As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock headed to the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” for the 2023 Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, all eyes were on BMW following the news that Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) would swap Yamaha for BMW from the 2024 season. On Friday at Misano, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers gave his view on the signing of the 2021 Champion.

Razgatlioglu joined Yamaha in 2020 and made an instant impact with the Japanese manufacturer as he won Race 1 at Phillip Island, his first race for Yamaha. He ended the season with two more wins at the season-ending Estoril Round. Following on from that, Razgatlioglu claimed the 2021 title after a season-long fight with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) with culminated in a final-round showdown in Indonesia.

Last year, Razgatlioglu lost the title after another season-long with but this time with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who, like Razgatlioglu, claimed the title in Indonesia. In 2023, Razgatlioglu and Bautista are the only two riders to win races, with Bautista winning 11 out of 12 so far and Razgatlioglu the Mandalika Superpole Race. After four seasons and 31 race wins for Yamaha, Razgatlioglu will join BMW in 2024.

Discussing BMW signing Razgatlioglu, Bongers said: “It’s very exciting for us. It’s a new challenge for us and for Toprak on top of that. We have a strong rider line-up already but, for sure, this will add to that. He is one of the top riders of this paddock. What was especially impressive is his dedication and his never give up attitude that seems to match our ethos.”

However, the teammate of Razgatlioglu for 2024 is currently unknown. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and teammate Michael van der Mark are the current riders for the factory BMW squad, with Redding revealing on Friday that he has until July 15^th to make a decision on his BMW future. Bongers addressed the full line-up for BMW in 2024 but refused to name names related to who could be Razgatlioglu’s teammate. He said: “It’s a little early, we’ll still have to wait quite a few weeks. We will announce it at a later date how we allocate our rider line-up between teams.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship headed to the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round and French rider Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) topped the times with his Free Practice 1 time good enough for top spot. In the combined classification, he was ahead of home hero Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) in second with 2022 winner Vannucci topping the times in FP2.

DI SORA LEADS, WILDCARDS IMPRESS: shocks in the WorldSSP300 field

Di Sora posted a 1’49.601s to take top spot in the combined classification which was set in Free Practice 1, while Vannucci’s best time, a 1’49.752s, was set in Free Practice 2. The pair were separated by over a tenth of a second at the end of Friday’s running as they both look for victories in the third round of the 2023 campaign. Wildcard Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing), returning to WorldSSP300, claimed third place on Friday as he set a 1’49.915s in FP1 for his best time on Friday.

A STRONG RESULT FOR ITALY ON THE CARDS? Plenty of Italians running well

Another Italian rider made it into the top four as Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) secured fourth place on Friday as he returns from injury. His best time was a 1’50.059s to finish ahead of Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) in fifth, with the Brazilian having limited running in FP2 due to a crash at Turns 5-6 which brought out the red flags; he was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) rounded out the top six, just over half a second down on Di Sora’s time.

MORE SURPRISES: two wildcards in the top ten…

Mattia Martella (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) took seventh spot after an impressive Friday for the rookie, lapping Misano with a best time of 1’50.180s; his consistency means his FP2 time was 0.003s faster than his FP1 time. However, his running was disrupted in FP2 following a crash at Turn 4, but he was able to re-join the session. Wildcard Emanuele Cazzaniga (Racestar) also impressed with eighth place at Misano, finishing ahead of Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) in ninth and Galang Hendra Pratama (Sublime Racing by MS Racing) in tenth; the Indonesian rider missing some running in FP2 with a technical problem.

A DRAMATIC SESSION: FP2 brings plenty of crashes

Devis Bergamini (ProGP Racing) was another whose day was disrupted following an FP2 crash at Turn 13 but he was still able to finish in 11^th place, ahead of compatriot Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) in 12^th. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) was in 13^th place ahead of Championship leader Petr Svoboda (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki) claimed 14^th on Day 1 on Friday, while Britain’s Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) rounded out the top 15.

