The new era is the theme for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and that also comes with the introduction of a new class; the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship, which will feature a big name. Ana Carrasco, the 2018 World Supersport 300 Champion and Grand Prix points-scorer, is confirmed as being on the grid in 2024’s season of WorldWCR, collaborating with the Evan Bros. Racing Team.

Carrasco’s presence inside the WorldSBK paddock has been strong in recent years, ever since she became the first female to win an FIM Road Racing Solo World Championship race in 2017, before going on to be crowned WorldSSP300 Champion in 2018, triumphing in a thrilling final lap showdown which decided the title. Again, a race winner in 2019, 2020 and 2021, she is one of the most successful names in the category and now seeks to make more history with the new class in 2024.

Speaking about the opportunity, Carrasco said: “I am really happy to announce this new adventure. I will compete in the FIM Women’s Motorcycling World Championship together with the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, one of the strongest teams in the WorldSBK paddock, and the goal can only be to win races.”

Team principal Fabio Evangelista, shared Carrasco’s excitement as his team readies for a history-making year in the sport: “The collaboration with Ana fills us with pride. We have always been Ana’s fans, and when the possibility of working together arose we were immediately available. We will try to support her in the best possible way: we will carry out the first tests as soon as possible, so that we will be prepared for the first round of the season.”

Enjoy all of the WorldWCR across LIVE throughout the season with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Yamaha Motor Europe are pleased to announce a change of status and a new name for the FIM Superbike World Championship’s feeder class, the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup. The series, previously known as the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Championship, has been upgraded to World Cup status thanks to its increasing success and large numbers of international participants.

After many years of support from FIM Europe, the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup will now come under the global FIM umbrella. The R3 bLU cRU initiative was launched in 2021 by Yamaha Racing and is designed to provide a structured and direct path into world championship racing for riders aged between 14 and 20 years old.

Managed by Japan Italy Racing (JiR) and supported by the FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO), the series forms an integral part of DWO’s SBK Roadway program. This partnership between all parties has proven to be an effective and successful one, with a large percentage of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship grid now made up of former bLU cRU riders.

The FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup will be contested across 12 races at six European rounds of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship, and the overall champion will earn a supported ride in the 2025 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship provided by Yamaha Motor Europe.

The series gives young riders the perfect platform to benefit from professional coaching, technical support, and mentoring designed to encourage, develop, and nurture the next generation of superbike riders.

The change of status also reflects the fact that the entry list has become increasingly international in recent years, with almost half the riders registered so far in 2024 hailing from outside Europe.

The season gets underway with the opening round on the 22nd-24th of March at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and updates can be found across the FIM, WorldSBK and Yamaha Racing websites.

Gianluca Montiron: Japan Italy Racing

“Work has begun on the new season, and it has given everybody a real boost to have the new name and status change. It reflects the importance of this championship as it continues to provide a platform for riders as young as 14. These future champions gain a wealth of experience during the six world championship events, and thanks to our continued collaboration with the FIM, Yamaha Motor Europe and DWO we are seeing the popularity of the championship increase.”

Paolo Pavesio: Marketing & Motorsport Director, Yamaha Motor Europe

“The upgrade to World Cup status for 2024 represents for the R3 bLU cRU Cup more than a symbolic milestone. In 2021, the inaugural season of the R3 series, the grid was predominantly European. However, over the past two seasons we’ve seen more overseas riders joining the R3 series, with the result that the grid is now split evenly between European riders and those from other continents, primarily Asia, South America, and Australia. With a fixed participation fee and a turnkey package, the series is both cost effective and the ideal stepping-stone onto the world stage for young riders. It has also proved an effective feeder class for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship, in which nine former bLU cRU riders will race this season. The 2024 season will also be the first in which the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup races will be streamed live, increasing both the reach and visibility of the series worldwide, and promises to be an exciting one on numerous levels for our bLU cRU youngsters, starting with the opening round in Barcelona. With all this in mind, I’d like to conclude by thanking Jorge Viegas and the FIM, firstly for their support since we started this project but also for recognising the increasingly global reach of the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU series with the upgrade to World Cup status.”

