Rookie Brad Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) will miss the Acerbis Czech Round at Autodrom Most due to a lingering should injury that requires surgery. The surgery is scheduled for the 26th of July. Ray had the following words for the World Superbike media, “After such an amazing weekend at Imola, I’ve decided, in agreement with Yamaha and my team, to have an operation to definitively fix an ongoing issue that I’ve been having with my right shoulder, something I’ve been suffering with for a while. Even if it’s not debilitating, it often hinders my performance. Having been able to show at Imola, but also during previous rounds, that I deserve to be here in the Superbike World Championship, I want to tackle the second half of the season stronger than ever.”
“I’m obviously really sorry I can’t go to the Czech Republic and the Most circuit, but I’ll now have a lot of time to fully recovery and, once the surgery is done, I’ll be aiming to score even better results. I’d like to personally thank Andrea Dosoli, the entire Yamaha Motor Europe team and the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team of course for their understanding. I can’t wait to see you all again after the summer break!”
Team manager Sandro Carusi was in support of the decision to sit out by stating, “I’m really sorry that Bradley has to take this enforced break, just as some strong results were coming. We’ve decided to stop now in order to give him the time to recovery and then aim for the best possible final part of the season.”
We are not yet aware of a timeline for his full recovery and will monitor this story as it develops.
This weekend the World Superbike championship landed at the legendary Imola. Temperatures were in the record highs and due to the heat Race 2 had to be reduced by 4 laps amidst safety concerns. After winning the Superpole race Toprak Razgatlioglu seized a rare opportunity. Alvaro Bautista crashed out of race 2 on the first lap opening the door for Razgatlioglu to be able to score more points in a race weekend than Bautista for the first time this season.
Razgatlioglu had the following words for WorldSBK.com, “The biggest problem in the Superpole Race was that my dashboard wasn’t working, the buttons weren’t working and it looked like the electronics weren’t working, so I was full lean angle, zero electronics! Then, I picked up the bike a little bit and I felt a bit but then at some corners, I was sliding a bit strangely. I adapted, like on the lean angle, I was opening the gas very slowly! Finally, I did a very good job and step-by-step I got to Alvaro. I passed him at Turn 9 because I watched him every lap there and he was a bit slower. I said, ‘OK, now I need to pass’ because for me, it’s better that I ride alone at the front. I think my plan worked well but I was riding more than 100%!”
Razgatlioglu Continued
I’m very happy that this year, finally, I’ve won! I waited for this moment, so thanks to my team who did an incredible job this weekend. Every session, we improved the bike but I am also sorry for Alvaro but this is racing, and you try and do your best. It’s the first time he’s crashed. After, I made a plan and didn’t want to risk. I followed Axel and in the last three laps I passed him and took a good pace. In general, I’m very happy this weekend! It’s the first time that Yamaha have won at Imola this weekend and I love this track too. It was very hot this weekend and congratulations to everyone because of this. I think it’s been a very good weekend as everybody’s watched real racing! The Championship is not over; I am riding like before, I’m focussing just on winning.”
The race was a bit rough for many riders. There were 6 separate retirements in the race. Despite Bautista crashing out the race he still holds a 70 point lead over Razgatlioglu in what seems an all but decided championship race. Razgatliolgu showed that there is still some fight in him so we will see how the rest of the season plays out.
Full Race 2 Results are Below
Championship Standings After Imola
The first place and second place sitters in the World Superbike Championship Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK). The two gave racing fans an incredible back and forth battle in race 1 at Imola. Razgatlioglu lead for the first half of the race but after trading elbows and couple of on track scraps Bautista was able to recover and take the win. The win was Bautista’s 17th win of the season.
Bautista stated to the media, Discussing his win, “Honestly, I didn’t expect to win. It was only my second time here at Imola. Today, we made a small change to the bike, and I felt much better in the morning. It started to feel like it did at the other tracks. The race was really tough because it was hot and very slippery. In the beginning, I didn’t feel much confidence to push in the opening laps. I saw several riders with more confidence than me. I started to, step by step, push more. We were missing some grip. I thought it was maybe because I don’t have clean air and the front is struggling a bit. I had some laps with clean air. The feeling with the front was improving so I tried to stay in front and, at least, the front was better.”
The wins means Bautista’s lead in the standings is now at 98 points over Razgatlioglu. Razgatlioglu is 96 points clear of teammate Locatelli in third place. There will be more action tomorrow with the Superpole Race and Race 2. You can check out exclusive video content here WorldSBK VideoPass!
