The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is eight rounds down in 2023 and with most of the paddock taking a well-earned break – except for those who have gone to Silverstone or Suzuka, for example – it’s time to look at some moments that might have gone under the radar this season. 2023 really has had it all, with history made, shock results, HUGE surprises and some moments that should not be forgotten.
VIERGE’S FIRST PODIUM: taking advantage of chaos to claim P3
There are several reasons to remember Mandalika Race 2. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had looked in control at the front of the field, but he dropped back as the encounter progressed after being unable to change his tyres under red flag conditions. The Italian dropped behind teammate Alvaro Bautista first and then Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) as he demoted the #21 into third. Worse was to come for Rinaldi as he ran wide at Turn 10, allowing Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) to pass him for P3. Vierge held on for a maiden podium and Team HRC’s first – and, so far, only – of the 2023 season. Sadly for the Spaniard, neither he nor Honda have looked like reaching those heights again this year but they will be hoping the summer break brings a change of fortune after returning to the top ten at Most.
HOME COMFORTS, HOME HERO: Bassani narrowly misses out on victory
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) has made a huge step forward again in 2023 as he’s become a more regular frontrunner on his Independent Panigale V4 R. Sometimes, racing in front of your own fans can add pressure but the #47 seems to thrive in these conditions and he took his first podium of the year at Misano. However, it was Imola where he really stole the show. He led in both feature-length races, with Race 2 where he came so close to victory. He fought with Razgatlioglu after Bautista’s Lap 1 tumble with the #54 only passing him with a handful of laps to go. Unable to respond, Bassani settled for second and, surely, his first win is just around the corner?
FROM DESPAIR TO JUBILATION: Petrucci bounces back from Misano difficulties
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) endured a tough start to his rookie campaign and, after Misano when he crashed chasing a first podium, the Italian was questioning his decision to join WorldSBK. Fast forward a month to Donington Park and that had all changed. His pace at Misano was strong but without results. In the UK, it was strong AND he got the results. Fourth in Race 1 was followed up with fifth in the Superpole Race, before he stunned for a maiden podium in Race 2 as he took third. He was only eight seconds down from victory, but his first podium has opened the floodgates. He missed out at Imola, but he took two rostrums at Most with third in Race 1 and second in Race 2 to continue his strong form. Like Bassani, Petrucci is on the cusp of a first World Superbike win and, with it, a place in the history books.
A BEST RESULT OF 2023: Redding rejoices at Donington with fourth
In 2022, Donington Park kickstarted an incredible run of form for Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and it looks like history has repeated itself. Before hitting the UK Round, the 30-year-old was on a run of six races outside the top ten but that changed on home soil. He was eighth in Race 1 and ninth in the Superpole Race. Race 2 was the highlight, however, as he surged up the order to finish fourth – his best result of the season after repeating it at Most – and only two seconds away from a podium. Since Donington, Redding has been in the top ten in eight out of nine races including P4 at Most after starting from the pitlane in Race 1 to change to intermediate tyres.
A HOME PODIUM: Locatelli impresses at Imola… but it shouldn’t be a surprise
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) is enjoying his best season in WorldSBK in terms of podiums with six to his name this season, the same number he scored in 2021 and 2022 combined. Prior to the Italian Round at Imola, ‘Loka’ had competed on home soil nine times and scored a best result of sixth but that changed in July. Fourth in Race 1, when he led, was followed up by third in the Superpole Race – his first rostrum on home soil. He was then fourth again in Race 2. He led in the first two races at Imola, showing he can and will fight at the front, and he’s currently locked in a fierce fight with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) for third in the Championship.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Oettl in Australia, Ray at Imola, Rinaldi at Misano
With the season starting in Australia, there was scope for surprises and Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) delivered at Phillip Island. He was quick throughout the Official Test and converted that into fifth in Race 2; his best WorldSBK result to date. At Misano, Rinaldi enjoyed the highlight of his season as he took two podiums in Race 1 and the Superpole Race, finishing behind teammate Bautista in two Ducati 1-2s. Staying in Italy but moving to Imola, Brad Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) had a breakthrough weekend as he consistently fought for the top six. Although he dropped back in Race 1 and the Superpole Race, the reigning British champion remained in contention in Race 2 as he finished in sixth.
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Source: WorldSBK.com