Firstly, it’s important to say that ‘testing is testing’ and ‘races are a different story’, however, we can only extrapolate and interpret what we’ve seen by exactly that. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and teammate Nicolo Bulega got off to contrasting starts to 2024, with the #1 focusing solely on weight added to his bike, whilst reigning WorldSSP Champion Bulega had a keen eye on getting to grips with his new toy for next year. However, despite that, did we expect that it would be Bulega on top from the start?

“THE FIRST RIDER YOU WANT TO BEAT IS YOUR TEAMMATE” – Bautista talks Bulega and extra motivation

“I knew that Nicolo was very fast and he rode the bike some times before in other tests, so he knew the bike already,” began a somewhat dismissive Bautista when asked if he expected it. He has more or less a base setup. Sincerely, I didn’t expect it but I also expect it; he is fast and he got the feeling very quick with the bike. At the moment, I am focused on myself and to try and improve the bike with the weight. Fortunately, this is the first test so we have many days before the first race to find a good solution for our problems.”

Bautista had said on day one: “He’s a nice guy and talented rider, winning the title last year so for sure he’s fast. He knows more or less the bike and has a base set-up. He will be one of the riders who fights for podiums and victories during the season and it is nice to have a young rider like him because the first rider you want to beat is your teammate. In the box, it’s like an extra motivation for me and the team on my side.”

“I DON’T WANT TO BEAT ALVARO; I WANT TO BEAT EVERYBODY” – fighting talking from ‘Bulegas’

For Bulega himself, his lap time – like many – was set with the SCQ tyre, something he spoke about before likewise responding to the same question about whether he expected to be ahead of his teammate: “Pirelli are doing an incredible job with the tyres like always; I tried the SCQ and I felt good but it’s a bit difficult to understand. With a lot of horsepower, you have to understand the characteristics of the tyre a little bit but I was happy.”

Responding to Bautista’s “first rider you want to beat is your teammate” quote from day one, Bulega mirrored his teammate’s dismissiveness: “Honestly, I don’t know what kind of work Alvaro did today. I don’t want to beat Alvaro, I want to beat everybody. For sure, Alvaro is the point of reference for Ducati because he’s the best and he’s fast. It’ll be very difficult to beat him.”

The 2024 title race starts here: keep up with all the action with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport World Championship grid for 2024 is starting to take shape with riders already beginning to know their future. There will be changes up and down the grid as teams search for the best riders for their project, and riders look for the best team to fight for the title with. This is also the case in WorldSSP300 with a huge move already announced for double Champion Jeffrey Buis. As riders get confirmed, this article will be updated as more plans become known with the last update on Friday, 3^rd November.

FRONT RUNNERS STAY IN PLACE: some continuity on the WorldSSP grid

The Barni Spark Racing Team announced that Yari Montella would stay for a second campaign after an impressive first season on the Panigale V2 with the #55 scoring five podiums this year. It’ll be the one-time race winner’s third full campaign in WorldSSP, and he’ll be looking to return to the top step of the rostrum; his first win was at Phillip Island in 2022. Despite an injury-hit campaign, Kawasaki Puccetti Racing tied down Can Oncu for 2024 and this was one of the first announcements to be made in a busy October period for the Championship. Oncu is a race winner, taking victory at Mandalika this year, but missed a substantial part of the season through injury, although he did return to the rostrum at Jerez with a remarkable performance.

German rookie Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) has impressed this season and became a consistent podium contender from the off. Although it was teammate Bahattin Sofuoglu who took the team’s only win so far (prior to the Spanish Round), Schroetter earned himself a renewal as he claimed third in the standings with a round to spare.

CHANGES AT THE CHAMPIONS: Huertas switches manufacturers, Tuuli too

With Nicolo Bulega moving to WorldSBK for 2024, it was announced that Adrian Huertas would take Bulega’s seat for 2024 as he switches from Kawasaki to Ducati machinery. Niki Tuuli’s move from PTR Triumph to the EAB Racing Team was announced, with the team swapping to Ducati machinery for 2024. The Finn has plenty of experience to bring to his new team for 2024, with two wins and 10 podiums under his belt already. The Bologna-based manufacturer will be the #66’s fifth brand he has raced for in his WorldSSP career.