Full Race results can be found below
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aurba.it Racing) topped the table setting a fastest lap of 1’47.128 aboard his Ducati Panigale V4R. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) ran second fastest ahead of Garret Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW). Gerloff in the top 5 is a rare occurrence. We will see if he can take this pace on his BMW into the rest of the weekend. Championship leader Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing) ran an uncharacteristic seventh fastest in the session. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) who ran fastest in FP1 by a margin of 0.003s ahead of Rea was tenth fastest in FP2.
Full FP2 Results are Below
Marc VDS Racing announced that they will be making the move from moto 2 to World SBK with Sam Lowes. Lowes will race a Ducati Panigale V4R. The move ends a 9 year stent in Moto2 for the veteran. Marc VDS Racing provide comments on the move to WorldSBK.com.
Marc van der Straten, Team Owner and Team Manager
“I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship. It gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes. I’m also very proud to start this new adventure with Ducati, which is undoubtedly the bike to be on in WorldSBK. This opportunity for expansion comes at the perfect time. After 14 years in MotoGP™, where the Marc VDS Racing Team has shown great potential, we are ready to face a new challenge. We have competed in Moto3™, Moto2™, MotoGP™ and MotoE™ and won three titles.”
“As this is a long-term project, we’ll be aiming to adapt quickly, so that we can get to the front of the pack as quickly as possible. It’s also a source of pride to be taking this step with Sam Lowes, a great rider who has shown what he’s capable of in Moto2™, and who shares our team’s values and know-how. Finally, counting on Ducati’s experience and success completes a package that has everything to be perfect and exciting!”
Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director
“We are very pleased to welcome the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Ducati family for WorldSBK 2024! Marc VDS is one of the most professional and successful structures in the Moto2™ World Championship, with three world titles won, and their participation in WorldSBK next year with the highly competitive Panigale V4 R will surely add more value to the whole Championship. I would like to personally thank, also on behalf of Ducati Corse, Marc van der Straten for his trust and commitment to this exciting new racing project together with Ducati.”
Sam Lowes Comments on the Decision to Make the Move
“I have a lot to learn with the new category including the bike, the tyres, and some new tracks. I am very motivated and excited for this opportunity. I am very open minded and ready to adapt and learn what I need to be competitive in WorldSBK. I always had a goal to race in World Superbike and after winning the World Supersport title in 2013 it was a normal step. But I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock. I’m happy and proud that I’ve had such a good Grand Prix career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
“I feel now it’s a great time to move across to WorldSBK to try a different machine and learn how to ride a superbike. I also believe in myself and know I can achieve good things. It’s a privilege to ride for Marc VDS Racing Team and to make this step together is a great feeling, as I am sure it can be a strong and top team in WorldSBK as well. I am very grateful to Marc van der Straten for trusting me to start this new project. We have a great relationship; we have achieved some nice things together and we aim for many more!”
Sam Lowes will join his twin brother Alex Lowes on the World Super Bike grid next year. Marc VDS Racing plans to remain in Moto2 with two riders while simultaneously managing this WorldSBK entry. Lowes [Sam] has taken 10 Moto2™ wins and 26 podiums, with his best Championship finish coming in 2020 when he took third place.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing) has been in complete control of the world Superbike championship. Last years champion and this year’s championship leader has shocked the field since the season opener and has not let off of the gas. Bautista has now won 16 of 18 races this season. The last two rounds Bautista won all three weekend events totally to 4 hat tricks this season. Yet, this weekend that achievement was denied. Having sat behind Bautista the majority of the season. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon) denies Bautista the hat trick in the super pole race today. This was a much needed win for Razgatlioglu if he is to have any chance of competing for the championship title. The race seems all but over but today Razgatlioglu proved Bautista can be beaten.
It was a marginal win, the gap only being 3 tenths between Bautista and Razgatlioglu in the Superpole race. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) secured a second podium on the weekend in the superpole race. While his championship fight is nearly over. It is good to see some diversity on the podium.
The big story this weekend came in Race 2 for Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing). Petrucci has struggled to find chemistry with his Barni Spark Racing V4R. After making the transition from the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship in the USA to World Superbike. He has struggled to compete for podiums. Today that wait came to an end as Petrucci secured his first podium of the season after nearly securing the feat in race 1.
Petrucci Addresses His first Podium of the Season
After the race, Petrucci stated to WorldSBK.com, “I didn’t have the pace in Race 1. I reached Jonny because he did two or three laps that weren’t perfect but, in the end, I was not feeling good with the bike. Today, I smelt the podium and I said, ‘I need to try’. It was good because I passed Gerloff, Loka and Lowes, I said ‘no, Jonny again for the podium…in England, a six-time World Champion and 250 podiums… how can I do it!?’. I immediately found a way and I passed him. I had a really good pace. We made a small modification of the setup but not major things. The confidence is growing.”
