“I am super happy to sign a new contract with Kawasaki and KRT. What we have achieved together is incredible. Our success is driven by a great team and of course the base of the project – our Ninja ZX-10RR. I will keep working hard, together with my crew, the engineers at KHI to be in the best condition every single race. This period away from racing has reignited a burning desire to keep winning and continue to improve my skills and the package of our bike. Racing never stands still and all the riders and manufactures are continuing to improve – we must do the same. Now we can fully focus on our 2020 WorldSBK season where racing will restart soon. I want to thank Kawasaki, the team and all my sponsors for their continued support and this great opportunity.”
WorldSBK Tissot Superpole race at Phillip Island earlier this year
Rea has won five consecutive WorldSBK championships as a KRT rider, starting in his first Kawasaki year in 2015. The most successful WorldSBK racer in history, the vast majority of Jonathan’s championship points and race wins have been earned while riding Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR machinery creating a legend in the process.
KRT Team Manager – Guim Roda
“Everyone in the team is delighted that Jonathan will be with us again. In racing we cannot assume anything until it is completed so we are very happy that JR65 has confirmed his future with Kawasaki and us. Everyone involved understands that this is a long-term project and that continuity and success go hand-in-hand. As a rider Jonathan has incredible talents that are very rare. For sure, to keep him as part of KRT gives us a chance to create yet more WorldSBK and racing history. His pit crew and everyone at KRT are delighted to continue this hugely rewarding professional and personal journey together.”
Jonathan Rea won the WorldSBK season opening race at Phillip Island
Rea’s competitive nature is as strong as ever as he goes for title number six. Signing his new contract demonstrates his intention to build on and extend his winning streak well beyond this current season.
Jonathan’s ambition is as sharp as ever, especially after confirmation of his new contract with the most successful modern day WorldSBK manufacturer and team in the paddock. His close connection with Kawasaki and KRT is now globally understood and accepted, and in many ways he has become “the face of Kawasaki racing”.
The full support of his wife Tatia, his children and his entire family have been an important element throughout his glittering career, during all the good and more challenging times. The mutually beneficial relationship with his team, one which Jonathan has helped nurture, is an integral part of their combined success.
Kawasaki Racing Team WSBK 2020
Steve Guttridge – KME Racing Manager
“Since Jonathan signed his first deal to race with us in 2015 it has been a dream partnership. Kawasaki as a group had our full focus on extending our relationship into the future. This season, his sixth with us, means that JR is very much part of the Kawasaki family and his record-breaking partnership with the Ninja is revered by our competition and has amazed our fans worldwide. Jonathan – together with his great crew, the team and our engineers – once more has the perfect combination for success. JR’s professionalism, approach to racing – and particularly his mentality – have helped us as a manufacturer to define our blueprint to racing success. Together we aim to continue rewriting the history books and breaking records together. The whole Kawasaki family and Kawasaki fans worldwide welcome the new multi-year agreement with Jonathan and we are excited to witness the next chapter of this amazing story unfold.”
With current championship leader Alex Lowes already signed with Kawasaki beyond 2020 KRT has moved early in its rider choices for the next era of its overall WorldSBK campaign.
KRT 1-2 in WorldSBK Race Two at Phillip Island – GeeBee Image
Jonathan Rea WorldSBK Statistics
World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
Career Race Wins: 89 (74 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 170 (128 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 23 (19 for Kawasaki)
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
With ongoing external factors of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the following changes have been made to the 2020 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar.
The FIM, Circuit Officials & Dorna WSBK Organization informs that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the following changes are to be made regarding the 2020 WorldSBK Calendar, with rounds being rescheduled to later dates.
Rescheduled Rounds
Pirelli Spanish Round (previously 27th – 29th March) rescheduled for October 23-25
Pirelli French Round* (previously 25th – 27th September) rescheduled October 2-4
The FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization are working extensively with Circuits and Government Officials following up the situation in each country and will inform accordingly in due course if there are further changes to the 2020 Calendar.
Further updates to follow soon.
Updated 2020 WorldSBK Calendar
28 Feb.–1 March Australia Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
13–15 March Qatar Losail International Circuit*
17-19 April The Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
8-10 May Italy Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola
22-24 May Spain MotorLand Aragón
12-14 June Italy Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”
3-5 July United Kingdom Donington Park
31 Jul.-2 August Germany Motorsport Arena Oschersleben
4-6 September Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
18-20 September Spain Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya
2-4 October France Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
9–11 October Argentina Circuito San Juan Villicum
23–25 October Spain Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto
*With support and agreement of the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, the Pirelli French Round will be postponed 1 week to avoid clashes with newly published MotoGP calendar (March 10), in order to maximise the coverage of the event.
Ahead of the Australian opening round of the 2020 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, 34-year old Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK) has topped a shortened opening session at Phillip Island, after Takumi Takahashi (MIE Racing Althea Honda) left oil on track through turns three and four, forcing a halt of the proceedings.
Tom Sykes led the morning session
Tom Sykes was the only rider to drop into the 1:30s, boasting a 1:30.938, with Pata Yamaha’s Michael Van Der Mark nearest on 1:31.252 with teammate Toprak Razgatlioglu only 0.023s further off the leading pace.
Defending world champion Jonathan Rea was fourth overall for the morning, 0.557s off the leader, with the Kawasaki Racing Team rider 0.446s faster than new teammate Alex Lowes, who was seventh and clocked in the 1:32s.
Ten Kate Racing – Phillip Island WorldSBK Test
Ten Kate Racing Yamaha’s Loris Baz was fifth fastest, while Scott Redding was fastest Ducati on the Aruba.it Racing V4 R. Teammate Chaz Davies was eighth, with 1:32.117.
Completing the top ten was Leon Haslam (Team HRC) and Xavi Fores (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing).
