As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heads back to Europe, there’s been an update to the list of FIM-homologated bikes for 2024. The original list can be found HERE with no changes to the list of bikes in WorldSBK although there are updates to WorldSSP and WorldSSP300. Previously, the Kove 321 RR-S (model code P310) was pending both Phase 1 and 2 homologation; this has now been completed. The Kawasaki Ninja 400’s homologation has been extended until March 2025 after pending a Phase 1 homologation for the extension. In WorldSSP, the QJMOTOR SRK 800 RR was previously off the list but now features although the bike is still pending both Phase 1 and Phase 2 homologation, and any points scored will remain provisional until both phases are completed.

Click HERE to see the full, updated, list of FIM-homologated machines for 2024.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) made his racing comeback in last month’s Australian Round, securing a front row start and a podium at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. It was a memorable return to racing and his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship debut, stunning everyone with incredible performances during his first competitive weekend in four years. In Australia, ‘The Maniac’ sat down to discuss in-depth his return to racing, the WorldSBK paddock and his first weekend in World Superbike.

HOW THE COMEBACK CAME ABOUT: watching WorldSBK, speaking to Dall’Igna…

The Australian Round marked Iannone’s first race weekend in four years after his ban and, when WorldSBK went Down Under, the one-time MotoGP™ race winner explained how he felt during his ban and how the comeback came about, including a trip to Misano with his father and talks with Ducati Corse’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, which led to the #29 racing on the Panigale V4 R with Team GoEleven.

Having how he felt during his ban and the comeback process, Iannone said: “My four years without racing… in the beginning, it was dramatic. It’s difficult to understand and adapt because I lost my whole life. When you lose everything, you are a little bit disorientated. It’s like a big crash, but when you have a big crash, maybe you stop for a year. I stopped for four years. It’s tough to explain this situation. I felt a lot of support from my fans, my family, and my friends but it wasn’t easy. Especially in the first year, I was a little bit more closed in on myself but, step by step, I started to live a normal life a little bit.

“I stopped following MotoGP™ and started following WorldSBK. I don’t know why but this is the reality. When I followed some races, I felt like I wanted to be in the races and the battle, and this is why I started talking with Gigi Dall’Igna sometimes. One day, I went to Misano with my father and met him. We spoke a little bit and he said, ‘So, Andrea, you want this, and you think you’re ready?’. I told him I was. I’m back after a long time, I’m really excited for this comeback. I’m happy, I live this dream. I won’t recover what I lost; it’s impossible, but in part, I want to try to recover my happiness.”

THOUGHTS ON WORLD SUPERBIKE: “The level is really high… the first 10-12 riders are really fast!”

Iannone’s WorldSBK debut forms part of the new era in the production-based Championship, with rookies making their mark early on, Champions making massive moves to new manufacturers and more. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a debut win in Race 1, joined on the podium by Iannone, while Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took a podium in the Tissot Superpole Race in his first weekend with the German manufacturer. Despite all the stories, the 34-year-old was able to write his own headlines and gave his thoughts on why he wanted to race in WorldSBK.

Detailing his attraction to World Superbike, Iannone said: “WorldSBK is really good, the atmosphere in this paddock is fantastic. I felt a lot of passion for the motorsport, for the bike, it’s a really good energy for me. All my career, I thought it was the best Championship. Now I’m here and want to enjoy it. The level is really high because every rider is fast. I think the first 10-12 riders are really fast.”

THE FIRST FEELINGS: “I was immediately fast… feeling with the bike was good”

Although Australia marked his first race in World Superbike, he began his testing programme in October at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto when the 2023 campaign concluded. Since then, the #29 has been quick at every circuit he’s tested or raced at, as he continues to get back up to speed on a race bike. He’s tested at Jerez, Portimao, Phillip Island and Barcelona and has been quick at all four circuits, boosting confidence and raising hopes in the team he’ll be quick all season.

Talking about his initial thoughts when he first jumped on the V4 R, Iannone said: “At Jerez in October, when I tried the bike, I was immediately fast. We finished the first test in fifth place with a lap time that wasn’t bad. The feeling with the bike was immediately good. In any case, I think I need more kilometres. We need to work a lot. We understand everything a little bit better, especially the bike and tyres. For the tyres, everything changed because the tyres are different compared to MotoGP™ tyres. I think we worked well during pre-season and it’s important we have support from Ducati.”

