The start of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is fast approaching, with lights out in Australia closing in rapidly. With HUGE changes to the 2024 grid thanks to some bombshell transfers, new rules and much more coming in for this season, you won’t want to miss any of the action. The best way to ensure you watch everything LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED is by using the comprehensive WorldSBK VideoPass for just €69.90.

Subscribing to the WorldSBK VideoPass gives you access to every session live, from Phillip Island in February to Jerez in October. 12 rounds promise non-stop drama, plenty of history to be made, records to be broken and more. Four Championships are set to be on track as the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Champion debuts and joins WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300. Every session is live and uninterrupted, and you’ll want to watch it all throughout 2024.

Not only does VideoPass give you access to every session live as well as every race, but you’ll also be able to dive into the archive and watch classic races from years gone by. The archive is full of incredible moments from WorldSBK’s history which you can enjoy whenever you want. Maybe you want to re-watch some stunning battles from the past or relive some historic moments from WorldSBK’s illustrious history.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every single moment live throughout 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid looks completely different from last year. Surprising moves, strong rookies and a new team have all conspired to give this year’s grid one of the biggest shake-ups in the Championship’s history with two Champions on the move, replacements being found and rookies looking to make their mark on WorldSBK. It’s been a massive change to the grid, and it all builds into a season that will be unmissable.

HOW IT ALL STARTED: Razgatlioglu moves from Yamaha to BMW

One of the first moves to be announced was Toprak Razgatlioglu leaving Yamaha for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team; a seismic move and yet we would see bigger just a few months later. The 2021 Champion has adapted well to the M 1000 RR, showing incredible speed and pace throughout testing. Partnered with Michael van der Mark once again, can the duo rekindle the success they had at Yamaha for the German manufacturer? 

EXTRAORDINARY FOLLOWS: the Rea-KRT era ends as he joins Yamaha

With Razgatlioglu’s shock move to Yamaha came a vacant seat at Pata Prometeon Yamaha. Step up… Jonathan Rea, who ended a nine-year, six-title partnership with Kawasaki to work with the Crescent Racing-run team. Rea’s switch to blue was a shock but immediately on the pace on his R1 during testing, perhaps this is what the #65 needed to be able to fight for an unprecedented seventh WorldSBK title. He partners Andrea Locatelli this season, while there’s been some movement in the crew chiefs too, with Andrew Pitt moving across to join Rea from Locatelli’s side and Tom O’Kane joining the team.

BASSANI’S DREAM MOVE: Rea’s replacement is named

Rea’s departure opened up a seat at Kawasaki and the team opted to take a punt on a young gun in Axel Bassani. After three seasons with Motocorsa Racing and the Panigale V4 R, it’s a big change for ‘El Bocia’ to adapt to the inline-4 engine of the ZX-10RR. Bassani has often made it clear that his dream is to be in a factory team and now he has his chance, but he’ll need to capitalise on it. He was a podium contender regularly on the Ducati, how will he fare on the Kawasaki?

DUCATI MAKE THEIR OWN CHANGE: Bulega promoted from WorldSSP

This move wasn’t part of the ‘butterfly effect’ from Razgatlioglu’s shock move to BMW, yet it was a big move for several reasons. Nicolo Bulega was announced as partnering Alvaro Bautista at the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team before he wrapped up the WorldSSP crown, and the news spurred him on. A record-breaking season in 2023 means he heads into 2024 full of confidence – which has been seen in testing, with ‘Bulegas’ often the rider to beat.

THE KNOCK-ON EFFECT: bombshell transfers and rookies change the grid 

Bulega’s move to the factory Ducati outfit meant Michael Ruben Rinaldi was looking for a seat and, while there were lots of rumours about how his future depended on Marc Marquez’s decision in the MotoGP™ paddock, in the end, the #21 opted for Motocorsa Racing. Elsewhere, Razgatlioglu’s move to BMW meant they had a decision to make, with Scott Redding linking up with Bonovo Action BMW in place of Loris Baz. Andrea Iannone’s return saw him sign for Team GoEleven – and he’s also been quick – meaning Philipp Oettl was left without a ride. The German signed for GMT94 Yamaha in the end, with Lorenzo Baldassarri returning to WorldSSP. The Petronas MIE Racing Honda team promoted from within, as Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin came up from their WorldSSP squad in place of Eric Granado and Hafizh Syahrin. It didn’t have a knock-on effect, but Elf Marc VDS Racing Team with Sam Lowes as the Brit makes his WorldSBK debut this year.