HOUSEKEEPING: to note from WorldSSP300 on Friday

In Free Practice 1, Gabriele Mastroluca (Team BrCorse) crashed at Turn 10 which disrupted his running while there were a couple of crashes in FP2. The first was Junhao Zhan (China Racing Team) when he crashed at Turn 10 with 25 minutes left of the session, while, shortly after that, Ionnanis Peristeras (ProGP Racing) crashed but returned to the track and the pits under the red flag. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) had a difficult FP2 after he crashed out at Turn 10 with just over 10 minutes remaining, with the Dutchman returning to the track with around two minutes left in the session.

The top six following WorldSSP300 action on Friday, full results here:

1 Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) 1’49.601s

2. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) +0.151s

3. Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.314s

4. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) +0.458s

5. Humberto Maier (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) +0.497s

6. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smra Racing BGR) +0.544s

Watch more WorldSSP300 action from Misano using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

With the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heading to the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round, it was the first chance for key figures to discuss the news related to Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK duo Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli. Speaking during Free Practice 1 at Misano, Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Manager Andrea Dosoli praised Locatelli following his renewal with Yamaha and hailed him as a future title contender.

Locatelli has enjoyed a stellar season so far in 2023 after finishing all but one race so far this season in the top five, claiming five podiums in 12 races so far this season. This podium tally means he has surpassed his tally from 2021 (four) and 2022 (two) in the first half of the season and he currently sits third in the Championship standings, directly behind teammate Razgatlioglu with the pair separated by just 34 points.

Explaining his thoughts on Locatelli renewing with Yamaha for another two seasons, up to and including the 2025 campaign, Dosoli said: “We believe the results that we have seen in the last three years, and the way this season is going, I’m convinced that if he makes another small step and we make another small step, he can be, in the future, a title contender.”

These sentiments were shared by Team Principal Paul Denning on Thursday, who said: “One important thing, that I’m not sure was clearly communicated or not because there was no need for it, but it’s important to recognise that Andrea was absolutely our target to renew whether or not Toprak stayed with Yamaha. The improvements he’s made this year are significant. He still has margin to do more to believe in himself more and the next step is for him to win a race and take it to the next level. We’re really happy with everything Andrea is doing. It was always the target to keep him with us. I believe he had a very good offer from a very strong competitor so we’re happy that he trusts in the group, Yamaha and the team and that he’s staying with us.”

Will Locatelli claim his maiden WorldSBK victory at Misano? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

In what was a mighty start to the day for the home riders, Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) got his home-round weekend off to a flying start as he led the way in front of the Ducatisti in Friday’s FP1. The 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship battles promises to be a belter and with six Italians in the top seven places in WorldSSP FP1, it could be a battle amongst the home favourites this weekend.

Montella hit the top with less than ten minutes to go and was the rider to beat after FP1, with the #55 looking to get back to winning ways on home soil. Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) led the way for the majority of the session but was beaten come the close of the opening session of the weekend, just 0.028s behind Montella. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) took third ahead of wildcard Simone Corsi (Altogo Racing Team), who was looking very strong and got straight down to business. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) spoiled the Italian party at the front with fifth on his final lap.

In sixth Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) clinched sixth but did suffer a Turn 2 crash at the start of the session. He was able to remount and crack the top half-dozen. Seventh place went to another wildcard in Marco Bussolotti (Axon Seven Team), who is back in the WorldSBK paddock at home and riding well too. The most-recent race winner in WorldSSP, Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), took eighth place, ahead of Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) and Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), who completed the top ten. In the top ten, plenty of reasons for Italian fans to cheer as each nine of the ten places are occupied by an Italian rider, manufacturer or team – only van Straalen in P9 breaks the sequence.