THE FIRST PODIUM: “Didn’t expect this result… I fought with the best riders in WorldSBK!”

Although Australia was his comeback weekend, everything about it made it look like Iannone hadn’t been away for any period, let alone four years. Second in the Tissot Superpole session was followed up with the holeshot in Race 1 and third place, behind Bulega and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha). He was 14^th in the Tissot Superpole Race despite showing strong pace, and then fought for the rostrum in Race 2 but was narrowly beaten by Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and came home fourth.

On securing a maiden podium, ‘The Maniac’ said: “I didn’t expect this result. When you achieve one podium, it’s a really great result. It’s a really special comeback for me and I’ll never forget this moment and this weekend. After a long time, I lived a beautiful moment one more time. I fought with the best riders in WorldSBK, in my first weekend and first race. What happens now? I’m in front, I’m first, I led the race. It’s incredible. I’m really happy, it’s beautiful. I won’t forget this first weekend.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

He won WorldSBK races for four different manufacturers, fought for titles regularly and is one of a handful of riders to have won multiple races in both the World Superbike paddock and the MotoGP™ one; Marco Melandri is widely regarded as one of the most versatile riders in the last 20 years of motorcycle racing. The 2011 WorldSBK runner-up, 2002 250cc World Champion and – as recent as 2018 – a WorldSBK Championship leader, was back in the paddock during the recent test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, providing a helping hand to Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), although nothing is confirmed whether it’s a full-time addition for the #47. We caught up with him to find out what he thought about his fellow countryman.

“IT’S LIKE A HOLIDAY TO ME” – Melandri returns to WorldSBK paddock

Speaking at the end of two days, Melandri stated just how nice it was to be back in the paddock: “It’s like a holiday to me! Axel asked me if I could come and see him on track and follow him a bit and it was also a good chance to come back. I like Axel and I know that for a young rider, it’s not easy to jump into a factory team. I have a lot of experience myself and it’s nice to be back here and for me to be back at a track.

“Everything came back so quick! To see them riding the bike, I feel like I am on the bike and every time Axel says a comment, I imagine myself on the bike! I know Marcel Duinker and Danilo Casonato from when I rode in MotoGP™ in 2009, so I helped a little bit. I know how difficult it is for a young rider to explain what he feels. Different riders can explain the same thing in different ways so I wanted to try and help him find the way but I think he’s a smart enough on his own!”

RACING VS TESTING: Bassani’s key strengths analysed

Assessing Bassani’s strengths right now, the ex-MotoGP™ and WorldSBK runner-up said: “His speed and talent are there; he has good potential He’s faster during the race than the test but I think they’ve done a great job. Every time he tested something, he could understand what was working and what wasn’t, so this is very important to improve day by day. He can achieve good results.

“Every bike is working in the same way; more or less, when you modify something, they’re the same and their characteristics are the same as each other. That’s why I think I have a lot of experience that I can transfer to help him. I see him like a sponge; every time I spotted something on track, he was taking it on board for the next run. It looks like he takes information well. His motivation is very high and this is a very good point; it’s not always easy so you have to keep it very high. His riding style is a good aspect too. He needs time to adapt as he comes from Ducati and it’s a different kind of bike. He’s working in a good way.”

“MANY RIDERS CAN WIN RACES” – is the #33 happy to be off the modern grid?

Finally, it was a look ahead to the bigger picture in WorldSBK and the competitive level right now: “I am glad to not race because I am old! Every year has crazy people and we were crazy too sometimes! I saw Nicolo Bulega riding well but then, once you’re in the race and in the middle of the group. You have to not only be fast but also smart. Many riders can win races which is very interesting.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

333.3kph – The top speed record in Barcelona for WorldSBK is by Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) from 2022 with 333.3kph. He set a top speed record for Phillip Island in WorldSBK this year with 335.4kph.

200 – A Yamaha in the points in Race 1 will extend their streak to 200, a goal reached so far only by Ducati and Kawasaki. The all-time record streak is 344 by Ducati: Brainerd 1991 to Valencia 2005.

