The first big reveal from EICMA is here with Honda unveiling the first glimpse at their upgraded CBR1000RR-R Fireblade machine! The new bike features several upgrades including to the gearbox, aerodynamics, power delivery and a rebalanced chassis as the Japanese manufacturer goes in search of more performance, both with the road version and on the track for Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) and teammate Xavi Vierge to utilise. Check out the first pictures of the new bike in the gallery at the top of this page!

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Source: WorldSBK.com

One of the key stories from last week’s test at Jerez was Jonathan Rea’s debut with the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK team. After nine seasons in green, the six-time MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title winner made the shock move to Yamaha for 2024 but his first days with the team came in Spain last week at the two-day test. You can see his first on-track action on the YZF-R1 machine HERE while the Northern Irishman has produced a vlog to give more behind-the-scenes content from his first day in blue. From the moment he put the shirt on, meeting the team and much more, watch all the details in his vlog below.

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The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s 2023 campaign might be done and dusted but one rider is keeping busy. Double Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is heading to Malaysia for a return to MotoGP™ action for the first time since 2018, taking part as a wildcard at this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix. With the race taking place this weekend, Troy Bayliss, speaking at the Australian Grand Prix, gave his thoughts on the Spaniard’s wildcard and what we could expect from the #1.

Bautista’s story is similar to Bayliss’ in that they both went back to MotoGP™ after winning the title, although under different circumstances. The Australian was asked back to replace the injured Sete Gibernau at the 2006 Valencian Grand Prix, with the three-time WorldSBK Champion pulling off a miraculous victory in Spain, finishing a second clear of teammate Loris Capirossi at the end of the 30-lap race.

Discussing his own MotoGP™ return and alluding to what Bautista might be able to do, Bayliss said: “I’m really happy with Bautista and this situation that’s going to happen for him. I came in when Sete was injured and, of course, our Championship was just finished as well. After Sete was injured, they asked if I would come and ride the bike for the last race in Valencia and to be part of the last race of the 990s at the time, to finish the project that Loris and I started together in 2003. It made a lot of sense. We went along for that race and the story goes that I took Paolo Ciabatti and Ernest Maranello, some of the guys from the WorldSBK team, and the weekend turned into a bit of a fairytale. Something I’ll never forget; it was very special. You never know. Bautista’s really been on form on the Ducati WorldSBK bike. I think it’s great that he’s going to Sepang. He’s ridden there in the past; he’s got some experience there. He did have a test on the MotoGP™ bike at Misano and was quite good. It could turn out to be such a great weekend for him as well. Time well time.”

For Bautista, the choice to return to MotoGP™ is as a wildcard rather than a replacement rider but he will head to Sepang full of confidence after securing his second title in Race 1 at Jerez and winning an epic battle in Race 2 against Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu with an incredible 38 passes between the pair over the final 10 laps of 2023. With the title wrapped up, Team Principal Stefano Cecconi said that Bautista is “not just going there to have fun” as he looks for a strong result on his first appearance in MotoGP™ since the 2018 Valencian Grand Prix.

Expanding on how he thinks the #1 will be feeling, Bayliss said: “He’ll have no pressure. We know he’s fast on the bike already and we know anything can happen. He’ll go and enjoy himself, I’m sure. There’s going to be plenty for him to learn, but he did test the bike at Misano, so he’s got an idea of the bike. Now he’s got to face all these guys face-to-face and he’s going to feel like he wants to prove something to himself and maybe to the WorldSBK paddock, who knows? That’s how I felt when it happened to me. I wish him the best and I hope he has a great time doing it. That’s all it’s about.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is over for 2023, but one rider has ensured he’ll be busy for another couple of weeks. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will head from Spain to Malaysia to take part in this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix as a wildcard. It’ll be the #1’s first time racing in MotoGP™ since 2018 and, ahead of his return, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Team Principal, Stefano Cecconi, previewed the event.