The top six from WorldSBK Race 2, full results here:
1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +2.650s
3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +7.936
4. Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +9.198s
5. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +9.506s
6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +9.960s
Fastest lap: Alvaro Bautista, Ducati – 1’26.089s
Championship standings
1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 357 points
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) 264
3. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) 175
4. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 163
5. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) 146
6. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 102
The World SBK championship lands at Donington Park this weekend for round 6 of the season. Alvaro Bautista once again established dominance early winning Race 1. Although it hasn’t been complete dominance this weekend as Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) stole the show in Superpole to set the grid for the Superpole race. Bautista will start from P2 but is well withing striking range to win the Superpole race.
The race 1 win marks Bautista’s 11th straight win this season and 15th overall win in 16 races. Bautista’s lead has now extended to 323 points; 91 points ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon). Razgatlioglu has secured a number of podiums this year but cannot seem to break the pace of the Aruba.it Racing Ducati V4R of Bautista. As we head towards the Superpole race and race two Baustista has the potential to extend his lead to over 100 points on the season.
Honorable mention goes to fellow Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing). Petrucci struggled to get acclimated with his V4R after making the transition from the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship series to WolrdSBK. Petrucci just missed out on his first podium of the year by 1.7 seconds. He had a seemingly costly mistake late in the race which made him unable to catch third place finisher Jonathan Rea. His first podium in WorldSBK will have to wait.
Full WorldSBK Race 1 Results are Below
Alvaro Bautista will participate in a testing event at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” aboard a MotoGP bike. The FIM Superbike World Championship heads to the United Kingdom for the next round in three weeks time. This break between rounds offered Bautista the opportunity to get some testing in on a MotoGP bike. The test will take place on June 20th and 21st at Misano where Bautista claimed a hat-trick of wins in WorldSBK this year.
In an interview with WorldSBK.com, Bautista stated, “After I won the World Championship in WorldSBK, I asked Ducati to have a test with the MotoGP bike because, from the outside, it seems like a really fun bike. We will do the test very soon. I don’t do the test with an intention to do a wildcard. I’d like to do the test and let’s see what happens. I don’t think there’s a lot of chance to repeat what Troy Bayliss did in 2006. It was another time and it was different. At the moment, in my mind, it’s only the World Superbike Championship. I just take the test like a prize and don’t think about Troy Bayliss.”
Bautista is the second Ducati rider to undergo testing on a MotoGP bike after Danilo Petrucci stepped in for an injured rider earlier this season. We don’t know if this testing event will have implications on Bautista’s future in WorldSBK but we do know that he has signed na extension for the 2024 season so he won’t be jumping shit just yet. You can read more about that here: Bautista Signs Extension.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing) seemingly cannot be beat. Bautista completed his fourth hat trick of the 2023 season. The title feels already decided as no one can match his form this year. The win marks his 15th win this season awarding him a total of 298 championship points. He currently sits 86 points ahead of second place sitting rider Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK). The rider fo note this weekend was Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing). Bassani had a solid qualifying finishing 5th fastest. After a late mistake by Michael Ruben Rinaldi.
Bassani was able to capitalize and secure his first podium of the season. Bassani spoke to WorldSBK.com and stated, “It’s a really special place for a first podium of the year. I’m really happy for the team because we worked really hard and never gave up. I’m really happy and want to continue in this way but now we need to enjoy the moment and then focus on the next races after…I don’t have a lot of words to say! To have a podium at home is like a victory!”
Bassani finished 4th in Race 1 and will walk away from this weekend with a large chunk of points. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) finished 4th in race 2.
Full Results are Below
Watch the remaining action from WorldSBK in 2023 with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Alvaro Bautista claimed another win after a dominant performance in Misano for the Superpole Race. After making a tire gamble opting to use the Pirelli’s SCX tire versus his rivals using the SCQ. Bautista was able to extend his tire due to a shortened race. On lap 8 of 10 Bautista shortly over took Toprak Razgatlioglu. The race was red flagged due to and incident involving Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona crashing. Lecuona was declared medical unfit to continue racing this weekend. The incident was investigated by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards with Petrucci given a Long Lap Penalty for his role in the collision. Axel Bassani had a strong battle for 3rd but fell short to Michael Ruben Rinaldi and had to settle for 4th.
Full Race 1 results are below
The top nine from the Tissot Superpole Race
1 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +0.101s
3. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.738s
4. Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +2.239s
5. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +2.390s
6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +3.955s