CHAMPION ON THE MOVE: Kawasaki to KTM for Buis, race winner replaces him in WorldSSP300

Before he secured his second WorldSSP300 title, Jeffrey Buis’ future was already known. He’s departed the MTM Kawasaki squad, the team he won both Championships with, to move to the Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing outfit. A new team, new colours and a new bike for the #6 to ride. His seat at MTM Kawasaki will be filled by Mirko Gennai, as he switches from Yamaha to Kawasaki as he looks to keep up the team’s remarkable success; the Italian will race alongside Loris Veneman for his second season. Also announced was inigo Iglesias’ return to WorldSSP300, after he raced and won in the IDM Supersport 300 championship this year.

Keep up to date with all the off-season news and tests using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

2024 STARTS NOW: the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is already gearing up for what is set to be a sensational season; with a myriad of rider changes, new colours, new riders and even teams for 2024, the post-final round Jerez test was our first chance to sample the action. 34-year-old Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) is one of the biggest names on the grid in 2024 as he returns to racing and he lit up the timesheets on day two. We caught up with his rivals and the established World Superbike guard to see what they’re take on his pace was.

BAUTISTA AND REA LEAD COMMENTS: “I’m impressed… he’s another guy to race at the front”

Reigning double World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) raced against ‘The Maniac’ when both were fighting hard in MotoGP™ and stated that he was impressed: “He’s very fast and he was fast in the past; the problem will be when the race comes because a test is different to the race. I am impressed with his performance as he was really fast. It is nice to have good riders in the Championship.”

With his own switch to Yamaha, Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) commented on Iannone’s excitement after a catch-up with him in pitlane before track action kicked off: “You never know; as I’ve said before, testing is testing and racing is a different story. I spoke with him earlier and it seems like he’s excited to be here, which is really good. It’s a different challenge for him but he’s on a competitive bike. I didn’t see him on track today but he’s already fast, however, everyone knows that. He’s a MotoGP™ winner, he’s got an incredible CV and the expectation is that he’s there. He’s another guy to race at the front so it’s more exciting.”

“HE’S GOING TO BE ANOTHER PAIN IN THE ARSE TO TRY AND BEAT NEXT YEAR” – more reaction

“The question mark is the time he’s had away from the track,” began Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), sharing his thoughts on the #29’s return. “I actually saw him on track and gave him a little thumbs up; I can imagine his life is so much better now with a focus and racing. You’re talking about someone who has won in MotoGP™, made Moto2™ races look easy… there’s nothing else to say. The bike is clearly very good and he’s a fantastic rider, so as soon as he gets a little bit of rust off, it’s another Ducati that’s competing for race wins. Honestly and personally, I’m happy to see him here; welcome to back racing! He’s going to be another pain in the arse to try and beat next year!”

After making his debut in WorldSBK this year, Dominique Aegerter hopes that the Italian isn’t too fast in 2024: “He went quite fast with a 1’39.3. With a Q tyre but you still need to bring it and do it! It’s nice to have competitive riders but in the end I hope they are behind me! They are big names and it is nice to see; we’ll see what happens with all the manufacturers and riders on track.”

“I WAS IMPRESSED ABOUT HIM AND ALSO BULEGA” – Rinaldi weighs in on fellow Ducati stars

Moving to a new team, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Motocorsa Racing) also commented on how impressed he was, not just about Iannone but Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) too: “Iannone has a great talent. He was really strong on time attack and he doesn’t know our tyre well but he still went fast. I was impressed about him and also Bulega.”

Fastest Ducati of the test, the aforementioned Nicolo Bulega gave his verdict and said that ‘The Maniac’s’ pace was to be expected: “Andrea has an incredible talent and I expected him to be fast. Not like this but fast! He was one of the fastest riders in MotoGP™ so it is normal that he’s fast. He will be a strong rider from the beginning.”

The 2024 title race starts here: keep up with all the action with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

After the news that he would ride for Motocorsa Racing in 2024, Michael Ruben Rinaldi got off a strong start with his new team. The #21 showed rapid pace during the two-day test as some of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field remained at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for two days of testing. Rinaldi was one of the riders who stayed in Spain as he got adjusted to his new surroundings for next season.

On Tuesday, the first day of action, Rinaldi posted a 1’40.034s as he finished in second place, and he was on the busiest riders on track with 36 laps on a day where running was limited due to rain falling from around midday onwards. Nevertheless, it was a solid start to the #21’s return to Independent Ducati machinery as he looks to repeat the success that he had the last time he was with an Independent squad, in 2020 with Team GoEleven.