Alvaro Bautista, riding the Team HRC Honda CBR1000RR-R was 11th as he comes to terms with the new Honda machinery at Phillip Island, where he dominated in 2019 on board a Ducati.
Eugene Laverty joins Sykes with BMW Motorrad WorldSBK
Second BMW Motorrad WorldSBK rider Eugene Laverty was 12th with a 1:32.893, almost two-seconds off leading pace, with Sandro Cortese (Outdo Kawasaki TPR) in 13th.
Federico Caricasulo made the move up to the premiere class in WorldSBK in 2020 after finishing second overall in WSSP in 2019, joining the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team for the new season, along with American Garrett Gerloff who was 17th posting a 1:34.184.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Leon Camiere were 15th and 16th, both on Ducati Panigale V4 R machinery, with Team GoEleven and Barni Racing Team respectively.
Team GoEleven – Phillip Island WorldSBK Test
Maximilian Scheib was 18th on the Orelac Racing Vednatura Kawasaki, while Takumi Takahashi was 19th on the MIE Racing Althea Honda.
Despite overcast conditions and rain north of Phillip Island, competitors remain hopefully for dry conditions for afternoon sessions, as activities recommence on track.
Phillip Island WorldSBK Testing – Monday FP1
Pos.
Rider
Nat.
Team
Gap
1
T. SYKES
GBR
Motorrad WorldSBK Team
1’30.938
2
M. VAN DER MARK
NED
PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK
0.314
3
T. RAZGATLIOGLU
TUR
PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK
0.337
4
J. REA
GBR
Kawasaki Racing Team
0.557
5
L. BAZ
FRA
Ten Kate Racing Yamaha
0.671
6
S. REDDING
GBR
ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati
0.85
7
A. LOWES
GBR
Kawasaki Racing Team
1.111
8
C. DAVIES
GBR
ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati
1.179
9
L. HASLAM
GBR
Team HRC Honda
1.29
10
X. FORES
ESP
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing
1.476
11
A. BAUTISTA
ESP
Team HRC
1.731
12
E. LAVERTY
IRL
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK
1.955
13
S. CORTESE
GER
OUTDO Kawasaki TPR
2.406
14
F. CARICASULO
ITA
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team
2.594
15
M. RINALDI
ITA
Team GOELEVEN
2.736
16
L. CAMIER
GBR
Barni Racing Team
3.159
17
G. GERLOFF
USA
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team
3.246
18
M. SCHEIB
CHI
ORELAC Racing VERDNATURA
4.64
19
T. TAKAHASHI
JPN
MIE Racing
5.408
World Supersport
Andrea Locatelli, who joined the BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team for the 2020 World Supersport season, led the morning World Supersport Free Practice 1 results, ahead of the MV Agusta Reparto Corse duo of Randy Krummenacher and Raffaele De Rosa, with the pair +0.276 and +0.309s off the leader’s pace.
Isaac Vinales (Kallio Racing) and Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) completed the top five , with Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) sixth.
Oli Bayliss
Top Honda was Hikari Okubo on the Dynavolt Honda, while Australian Oli Bayliss was 19th on board the Cube Racing Yamaha YZF-R6.
Three weeks ahead of the start of the Supersport World Championship, MV Agusta Reparto Corse has unveiled its 2020 livery. The new racing colours were presented in Schiranna, the historic headquarters of the Italian company.
2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP livery – Timur Sardarov, Ratmir Sardarov, Federico Fuligni, Raffaele De Rosa
The colour scheme features MV Agusta’s signature red and grey and the F3 675 will also be proudly sporting world champion Randy Krummenacher’s number 1 on its fairing. The Swiss rider will be joined by De Rosa and Fulgini in Andrea Quadranti’s team for the 2020 quest for the world Supersport title.
2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP livery
Andrea Quadranti
“The long preparation to the championship is now behind us, and we are ready to face the first round of the World Championship at the end of this month in Phillip Island. During the two-day tests at the beginning of the weekend we will be able to refine the set-up work done in the Jerez tests and our riders will take care of the rest. Krummenacher is determined to reconfirm his title, but De Rosa won’t certainly give up the opportunity to fight for it either. Fuligni expects to make a qualitative leap that will keep him in the top rankings. We are all eager to confront our opponents and are determined to play a leading role in the 2020 season.”
2020 MV Agusta Reparto Corse WSSP – Fuligni & De Rosa
The 2020 Supersport World Championship is about to begin, with the bikes now boxed-up and sent to Australia.
WSBK supports Australian bushfire relief with charity auction
Ahead of the 2020 season opener at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit next weekend (February 28-March 1), the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock has united to stage a charity auction in aid of the victims of the recent Australian bushfires.
The funds raised will go to BlazeAid, a volunteer-based set-up working alongside rural families and individuals impacted by the fires and floods. Since being founded in 2009, they’ve worked with over 20,000 volunteers in tackling bushfires.
Five-time world superbike champion Jonathan Rea spoke about the WorldSBK Paddock auction today in Melbourne, retelling how he and his Australia wife, Tatia, were tied up in the bushfire catastrophe despite being in the northern hemisphere in January. Their family owns a house just out of Bright, and for three weeks they watched from afar as the fires threatened their home, evacuations took place, and they saw farms and communities surrounding Bright ravaged.
The WorldSBK auction is organised through CharityStars and will see an incredible selection of rider and team merchandise and memorabilia – as well as some awesome fan experiences – go under the hammer. The Championship, riders and teams have come together during the recent tests at Jerez and Portimao to source their own gear, with exclusive helmets, leathers, gloves and various other ‘money-can’t-buy’ team apparel clothing set to get auctioned.
Newcomer Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) is one headliner as he offers up his leathers from testing, and they join the likes of teammate Chaz Davies’ helmet and Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) gloves and visor.