Top six after WorldSSP FP1 at Misano, full results below:

1. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’38.229s

2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.028s

3. Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) +0.202s

4. Simone Corsi (Altogo Racing Team) +0.376s

5. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.432s

6. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.472s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) may have made headlines off-track in the build-up to the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, but he likewise made them on-track after FP1 at the Italian venue. A stone’s throw from the picturesque Adriatic Sea, Razgatlioglu was riding a wave of confidence in FP1 as he secured top spot on the opening day of action for round five of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

Razgatlioglu was in mighty form and the 2021 World Champion was close behind long-time session leader Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) for the majority of the session. Toprak was one of the strongest riders in the test and his race pace was very strong, along with his one-lap strength. He leapt up the order on his penultimate flying lap, whilst second in FP1 at home, Rinaldi’s pace was strong from the start. He’s eager to continue his podium pace from Barcelona, whilst after a hat-trick last time out, teammate Alvaro Bautista completed the top three. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was fourth, one place ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), who had his sights on the top five this weekend.

Top Kawasaki honours went to Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), whilst it was a strong performance for Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), who was top BMW in seventh and the fastest rider in sector one. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was eighth after the first session as he got back up to speed at Misano, one place ahead of Xavi Vierge (Team HRC). His teammate, Iker Lecuona, completed the top ten. Setting an identical time in P11 and P12, Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and substitute teammate Tom Sykes respectively.

Top six from WorldSBK FP1 at Misano below, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) 1’34.154s

2. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.242s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.311s

4. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) Team) +0.552s

5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.576s

6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.662s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The first track action in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” got underway with French rider Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) topping the times at the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round. The French rider was just over three tenths clear of his nearest rivals with plenty of home heroes featuring inside the top ten in the 30-minute Free Practice 1 session, including wildcard Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) in second.

Di Sora had been running inside the top positions throughout the session but a late lap of 1’49.601s moved him to top spot ahead of teammate and wildcard rider Ieraci. Ieraci, who competed in WorldSSP300 on a full-time basis previously, is returning to the Championship as a wildcard and he impressed with second place, 0.314s behind his teammate. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) claimed third place after setting a 1’50.145s, half-a-second down on Ieraci.

Fourth down to ninth place were filled by Italian riders. Rookie Mattia Martella (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) was on top a few minutes from the end but was demoted down to fourth place after posting a 1’50.183s, finishing ahead of Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) who claimed fifth place and lapped 0.638s down on Di Sora. Devis Bergamini (ProGP Racing) also impressed on home soil as he rounded out the top six with sixth place.

Alessandro Zanca (Team#109 Kawasaki) claimed seventh spot despite completing only three laps during FP1 as he set a 1’50.327s, finishing ahead of Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) in eighth with the pair separated by only 0.004s. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) was ninth on his return from injury and lapped only 0.003s slower than Gaggi, while British rider Fenton Seabright (Kawasaki GP Project) rounded out the top ten.

The top six from WorldSSP300 FP1, full results here:

1 Samuel Di Sora (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) 1’49.601s

2. Bruno Ieraci (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.314s

3. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.544s

4. Mattia Martella (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.582s

5. Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) +0.638s

6. Devis Bergamini (ProGP Racing) +0.689s

Don’t miss more WorldSSP300 action from Misano using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is ready for the fifth round of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship from the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” and the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round. After the bombshell announcement that Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) will part ways with Yamaha at the end of 2023 in search of a “big, new challenge” with BMW, star riders have had their say on the move.

THE TITANIC TRIO BUT DIFFERENT: Bautista and Rea on their main rival’s big move

Long-time rival Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was very positive about Toprak’s move to BMW, stating: “I think Toprak’s move is an exciting one for everybody; for the Championship and Toprak. You can see with the evolution of the bike and how many new bikes they’re bringing out in a short space of time that they’re a manufacturer that’s very dedicated to being competitive. Of course, Toprak’s an incredible talent and super-fast so maybe he’s the missing link to put BMW at the front. I’m sure it’s going to be a very exciting challenge for him.”

Reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) commented that his nearest title rival ‘wasn’t crazy’ in his switch to a new manufacturer: “It’s difficult to say something from the outside but what I say from the outside, but I don’t think it’s a crazy idea to switch team. Toprak knows the Yamaha very well and he knows his potential very well. BMW are working to hard to be competitive and maybe they want to be more competitive, so the fact that they want to have Toprak is a good signal that they want to fight for victories. They get one of the best riders in the Championship. They’ll put a lot of effort to have a competitive bike; with this kind of rider, if something isn’t working, it’s for the bike and the team because without doubt, Toprak’s ready to fight for victories.”

MIXED EMOTIONS: current BMW riders on Toprak joining the family in 2024

Current ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider Scott Redding was less positive about the move, and seemingly left him a bit puzzled: “I don’t know, honestly. It was quite a surprise to me and everybody. I don’t know what he can bring. It’s quite a mystery to me especially when I look at the riding style he has, it’s quite interesting. Time will tell. Not too much I can really say.”

Having made the switch from Yamaha to BMW for 2023, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) gave insight into how he thinks the move will go: “About what Toprak can bring to the project, it speaks volumes. We’re making progress with the bike and if Toprak sees it, then it’s pretty obvious we’re going in a good way. He’s ridden a couple of different bikes but he’s a solid rider and has so much talent. I’m curious to hear what we says about it, what he likes and doesn’t. For me, it wasn’t that big of a challenge it seems like. I was impressed with how the front end felt, which will be good for Toprak as he’s always on the front wheel! It’s going to be a rocket ship for him. The amount of power that the bike has compared to the Yamaha is pretty impressive. When you get on the straight and open the thing up… I think he’ll like that.”

Tom Sykes, Redding’s teammate until full-time rider Michael van der Mark is back from injury, was intrigued by the move and is ready for the fireworks: “It’s a very big signing! It’s a bit exciting! We know Toprak and he’s a World Champion. It will be very interesting. For myself inside BMW, for the first two seasons, I had my own expectation and belief about where the project will go. I think Toprak and Kenan have the same expectations and for this, I wish Toprak all the best of luck, he’s such a nice guy. BMW are always trying to improve, as is everyone else, so we’ll see where this project goes with them together.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

There are several key questions in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship right now in terms of the 2024 rider line-up and one of them involves who will join Andrea Locatelli at Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK following the news that Toprak Razgatligolu would join the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2024. Ahead of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, key figures from Yamaha discussed the manufacturer’s plans following Razgatlioglu’s departure.

DOSOLI’S THOUGHTS: hoping to promote from within…

Andrea Dosoli, Road Racing Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe, explained the next steps for Yamaha from the manufacturer’s side. Previously, Yamaha have tried to promote from within with such as when Locatelli went from winning the World Supersport title on a Yamaha in 2020 and straight into the factory Yamaha WorldSBK squad in 2021. Dosoli discussed the timeframe and outlined what he wants to see from the rider who takes Razgatlioglu’s seat in 2024.

Dosoli said: “I’m sure you can see the huge investment that Yamaha have made this year. Currently, we have six riders in WorldSBK with a Yamaha Motor Europe contract. We will keep monitoring how those guys will develop and, in the next couple of months, if we realise one of them will have the potential to fill the seat of Toprak, I hope it will be given to one of our riders. If this does not happen, it means our riders need more time to fight with ‘Loka’, in that case we will start to look outside for other riders.”

DENNING SAYS: no news on Locatelli’s 2024 teammate

Paul Denning, Team Principal at Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK, was on hand to discuss Razgatlioglu’s departure from a team point of view. Although Denning was not drawn into conversations about who could be Locatelli’s teammate next season, he was full of praise for the Italian rider who is enjoying his best season in WorldSBK to date with five podiums in the first four rounds so far, exceeding his total in each of the last three campaigns.

