Following last year’s announcement of Cremona Circuit becoming a new MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship venue, the circuit operational team, alongside their providers, technicians, and staff, have been working tirelessly to ensure every detail is meticulously attended to.

1. Resurfacing of the track: The track has been resurfaced at Turns 5-6 and Turns 11-12-13, ensuring a uniform surface suitable for the high-performance demands of WorldSBK machinery.

2. Safety enhancements: New protection systems have been installed along the entire circuit, including air fences, safety barriers, and improved run-off areas, guaranteeing maximum safety for both riders and spectators.

3. Public facilities: Work is underway on the areas where grandstands will be positioned for fans attending the event. These will offer optimal views from every angle of the circuit and ensure safe and efficient logistics. Additionally, these areas are being equipped with necessary amenities, including new refreshment areas and spaces for collateral events, enhancing the overall spectator experience.

4. Bridges, paddock, and pit boxes: Significant work includes the connections between various areas through infrastructures and bridges. These have been designed, constructed, and installed in record time according to the project. A new glass-fronted building is being erected in the paddock, which will house Race Direction and Timekeeping, additional offices to support the event, and the various security systems required by the project.

Riders and teams already got a first taste of the Cremona Circuit with some private tests held in May, but the venue is now ready to welcome WorldSBK in anger in less than two months’ time. As Round 9 of 12 on the 2024 calendar, it promises to be a pivotal moment of the title chase as action unfolds in Lombardy again on September 20-22, 2024.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

It’s been a tricky 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season for the #21 of Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing), with the Italian and his team taking until the last race at Most to be crowned best Independent rider during a race. However, with 2025 honing into view in the second half of the year, he confirmed that his manager has spoken to a variety of teams, naming Kawasaki Puccetti Racing as a possible destination. He spoke candidly about his future and how 2024 has been thus far.

2025 CHAT: “My manager speaks with many people… one of them has been Manuel Puccetti”

“I want to continue in WorldSBK; this year, I understand, more than anything, that I want to fight for positions at the top of the standings,” began the 28-year-old Italian. “When you fight for just entering the top ten, it’s difficult to stay there and keep fighting. My first goal is to have the correct solution, also on the technical side, so that I can fight for those positions. I need to find solutions for this year by working with the team and to be the best version of myself. Fighting for the top five consistently; after this, I start working for the future but for me, I want to find the best solution on the technical side to be on the top next year.

“There are many rumours… my manager speaks with many people and one of them as been Manuel Puccetti. However, it depends on many things because next year, there are only two or three teams left and many riders looking for a ride. Sometimes, there’s more to getting a ride than just getting results. We will see what happens; we are talking at the moment with some people.”

Continuing, he looked at the bigger picture and hopes to be on the grid for next year: “I wish to be on the grid in 2025 but it’s not just on my shoulders. I am 28 years old and have good results to stay in this Championship. I have some things to show before I leave this class; I don’t think that we’ve reached our goal this season so I will need to try next season. If I am in or not is not only depending on me but I hope there’ll be the right situation and opportunity for me next year.”

2024 IN REVIEW: “It’s been difficult for us to arrive at a good level… we’ve made some steps forward”

“For sure, compared to what we were thinking at the beginning of the season, we have seen that the level has raised so much this year and we’ve been unable to reach the top Independent placing until the last race,” said Rinaldi. “It’s been difficult for us to arrive at a good level but for sure, we’ve made some steps forward and I hope from here until the end of the season that we can stay at this level and reach bettter results.”

One of many quirks to deal with this season has been a new team and a new crew, something the five-time race winner spoke about: “Technically speaking, I’m using the same bike as the team had last year; there are some upgrades that all the Ducatis have on the grid but I don’t. They aren’t big steps but I can say that it’s similar to my bike from last year but as I’ve said, everyone’s improved a lot this year. The 2024-spec of each manufacturer is faster, for example the BMW and also the Ducati, likewise with Nicolo, Iannone and Petrucci. I had to be stronger than last year to remain at the same level but it’s not easy because in the past, I’ve been working with the same crew but this year, we’ve only had a few races with the new crew. It’s a normal transition you have to make when you move to another team. There are many things that mean the results are difficult to come but it’s normal in motorsport, so we need to be patient to achieve the good results.”

DIFFICULTIES AND MENTALITY: “It’s not easy to swallow”

Determined to keep believing and remain positive, the #21 concluded with: “When you fight and give 100% but the results are difficult to achieve, it’s not easy to swallow. It’s hard, you have to understand what is happening and sometimes, you doubt yourself. This kind of season, in sport and as in life, hard times make you stronger. I try to not get down, my head to the sky and believing in what I do. I don’t stress out too much about what we’re not reaching because I’m worth more than that now. We just need to find our way and we’ll be back on it.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Kawasaki are just one of the manufacturers to claim victory in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season, with multiple victories this season. Ridden by Alex Lowes to the podium on several occasions and Axel Bassani as he adapts to the ZX-10RR, this is your chance to look in finer details of the Kawasaki machine that’s enjoying a decent season in 2024. See the incredible photos at the top of this gallery.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship is back in action in a couple of weeks at the stunning Autodromo Internacional do Algarve but, before then, here’s a chance to get to know one of the competitors a little bit better. This time it’s French star Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) who came into the inaugural season injured but is showing progress with each session. Get ti know more about Bondi below.