SOME LINE-UPS STAY THE SAME: four teams keep the same from Australia ’23 to Australia ‘24

Very few riders are the same as started the 2023 season. Team HRC opted to keep both Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge for this season, taking them into their third campaign with the Japanese manufacturer. Danilo Petrucci secured himself a second year with the Barni Spark Racing Team after his podium exploits while the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team kept Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner for 2024. Although he didn’t compete in the non-European rounds last year, Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) sticks with the same squad for his sophomore season. It’s also worth noting that, although Tito Rabat didn’t start 2023 with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing outfit, he did end the season with them.

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

The start of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is getting closer, and more teams are launching their challengers for this season. The latest is the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team which unveiled its Yamaha YZF-R1 machine at the iconic Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, as they look to add race wins to an already vast success inside the WorldSBK paddock. GRT Yamaha are one of the few teams to have an unchanged line-up in 2024, with Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner leading their charge.

Both Aegerter and Gardner impressed in their rookie seasons, culminating in the team taking podiums at Jerez in the season finale because of Aegerter while Gardner was just behind. Throughout testing, Gardner has been rapid at both Jerez and Portimao as he gears up for a second season while double WorldSSP Champion Aegerter is heading into the season on the backfoot, having missed both 2024 tests through illness.

While Gardner has taken up the bulk of the team’s testing programme, GRT Yamaha will be optimistic heading into 2024 with the #87 alongside Aegerter. The latter was on the front row three times last year, and finished with two podiums, while Australian star Gardner took a front row at Most and had a best finish of fourth on two occasions to give the 2021 Moto2™ Champion a solid platform heading into his second season.

Speaking at the team’s launch, Gardner said: “We had a positive debut season, we kept progressing each round and understanding each other. I am confident we could have a strong 2024 together, we also had some productive test sessions throughout the winter. The goal is to stay regularly in the front places and improving every round, with the target of enjoying my career-first WorldSBK podium.”

Aegerter added: “I cannot wait to begin the 2024 season! Unfortunately, I was not able to take part at the test we had in January as I’m still recovering from the viral infection, but I am keen to enjoy the first round in Phillip Island. Last year we finished the Championship on a high note, the target is to keep improving and fight consistently for the front positions. I would like to be on the podium once again during the season and try to win my first WorldSBK race.”

Team Manager Filippo Conti outlined the team’s goals for 2024, saying: “We are all excited for a thrilling 2024 WorldSBK Season. Having Dominique and Remy with us for another season means we can keep progressing and pick up where we left off last season. Both had a positive rookie season, finishing the season on a very high, which give us a lot of confidence for the upcoming Championship, where we would like to fight regularly for the front places. I want to thank Yamaha for the great support they give us every year. In the same way, I’m keen to thank all the partners who will support us once again, as well as I’m delighted to welcome the new ones who will be crucial to the team’s results.”

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

A new era is set to kick off in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock. From bombshell transfers providing a huge shake-up of the grid, new rules coming into effect and much more, 2024 will be an unmissable campaign as riders look to overcome new challenges and new rivals. This season promises to be unforgettable for so many reasons and the build-up to 2024 starts now, with just weeks to go before the Phillip Island Official Test and the first round of 2024.

THE GRID: gigantic changes after bombshell transfers

Jonathan Rea moved to Pata Yamaha Prometeon to replace the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team-bound Toprak Razgatlioglu, while Axel Bassani got his dream move to a factory team as he took Rea’s place at the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK. While their change wasn’t part of the domino effect Razgatlioglu started, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati made their own switch with Nicolo Bulega getting the nod to race alongside reigning double Champion Alvaro Bautista. In fact, out of the five factory teams in 2023, only Team HRC have kept the same line-up as last year.

THE REST OF THE GRID’S LINE-UP: a new team joins alongside big-name riders

With all the changes at the aforementioned teams, it had a knock-on effect across the grid. Elf Marc VDS Racing joined the grid with Moto2™ stalwart Sam Lowes, Andrea Iannone is linking up with Team GoEleven, Tarran Mackenzie makes the step up with the Petronas MIE Racing Honda outfit, as does Adam Norrodin, while there are other changes too. Michael Ruben Rinaldi is at Motocorsa Racing and Scott Redding with Bonovo Action BMW to ensure race winners are stacked throughout the grid.

NEW RULES: weight rules, fuel reduction and more… what impact will they have?