117 – After equalling Noriyuki Haga on 116 podiums in Phillip Island’s Superpole Race, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has the chance to move clearly into the top three of all-time with a 117^th – it’d be BMW’s first in Barcelona.

60 – After missing out in Australia, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) can reach 60 wins in WorldSBK with one win this weekend.

54 – Ironically at Phillip Island, #54 of Razgatlioglu gave BMW their 54^th podium place. They haven’t had a podium in back-to-back rounds since Donington Park, Most and Magny-Cours in 2022 with Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) when he was in Shaun Muir’s team.

17 – One more rostrum for Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) sees him match Ben Spies’ 17.

12 – 12 riders made it to the podium in Barcelona in 12 races run here: the record belongs to Alvaro Bautista, with seven (six wins), followed by Rea and Razgatlioglu at six.

10 – Bautista can become the 13^th WorldSBK rider with ten poles; he took pole in Barcelona in 2023.

5 – The wins have always come from the first five grid spots in Barcelona, five from pole: Rea in Race 1, 2020, and Bautista in the last four races run.

4 – In Barcelona, we’ve had four polesitters so far for four different manufacturers: Rea (Kawasaki), Sykes (BMW), Lecuona (Honda) and Bautista (Ducati).

3 – Winner of the Superpole Race and Race 2 in Phillip Island, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is looking for a first hat-trick of wins. A Kawasaki rider hasn’t won three consecutive races since Jonathan Rea won the last two races of 2021 at Mandalika and the first race of 2022 at Aragon. Barcelona would also be the third circuit in which he achieves a WorldSBK win.

1 – For the first time since they raced together, none of the ‘Titanic Trio’ – Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) were able to win a race in the weekend. The last weekend without one of the Titanic Trio not on the podium is Jerez 2015. At the time, neither Razgatlioglu or Bautista had debuted in the series and there was no Superpole Race.

1 – Barcelona was the stage of a first WorldSBK podium for Axel Bassani, in 2021: second in Race 1. It was also the scene of Garrett Gerloff’s (Bonovo Action BMW) first podium in 2020 with P3 in Race 2 for Yamaha. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) also took his first and so far only pole in 2022.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

First off, Phillip Island was a spectacular reminder of how fantastic WorldSBK can be in 2024. We have a depth of riding talent that surpasses anything in the history of the series. We have four manufacturers that are all capable of race wins this year. Australia was the perfect way to start a campaign that has been heralded as one of change and excitement. Seven riders on the rostrum, five riders leading laps and two surprise winners. This was exactly what we wanted to see but Phillip Island is Phillip Island: it’s a unique circuit and a unique set of circumstances for the opening round. That meant that there were some riders out of position that should be more competitive this weekend. It also meant that some riders were more competitive than they were expected to be.

BULEGA VS BAUTISTA, MASTER VS APPRENTICE: a new dynamic to watch out for

This weekend should be a bit more reflective of the pecking order and where the field stacks up. Montmelo might be a circuit on the doorstep of Provec Racing’s factory but this is Ducati country not Kawasaki country. The red bikes have won seven in a row and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is unbeaten on the Panigale V4R. This year will be more of a challenge for the reigning World Champion. His teammate, Nicolo Bulega was lightning fast at last week’s two-day test whilst Bautista struggled. Bulega, pole sitter in Australia, will be a short-priced favourite for Superpole once again but it was his pace that will have worried Bautista more than his raw speed. 

During the test, Bautista seemed to do longer runs than his teammate but the balance of the Ducati wasn’t what he needed. A crash on his time-attack showed where his form was during the test but race weekends are a different animal. Catalunya is one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar for tyre consumption so high 1m41’s are the times to beat during a race. Being consistent around this mark for as long as possible will be key to winning races. Bulega, who also suffered a crash, had a small step over Bautista for these but race conditions bring out the best in the Spaniard.

KAWASAKI AND BMW: tougher times in Barcelona for Lowes and Razgatlioglu?

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), Championship leader coming into this weekend, focused on tyre wear and longer runs in the test. Single lap pace won’t be what keeps the Englishman close to the front so crew chief Pere Riba was focused on making sure they worked to their own strategy rather than focusing on anyone else. The improvements from Kawasaki over the winter allowed Lowes to have the best weekend of his WorldSBK career last time out but Montmelo will be better circuit to judge the ZX-10RR on. Progress has been made but has it been enough?