Gregorio Lavilla: TitleExecutive Director, Dorna WSBK Organization

“We at DWO are thrilled to witness the evolution of the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup. The transition to World Cup status is a testament to the series’ remarkable growth and the international appeal it has garnered. The collaboration between DWO, Japan Italy Racing, FIM, and Yamaha Motor Europe has proven to be a winning formula, providing a crucial platform for young riders to make their mark on the global stage. We look forward to witnessing the continued success of the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup and the promising talents it nurtures.”

Jorge Viegas: President, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme

“The FIM remains committed to promoting inclusivity within motorcycling and the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup is the perfect example of providing opportunities for young riders to join our sport. Over the last three seasons, the popularity of this championship has grown year on year, and due to its ongoing success and the increase in international competitors it has shown that it now deserves to be elevated to FIM World Cup status. I am sure that 2024 will be another great edition of this series.”

2024 FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup Calendar

16th-17th March: Preseason test, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

22nd-24th March: Round 1, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

19th-21st April: Round 2, TT Circuit Assen

14th-16th June: Round 3, Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”

12th-14th July: Round 4, Donington Park

6th-8th September: Round 5, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours

27th-29th September: Round 6, MotorLand Aragon

Source: WorldSBK.com

The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) are pleased to reveal the provisional entry list for the 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.

Over 40 riders applied to compete in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) and eventually 24 were selected to take part in the inaugural edition of the series in 2024, which will start with the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round on June 14th-16th.

Click here to view the full WorldWCR entry list!

About WorldWCR
The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, with six rounds in 2024, is a pioneering single-make series exclusively for aspiring female riders, featuring the Yamaha R7. A bold step towards inclusivity, the WorldWCR debuts in 2024, offering emerging talent an equal footing with the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. Addressing disparities, it opens doors to benefits on and off the track. As a dedicated space for women in professional racing, the WorldWCR breaks stereotypes, increases representation, and inspires the next generation. Celebrating skill and passion, it establishes a new platform where talent takes centre stage and breaks barriers.

The 2024 WorldWCR calendar at a glance
1. Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” – 14-16 June
2. Prosecco DOC UK Round, Donington Park – 12-14 July
3. Pirelli Portuguese Round, Autodromo Internacional do Algarve – 9-11 August
4. Hungarian Round, Balaton Park Circuit* – 23-25 August
5. Acerbis Italian Round, Cremona Circuit* – 20-22 September
6. Prometeon Spanish Round, Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto – 18-20 October
* Subject to homologation

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow every second of the inaugural WorldWCR season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will make history with a unique and unprecedented event when the seventh round of the 2024 season descends upon the picturesque Autodromo Internacional do Algarve from August 9th to 11th.

Breaking away from the traditional format, this round promises an extraordinary experience for riders, teams, and the thousands of passionate fans who will gather at the circuit for a weekend like no other. The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is meticulously preparing a special ‘Summer Fest’ that goes beyond thrilling track action.

The event will feature ‘Food Court’ areas, music concerts, parade lap autograph sessions, and an unprecedented ‘track tour’ in an open bus, providing fans with an immersive and entertaining experience throughout the afternoon. This will amplify the WorldSBK weekend experience, fostering a festival atmosphere that joyfully celebrates the essence of motorcycle racing.

To accommodate the plethora of additional activities, a unique schedule will be implemented for this round. WorldSBK Race 1 and Race 2 will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 19:00 Local Time / 20:00 CET, allowing spectators to witness the exhilarating races against the backdrop of the stunning Portuguese sunset.

Click here for the full Pirelli Portuguese Round schedule.

The overall track action will span from 12.00 to sundown on all three days of the round, ensuring fans have ample time to enjoy the festivities and immerse themselves in the WorldSBK ‘Summer Fest’ experience.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: join the action trackside at Portimao for an event to remember and get your tickets here!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is getting ever closer all the time and the closer we get, the more teams we get a glimpse of ahead of lights out! The Barni Spark Racing Team continue with Danilo Petrucci for this season and the #9 will have a familiar look to him. The bike is largely the same as 2023, with the instantly recognisable black and red of the team once again on show. Check out the gallery at the top to get familiar with what is sure to be a podium-challenging combination this season.

THE NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every session and race LIVE and OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

There’s changes aplenty in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and one of them is Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who replaces Jonathan Rea within KRT after the six-time World Champion moved to Yamaha for this season. There’ll be a lot to learn for Bassani in his first season back with Kawasaki – he was European Supersport Cup winner in 2016 with them – but one of the youngest riders on the grid is ready for a new outlook as he joins one of the most successful teams on the grid.