The big new rules package coming into 2024 includes a change to the weight rules, with riders under a reference weight having to add ballast to their machine – read more details about how this rule will work here. It’s not the only change for 2024 though, with a fuel capacity limit of 21 litres now in place, while work is in place on fuel flow regulations which includes some bikes collecting data this season. There’s also changes to RPM limits – every manufacturer has what they ended 2023 with, except Ducati, who start 2024 as they started 2023 – while they can only be reduced in specific scenarios.

TWO BRAND NEW VENUES: Balaton Park and Cremona join the calendar

While classic venues make up the 2024 calendar, two new circuits will debut as they look to make their mark on the Championship. The Balaton Park circuit, situated just under 100km from capital city Budapest, is set to host the return of WorldSBK to Hungary towards the end of August, while the Cremona Circuit is set for a debut as the third-last round of 2024. The track in northern Italy joins a long list of illustrious circuits in the country to host a WorldSBK round and both will be hoping to write their name as a modern classic when lights go out.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW? WorldWCR debuts, changes in WorldSSP and WorldSSP300

After being announced in 2023, the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship debuts at six WorldSBK events, to help promote women in motorcycle racing. It’s not the only change though, as there’s been a tweak to the rules in WorldSSP, WorldSSP300 and WorldWCR – the grids for Race 2 will now be based on the fastest laps set in Race 1 for the top nine. Not only that, but there’s a schedule change that’ll mean the Tissot Superpole sessions for all Championships except WorldSBK take place on Friday, adding excitement and drama to the first day of a round.

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

Team GoEleven have become the latest to take the wraps off their 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship challenger. With Andrea Iannone joining the team for his maiden WorldSBK season, ‘The Maniac’ has been quick in testing and will be looking for a strong start to his rookie campaign. With preparations ramping up for the #29’s maiden season, including Iannone showing stunning pace throughout testing, their Panigale V4 R for this year has now been revealed. Check out the imagines of their contender in the incredible gallery at the top of this article.

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

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Works at the Autodrom Most are continuing ahead of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returning to the Czech Republic in July, with Most set to host its fourth WorldSBK event. First on the calendar in 2021, the circuit has become an instant classic due to its mix of fast and slow corners and incredible races that the circuit has produced over the years. Every year, work at the circuit has been completed and 2024 is no exception.

The track works this year have been focused on three corners, Turns 16, 17 and 20, to improve the run-off areas, while there’s also work going on at other corners. The approach to Turn 1, one of the heaviest breaking zones on the circuit, is being reworked while the pit lane entrance is being widened. In the final section of the circuit, new kerbs will be installed which will be suitable for both two-wheel and four-wheel racing.

There’s also other works continuing to enhance and improve safety systems around the circuit. After a new camera system was installed last year, changes will be made in 2024 to bring in the use of artificial intelligence, with the plan being that the AI can detect fire or ‘unusual’ vehicle moments. As well as the use of AI, two magnifying monitors will be installed which will allow for increased imaging capabilities. While the works for 2024 are ongoing, plans are in place for future improvements to be made looking into 2025. The design and construction have started on a new medical centre, which is hoped will be open next year.

Discussing the changes, the Autodrom Most’s Sports Director, Jindrich Hrnecek, said: “The race control is now undergoing further modifications, in which we want to make use of our experience from recent years. Probably the most interesting modification at the race control will be the testing of artificial intelligence in the camera system, which will help us to be more efficient in case of accidents. There will also be a further extension, which we are working on with a local company. We are trying to move our race track every year according to the latest rules and safety recommendations.”

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s new season is getting closer, and the rev limits for each manufacturer have been unveiled. With new regulations coming into effect that mean rpms can only be changed in specific scenarios – more details here – the limits are the ones that each manufacturer ended last season with, with the exception of Ducati who return to their original 2023 number as part of the new package of rules.

Below are the RPM limits for the 2024 WorldSBK manufacturers, see more information here:

Kawasaki: 15100

Ducati: 16100

Yamaha: 15200

BMW: 15500

Honda: 15600

A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every moment from 2024 LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Testing is a chance for riders to get prepared for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, but it’s also a time for teams and manufacturers to try new components and find gains. Tenths of a second, or even hundredths or thousandths, could be the difference between a good day and a bad day, with the recent tests at Jerez and Portimao the last chance to confirm items before everything is sent to Australia for Round 1. Here, we detail some of the latest updates spotted in the pitlane.