THE BEGINNNING OF A PASSION: on a bike from a young age

Emily Bondi’s love for motorcycles began early, riding on the back of her mom’s bike, and together with her dad, on a Triumph Bonneville T1200 and a BMW GT. Her first personal bike, an MT03, was a source of pride as she showcased it to her former instructors at a Yamaha dealership in Paris right after she got it.

A SWIFT ASCENT IN RACING: a career just a year old…

Her boyfriend, a cross-country champion, identified her potential in racing, propelling her towards competitive riding. Despite starting her racing career just a year ago, Emily became the French champion, now poised to compete on the international stage in the WorldWCR. 

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES: showing determination and defiance

Emily has faced numerous challenges as a woman in a male-dominated sport, encountering prejudices and underestimation. However, she uses these experiences to motivate herself and prove that women can compete at the highest levels, demonstrating perseverance and determination.

INSPIRATIONAL GOALS AND FUTURE AMBITIONS: aiming for a title 

Emily aims to inspire young girls to pursue motorcycle racing, emphasizing that they can excel in sports traditionally dominated by men. Her goal for the season is to gain experience, represent France with pride in the inaugural WorldWCR season, and eventually aim for a World Championship title.

PERSONAL INSIGHTS: away from the track

Outside racing, Emily enjoys spending time in the gym, with family, and creating digital content to raise awareness about motorcycle racing. Her favourite athlete is skier Tessa Worley, and she draws inspiration from female racer Sophia Floersch for her presence on social media and resilience in motorsport.

ON REPRESENTING HER COUNTRY: “Times are changing… up to me to make things happen!”

Discussing her role for women in motorsport, Bondi said: “It is very important to create a feminine reference in a country where I, a year ago, did not know that girls could do this sport, because I only saw men on TV. Times are changing and it’s up to me to make things happen for all the future princesses who want to ride a motorcycle as a daily sport!”

Emily’s message to aspiring female riders is clear: “Motorcycle princesses exist, and it’s you! With discipline and resilience, you will be part of the same starting grid as us one day!”

RAPIDFIRE ANSWERS: favourite rider and off-track studies

Who is your favourite motorcycle racer? “My favourite motorcycle rider is Xavier Simeon, my racing coach!”

What do you aside from racing? “I am a Master 2 student in digital marketing and communication at the IESEG School of Management”

What kind of music do you listen to before a race? “Deep-house that helps me concentrate.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 Czech Round didn’t end well for rookie Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who suffered a hefty fall in the Superpole Race at the Autodrom Most, ruling him unfit for the remainder of Sunday action. A peculiar crash following a downshifting issue, the #14 Ducati rider is confident that he won’t need surgery even if the fracture is somewhat strange. Before the back-to-backs started at Donington Park, he’d also undergone arm pump surgery and whilst it’s been getting better, it’s been a difficult run of results with a best of P8 during the Donington weekend his best since a first top six at Assen.

Reviewing his Superpole Race crash, Lowes explained what happened: “I made a mistake down into Turn 1; we had a small problem with the gears, backshifting down. It’s a very tight Turn 1, I realised I was going a bit quick and then it all got a little bit complicated. I struggled to shift but then obviously just tried to miss Scott. I can’t remember too much after that but it was quite a big crash with it throwing me over the side. I’m sorry to Scott as it ended his race but at least he didn’t go down to heavily. It was a tough weekend again anyway with a decent ride in Race 1 all things considered. It’s not easy when you miss the end of the weekend.”

Prior to the back-to-back rounds, the #14 underwent arm pump surgery, so he’s been far from fully fit: “I had the arm pump surgery for Donington Park; it’s all a little bit close together really. Donington had some positives and negatives and then to come straight here, I struggled with the arm a bit. Actually, throughout the weekend, it had been getting better and to get to P12 in the first race wasn’t bad. We saw today, it’s close – apart from Toprak and I think he was playing a little bit in the last race – but if you don’t get the start, then it’s hard to come through that far. We aren’t too far off; I’ve never really raced these circuits, it’s a lot different for me to be in the group. We’re just missing something a little bit right now but I just need to get checked up and see if there’s anything that needs operating. The fracture’s a bit strange but I’ve got some older injuries up there too!”

After two tricky rounds, it’s a good example that when yoou can’t catch a break, it moves from round to round whereas when you’re on form – like Toprak – you’re unbeatable. Lowes stated it’s all part of the game: “I think that’s racing; I’ve been on the other side of that when things are going good. At the end of the MotoGP™ season in the flyaways, the back-to-backs are tough or good. It can be like that; confidence can go from session to session and you can be right there. What’s amazing with WorldSBK is you get a lot of time on the bike, with three races a weekend and options to improve. Some who didn’t have a great Race 1, pulled it forward for Race 2. The Superpole Race is different because it’s flat out for ten laps and it depends on how you start and how you qualify but it’s mega fun to be involved in. For example, Jonny made big progress from Race 1 to Race 2. It’s nice to see that.”

Giving a brief overview of the first half of his rookie season, the 33-year-old assessed the difficulties and the adaptation: “It’s been pretty bad in some areas but there’s been some good as well. It’s a lot different eight years in Moto2™ and a year in MotoGP™ but I think the class is refreshing, the depth of field is really nice and the format is amazing. The Superpole Race is fantastic but I’ve still got a lot to learn and I’m still riding the bike a bit wrong. Being in a great team with great people, we know what we need to improve.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com