistake at Turn 7, I think, and then I managed to overtake him on the back straight and then to stay in P1 and finish first. I didn’t expect this victory because my target was to finish every race in the top ten or the top five. This is special. I think it will be good to stay in the top ten or top five positions every race.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is three rounds in, but for one rider, there’ll be some extra MotoGP™ World Championship action at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) will replace Marc Marquez in the factory Repsol Honda Team at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, with the Valencian rider being called up to stand-in for the eight-time World Champion.

Marquez suffered an injury in the season-opening Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao when he collided with Miguel Oliveira at Turn 3 on the second lap. Whilst this resulted in a penalty for Marc, the Spaniard also suffered a fracture to the first metacarpal in his right hand and has been out of action since. Lecuona on the other hand has been in the opening three rounds of WorldSBK and with a best result so far of sixth at Phillip Island during round one. Tough weekends at Mandalika and Assen followed, but the 23-year-old is relishing an opportunity to return to the MotoGP™ paddock this weekend, even with big boots to fill.

Lecuona started his career in the MotoGP™ paddock before moving over to WorldSBK for the 2022 season. A top six finisher in the premier class back in 2021 aboard KTM machinery as well as five other top ten finishes, the #7 also had two Moto2™ podiums to his name. At Jerez, he’s never scored points in the premier class but has two top ten results from his Moto2™ appearances in 2018 and 2019.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is picking up pace as the European leg of the season begins. Round three at the TT Circuit Assen always provides talking points and this year’s numbers back-up that fact. With Ducati making more statistical waves, new names coming good and unexpected dips in performance, what do the stats tell us as the dust settles at Assen?

700 – Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) win in Race 2 was the 700^th different race podium Ducati have been on.

400 – Ducati managed a 400^th win in WorldSBK when Alvaro Bautista took victory in Race 2.

104 – Points scored by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) in 2023 after nine races, 20 more than the same stage last year and 59 more than in 2021. Ironically, in his rookie season, Locatelli was 104 points behind the Championship leader in 2021; it was Jonathan Rea then. This year, he’s 31 ahead of the #65.

101 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is 101 points behind the Championship leader after nine races. It’s the first time after nine races he’s been more than 100 behind since his rookie 2009 season, when he was 136 behind.

90 – 90^th career podium for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) with P2 in Race 2 at Assen.

71 – For the 71^st time, Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu stood on the podium together. That’s two behind the outright record of shared podium: Rea with Chaz Davies, 73.

40 – Bautista’s Race 2 win was his 40^th, meaning he’s achieved exactly 10% of Ducati’s win.

34 – Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has 34 points in 2023, one point less than at the same stage in 35. Since the M 1000 RR has been in action, the highest number of points scored after nine races is 51 in 2021, by Tom Sykes.

25 – Rea set a new record for single circuit podiums: 25, one more than he has at Portimao and Aragon.

10 – Andrea Locatelli took his tenth WorldSBK podium, putting him level on total podiums Simon Crafar and Max Neukirchner in the 50^th place of all-time.

10 – There were no Hondas inside the top in either full races. The last time that happened was at Magny-Cours 2020, when their best finish was a 12^th by Alvaro Bautista in Race 1.

9 – Locatelli has now achieved nine consecutive top five finishes at the start of the season.

6 – Six poles for Bautista, who is now level with John Kocinski and Cal Crutchlow.

6 – Remy Gardner’s (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) sixth in Race 2 was his best result so far in 2023, the first top six by an Australian rider in WorldSBK since Anthony West’s P5 at Sepang in Race 2, 2016.

5 – The triple at Assen was Bautista’s fifth in WorldSBK, after Phillip Island 2019, Buriram 2019, Barcelona-Catalunya 2022, Phillip Island 2013 and Assen 2023. 

4 – Best result in WorldSBK by a Swiss rider, Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) took fourth in Race 2, beating Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing). Bassani is fourth in the Championship, with 77 points and top Independent.

3 – Three points for Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) with 13^th in Race 2, his best finish of 2023.

1 – Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) scored his first point of the season in Race 2 at Assen. He moves into the top ten in terms of points-scoring length: his first points came as a seventh at Brands Hatch in 2008’s Race. The interval is now at 14 years, eight months and 20 days. If he scores points after August 3^rd, his spell will be at over 15 years.

A breath-taking season is well underway, watch it all unfold in style with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com