Denning explained: “Right now, we’re focused on putting the best solutions together for next year but, more importantly, trying to become World Champions again with Toprak this year. It’s important to recognise that Andrea was absolutely our target to renew whether or not Toprak stayed with Yamaha. The improvements he’s made this year are significant. He still has margin to do more, to believe in himself more and the next step is for him to win a race and take it to the next level. We’re really happy with everything that he’s doing. It was always the target to keep him with us. I can tell you nothing about Locatelli’s teammate.”

LOCATELLI REACTS: ‘maybe a chance to have more focus on me’

Locatelli has been teammates with Razgatlioglu since he joined the Pata Yamaha squad in 2021 after his stunning WorldSSP title success, meaning 2024 will be his first time with a different teammate in the box. Ahead of his home round where he will be aiming to claim his first WorldSBK win and take his first podium at Misano, Locatelli discussed Razgatlioglu’s departure from Yamaha and gave his thoughts on the 2024 season, where he will remain with Yamaha after signing a new two-year contract.

He said: “It’s never easy to stay on Toprak’s side because he is a really fast rider and always trying to win the race. My target is try to complete the work and I think, maybe now, I have more chance to try and work on my side with Yamaha to try and improve a little bit more and get the focus only on me, try to push to have something that makes me a little bit faster. Just pushing on the gas, just enjoying and we will see what we can get.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” is always a dramatic setting for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the 2023 season is no different, even on Thursday. What is more or less a ‘media day’, quotes and headlines were in abundance as the paddock reacts to one of the biggest transfers of all-time, with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometon WorldSBK) set to leave Yamaha at the end of 2023 for a new challenge with BMW.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) “Very good memories with Yamaha… maybe in the future, we come back together. I needed a new challenge”

“It’s been a very long four seasons and also very good memories with Yamaha. It’s not easy to leave as I enjoyed working with this team. Sometimes, you need a new challenge and new motivation. I said if I stayed in WorldSBK, I needed a new challenge now. I’ve signed for a new team. I’m happy to stay in the WorldSBK paddock and now I go for a new challenge. It wasn’t easy. I was thinking about the MotoGP™ paddock and there weren’t many seats next year. The problem after four years is that it’s not easy to leave Yamaha. Maybe, in the future, we’ll come back together again. I’m feeling more motivation because I listen to some people say that ‘it’s not a winning bike, it’s not easy and no good results etc’. This is possibly a winning bike. This is a new dream for me and a big new challenge. It’s not easy. This is a big dream for Kenan and for me. Maybe next year and also 2025, we don’t know, we are fighting for the Championship. I hope we are winning it. This is the big dream.”

Paul Denning (Team principal, Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “The news was disappointing… the scary thing with Toprak is he still has margin to improve”

“I don’t want to talk about it. The news was disappointing because Yamaha and, of course, the team but mainly Yamaha, with the contract they offered Toprak, put in a huge effort to keep him. He wants to do something different for his future and that’s his choice. You can agree or disagree whether it’s the best choice for his career, that’s up to somebody else and I’m not going to say anything else. Maybe it’s harder because of the super close relationship with Toprak personally with all the members of the team, and all the success we’ve had together. He helped us to a World Championship but, equally, we’ve taken him to a World Championship. The scary thing with Toprak is he still has margin to improve in terms of some aspects of his work. I can tell you nothing about Andrea’s teammate next year.”

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “Toprak’s an incredible talent… maybe he’s the missing link to put BMW at the front”

“It’s always very hard to know how positive a test is when you’re testing solo. Jerez’s never been a great track for us. It was a good time to go there when we were guaranteed some hot conditions in the south of Spain and put together a package that we thought would improve our weak areas, which is when we’re in hot conditions we’re overloading the front tyre. The team came with some ideas and the positive thing is we left the test doing race simulations with the softer front and some good sensations. Of course, we have to take that to another track and also keep in our mind that we need to compare to our reference which is our competitors. Toprak’s an incredible talent and super-fast so maybe he’s the missing link to put BMW at the front. I’m sure it’s going to be a very exciting challenge for him.”