Sepang will not be the first time the double WorldSBK Champion has got onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP having tested it on a few occasions this year. The first came at Misano back in June and he set a best time from the test of a 1’32.590s, showing impressive pace despite not going for a time attack for his first appearance back on MotoGP™ machinery. Another test followed later in the year as he was a late call-up for test rider Michele Pirro, who was injured, with the Spaniard testing 2024 parts for the Bologna-based manufacturer.

However, for Bautista, the preparation is over, and the Grand Prix is just around the corner. For his first race in five years in the Championship, expectations will be limited but every rider would be looking to do a good job. Speaking at the season-ending Spanish Round, Cecconi looked ahead to the wildcard as he expressed how he thought the #1 was feeling ahead of the race as well as answering a question about his expectations.

Cecconi said: “It’s hard to say because Alvaro is not going there just to be on the grid. He did the test and enjoyed it; it was a prize test. He did a second one by chance. I think, in his heart, he’s started to think big. Of course, you cannot aim for the win in just one event. I don’t see him going there just to have some fun. I think he’s expecting to be strong on that track, especially if it’ll be hot. With no pressure because the Championship is over here, so he can enjoy the wildcard without caring about his own Championship. It’ll be fun, I think.”

The Malaysian Grand Prix takes place next week at Sepang, with action starting on Friday with Free Practice 1 at 10:45 Local Time (GMT+8) before Practice at 15:00. On Saturday, it’s an action-packed day with Free Practice 2 before jumping straight into qualifying from 10:50. The Tissot Sprint is at 15:00 and then, on Sunday, the Grand Prix is at 15:00 once again.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

On the ground covering the Jerez test, headlines were breaking each hour. New signings got used to their new teams, new stories from old emerged and dream opportunities were grabbed with both hands. From major debuts and big names to sour ends and new regulation work, all the key stories are in one place for the first hot headlines of the 2024 season (kind of) from the Jerez test in Spain. It also gives us the perfect opportunity to start practicing getting the correct team names for those riders who have switched!

Jonathan Rea (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “My father raced Yamahas most of his life… I think we’ll be a formidable team!”

Jonathan Rea’s dad used to race Yamahas, Rea himself has ex-teammate Andrew Pitt as crew chief and he’s riding for Paul Denning – who tried to sign a then whipper-snapper Rea for his BSB Suzuki team for 2007 – so whilst it’s all new, there’s more history than you may think: “There’s heap of history and whilst I’ve never actually raced with Yamaha before – besides a PW50 when I was 6 – my father raced Yamahas most of his life. From TZs in the beginning to YZF-750s and in the latter part of his career, I remember in 1994, always seeing that Millar Racing Yamaha in the family garage!

“The team has a very family feel; my mechanic Uri has come across from KRT which is really familiar for me and that’s really nice, so I appreciate that. Working with Andrew too, he is a great friend of mine from back when we were teammates in 2008 in WorldSSP; in fact, he beat me to the Championship that year! Working with him is a bit like working with Pere Riba: he has a racer’s outlook, approach and understands rider mentality. From a technical side, I can see he is at a really good level and of course, that relationship needs time to build and build. I think we’ll be a formidable team that can develop the R1 to greater heights.”

Andera Iannone (Team GoEleven): “I saw the race on Sunday at Jerez and it was unbelievable… I hope to arrive to this fight soon!”

HE’S BACK: formerly known as ‘Crazy Joe’, Andrea Iannone – now ‘The Maniac’ debriefed his very first sensations on day one of the test: “I’m really happy. I exited the pitlane to ride a race bike and this is a really good feeling for me. I felt very comfortable with everybody, in the paddock and especially in the team. Here in the garage, the feeling is really good. I think the first day was a little bit of everything; a bit confusing! After a long time, I’ve come back and the feeling with the bike is really good. At Jerez, on the first lap, I thought ‘wow, one more time I’m at this track!’. The first five laps were just fun.”