THE STORY SO FAR: Bassani rising through the ranks

Bassani started in the European Superstock 600 Championship with Kawasaki in 2015, where he took a podium with P2 at Magny-Cours before going on to be European Cup winner in 2016. He was back in his native Italy on BMW and Yamaha Superbike machinery in 2018 and 2019 but it would be 2021 where Bassani would come to the fore on the world stage again. A podium in the rain in Barcelona in WorldSBK – coming close to the win after leading for the first time – served as a catalyst for the #47 to assert himself as a front-runner.

2022 and 2023 continued to welcome Bassani to the front, mainly for his rivalry with fellow countryman Michael Ruben Rinaldi. The two clashed on numerous occasions during 2023, notably at Barcelona when Rinaldi’s Race 1 ended in the gravel, whilst Race 1 at Jerez saw Bassani out after contact with the #21; this year, Rinaldi will move to replace Bassani at Motocorsa Racing and for sure, it will be a story and dynamic to keep an eye on throughout 2024. Six podiums in total, he’ll plan to add to it in green.

TESTING SEASON: adaptation key to inline four

It’s been a challenge for many riders before Bassani – Scott Redding to BMW and Alvaro Bautista to Honda the key ones – but will ‘El Bocia’ be any different? So far during preseason testing, the 24-year-old has needed time to adapt to riding the bike, with corner entry and braking being the two areas where he needs time. At Portimao, he elevated himself up the order but didn’t trouble the top ten placings. However, Bassani – in his own admission – is not a fan of testing or practice, so let’s see how it goes when the visor goes down and the lights go out in Australia.

One thing is guaranteed; wherever he is in the pack, he won’t think twice about coming through on the rival ahead of him. It’s also worth noting that a first win eluded Bassani at Ducati; with no dry win for Kawasaki since 2022, a win for Bassani in green would be a hard-fought one, although upgrades via the superconcessions system will help the Japanese brand close the gap to the front.

FIRST THOUGHTS: “if we continue working hard and believing, we will arrive”

Speaking after his second test with the bike after Jerez, Bassani stated: “Now, I’ve started to feel good with the bike; it’s not easy because it’s completely different compared to the Ducati but step-by-step, test-by-test, we’re starting to feel good. Having a teammate is good because you can work with them and learn about their riding. It’s nice and they’re always your first opponent! We’re slowly arriving to Alex. We only need to enjoy and find a good way to follow during this winter for next year.”

Continuing after further testing into 2024, he said: “The pressure is normal; like last year, I just want to do my best so it’s normal for me. I’m really happy to be with Kawasaki, a good team, good guys. I want to take my first win but it’s not easy, as the level is super high and all the riders are good riders. We’ll see what happens but if we continue working hard and believing, we will arrive.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow Bassani’s first season in green with the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is fast approaching and with it comes a whole heap of stories. One is Andrea Iannone’s (Team GoEleven) debut in the production-based Championship as he makes his return to racing. ‘The Maniac’ has been quick in testing at both Jerez and Portimao and, on the Panigale V4 R, will be hoping this translates into strong results when racing gets underway in just a couple of weeks.

SUCCESS ON THE WORLD STAGE: Iannone’s MotoGP™ paddock career

34-year-old Iannone spent 14 seasons competing in the MotoGP™ paddock, across the 125cc World Championship before moving into Moto2™ and then MotoGP™. The #29 claimed four wins in five seasons between 2005 and 2009 in the 125cc class, earning him a seat in the new-for-2010 Moto2™ Championship, where he spent three seasons. He finished third in every season, winning eight races in total, before securing a move to the premier class. In total, he spent seven seasons there, winning one race for Ducati in 2016 and taking 11 podiums. However, he was sanctioned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a violation of an anti-doping rule after a positive test for a banned substance in the following Malaysian GP, coming in from December 17th, 2019, which led to him not racing at all for four years.

RETURNING WITH A BANG: impressive pace in testing

Despite four years away from competition, ‘The Maniac’ was rapid when 2024 testing started straight after the Spanish Round last year. At Jerez in November, he posted a 1’39.335s to finish P5 while he set a 1’38.744s in the January test at the same location. Although he was further down the order at the Portimao test, it was his first time at the ‘rollercoaster’ on a race bike. A 1’40.654s was set by Iannone, 1.465s off Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) pace on Day 2, but it was still a strong showing from the Italian as he adjusted to WorldSBK machinery at a challenging circuit to learn.