Looking back on his first day with Motocorsa Racing, Rinaldi said: “It was a really different day for me. It was the first day with my new team. Our goal was to check whether the bikes were more or less the same as the factory ones, and actually I was quite surprised because the level of this team and the bike are nothing worse than the factory team. The first lap was nice inside the helmet. We tried to check both of the bikes and the feeling was great. I was able to lap pretty quickly.”

On Wednesday, the morning featured limited running, but everyone was busy in the afternoon. The five-time race winner was sixth, lapping 1.359s down on Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) after he set a 1’38.448s to claim top spot. The Italian added another 69 laps on day two, taking his total for the two days to 105 at the Jerez circuit.

On the test, Rinaldi added: “Wednesday we completed many laps, unlike Tuesday. We were able to do many laps and try different things on the bike. I’m quite happy. I was pretty consistent and had good pace with the used tyre. At the end, everybody put on the SCQ, and everything changed. On pace, I think we were strong with the used tyre, so this is the best thing. If we want to improve on time attack, we need to work a little bit more because, at the moment, we’re not that fast. For the rest I’m really happy and satisfied. The team worked really well, we tried different things and the valve they gave to me worked really well. I’m going home for the winter rest with a smile on my face.”

Get set for the 2024 season by delving into the archives and watching classic races using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is over, but paddock personnel remain as busy as ever as the off-season starts. Two days of testing take place before several teams and riders head over to Milan, Italy, for the 80^th EICMA show. WorldSBK will have a presence, in Hall 11P Stand S48, with the famous Paddock Show with several key figures from our paddock scheduled for the event, which takes place for the public from the 9^th-12^th November.

Some Paddock Show activities do take place on the press day, but the majority will be with the public in attendance. There are some team presentations scheduled for the historic show, plus you can get up close to your favourite riders as they attend from WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300. Not only this, but there are plenty of interactive sessions that will allow spectators to take part in at the Paddock Show.

Some of the riders stated to attend in Italy include three-time WorldSBK podium finisher and two-time MotoGP™ race winner Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team duo Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter, Team HRC’s Xavi Vierge plus 2023 WorldSSP Champion Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) and Turkish star Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), plus a whole heap of riders from WorldSSP300.

Six-time Champion Jonathan Rea will be in attendance with his new Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK squad – marking one of the first times the public will see him not in green, but in blue following his bombshell move. He will be there with teammate Andrea Locatelli, just days after the pair start their working relationship at the post-round Jerez test. With big names and Champions scheduled, plus some 2024 announcements and team launches in WorldSSP, EICMA is a show not to be missed this year.

Check out information on tickets here and information about the EICMA show here.

Follow all the news and interviews from EICMA 2023 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team will continue with Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin heading into 2024, with the pair stepping up to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. They have been teammates this year in what’s been a challenging season and that relationship will continue into next season as they jump onboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R for Midori Moriwaki’s team.

A RETURN TO SUPERBIKE MACHINERY: Mackenzie back on a big bike

It was announced on Sunday that Hafizh Syahrin and Eric Granado would depart the team and their replacements are now known. Mackenzie, who has tested the team’s bike on a couple of occasions this season, will be at the team alongside Malaysian rider Norrodin. For Mackenzie, it marks a return to Superbike machinery having raced in the British championship. He took 16 wins in his native Britain between 2018 and 2022, and won the 2021 title. He made his WorldSBK debut last year at Donington Park as a wildcard, finishing in the points, before a switch to WorldSSP this season. Despite often finishing outside the points, the #95 was a race winner as he won a mixed conditions race at the Autodrom Most to give Honda their first win since 2016.

MACKENZIE SAYS: “it’s been a dream of mine for a long time”

Mackenzie’s desire to race in WorldSBK has been no secret and in 2024 he will get his chance. Explaining his thoughts on the move, he said: “I’m very happy to step up to World Superbike, as it’s been a dream of mine for a long time. I’ve got a lot of experience in the British Superbike championship, albeit with a different manufacturer, and it’s been good to test the MIE Superbike already this year at Misano. I also completed two tests with HRC at Suzuka to better understand the CBR1000RR-R, and then doing the Suzuka race on another Honda was also very important of course. So, it’s good to have already had a taste of the Honda Superbike and it’s great that the agreement for next season is now in place. I’m really looking forward to this new challenge and thank both PETRONAS and the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team.”