BMW’s progress over the winter has been well documented. They shocked everyone at Round 1 but with a high grip track surface, the issues they expected to have in Australia didn’t materialise. In testing, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was stunning last week and narrowly missed out on topping the times despite a fall. When the grip is there, the BMW M 1000 RR is a weapon with the Turkish rider. When the grip isn’t there, it’s been more of a struggle. This weekend will be a real test for BMW to show where they’ll stack up throughout the season. Toprak will win races over the next few rounds but the feature length races this weekend will be tough.

YAMAHA’S EFFORTS: Rea to respond, Locatelli still strong

In the blue corner, Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and teammate Andrea Locatelli are two of the most interesting riders to keep an eye on. During testing, their times were remarkably similar. There’s not a lot to choose between them but Rea will be much more competitive this weekend. After a non-score last time out, it goes without saying he’s hit rock bottom because in Barcelona, he’ll be in the fight again. The chatter issues at Phillip Island could be very circuit specific but this weekend, it’s up to Rea to prove that and put the doubters to bed. Round 1 was a disaster but with a pitstop issue in Race 1 and the crash in Race 2 his Superpole Race was probably more reflective of where he was; P10. Not good enough for Rea and Yamaha but this week, the top five would show plenty of progress even if a podium is their stated aim.

DUCATI THE FAVOURITES: Barcelona is their happy hunting ground

The reason for that goal being so modest is that Ducati are going to be so tough to beat this week. Bulega, Bautista, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven), Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will all expect to have moments in the sun. During testing it was Rinaldi that was at the back of the Ducati train but he’s a four-time podium man and a race winner here. If he’s not competitive, you can expect to see some fireworks in the Team Motocorsa Racing pit box.

FINAL THOUGHTS: a classic venue ready for a classic race

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was built as part of Barcelona’s Olympic bid in 1991. Like the Olympics, it’s about having an all-round package if you want to challenge for the win. Ducati has the most complete bike in WorldSBK and it would be a shock if they don’t walk away with the wins this weekend. That being said it’s a roll of the dice as to who will be standing on the top step.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

A few weeks on from the unforgettable Australian Round that opened the FIM Supersport World Championship in phenomenal fashion, the riders are ready to go again as the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts Round 2 of 2024. There’s plenty to enjoy during the Pirelli Catalunya Round, with the WorldSSP Challenge riders starting their campaigns while it will also see the debut of a brand-new manufacturer, the seventh to compete this season.

MONTELLA LEADING THE WAY: can anyone stop the #55?

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was unbeatable in Australia, securing a majestic double to lead the way in the early stages of the season. He faces fierce competition from Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) as he looks to bounce back from crashes Down Under, while Barcelona is a circuit MV Agusta machines enjoyed last year: four podiums shared between Bahattin Sofuoglu and Marcel Schroetter, including a win for the #54, put the Italian manufacturer in good stead for 2024. Sofuoglu is the only previous WorldSSP winner at the circuit on the 2024 grid.

LOTS OF FAST RIDERS IN BARCELONA: it’s game on in Catalunya…

The Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team tasted victory here last year too in the hands of Nicolo Bulega, so will the team be on the top step with Adrian Huertas this year? Of course, at a track that often throws up surprises, don’t be too shocked if another name appears at the top. Perhaps Lorenzo Baldassarri (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) or someone else will fight for victory with Montella facing stiff competition for the top step.

A NEW MANUFACTURER: QJ Motor the seventh brand in 2024, ninth overall

QJ Motor’s highly anticipated debut will occur in Barcelona, with Raffaele De Rosa (QJ Motor Factory Racing) onboard the SRK 800 RR machine from the Chinese manufacturer. They join Ducati, Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, MV Agusta and Kawasaki on the grid to bring the total to seven for this season as they compete in the WorldSSP Challenge. They are also the first manufacturer from China to race in WorldSSP, making history as they go in search of success, utilising the skills of class veteran De Rosa.