Reigning Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has also donated gloves and boots, with multiple race winner Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) putting in some knee sliders, a visor and boots. BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team’s mudguard hand-signed by Tom Sykes and teammate Eugene Laverty is another highlight.
There are also some experiences up for grabs as Dorna WSBK Organization offers exclusive pit lounge passes and behind the scenes experiences, perfect for every WorldSBK fan who wants to get up close and personal with the world’s fastest production-based motorcycle racing Championship.
They include two pairs of WorldSBK Pit Lounge Passes to any 2020 round (winning bidder’s choice) and one pair of WorldSBK Behind the Scenes Experience passes, giving the winning bidder a money-can’t-buy weekend from starting grid access to a lap in the Safety Car and plenty more in between.
The auction begins on 17th February at 11am CET (Central European Time) and ends on 3rd March midnight, so get bidding to secure your piece of WorldSBK history – and lend a helping hand to the host country of the 2020 season opener.
Australia has, is and will continue to be close to the World Superbike paddock, with Phillip Island hosting timeless classics – as well as the closest ever WorldSBK finish 10 years ago. Some of the biggest names in the history of the sport including Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss also hail from Down Under, making it a cause close to the heart of the paddock.
Michael van der Mark and Toprak Razgatlioglu will spearhead Pata Yamaha’s WorldSBK challenge for season 2020.
Australian two-time World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt has stayed with the team but with Alex Lowes’ moving to KRT, will crew chief for Dutchman Michael van der Mark.
Michael van der Mark
Toprak, after two seasons of real achievement as an independent rider in WorldSBK on Kawasaki ZX-10RR machinery has switched to Yamaha for season 2020. His previous crew chief Phil Marron has come with him to Pata Yamaha, keeping their connection strong as they move into the realms of official team racing on a machine which is all-new to both.
Winner of a race at Jerez last year, Michael van der Mark is back for his fourth year on the official R1, but this year there is a revamped cross-plane four-cylinder machine under his command. He has taken three career race wins in WorldSBK, part of a total of 29 podium finishes in all.
Michael van der Mark
A seasoned WorldSBK campaigner and very much in his prime at 27 years-of-age, Michael aims to be a more consistent winner and podium finisher in 2020, having already built up a good relationship with his new R1 in testing after three seasons racing the previous version. Here’s what van der Mark had to say when asked about season 2020.
2020 marks your fourth season as an Official Yamaha rider on the YZF-R1 – are you feeling ready for the new season?
Michael van der Mark: “Of course I’m ready! I’m looking forward to the new season with the 2020 R1 – which is not a completely different bike – but there are a lot of new parts and improvements that will help us. We need to keep making progress, and with this new bike, that for sure will enable us to make another step.”
So, what changes have been made to the new R1?
MVDM: “One of the improvements is the aerodynamics; it works much better for tall riders like Toprak and me. It is a lot more protective and I think we can get a little bit better top speed. Also, I think the fairing design has brought some other benefits, so again it’s a positive feeling. Together with Öhlins and our performance engineers we’ve made a good step forward to find grip – as it’s always been our main issue. Already last year we made a step and it was really important, I felt like we have found a really good direction and exactly what we are looking for. I don’t know any numbers, but this new bike feels a bit faster as well – that’s always nice!”
Michael van der Mark
You have a new crew chief this year in Andrew Pitt – a two-time World Champion in his own right. How is that relationship developing?
MVDM: “I knew Andrew a bit already because he was working with Alex [Lowes] and we always got along well. It honestly feels good, the communication is great and there’s a bit of a mix in the team now; I have some different guys on my side of the garage. I think it’s good to have some new ideas and styles of working, some new motivation and changes; also with Toprak joining the team. So at the moment things are good! From the first moment I worked with Andrew I really enjoyed it and we did some other stuff together as well. I like the way he works as an ex-top rider. He really understands the problems I have and what I am facing when riding the bike, but also the deep technical side he understands really well, so I’m really happy.”
What about your new teammate, Toprak?
MVDM: “I like him! With Alex the relationship was always great, but it’s also good to have Toprak in the team as a young up-and coming-kid. He’s fast right from the start and we’ve had some really nice battles in the past. I’m really looking forward to the season, I think we can have some good battles again and I’ll be working hard to make sure I’m on top! He’ll keep me on my toes, but that’s what everybody wants. His style is so different to mine, but that’s interesting to learn from as well.”
What is your target in 2020?
MVDM: “Win races. If we can win races then we can build a challenge to fight for the championship. Boom!”
Toprak Razgatlioglu
At only 23 years-of-age, Toprak is a rider who can already beat the best in a fair fight and who is now looking to the new R1 to allow him to do that on a more consistent basis.
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Already a star in his native Turkey and a protégé of compatriot and WorldSSP legend Kenan Sofuoglu, Toprak has made a swift transition to the latest Yamaha R1 after a five-year career spent with a rival manufacturer. Like Michael, Toprak was a Superstock 600 European champion before moving up inside the WorldSBK paddock.
He shared his thoughts about this coming season, the new bikes and possibilities ahead:
Welcome to the Yamaha family and Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team with Rizla. How is the experience so far?
Toprak Razgatlioglu: “It’s a different team and for me, the first time with an official team. I was used to being in a small team, and now coming into an official manufacturer team. I don’t know all the people in the team yet and always I say, for me it is not easy because everyone is different to work with. But already it’s feeling very good and I like it a lot. In the beginning, I was a little… scared! Because I don’t know the team and everything is new. But now I’m very happy and enjoying it. Like with the stoppies at the end of the test, I thought at the start, ‘ah maybe I won’t try because I don’t know if it will be allowed!’ But after one time, somebody asked me ‘can you do another stoppie?’ So then I say ‘OK!’ I didn’t know in the beginning if it would be OK because it was all-new but these are racing people – serious about their jobs – and they also want to enjoy it.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu
What is your impression of the new 2020 Yamaha R1 – what are the strong points?
