The sun might be setting on the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship but there’s still lots to be decided with just one round left. The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto hosts the season finale and there are plenty of titles to decide at the Prometeon Spanish Round. From the Riders’ Championship, the Independent battle for both riders and teams and much more, have a look here at what’s still being fought over and how it can be won.
RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Bautista looking to make it two on the bounce
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) heads into his home round knowing he’s the strong favourite to clinch the title, but Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) will be doing everything he can to win his second Championship. The reigning Champion leads the Yamaha star by 60 points with 62 available, meaning Bautista will win it as long as he scores two points across the weekend or if Razgatlioglu doesn’t win Race 1.
THE BATTLE FOR BRONZE: Rea vs Locatelli for third
While not a title, both riders will want to finish the season in the top three. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) – teammates next year at Yamaha – are separated by 50 points heading into the Spanish Round, with the six-time Champion leading. The easiest way for the Northern Irishman to secure third is to make sure he’s ahead of ‘Loka’ or loses 49 points or fewer to him.
NOTHING IN IT: Pata Yamaha vs Aruba Ducati for Teams’ Championship
Only seven points separate the top two in the Teams’ Championship heading into Jerez. Pata Yamaha lead Aruba Ducati and the earliest they can win the title is in the Tissot Superpole Race, if they outscore Aruba Ducati by 39 points in Race 1 and the 10-lap race. However, given the gap is so small, it’s likely it will go to Race 2 and the Yamaha team will wrap it up if they lose six points or fewer to their rivals across the full weekend.
TOP INDEPENDENT RIDER: two Italians duelling it out
Another title that’s up for grabs is the Independent Riders’ title, with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) in contention. Bassani leads the way on 244 points compared to Petrucci’s 205, with 39 points the difference. The #47 will want to secure this title before he replaces Rea at KRT and will do so in Race 1 as long as he loses one point or fewer to ‘Petrux’. However, if it’s not in Race 1, Bassani can win it in the Superpole Race if he loses 13 points or fewer between Race 1 and the 10-lap battle.
INDEPENDENT TEAMS’ TITLE: three-way scrap in Spain
Three teams are in contention for the Independent Teams’ title, with GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Motocorsa Racing and Bonovo Action BMW all in the hunt. The Yamaha-powered squad lead the way on 277 points with Motocorsa Racing 33 points back. Although in fourth place, Bonovo BMW can win it while Barni Spark Racing Team in third can’t (Petrucci is 72 points back and he can only score 62 points, while Bonovo BMW have two riders). GRT Yamaha win it in Race 1 if they outscore Motocorsa Racing by five points and lose less than 18 to the BMW team. If not, it can be decided in the Superpole Race by GRT Yamaha losing seven points or fewer to Motocorsa Racing and 39 points or fewer to Bonovo Action BMW across the first two races of the weekend, or 32 and 84 points respectively across the full weekend to win it in Race 2.
TISSOT AWARD UP FOR GRABS: Razgatlioglu vs Bautista… again
While the pair are fighting for the Riders’ Championship, the Tissot Award is available for both Razgatlioglu and Bautista to win this weekend. The gap at the moment is three points in the Turkish star’s favour, and he will win it as long as loses two or three points fewer to the #1 over the course of the Tissot Superpole session and Superpole Race; with the amount he’s able to lose dependant on countback and tiebreakers.
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Source: WorldSBK.com