WorldSSP CHALLENGE STARTS: six riders start their season

De Rosa’s first appearance of 2024 starts the WorldSSP Challenge campaign along with several other riders. Luke Power (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) gets his first race of the year on the F3 800 RR machine, as does Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) on the Panigale V2. Gabrielle Giannini (Team ProDina Kawasaki), Simone Corsi (Renzi Corse) and Federico Fuligni (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) are also in action to start their season.

WILDCARDS AND RIDER NEWS: two returning names to the Championship

Alongside the 32 riders on the full-time grid, there will be two wildcards who bring the total number to 34 for the Catalunya Round. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Altogo Racing Team) returns to WorldSSP after his half-season campaign last season, but he didn’t race in Barcelona after starting his season at Most. It’s also a return to WorldSSP for Eugene James McManus, who will ride a Panigale V2 machine for the ROKiT Haslam Racing. Previously, the Irish rider competed with three different manufacturers in his 10 races: Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Triumph, adding Ducati to an impressive list. Elsewhere, after missing the Australian Round through injury, Piotr Biesiekirski (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) will need to pass a medical check to race as he looks to finally make his WorldSSP debut.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship bursts back into action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and it’s going to be a thriller in Spain, plus WorldSSP300’s season starts in style. The Pirelli Catalunya Round is Round 2, with action starting from 09:40 Local Time (UTC+1) on Friday; WorldSBK FP1 is 10:20. Afternoon action kicks off at 14:10 with WorldSSP300 Superpole, followed by WorldSBK FP2 at 15:00 and WorldSSP Superpole at 16:00. On Saturday, WorldSBK FP3 starts the day at 09:00 followed by Superpole at 11:00. Then, it’s straight into racing: WorldSSP300 Race 1 at 12:45, WorldSBK Race 1 at 14:00 and WorldSSP Race 1 at 15:15. On Sunday, Warm Up sessions start from 09:00 before the WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race at 11:00, before the afternoon’s racing follows the same schedule as Saturday: WorldSSP300 Race 1 starts at 12:45, WorldSBK Race 1 at 14:00 and WorldSSP Race 1 at 15:15.

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Friday, 22^nd March (all times Local Time, UTC+1)
09:40-10:05 – WorldSSP300 Free Practice
10:20-11:05 – WorldSBK Free Practice 1
11:20-12:00 – WorldSSP Free Practice
14:10-14:35 – WorldSSP300 Tissot Superpole
15:00-15:45 – WorldSBK Free Practice 2
16:00-16:40 – WorldSSP Tissot Superpole

Saturday, 23^rd March
09:00-09:20 – WorldSBK Free Practice 3
09:30-09:40 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up
09:50-10:00 – WorldSSP Warm Up
11:00-11:15 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole
12:45 – WorldSSP300 Race 1 (12 laps)
14:00 – WorldSBK Race 1 (20 laps)
15:15 – WorldSSP Race 1 (18 laps)

Sunday, 24^th March
09:00-09:10 – WorldSBK Warm Up
09:20-09:30 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up
09:40-09:50 – WorldSSP Warm Up
11:00 – WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race (10 laps)
12:45 – WorldSSP300 Race 2 (12 laps)
14:00 – WorldSBK Race 2 (20 laps)
15:15 – WorldSSP Race 2 (18 laps)

Source: WorldSBK.com

Europe welcomes the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the stage for the second round of the season. Down Under for the opener, it was a topsy-turvy start to the season as favourites fumbled and outsiders proved outstanding but will the order reset amidst a backdrop of stunning scenery, Gaudi architecture and beautiful beaches? The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya often throws up a surprise and 2024 shouldn’t be any different. 

THE SURPRISES FROM ROUND 1: can they keep up their form?

As far as debuts go, it was certainly emphatic for Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who won his first ever WorldSBK race, a flag-to-flag at that. He was also under the existing lap recording in the Barcelona test, underlining his strength over one lap once more. However, with no other podiums and him being beaten up in the opening laps in Australia, it’s Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who leads the way to Barcelona thanks to a fine Sunday double in Australia. Leading the way and with just a single point between them, it looks like ‘Bulegas’ – on paper – should have the advantage over Lowes with the Ducati historically stronger in Barcelona than the Kawasaki, even if Lowes made race pace gains during the test. 