TR: “Again, the Yamaha a new bike for me but now I have the 2020 R1 – between the two I would say there is not a really big difference, just nice improvements. I feel like it is very easy to turn, really good at turning and with the power I am feeling much better. I’m learning that my new bike with Yamaha has a different character from what I rode in the past. After more laps, I feel much better. I’ve always liked Yamaha; my first bike was a PW50! I have ridden Yamaha bikes over many years – I ride a Niken on the streets at home – and now after five years on a different bike, I have come here and I’m very happy.”
You are working with Phil Marron again as your crew chief, is this important when you are inside a new team and with a new bike?
TR: “Yes we work together well and I am very happy. Because we worked together in 2019, he knows me and I feel this is very important because he understands what I need to go fast. Before, my crew chiefs understood me a little and I would just ride the bike, but in 2019 working with Phil, he understands me more and the result is different! I’m very happy because we’re coming together to this new team. For Phil and me it is new: a new team and a new bike. But now already it is a better feeling, but I keep saying, I need more time, more laps and after, it will be a much better feeling!”
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Are you enjoying having a teammate for the first time? What are the good and bad points compared to being the only rider?
TR: “In 2019, I raced in a team alone in WorldSBK and I think for me it was very easy, because with just one rider if I had a bad session I didn’t feel very bad. After a good session, I would be very happy. And now, coming to Yamaha and the first time having a teammate it is different [by having someone to compare to] – but I am very lucky because he is a very good guy! I know on the track we are fighting hard but outside we are already friends, feeling is like brothers. I say ‘abi’ to Michael and normally to say ‘abi’ in Turkish means ‘big brother’.”
In 2019 you won your first races and made big improvements. What are your goals in 2020?
TR: “I think last year I said the same – to get a podium at Phillip Island. I need this and last year I tried! It was not possible, but this year I will try again. First race, first podium and try to have a good feeling to start. After that, I try my best always, we will see…”
Continuity can be key in many areas of racing but in 2020 the long-time leader of the Pata Yamaha team’s efforts – Paul Denning – has many new elements to help distil into one potent WorldSBK racing mix, ready to score consistent success at a higher level than ever.
Paul Denning
“2020 marks the fifth season since Yamaha’s return to WorldSBK competition in 2016 with the R1 and we are excited to see the next step in our evolution.”. “Yamaha’s Official Team, operated in close partnership with Crescent Racing, has improved every year both in potential and result, made evident by race wins and third and fourth overall in the 2019 Championship. As we get closer to the top level, further improvements are of course more difficult to deliver, but to take the next step forward and challenge for the title must be the target.”
Denning is very much aware that changes have been made with one goal in mind – higher levels of achievement for all.
“Yamaha has continued to improve their development capabilities, the team has improved its structure, and now we also have the new 2020 R1 to help us challenge for victories,” said Paul. “Alongside this, at Yamaha we now have one of the most exciting rider line-ups ever seen in WorldSBK, as Toprak joins Michael to create a talented, young and aggressive team that we hope will allow us to meet our targets and to deliver highly exciting on-track action throughout the new season.”
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu joins Michael van der Mark in the Pata Yamaha squad
Now that winter testing in Europe has concluded, all eyes turn to the official pre-season test in Australia, between 24 and 25 February, which will give the best possible indication of how the new season could start for Pata Yamaha.
The test and then the first weekend of a new era for Pata Yamaha will take place at the same Phillip Island circuit, one that has been host to so many spectacular moments in recent and more historic WorldSBK seasons.
WorldSBK Yamaha Finance Australian Round, Phillip Island
Toprak Razgatlioglu has proven the man to beat at the Portimao Test as the Turk topped the timesheets for Pata Yamaha. That man Jonathan Rea though and KRT were not present in Portugal, and were instead at Montmelo near Barcelona for their own test session.
Jonathan Rea
“It has been so nice to get this extra day after Jerez, because we got really decent weather, the track was dry and we managed to put in a lot of laps. We were able to back-to-back some items that we were not sure about with the weight balance of the bike in Jerez. In the end we tried something on the front suspension and did some practice starts. The big positive is that I really enjoyed the track and the bike works really well here. I think it sets us up in a good frame of mind now. I feel fast and consistent and this positive test has prepared us to go to Australia, where we will start the new season. Thanks to the team for pulling out all the stops to get us a proper test day here because I know it was not in the plan. Next is the team launch where we get to be all excited about our new colours and then move on.”
Kawasaki Racing Team had their own separate test at Montmelo
Alex Lowes
“I want to say a big thank to KRT for working really hard to get us this extra test. Obviously I have not had too many chances to have dry laps this winter so I really appreciate this extra day at Montmelo. The track is fantastic. It is always exciting coming to a track for the first time. I am getting old now so there are not many tracks I have not ridden! I have really enjoyed it today and I probably learned more about the bike than in the other tests, so that is really positive for me going into Phillip Island. I really enjoyed working with the team and I cannot wait to start racing now.”
Alex Lowes
With KRT absent from Portimao it was Razgatlioglu topping the timesheets from Scott Redding by just 0.079s as the test came to a close.
Scott Redding
“It was a good day even though, to be honest, I couldn’t find the ideal pace. On a few occasions, I found traffic on the track and when I tried the new tyres, the four almost consecutive red flags didn’t allow me to lap consistently. The result of the test is still very positive, considering that this is a circuit where I only rode once in the past and it can’t be considered the most favourable for Ducati. All things considered, we have worked very well and I am satisfied.”
Scott Redding
Michael Van Der Mark was fourth fastest, focusing on conserving tyre life, in a move likely to pay dividends at Phillip Island.