A RETURN TO VICTORY? Team GoEleven aiming for podium fights

Team GoEleven are race winners in WorldSBK, having last won with Michael Ruben Rinaldi at the Teruel Round back in 2020. It was a weekend where the #21 was on top form and he was able to fight at the front in all three races, claiming a rostrum in each. Since then, the team stood on the podium with Chaz Davies in 2021 but have been without a visit to parc ferme as a top-three finisher since. Is Iannone the rider who can bring Team GoEleven back onto the podium or the top step? Of course, victory for Iannone would mean he stands on top of the podium for the first time since 2016 and he will be hoping his eight-year wait comes to an end.

IANNONE’S VIEW: “I’m living the dream one more time”

Speaking at the first Jerez test of 2024, Iannone outlined what he’d like to achieve this year. He said: “I’m happy to come back. I’m living the dream one more time. This is beautiful. I’m really happy to come back with Ducati. It’s my preferred bike in life and I get to ride it one more time. I hope we do a really good job. I think the most important thing is that we try to enjoy every moment. I’ve come back and I want to give everything.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow Iannone’s rookie season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

There have been lots of changes at Team HRC for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign. A new bike has been introduced and tested, and there are some new faces in the garage. One of these is Jose Manuel Escamez, who takes over the role of Team Manager from Leon Camier following the former rider’s departure at the end of the 2023 season. Escamez, for the team’s launch, spoke about his journey to his current role, the philosophy he’ll bring and much more as he embarks on a new challenge.

MOVING ACROSS: working in MotoGP™ before WorldSBK

Escamez is the third Team Manager that Honda have had since they returned to the Championship as a full-factory outfit, following in the footsteps of Jaume Colom and Camier, who each had two seasons at the helm. Explaining his route to Team HRC’s Team Manager, Escamez said: “I first worked as a mechanic in Barcelona before moving into the racing arena. Most of my racing career to date has been in MotoGP™, where I’ve had chance to work with some great riders and good teams, including several seasons with HRC already. Now, I’m very happy to be the Team Manager of Team HRC in WorldSBK and I am ready to apply all my experience to this new role. The company is the same, and the way of working is also similar, so it’s been a relatively smooth transition, although there are also many new things to familiarise myself with, of course.”

THE PHILOSOPHY: “I want to ensure everyone is able to give their best”

Every team manager will have their own way of working as they look to secure the best possible results for the team. With years of experience under his belt in MotoGP™, Escamez will have found a method that works for him, and he will be hoping this works for riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, as well as everyone else who works within the team. As someone who has held different roles, this will play a part in how Escamez works.

Expanding on his philosophy, Escamez said: “I will strive to keep the team united and working together towards the same goal. I have held various positions within a team throughout my career, both on the mechanical side and in coordination roles. This has given me the opportunity to understand people and their feelings, so I want to ensure that everyone is able to give their best for the team.”

THE CHALLENGES IN 2024: “the main challenge is to become competitive with the new bike as soon as possible”

With the introduction of a new machine, Vierge and Lecuona have been testing it with mixed emotions coming from those, with the first test largely positive but running into some problems during 2024 testing. It’s natural that a new bike comes with complications and ups and downs while everyone tries to figure out the best setup and the way to ride it. Escamez believed this would be one of the biggest challenges facing Team HRC in 2024.

“The main challenge is to become competitive with the new bike as soon as possible”, he began. “There are many updates across all areas of the machine, so we need to bring it all together and find a base setup that allows our riders to fully exploit the bike’s potential. The next challenge will be to consistently compete for top-five positions and secure some podium finishes. We are aware that this is a significant challenge, considering the high level of competition in the championship, but we are working tirelessly to achieve that goal.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow every single moment in 2024 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Another team have taken the wraps off their 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship contender. Team HRC have shown off the new CBR1000RR-R with its mew livery, featuring some striking differences from last year. Red is the most prominent colour as it comes in HRC’s corporate colours, but there’s more blue on the bike to make it stand out on track, with the fairing featuring a couple of different shades of the colour.