Then, there’s Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) who got a rostrum at the track last year and after a mega impressive opening round, he and new crew chief Tom O’Kane will be working in Barcelona together for the first time. Phillip Island was very much a rise of the ‘number two’ riders and after a strong test last week, it could be more of the same. With low grip always a factor and something he relished before, Andrea Iannone’s (Team GoEleven) thunderous start to his new WorldSBK adventure will continue at a circuit he knows well; a solid test a week ago, will ‘The Maniac’ feature once more? As for Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), a maiden BMW podium in Australia was a highlight but Race 2 engine issues were not. Competitive at the test last week and under the lap record, will BMW’s previously weakest track be kinder in 2024?

DISCOUNT BAUTISTA AT YOUR PERIL: no win in 2024, yet…

Barcelona and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati); they’ve made history for the last two years at the track and he was even competitive in his struggling years at Honda. This year is different – his own words after the test too; he didn’t clear off into the distance Down Under and couldn’t manage his tyres as usual, two things that have gone hand-in-hand in terms of Barcelona brilliance. Six dominant wins from the last six Catalan races, Bautista – now back to almost full fitness – may still be the favourite. Someone else who ended Phillip Island strongly and is always a force in Barcelona is Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) as he chases a first podium with Lorenzo Mauri’s team. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) has his second round at a circuit he’s familiar with, as Ducati’s strengths always come good in Barcelona. He was a star in the test, so watch out for #14.

TIME FOR REA-VENGE? The season starts here for #65

No points from his first three races in Yamaha, declared unfit after a huge Race 2 crash and leaving Australia downbeat: Jonathan Rea’s (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) debut in blue left him feeling exactly that and a bit bruised too. However, the six-time World Champion knows how to get stuck in and fight and after riding in Barcelona’s two-day test last week, he’s back to remind everyone of his pace. He’s won in Barcelona on two occasions before with Kawasaki whilst Yamaha have only one once in 2020. The persistent and relentless chatter problem have gone after the test last week so expect Rea to return to the fore for round two to get his season up and running. It’ll also be a first chance to see Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) back after being declared unfit in Australia; he was on pole in 2022 for Honda and was in the top four last year, a circuit where he and Xavi Vierge always feature well at. 

OTHERS IN THE TOP 10: Petrucci prowess and more

Sixth place overall in the Championship is Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) but he had a Barcelona to forget in 2023, one of his worst rounds of the season. After a podium last time out in Race 2, he’s in good form and found a soft tyre breakthrough in the test. He’s just ahead of Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), who was very impressive in round one considering he’d had no testing prior to touching down in Australia. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is just behind teammate Toprak in P9 and just ahead of Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) in P10, with three BMWs inside the top ten of the Championship standings for the first time ever. 

ELSEWHERE: Bassani, Gardner and Redding look for luck and a step

Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) is still adapting to the inline four of the ZX-10RR and after further testing and steps forward in the test with the help of Marco Melandri, could be in the top ten battle in Barcelona – where he took a first podium in 2021. Remy Gardner’s (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) P15 overall in the standings isn’t representative of his pace, with him being taken out of Race 1 by Bassani before hitting Rea’s debris from his Race 2 crash, leaving him down field. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) has never enjoyed Barcelona on a BMW but will hope to change that this year, having won at the track three years ago. 

Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) and Brad Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) are the final riders who come into the round with points already on the board, with Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Petronas MIE Racing Honda duo Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin searching for their first of 2024 – along with the aforementioned Rea and Lecuona.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Testing is all done from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as the second round of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship awaits. An action-packed test with stories up and down the pitlane made for very interesting reading. A new rivalry in prospect, new tech on show and test riders in abundance, all five manufacturers had multiple stories to tell.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “Alvaro’s a motivation… your teammate is always the first one you want to beat”

Under the lap record, Nicolo Bulega was on the pace once again in testing: “I tried for the 1’39 but in the afternoon, after lunch, the track condition was worse with more humidity; I think it was more difficult. I don’t feel pressure; it gives me a lot of motivation and makes me proud. It’s important to me because when you’re fast, you understand that we’re working in a good direction with my team. Alvaro here is very, very fast; last year, he was incredible! If I can try to stay in front of him, it can be an incredible result for me. Normally, when you have a strong teammate, it’s always good for the other one. It’s good to have Alvaro, he’s a motivation and your teammate is always the first one you want to beat for everybody. You have the same bike, team and for sure, if I can stay in front of him or him in front of me, it’s a good motivation.”