Chaz Davies completed the top five as the second Ducati, with Yamaha otherwise dominating the top five, with three of the fastest five riders.
Chaz Davies
“It’s been a busy couple of days. We were lucky because the weather helped us to carry on our work. We tried new solutions: some of them gave positive results, while on other aspects we will have to work further. The lap-times? We will return to Portugal in September and the track conditions will be completely different so the crono wasn’t our first target. In view of the first Grand Prix in Australia, I feel much more ahead of what I felt last year.”
Chaz Davies
Leon Haslam was the fastest Honda, ahead of BMW’s Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty.
Leon Haslam
“We’ve made some good steps today and have got through a lot of the things we had down to test. We didn’t perhaps make the step that others did with the soft qualifying tyre, but all in all the lap times aren’t too bad and I was pretty happy with the race tyres. We have a lot of work ahead of us of course and we’re not yet at the stage where we’re fine-tuning the bike, as we’re still testing fundamental components. I can’t wait to get to Phillip Island now, it’s one of my favourite circuits. The test there will be very important too, and then the aim for the race weekend is to try to be competitive right from the outset.”
Leon Haslam
Both BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team riders had two bikes at their disposal, allowing Sykes and Laverty and their respective crews to evaluate more new components and different set-up configurations, working on the best possible basis set-up in time for the start of the season.
Tom Sykes
“I’m very happy with the two tests. Jerez obviously was very challenging on the weather front but we were able to utilise that and do some little fundamental things. It then was much more consistent here in Portugal and we were just able to do a lot of work with our BMW S 1000 RR. We just had to turn a bit of a blind eye to what was going on on track and focus on what we are doing. We worked really hard on different chassis set-ups, on the brakes, electronic strategies… and the list goes on. A big credit to the entire BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, the boys have worked really hard over these days. Now it’s time to go back home and get everything ready for Phillip Island and where we can focus more on performance.”
Tom Sykes
Eugene Laverty
“I am really delighted and optimistic coming away from the test. The November test was a bit of a tough one as I got a few surprises when I rode the RR for the first time. The work that the guys have done since is incredible. That’s the nice thing of being involved with a factory team again: the progress is so quick and these guys are so intelligent. I give my comments but in the end my comments are only backing up what they already know. These guys understand very well how to make the bike work. The focus in Spain had been power delivery and traction control and when we arrived at Portimão, we started to play around with the chassis setting. The performance in the end was really good. So after these tests, I’m very happy, we’re in a good position.”
Eugene Laverty
Top Kawasaki performer was Xavi Fores, but that was due to the Kawasaki Racing Team testing at Montmelo, instead of at the Portimao Test.
Xavi Fores
Alvaro Bautista worked non-stop across both Sunday and Monday in order to make headway with a intense schedule and provide the engineers with as much information as possible so as to facilitate bike development work, and was 16th fastest.
Alvaro Bautista
“These tests have been tough for us because in Jerez we could not test much due to the bad weather. So we had to concentrate all the work here in Portimao, basically trying to complete four days of work in just two days. That meant we were forced to spend more time inside the garage than on track and this of course is a bit frustrating when you just want to have everything ready, put in a new tyre and go for it. Anyway, this is the kind of job that has to be done with a new project. I think we now have a lot of data that can be useful in developing the bike and we’ll see how the next step goes in Australia. Those tests prior to the first round will be very important.”
Alvaro Bautista
The final pre-season tests will take place at Phillip Island, the venue for the opening round in Australia, just a few days before the start of a whole new racing season.
WorldSBK Portimão Test Day Two Unofficial Times
Pos.
Rider
Man.
Time/Gap
1
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Yamaha
01:40.8
2
Scott Redding
Ducati
+0.079
3
Loris Baz
Yamaha
+0.19
4
Michael Van Der Mark
Yamaha
+0.622
5
Chaz Davies
Ducati
+0.795
6
Leon Haslam
Honda
+0.851
7
Tom Sykes
Bmw
+0.982
8
Eugene Laverty
Bmw
+1.186
9
Federico Caricasulo
Yamaha
+1.226
10
Garrett Gerloff
Yamaha
+1.241
11
Michael Rinaldi
Ducati
+1.505
12
Leandro Mercado
Ducati
+1.658
13
Xavi Fores
Kawasaki
+1.998
14
Sylvain Barrier
Ducati
+2.654
15
Pohssom Christophe
Aprilia
+2.676
16
Alvaro Bautista
Honda
+2.755
17
Sandro Cortese
Ducati
+3
WorldSSP
Jules Cluzel leaves the Portimao test as the man to beat in the World Supersport class, closing out the test ahead of Andrea Locatelli and Steven Odendaal, although it bears mentioning it was Locatelli’s first time at Portimao.
Jules Cluzel
Steven Odendaal also worked on coming to terms with the WSSP Yamaha, while Lucas Mahias was the top non-Yamaha rider in fourth on the Kawasak Puccetti Racing machine.
Corentin Perolari made for another Yamaha in the top five on the GMT94 Yamaha, while Philipp Oettl was sixth.
Philipp Ottl
Top Honda was Hikari Okubo in seventh, having made the move from Kawasaki in 2019 to Dynavolt Honda for 2020.
WorldSSP Portimão Test Day One Unofficial Times
Pos
Rider
Man
Time
1
Jules Cluzel
Yamaha
01:44.4
2
Andrea Locatelli
Yamaha
01:44.7
3
Steven Odendaal
Yamaha
01:44.8
4
Lucas Mahias
Kawasaki
01:44.8
5
Corentin Perolari
Yamaha
01:45.6
6
Phillip Ottl
Kawasaki
01:45.9
7
Hikari Okubo
Honda
01:45.9
8
Can Oncu
Kawasaki
01:46.3
9
Danny Webb
Yamaha
01:47.1
10
Jaimie Van Sikkelerus
Yamaha
01:47.4
11
Patrick Hobelsberger
Honda
01:47.5
had their own separate test at MontmeloJonathan worked on balance and overall set-up on his Ninja ZX-10RR machine while Alex learned not just a new track layout but also more aspects of his Ninja ZX-10RR’s character to take into the first competitive round.