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “It’s always special to race at Misano…”

“It’s always very special to race here at Misano; it’s a special race for Ducati with it being a home race and it’s always nice to share the weekend with the Ducatisti and the Tifosi. I’m very confident for the weekend ahead. Our target is to try and find the feeling we have with the bike from the first rounds of the season. I’m looking forward to it and I’m quite motivated. You want to do well in front of all of the Ducati fans for their home race, but you also feel their support. It’s difficult to say something from the outside but what I say from the outside, but I don’t think it’s a crazy idea to switch team. Toprak knows the Yamaha very well and he knows his potential very well.”

Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I don’t know what he can bring… it’s quite a mystery to me. I have until July 15^th to make my decision”

“I don’t know, honestly. It was quite a surprise to me and everybody. I don’t know what he can bring. It’s quite a mystery to me especially when I look at the riding style he has, it’s quite interesting. Time will tell. Not too much I can really say. I have until July 15th to make my decision to stay with BMW or not. Of course, we’re working as hard as we can at BMW to make the bike as best as possible. We just need to see now the dust is settling with all the attention from Toprak because it was a shock to everybody. We are looking around, but our priority is stay with BMW. It’s been a hard two years for me. We’re working hard but it’s just not quite where I want to be.”

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “Maybe now, I have more chance to work more on my side with Yamaha and have the focus only on me”

“I am super happy. Honestly, it is really interesting to continue with Yamaha for next year and also 2025. I’ll try to push hard in every race and try to get my first win in WorldSBK. To continue with Yamaha is a good approach to try and continue my progress this season and also from the beginning, when I try and work with Yamaha. It’s never easy to be at the side of Toprak as he’s a really fast rider and always tries to win the race and is fast in the weekend. Maybe now, I have more chance to work more on my side with Yamaha and have the focus only on me. I’m more relaxed now I have the contract. Misano before was a bit difficult for me but now, I have more experience and, in the test, we understood a lot, so I think it’ll be a good weekend and we have a lot of fans that come here and support us.”

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “We are talking about 2024 and results speak better than words”

“This is a special track for me and the team as it is our home race. I’m really happy; after the test, we’re looking forward to the circuit tomorrow. For sure, it will be a tough weekend as it will be really hot but then also, maybe it’ll be raining on Sunday. It’ll be tricky but also fun. My family will come, the fans will come, so it’s special. It’s one of my favourite tracks and where we’re strong. It’ll be difficult to beat Alvaro all year but I am focused to ride well and have a good feeling with the bike and ride in a good way. If doing that allows me to be at the front until the finish line, I will be really happy. Ducati and Bautista together are a really strong weapon and I need to make a step to be there. Misano is the perfect track. We are talking about 2024 and results speak better than words. A positive weekend will help to be in a good seat for 2024.”

Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing): “Italy is always special… I hope for a podium”

“I’m really happy to be here at Misano for my home round. I feel really good and I want to have a good weekend and try, I hope, to have the first podium of the season! This year, it’s really difficult because the level is really high. The guys are really fast. It’s really special. Italy is always special and a good place, and also, I’m happy because the family is here with me. I hope for a podium but it’s difficult. We are really near to the podium but every time we are near, but something happens. I hope this weekend will go in a good way. I don’t know about my future. It’s difficult. For the moment, it’s all stopped. We will see. After this weekend, I’d like to know more about my future but only my manager knows the answer.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock gets set for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, several riders swapped their race bikes for bicycles to take in the surroundings of Misano ahead of track action in Italy. Riders from all three classes took part in the event ahead of the round, with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) from WorldSBK and the WorldSSP top two, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) and Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) joined by WorldSSP300’s Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse). Check out the best photos from the event in the gallery at the top of this article.

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Source: WorldSBK.com