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “Paul’s been amazing, an integral part… I feel like we can fight for a podium”

Talking about all things Yamaha, Jonathan Rea stated: “Since I’ve joined, Paul Denning’s been amazing. You think the issues and results we had at Phillip Island people would be a bit flat. It’s where I felt the strength in my previous team was, where you think the chips are down and people start looking at you to make the difference. This team’s amazing, it’s the same or better where people get behind you and Paul’s an integral part of bringing that atmosphere. He always gets involved, wants to know what’s going on, which is nice. It’s always nice to please the boss. You feel a bit like a dog: you always want to please your owner… that’s what it’s like as a motorbike rider, you always want to please your team manager and crew chief and make people happy. I feel like a dog, basically! I want to finish three races and score good, strong points. To race for the win here, we need some improvements. I feel like we can fight for a podium.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I tried many new parts… finally, I feel very good with the grip. We’re ready to race!”

Making a decision about what swingarm he prefers, Toprak Razgatlioglu said: “For P1, I was very close but anyway, I’m very happy. Today, we focused on race pace and finally, I feel very good with the grip. I did a short, 11-lap race simulation with all the laps in the 1’41s. After, when I felt the bike was ready for the race, I put two Q tyres at the end of the day and the second one, I rode a little bit better. My last run was three laps and I did 1’40.1s, 1.40.4 and 1.40.8, which is good. In general, I’m happy and so is the team; we found some good grip and we’re ready to race. The last run was with the old swingarm but with a different shock, the new front forks, different linkage so I tried many parts. Old and new swingarms are close but I’m happier with the old one. It’s a small change, maybe psychological but I’m happy anyway. It’s my dream to win here because I’ve never won here, the tyre is so important. I’ll try to do my best!”

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The feeling with the bike wasn’t very good… this year is different”

A Turn 10 fall and losing the positive feeling of day one, Alvaro Bautista struggled: “We ended not how we expected to; since this morning, I felt it was more difficult than yesterday as there was less grip. I had this feeling all day and the feeling with the bike was not very good. Physically I am back, but yesterday I improved my feeling during the day, but today I started worse than yesterday and never got that feeling back. Especially on turning, with the gas, I struggled a lot and I had to use my strength. The rear grip was not too high either, I was spinning a lot. That was my main problem, the rear didn’t help me, so I struggled a lot. One thing is the test, and another is the race weekend. In last season’s test, I felt much better and the pace was much stronger. This year is different. Physically, I’m OK after my crash; Bulega’s time is not bad, he’s very strong in one lap”.

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven): “It’s just the beginning… we have good potential”

‘The Maniac’ was on his fourth different track and once again, fast and inside the top four: “The goal is always similar, I’m a rookie here and it’s just the beginning. Everyday I learn something, tyres, setup, electronics… Every test and every day is much better for me, because I started very far. Everyone here have been riding non-stop for 20 years, I stopped four years, and it’s not easy to recover. But I’m happy. We have a good potential, but the race is always the race. Generally, in the test I struggle more than in the race, but we will see.”

Iker Lecuona (Team HRC): “I can say I prefer the old swingarm”

Going back to an older spec, underslung swingarm, Iker Lecuona – who still isn’t fully fit – spoke about his latest feeling with the Honda: “We tried the new items which are a question for us; I could take data for the team, which is positive. The second day felt more comfortable on the bike so it was less painful for the shoulder but in the end, the last run was more aggressive and braking for Turn 10, it was more painful and it felt like a big punch in the shoulder. I said ‘OK, let’s finish for today’; at the end, it wasn’t nice to not do many laps but now it’s time to recover and be ready for next week. I can say I prefer the old swingarm; we need to confirm that with the data because we need to change more items on the bike to use it, as it’s old but it has some positive points that right now, we need to talk to the team and the Japanese engineers, to see if we can use it or not and what we need to do to feel more comfortable.”