Phillip Island, Victoria – February 28 – March 1, 2020
With less than two weeks till Christmas there’s great deals to be had on 2020 Australian WorldSBK tickets at Phillip Island, starting at three-day passes for just $125, with a chance to win a spot on the World Superbike grid for Saturday’s race one with online purchases made before December 24. What better Christmas present could you think of, than seeing all the action at Phillip Island next February 28 to March 1.
World Superbike at Phillip Island runs February 28 through to March 1, 2020
Christmas shopping for World Superbike tickets is super-easy and the price is right. Just jump online to book at https://tickets.worldsbk.com.au (link) and make sure you buy before December 24 for the chance to win a spot on the World Superbike grid for race one.
You can purchase a three-day General Admission ticket with Free Paddock Access for just $125*. Want to spend a little more? Buy a 3-Day Bar SBK ticket for $265* giving access to three under-cover viewing areas at the circuit’s most thrilling corners – Doohan Corner, Siberia and Lukey Heights. Bar SBK ticket holders also get access to the exclusive grandstand at Doohan Corner, along with parking at Siberia and Lukey Heights and prime Superscreen viewing from each facility.
Phillip Island will play host to the 2020 World Superbike Round One
Add four nights on-circuit camping for an extra $110* per adult, while kids 15 and under are free to enter and camp, if accompanied by a full-paying adult.
2020 WorldSBK field shaping up to be a cracker
We’re looking at a cracker of a 2020 WorldSBK field with the Kawasaki king Jonathan Rea facing threats from every angle. Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam have headed to Honda and will campaign the all-new Honda CBR1000RR; Yamaha’s added young gun Toprak Razgatlioglu, Texan Garrett Gerloff and WorldSSP’s Federico Caricasulo to its stable; while Eugene Laverty has joined Tom Sykes at BMW.
Jonathan Rea – Image by Rob Mott
Ducati also looks red-hot, with British Superbike champ, Scott Redding joining Chaz Davies on the Panigale V4R; while Rea’s new garage mate, Alex Lowes, looks pretty happy on his 2020 Kawasaki.
New names on the grid include Japan’s superbike master, Takumi Takahashi with Honda and from Chili, Maximilian Scheib on a Kawasaki; while returning for another shot at world superbike stardom are the likes of Spain’s Jordi Torres and Xavi Fores, France’s Sylvain Barrier and Argentina’s Leandro Mercado.
A weekend at the World Superbike Championship is a pure action fest of back-to-back racing from World Superbike and World Supersport, plus the opening round of the Australian Superbike Championships for Australian Superbike, Supersport and Supersport 300.
Tom Sykes – 2019 Phillip Island WSBK
Plus an added bonus with World Supers, is that every three-day ticket includes free access to the paddock and Paddock Show, plus bring your bike and ride the service roads to your favourite viewing spot.
Phillip Island is just two hours south of Melbourne and to make it affordable and an awesome getaway gift, couple your ticket with on-circuit camping for four nights for just $110* extra per adult for four nights. Situated right above Southern Loop and close to the go-kart track, Visitor’s Centre, and the History of Motorsport Display, the campground has spectacular views over Bass Straight and the circuit.
Phillip Island will also host Australian Superbike, Supersport and Supersport 300 support categories – Image by TBG
Plus kids 15 and under accompanied by a full-paying adult are free, so make it a family affair. Crafty shoppers, who are coming to world supers, can give their kids the Christmas gift of a weekend at the Supers and it won’t cost a cent – a great way to balance the Christmas budget.
For a taste of race-pace at the island, here’s 2019 Australian Superbike Champ, Mike Jones; Suzuki’s Josh Waters and Yamaha’s Dan Falzon to take you on a high-speed jaunt around the scintillating 4.445km Phillip Island circuit, world supers-style.
Ho ho ho…Get Christmas shopping today and sort your weekend getaway for the sizzling opening round of the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance round, next February 28-March 1 at Australia’s motorcycling mecca, Phillip Island. Tickets at https://tickets.worldsbk.com.au/ (link)
Phillip Island World Superbike tickets on sale now
*All ticket prices quoted are advance (more expensive at gate) and subject to Ticketek charges, ** Kids 15 and under free to enter and camp, accompanied by a full-paying adult
Day one of the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto has come to a close, with riders and teams testing new parts and new bikes ahead of the new season.
Returning riders and WorldSBK rookies were on track looking for the perfect set-up for their 2020 season, whilst WorldSSP also joined the on-track action. Although four red flags interrupted proceedings, Jonathan Rea pipped Toprak Razgatlioglu and Alex Lowes to finish on top of the pile ahead of day two.
Jonathan Rea – WorldSBK 2020 Testing
Improving the package in specific areas and continuing to experiment with new ideas regarding balance and set-ups for various scenarios, the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK continued their pre-season testing with a strong afternoon in the south of Spain. Jonathan Rea was the first rider under the 1’40 mark, whilst Alex Lowes elevated himself up to second with just two hours of track time to go.
Over at Ducati, it was a tough afternoon for Scott Redding, who ran on at Turn 5 and beached his Ducati. The British rider re-joined the track but slipped down to seventh with less than two hours to go, although he recovered in the end and finished day one in sixth. Davies was just two places behind and was working on ergonomics, whilst working on rear shock feelings together with Ohlins. Michele Pirro was just outside the top ten in 11th.