DUCATI’S CHANGES: adapting to new regulations

The focus for winter testing at Ducati has been adapting Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) machine with the extra weight he’ll race with in 2024, with the Bologna-based manufacturer aiming to minimise the impact. Across the box, Nicolo Bulega tried a radiator cooling system at Jerez although this was discarded on Day 2. In terms of Independent outfits, Sam Lows (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) had new fork internals and new stuff from Ohlins, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was running with a new lower seat at Portimao while Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Motocorsa Racing) tried a new exhaust and a swingarm that ‘Petrux’ had tried, although the #21 wasn’t a fan at Portimao.

REFINING THE R1: what were Yamaha trying?

Yamaha were working on lots of aspects for Pata Prometeon Yamaha duo Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli, plus their riders at other teams. New forks were fitted to the Yamaha R1 machines which provided extra stability under braking in a straight line as well as improved grip while turning. There were different swingarm variations on display too, track surface sensors and some chassis items. At GMT94 Yamaha, Philipp Oettl tried a thumb brake on his machine at the Portimao test as he adapted to his new bike.

LOWES ON DEVELOPMENT WORK AT KAWASAKI: lots to try on the ZX-10RR…

With Alex Lowes becoming de facto team leader at the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, as Axel Bassani adjusts to life on the ZX-10RR, he carried out the bulk of test items. A new swingarm, works on the chassis, new items from Showa, a slightly different front fork and electronic work to help extract the power better were all part of his programme. In the box next door, Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was on a factory bike, leased to the team from KRT, while the Spaniard also tried a new triple clamp and swingarm.

BUSY TIMES AT BMW: test team alongside two race teams

With new recruit Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) already making waves, there’s a lot of optimism at BMW. There was a new swingarm on display at both tests – van der Mark revealed he didn’t like at Jerez but did at Portimao – while BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers explained there was some revised aero on the M 1000 RR. Electronic works continued, while there’s also a new engine specification for all six riders (two at ROKiT BMW, two at Bonovo Action BMW and two from the test team) who were at the tests.

HONDA’S TESTING PROGRAMME: the new machine with lots of changes

Japanese manufacturer Honda unveiled a new package last year and the thoughts immediately were positive, although the last couple of tests have proven to be more challenging. Team HRC’s Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge’s new machine includes revised aerodynamics, chassis, gearbox, a lighter crank and split throttle bodies. At the Petronas MIE Racing Honda Team, Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin only tested on Day 2 at Portimao with a hybrid bike featuring items from both 2023 and 2024. They hope to have the full 2024 package in Australia.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch everything from an unmissable 2024 campaign using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

A few riders have caught the eye during testing for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with Andrea Iannone’s (Team GoEleven) performances definitely turning heads at both Jerez and Portimao. With more days of testing under his belt, the latest coming at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, ‘The Maniac’ gave an overview of his test programme in Portugal as well as discussing his goals for the 2024 campaign.

“WITH RACE TYRES, WE ARE MORE OR LESS THERE”: Iannone optimistic after testing

This season will mark Iannone’s return to competition after four years, linking up with Team GoEleven on the Panigale V4 R. Although he hopes to have the 2024 package in Australia, Iannone has been impressive in testing using last year’s material as he recorded fast times and strong pace at both Jerez and Portimao, finishing the latter just outside the top ten on his first visit to the ‘rollercoaster’ on a race bike.

Summing up his Portimao test, Iannone said: “In general, I don’t feel so bad. With race tyres, we are more or less there. We are quite fast. It’s possible to improve a little bit, and we have to, with race pace but the difficulty for me is the track. With a race bike, I’ve never ridden this track and it was really difficult because I didn’t have a reference. Every area is completely new. I had a lot of fun and day-by-day, I recovered my old feeling with the work in the garage and with the people. It’s good for me. I know every day is a little bit better. This is the most important thing. The feeling with the bike always improves when you ride more.”

“I THINK THE TARGET IS HIGH”: what to expect from ‘The Maniac’?

With more and more laps recorded, more valuable mileage gained and generally picking up more experience of the bike and the Pirelli tyres, Iannone will be aiming for good results from the start of the season. The iconic Phillip Island hosts Round 1 in just a couple of weeks, a circuit the 34-year-old knows well, with two podiums in MotoGP™ back in 2015 and 2018. Revealing his hopes for 2024, Iannone revealed he didn’t want to have “big expectations” but believes the potential to be fast is there.

Previewing his rookie season, the one-time MotoGP™ race winner said: “It’s a good start. We don’t know what to expect but it’s important that we work well. I don’t want to have big expectations because we will have really difficult moments, but also the possibility of having really good moments. I think the target is high because we are here to have good results. Now is just the beginning and we need time to arrive at the top. In any case, we started with all our strength.”

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

Source: WorldSBK.com