NORRODIN’S CHANCE: Malaysian star steps up to WorldSBK

Norrodin, like Mackenzie, started with the MIE Honda outfit this season and will move in to WorldSBK next year. It will be a return to Superbike machinery for the 25-year-old too after he raced in the Asian Superbike championship in 2022, taking two podiums on the BMW S1000RR. Before this, he raced in Moto2™ and Moto3™, scoring 0 points in the former but taking 102 across three seasons in the latter. Even earlier in his career, he competed in the Asia Talent Cup and within what is now the JuniorGP™ paddock, taking fifth in Moto2™ in 2021.

NORRODIN’S THOUGHTS: “it will be a big challenge, but I also know that I’ll be able to learn”

Discussing his step up to WorldSBK, Norrodin said: “First of all, I want to say a big thank you to Midori Moriwaki, to PETRONAS and to Honda. It’s a big decision to jump to World Superbike but it’s a great opportunity for me and something I’ve wanted for a long time. We know that the Championship will be even more competitive next season and so it will be a big challenge, but I also know that I’ll be able to learn and develop so much by taking part. To represent PETRONAS and my country, Malaysia, is a real honour, and I’m truly grateful for this chance. I’ll now focus on training harder than ever to prepare for what I know will be a tough but very stimulating year. I’m very happy and excited for the future.”

THE TEAM’S VIEW: “they will undoubtedly provide a boost to our WorldSBK project”

Explaining the decision to bring in Mackenzie and Norrodin to WorldSBK, Team Owner Midori Moriwaki said: “I’m very happy to be able to announce that both Adam Norrodin and Tarran Mackenzie will remain part of the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team family and will step up to the WorldSBK category, in line with our project to help young riders develop on the international racing stage. Two very fast and talented young riders, they are committed to the task and ready to fight on every occasion. They have already demonstrated this in WorldSSP, with Tarran scoring the team its first win and Adam always battling hard to achieve the strongest possible results, with a best of P5, in what is a very competitive championship. They will undoubtedly provide a boost to our WorldSBK project.”

Watch the 2024 season unfold in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) returned to the track as some of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock remained at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for two days of testing. The #29 was one of these and he enjoyed a strong day two in Spain, running inside the top three on occasions on Wednesday and finishing the day in an impressive fifth place after getting to try Pirelli’s SCQ tyre as well as being able to complete a solid six hours of testing.

STRONG SECOND DAY: running in the top three, finishing P5

‘The Maniac’ was one of the first to venture onto the track when the green flags waved at 10am Local Time, but, with wet patches still on the circuit from rain on Tuesday, completed just an in and out lap. His action really got underway at around midday, as it did for the rest of the competitors, with the sun shining and the track getting drier as the day progressed. In the end, Iannone put in a 1’39.335s to claim fifth, although he was in the top three a couple of times on Wednesday.

Discussing his day, where he completed 69 laps, the Italian admitted he was a bit surprised about his performance: “It was really fun, I enjoyed today a lot. My feeling with the bike improved exit by exit and run by run. It’s really interesting because I’m a little bit surprised about the result, also the feeling with the tyre and everything. We have a lot of work in front of us, but we start from a really good point. It’s good.”

THE GOALS FOR 2024: “we have really big ambitions…”

The 2024 season will mark Iannone’s return to competition after four years away and, after Wednesday’s running concluded, discussed his and the Team GoEleven’s potential for next season as well as where he wants to be in the pecking order. He also expanded on what’s impressed him so far in his two days on the Panigale V4 R and using Pirelli tyres as he looks to be in the best possible shape ahead of his racing return next year.

Discussing ambitions, potential and pleasant surprises, ‘The Maniac’ said: “We have really big ambitions. I want to comeback, but I want to try to comeback at a high level. I want to achieve these results and I want to try to arrive at the top. In any case, I know it’s really difficult because the level is really high. Everybody is close but, I think, for us and the first test, it’s difficult to achieve a little bit more. The bike impressed me on the positive side, and also the tyres. They’re friendly. You felt where the limits of the tyres are and the bike and I think this is a good point.”