Michele Pirro (Ducati Superbike Test Team): “I tried different solutions for Alvaro’s weight, engine parts and bike balance… I hope to come to WorldSBK once or twice”

Part of the Ducati Superbike test team, Michele Pirro detailed what he tried and why we could see him again soon: “It’s after a long time that I come back to WorldSBK, in fact, five years! It was a good impression because I used the Panigale V4 R and Pirellis. I got data to try and help Alvaro and others but also to develop the bike for the future. The other manufacturers push very hard and the level is very high. I tried different solutions for the weight of Alvaro, engine parts and the balance of the bike. I wasn’t so far away from the fast riders, so I’m happy with the first test with a Superbike after a while. I hope I continue with Superbike, maybe another test, perhaps at Misano. Maybe I want to come back for some races but we’ll see! I enjoyed it and we’ll check with Ducati! I enjoyed it with the other riders too; maybe this year, it’s not possible for me to do a wildcard in MotoGP™ and I hope to come to WorldSBK once or twice. I see Nicolo very well; he’s riding well, a good guy and fast. It’s very impressive, also the other riders but Nicolo is a good talent and a very good rider.”

Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “If we start from row two or three, we can fight for a good position”

Axel Bassani completed two days of testing for Kawasaki, finishing 16^th on combined times and struggled until the end, when he found form: “During the day, it was the same as day one; yesterday: we found something in the last three laps which is good because finally, we arrived with a race tyre to do a really good lap, better than with the SCQ. We need to start from here to understand things for the race weekend. It’s not easy but it’s part of the job; we are here, we need to test and we’re doing it. We found some confidence with the front but we have to work a lot on the rear with the turning on the bike. We’re losing a lot of time in the long corners. I’m looking to do a good Superpole because if you start in P15 or P16, then it’s impossible to fight with the top guys. If we start from row two or three, we can fight for a good position.”

ROUND 2 OF THE NEW ERA AWAITS: enjoy it all LIVE with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) had a mixed day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, finishing in ninth place with a best time of 1’40.985s but suffering two crashes when he lost the front, damaging his ZX-10RR. The first crash occurred just before the halfway point of Day 2, which featured a slow start due to overnight rain, with riders generally heading out an hour into the day which began at 10:00 Local Time (UTC+1). He was still optimistic despite the crashes, after his strong race pace he showed throughout the test.

The Championship leader was one of the exceptions to riders not going out early, with the #22 one of the first to head out, around 45 minutes into the day, for a couple of expletory laps. He then began his testing programme in earnest, racking up 77 laps as he finished in the top ten for KRT, once again leading their charge as the Championship leader looks to continue his strong form from Australia after his double Down Under in the season-opener.

Explaining his crash and his day, Lowes, who ventured out on track around an hour after, said: “It was good and busy. I worked a lot today. It’s always hard because people are putting tyres in. I did a race simulation, trying to look after the tyres especially the front; this track seems quite low grip and critical on the front. I was happy with my consistency in the race run, it was certainly a lot better than last year with similar conditions. We’re making steps forward but so’s everyone else. I was happy enough. The steps we made with the bike were good. I used a SCQ at the end, but the second last exit wasn’t really ready for it, so my three laps were all the same. I didn’t go any faster on the Q. My crashes were just small front-end crashes. They were my fault. We’re trying stuff on the bike, electronics, so maybe the setting we had didn’t work.”

Overall, across the two days, the British rider racked up nearly 150 laps, with the four-time race winner focusing a lot of his time on the Catalunya Round next week, declaring after Day 1 he had an improved feeling at this venue compared to other years. His two crashes on Friday were his third of the test, following a slow spill at Turn 10 when on 18-lap old tyres on Day 1. Despite his three falls, he was optimistic about the upcoming round.

He added: “I think my pace is good, but until we get there, we don’t know. It’s been good because, Australia with the new surface was really grippy and this is one of the least grippy tracks. It’s important to come here, get a feel for the stuff we tried in the winter; the electronics and the setting, more the setting than the software as it’s a lot different to last year. I’m a lot happier now I know it works. I did the race simulation today; I’ve got the experience of that. We’re definitely better prepared even though I had a couple of crashes. I’m happier after the test than before the test because we didn’t know what to expect.”

What can Alex Lowes achieve next week during the Catalunya Round? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com