On the biggest challenge for 2024, Iannone spoke of the high level of talent in the WorldSBK line-up and likewise referenced 2023’s final race: “I don’t want to promise anything but we have a good ambition. It’s really good for us if we achieve a good result. I saw the race on Sunday at Jerez and it was unbelievable; an unbelievable fight from Toprak and Alvaro and the paddock is full of talent. I think it’s quite fun. I hope to arrive to this fight soon! In the end, we’ll see after the first race.”

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “If you put 7kg on the bike, it feels different; in the fast section, it is more difficult”

The reigning double World Champion was prioritising the new regulations and the weight ballast: “We were focused on the 2024 regulations, especially with the weight. We tried many solutions, putting it in some areas of the bike and inside the engine. We did many tests to understand how the bike works. In the end it isn’t easy as the bike works well; if you put 7kg, the bike feels different, especially in the fast corner. We made some distribution to have more data and we have that for the winter to try and work and what could be the base to start pre-season next year. On acceleration, I couldn’t really feel any difference; just more inertia in the corners and in the fast section, it is more difficult. I feel more inertia to stop the bike but for me, I struggled in the fast corners.”

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I don’t want to beat Alvaro, I’d like to beat everybody!”

His first test as a factory Ducati rider in WorldSBK is done and it was fair to say that Nicolo Bulega finishing ahead of teammate Bautista wasn’t planned: “It was very good but unfortunately, we didn’t ride a lot during these two days. On day one, we only did 20 laps. On day two, we did half a day. I’m happy because I didn’t ride a lot but I was already fast. I was fast, but I was at 85%. I’m learning the bike, learning to speak with my new team so it’s important for me to do a lot of kilometres with this bike. Honestly, I don’t know what kind of work Alvaro did. I don’t want to beat Alvaro, I would like to beat everybody! Alvaro is now the reference point for Ducati because he’s the best. He’s fast and it’ll be very difficult to beat him. We still have a lot of work to do and I’m still trying to learn the bike to understand better the DNA of this bike because it’s more difficult than WorldSSP. It’s all more. More brakes, more engine, more electronics.”

Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “We need more time; the right answer is time”

From Independent Ducati star to factory Kawasaki youngster, Axel Bassani spoke of what’s different for him after two days: “It’s different in all areas! The brakes and also in acceleration but it’s good; when something is new, you need time to understand and after, when you’re ready, you can push. It’s not easy to have a different engine – V4 compared to inline four. We need more time; the right answer is ‘time’. It’s special in KRT as there’s a lot of people with a lot of experience and it is nice to be part of this team. I hope in the future to be like Tom Sykes or, maybe not like Jonny because it’s not easy but 10% of Jonny!”

Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team): “With the engine, I feel more power”

Dominique Aegerter confirmed that he had an updated engine spec for the test and he could feel the difference straight away: “We tested many things that Yamaha brought, such as swingarm, engine and from front suspension from Ohlins. I had a small crash which for sure didn’t help. The lap after I had the Q tyre and in that lap, I made a small mistake so the timesheet doesn’t look so good. We were always in the top five and consistent and have great data to work on. With the engine, the power side, when I open the throttle fully, I feel there’s more power. This is what we’re looking for; we need to put it on the ground to make sure we’re not spinning or wheelieing but the new spec was a step forward.”

Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW): “I’m sorry to the whole team, they don’t deserve it”

A big crash for Garrett Gerloff in the closing stages of the test left a bitter taste in his mouth: “It was stupid; it’s pissing me off. I used the inside kerb at Turn 3 like I always do and lost the front. I’m sorry to the whole team; this weekend has just been awful. The test wasn’t bad in general. We got to try some different setting stuff but I am just annoyed with another crash. The team doesn’t deserve it.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

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

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

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

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

CHANGES AT THE CHAMPIONS: Huertas switches manufacturers, Tuuli too

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

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

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

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Source: WorldSBK.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: WorldSBK.com

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

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

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

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

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

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Source: WorldSBK.com