Both riders discussed the 2024 season as part of the season launch. Explaining his relationship with new crew chief Tom Jojic and his goals for the season, Iker Lecuona said: “To be honest, changing crew chief is never really a problem for me. I think I’m a friendly, open person and so I’m always happy to work with new colleagues and have always had a good relationship with members of my crew. My initial impression is good, and Tom seems to be a very cool guy with a positive, cheerful outlook. So far, so good, and I look forward to developing our relationship throughout the season. The goal is to fight for the podium. We reached the podium in our first year but not last year, which was more challenging. So, our first goal is to develop the bike to a level that allows us to fight at the front and fight for the podium. We want to achieve more top three finishes, and then take it from there.”

Vierge also spoke of his objectives, saying: “Let’s say that we didn’t always live up to our potential in 2023, as performance sometimes depended on the track, the conditions, and whether there was a good level of grip or not. Our potential was great at Indonesia, for example, but perhaps less so at some other tracks, so we want to work hard to achieve a better, more consistent level of performance at different circuits.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: will Honda take a step forward in 2024? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The covers have come off Kawasaki’s challenger for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK outfit unveiled their new look featuring even more green than last year. With the ZX-10RR machines now in their race livery, as opposed to the stunning winter test livery traditionally used by KRT in testing, all eyes are turning to Australia with riders Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani, and Team Manager Guim Roda, previewing the upcoming season, with the team benefitting from a new partnership with Motul.

2023 REVIEWED: one win, and a massive rider change…

2023 was one of Kawasaki’s toughest in recent years, managing only one victory – thanks to a Jonathan Rea masterclass in difficult conditions at the Autodrom Most – and picking up 19 podiums, down from 34 in 2022. With bombshell transfers up and down the paddock, none were bigger than the announcement that Rea would leave KRT after nine seasons, six titles, more than 100 wins and countless records broken.

LOOKING TO 2024: the post-Rea era begins

With riders always looking for a factory ride and competitive bike, KRT turned to Bassani to fill the vacant seat. ‘El Bocia’ had impressed with Motocorsa Racing, taking podiums and using his aggressive style to fight at the front. Bassani had mentioned on several occasions that his dream was to have a factory team seat, and that dream is now a reality. Will the Italian be able to deliver once he adapts to the ZX-10RR? He’ll race in green alongside Lowes, who’s entering his fifth season with the team.

LOWES OUTLINES GOALS: “I come into 2024 with a lot of optimism!”

Alex Lowes explained how the package had changed for 2024, saying: “I really like the new colours for 2024, they are a little bit different. Every other year there have been some small changes, but this is my favourite one yet. I come into 2024 with a lot of optimism. In some ways the bike, the package and the team are the same, but I have some different personnel to work with. We have some small upgrades and we have been working very hard in the winter, especially in our weak areas, making the bike easier to manage over a race distance. I am really happy with the work we have done. Whether it is enough to challenge at the front every week, we will have to wait and see. But I certainly feel that we have made a step forward from last year. I am excited to get going and head to Phillip Island for the final pre-season test and Round 1.”

BASSANI SAYS: “we can have a really good season together”

Looking ahead to 2024, Bassani stated: “I am really happy to finally show to the world the new KRT livery for the 2024 season. I think it is a really good design and I like it. For sure there is still a lot of green but some different colours. It is also really good to finally see my factory bike in factory colours. It is always nice to have a new look each season. I hope that people like the look of the bike and all the new team clothing. The green of Kawasaki is always special. I think we can have a really good season together. I am looking forward to going to Australia soon.”

HOW DOES THE TEAM FEEL? “the number of great riders on the grid is amazing…”

Speaking about how he expects KRT to perform, and the level of the WorldSBK grid in 2024, Roda said: “We have a very balanced project this year. Lowes, a fast rider with incredible capacity for speed, is trying to extend his performance for 20 laps – right to the end of long races. Axel, a young and talented rider, is learning how to extract the full potential of the Ninja ZX-10RR each time he goes out on track. Races this season will need to be evaluated not only by finishing positions but by the distance between the first placed rider and the others, because it will be so tight. The number of great riders on the grid is amazing. I’m sure this is, by far, the more competitive and exciting season in WorldSBK since we started out on our KRT project in 2012. We are putting on a big show and hope all the racing fans, and especially the Ninja fans, will thoroughly enjoy it.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow all the drama and excitement from WorldSBK in 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com