Chaz Davies – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
Yamaha were also working on a vast array of things across their bikes, as Toprak Razgatlioglu was the first out on track. Toprak was experimenting with engine braking and was keen to refine his riding position; the Turk finished second overall, splitting KRT duo Rea and Lowes.
Setting 98 laps, Michael van der Mark was also working hard on improving his feeling with new parts on the 2019 bike and finished inside the top four. Loris Baz was as high as third but slipped down to overall, as he continued to work on a solution for his top speed deficit. Niccolo Canepa was out on track too and was the only rider with the 2020 Yamaha R1, finishing ninth.
Toprak Razgatlioglu – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
For the first time for the 2020 season, BMW were on track, meaning Eugene Laverty made his debut with the German manufacturer. Laverty suffered a technical problem which brought out the second red flag, leaving oil on the track at Turn 2.
Tom Sykes spent his day testing different chassis characteristics, whilst also experimenting with a different electronics strategy and swingarm parts too. Tom Sykes finished the day in seventh whilst Laverty was tenth overall.
Eugene Laverty – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
At GRT Yamaha, both Federico Caricasulo and Garrett Gerloff continued their adaptation to World Superbike life. The Italian was not inside the top ten for most of the day, and, like at Aragon, was working on his riding position on the bike. Garrett Gerloff set more than 70 laps on his first time at Jerez and spent most of the day inside the top ten before finishing 12th.
Xavi Fores was still getting used to be being back on a WorldSBK-spec motorcycle and was one place further back in 13th, whilst Caricasulo and Lorenzo Savadori were 14th and 15th respectively.
Federico Caricasulo – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
WorldSBK Jerez Test Day One Unofficial Times
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’39.207 – 63 laps
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) 1’39.226 – 77 laps
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) 1’39.541 – 98 laps
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’39.780 – 88 laps
Loris Baz (Ten Kate – Yamaha) 1’40.128 – 98 laps
Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) 1’40.137 – 65 laps
Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’40.431 – 50 laps
Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) 1’40.659 – 72 laps
Niccolo Canepa (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official) 1’40.854 – 68 laps
Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’40.971 – 63 laps
WorldSSP
At the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, the FIM Supersport World Championship was also in action with numerous leading riders on track. A day blighted by red flags gave some teams the chance to bed-in their 2020 set-ups and for the raft of rookies to come to terms with their 2020 challenge.
Randy Krummenacher – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
Ending the day on top however was reigning WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher, making his debut for MV Agusta, whilst Philipp Oettl and Isaac Viñales were in behind.
Learning a new bike and taking his crew with him to the MV Agusta set-up, Randy Krummenacher’s title defence started well, setting 50 laps throughout the day. The Swiss rider was under four seconds from Jonathan Rea’s time from WorldSBK and just over half-a-tenth ahead of fellow WorldSSP rider, Philipp Öettl.
Fresh from a test in Valencia, Oettl was up to speed on day one, with the German finishing ahead of Isaac Viñales, who is on a more-or-less identical bike to 2019 and has the aim of fighting for the title in 2020.
Philipp Öettl – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
Fourth overall was Andrea Locatelli, as the Italian also made his switch from Moto2™ to World Supersport. Setting over 60 laps on the Yamaha R6, the Italian stated he needs to go step by step and set as many laps as possible to understand the bike better.
He was ahead of 2019 Moto2 rival Steven Odendaal, who set 68 laps on his first time out on a WorldSSP bike. Hannes Soomer adapted quickly to his first Yamaha experience and was sixth out of nine WorldSSP riders.
Isaac Viñales – 2020 Jerez WorldSBK Test
Federico Fuligni was back fighting fit with the MV Agusta and was seventh come the end of the day. Firstly, adapting to the bike and then trying to adapt the bike to his style, Can Öncü turned a first wheel in WorldSSP. He was eighth, just ahead of Loris Cresson, as the Belgian rider completed the WorldSSP running order.
WorldSSP Jerez Test Day One Unofficial Times
Randy Krummenacher (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) 1’43.150 – 53 laps
Phillip Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 1’43.210 – 60 laps
Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) 1’43.412 – 45 laps
Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) 1’43.474 – 62 laps
Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) 1’43.843 – 71 laps
Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing) 1’43.865 – 36 laps
Federico Fuligni (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) 1’44.391 – 80 laps
The final of the 2019 World Superbike Championship wrapped up in Qatar with the big question on everyone’s lips answered as Randy Krummenacher took the World Supersport Championship title for Yamaha.
Randy Krummenacher joined the 2019 WSBK champions roster in the World Supersport class
In World Superbikes already crowned World Champion Jonathan Rea took no prisoners, winning all three races of the weekend and relegating the Ducati and Yamaha riders to the lower steps of the podium. After taking pole position and winning Race 1 on Friday, Saturday saw the Northern Irishman make no mistakes and triumph in both the Tissot Superpole Race and in Race 2.
It was his second win of the WorldSSP300 season for Dutchman Scott Deroue while newly crowned World Champion Manuel Gonzalez finished fourth.
WSBK
In the Tissot Superpole Race, Jonathan Rea took his second victory of the weekend. Starting from pole position, the Northern Irishman maintained the race lead from flag to flag ahead of Spaniard Álvaro Bautista who, after overtaking Alex Lowes on the second lap, maintained second for the rest of the race.
Jonathan Rea
The third step of the podium went to Yamaha rider Alex Lowes, who managed to stay ahead of the other Kawasaki rider, Leon Haslam.
Michael Van Der Mark, Loris Baz and Chaz Davies each took a turn in fifth, but at the end of the day it was the Welshman who came out on top.
Alex Lowes took third in the Superpole Race, matching his overall season standing
In Race 2, reigning Rea got off the line well when the red lights went out, but Bautista was aggressive straight away, trying to make life difficult for the Northern Irishman from the first lap.
Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea
The champion and runner-up set an unsustainable race pace for the group of followers, led by the other Ducati rider, Chaz Davies, who did the race fast lap on the fourth lap.
On the eighth lap, Rea, Bautista and Davies were within just over half a second of one another, forming a compact leading trio.
Early in the tenth lap Bautista had a go at overtaking Rea on the finishing straight, but the Northern Irishman was able to fend off the Spaniard’s attack and in the meantime, Chaz Davies had closed the gap and caught up with his teammate.
Alvaro Bautista & Chaz Davies
In the final part of the race, Jonathan Rea managed to pull the pin and open up a gap ahead of the Ducati riders, taking his advantage to more than two seconds while Chaz Davies gained the upper hand against his teammate on the fourteenth lap, moving into second place.
Jonathan Rea finished first under the chequered flag for the third time over the weekend ahead of Chaz Davies and Álvaro Bautista.
Jonathan Rea finished the season on a high note with a triple-win in Qatar and was joined on the Race 2 podium by Davies and Bautista
Fourth place went to Alex Lowes with Toprak Razgatlioglu, fifth, finishing as the best independent team rider.
WorldSBK riders talk the season final
Jonathan Rea – P1 Overall
“Seventeen race wins this year and two triples – Donington and here – so this is special, super-special. I am really happy and content because to be honest we never expected to get beaten so bad in the beginning. Even in the middle of the season we knew we needed to enter these last two rounds with a gap in the championship to fight for it, but what we expected we didn’t find. I am really happy with the package of our bike because in these last two races, with the longest straights in the championship, and the fastest circuits, we have proved that you need more than a fast engine to win. I am super-proud of all my team. This weekend we changed the base set-up so many times, from Race One to Superpole to Race Two; you would not believe me is I told you what we did. We turned the bike upside down and each and every time we had some positives and negatives, so it just shows our bike is working inside a good window.”
Jonathan Rea
Álvaro Bautista – P2 Overall
“Today was a positive day, because after the warm-up and before the Superpole race, we returned to the set-up we had on Friday. I immediately had a good feeling and the second place was important for the starting-grid in race 2. In the early stages I battled with Jonathan but unfortunately, about half-way through the race, I began to lose grip at the rear and I was struggling to stop the bike. In the end I couldn’t do anything about Chaz, but all things considered I’m happy, it’s always nice to finish the season on the podium. I’d like to thank Aruba and all the Ducati squad for doing a fantastic job this year. Unfortunately, the season didn’t go the way we hoped, but I’m very pleased to have begun my first year in Superbike with this team because they have so much experience in this championship and they helped me a lot. Thanks to everyone, I wish you all the best for next year.”
Alvaro Bautista
Alex Lowes – P3 Overall
“It was good to end the season with a strong weekend here in Qatar but, apart from one bad weekend in Jerez and the crash while leading in Misano, I’ve been up there in the top-six and really strong in every race. The target this year was to finish top-three in the championship; obviously everyone wants to be world champion, but you’ve got to improve on what you did the year before, keep learning, keep moving forward and this year was a good step forward for me. It’s a bittersweet end to the season because I’m leaving a team that has such a great atmosphere, with whom I get on really well and in which I feel a part of the family. It’s strange to be leaving both Crescent and Yamaha, we’ll all face new challenges next season, but tonight I’m going to enjoy it, together with the guys who’ve worked so hard for me and helped me achieve my goal this season.”
Alex Lowes
Michael van der Mark – P4 Overall
“We made some changes to the set up ahead of Race 2 this evening and I felt a lot better at the beginning compared to the Superpole race in the afternoon. Unfortunately, once the tyres started to drop off then I struggled like before. I tried everything to stay in front of Alex, but it just wasn’t possible because I was struggling with the grip so much. Anyway, I think if we look back on this season we should be satisfied. The Misano injury put us on the back foot, missing that whole event and then riding injured at the following two rounds, but we never gave up and we never stopped trying. To finish fourth in the championship isn’t what we were looking for but, given the obstacles we’ve faced this season, it’s still pretty incredible. Big credit to the team and to Yamaha, unfortunately this wasn’t our weekend but I’m confident we’ll be back stronger next year.”
Michael van der Mark
Chaz Davies – P6 Overall
“It’s been a strong end to the season for me and I’m really happy to finish on the podium again. I felt like I put together another good race this evening after a bad start, but it was good fun to battle with the others in the early laps. I got into a good pace and started charging towards the guys up front. After I passed Álvaro, it was quite easy to follow Johnny but then when I pushed a bit more, I was in trouble with the front tyre. All in all, it was a good finish to 2019 and I can’t wait for 2020 to start”.
Chaz Davies
It was a positive debut season for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team, claiming four podiums, one pole position and numerous top six finishes. Sykes finished the season eighth in the riders’ standings on 223 points, while Reiterberger claimed 14th place overall.
Tom Sykes – P8 Overall
“It’s not the way I would have liked to end the season given the results that we have had previously. We have arrived at a circuit where you are in the corner for a long time which is an area on the bike that we need to work on, so overall a very disappointing weekend to end 2019. On the whole, the new project finishing eighth in the championship is relatively good considering there are six factory bikes from different manufacturers with a lot more experience. We have had some very strong showings, we have shown the potential of the BMW S 1000 RR and the relationship with the new team has worked well. Going into the winter I would like to think that the information the team gathered can be put into development and ultimately a better starting point for next season.”
WorldSBK Tissot Superpole race at Phillip Island earlier this year
Jonathan Rea won the WorldSBK season opening race at Phillip Island
Kawasaki Racing Team WSBK 2020
KRT 1-2 in WorldSBK Race Two at Phillip Island – GeeBee Image
Jonathan Rea and family 