Catch up on all the action from day two HERE and watch highlights and interviews from Jerez using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was one of the stars of testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as he put in a sensational lap on Pirelli’s SCQ tyre to claim second spot on day two of the test, only his second day inside the factory Ducati team and alongside Alvaro Bautista. The #11 does have experience of the Panigale V4 R from tests throughout 2023 but he still put it altogether for a stunning P2 on day two at Jerez during his first days with the team.

Bulega stormed to the top of the timesheets with around two hours to go on day two as one of the first riders to use the SCQ tyre. He set a few laps in the 1’39s bracket before becoming the first rider to hit the 1’38s. He set a 1’38.903s before he improved again in the closing stages to a 1’38.726s, lapping three tenths away from pacesetter Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), who overhauled him shortly after Bulega set his lap, and only around a tenth slower than teammate Alvaro Bautista’s pole time from last weekend’s Spanish Round.

It marked a strong start to the 2023 WorldSSP Champion’s time at the factory Ducati team, but these two days were not the first time he’s been on the Panigale V4 R. He’s had several tests with the race bike before, but this was the first time working with Bautista in the box as he got up to speed ahead of his WorldSBK debut in 2024.

Reflecting on his first test with the team, Bulega said: “It was a very good test but unfortunately, we didn’t ride a lot during these two days. On day one, we only did 20 laps and today only half a day. I’m happy because I didn’t ride a lot, but I was already fast. This was important. I’m happy because I was fast, but I was only at 85%. I’m learning the bike, learning how to speak with my new team so it’s important for me to ride a lot of kilometres with this bike.”

In WorldSSP, the softest tyre riders are able to use is the SCX which is also available in WorldSBK. However, unlike WorldSSP, World Superbike riders can use the SCQ tyre when it is in the tyre supplier’s allocation. With the tyre at Jerez, the reigning WorldSSP Champion was able to get his hands on it and try it for the first time. He was full of praise for the work Pirelli do but admitted he still had some work to do to understand that tyre.

Discussing the SCQ tyre, Bulega said: “Honestly, like always, Pirelli are doing an incredible job with the tyres. I tried the SCQ, and I felt good. A bit difficult to understand because with a lot of horsepower, you have to understand the character of the tyre. Anyway, I’m happy because I was fast. We can improve, obviously, but it’s a good starting point.”

Catch up on all the action HERE and watch highlights and interviews from the test using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the fastest rider over the course of the two-day test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, setting the quickest time on both days. On the second day, the Australian put in a lap that was under than the pole time from the recent Prometeon Spanish Round to claim top spot and, speaking after the day’s action concluded, the #87 revealed that “there was a bit more I could’ve done” despite being almost three tenths clear.

On the opening day of action, the 2021 Moto2™ Champion set a 1’39.837s to claim top spot but he improved on this massively on day two. Using Pirelli’s SCQ tyre, Gardner put in a barnstorming lap of 1’38.448s to finish in P1, almost three tenths clear of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). The Yamaha rider’s time would’ve put him on pole position at Jerez last weekend by two tenths, to show how rapid his speed was during the test.

Despite his strong pace, Gardner believed there was more to come from him after a few mistakes on his fastest lap cost him time. Despite this, it continued his run of strong form over after enjoying one of his best weekends of his rookie season at Jerez. He was P4 in Race 2, equalling his best result, as he ended 2023 on a high.

Looking back on the test, Gardner said: “It’s been a positive test. The pace has been really good over the two days, with the race tyre and obviously today, at the end, we put in two SCQs and did a really great lap time. There was a little bit more I could’ve done. I made a few mistakes on that lap but quite happy with the two days went. It wasn’t a perfect lap, but it wasn’t bad. More than the lap, I’m happy with the improvements we’ve made over the two days with what Yamaha have brought.”

Yamaha lost Toprak Razgatlioglu for 2024 but replaced one Champion with another as Jonathan Rea joined the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK team. Although not in the same team, Gardner was keen to learn from the six-time Champion as well as see what the Northern Irishman can bring to the manufacturer, as they look to win back the title they last won in 2021.

Discussing Rea’s arrival, Gardner said: “Jonny surprised me with how fast he got on with the bike. That shows the experience he has. I’m really excited to see what Jonny can bring to the table and help develop the bike, and also for me to learn off Jonny. With so much experience, you can always learn something. Really great to have Jonny with Yamaha.”

Catch up on all the day two action HERE and watch interviews and highlights from the test using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com