Imola returns to WSBK for 2023

WSBK has confirmed that the iconic Imola Circuit will be returning to the WSBK calendar for 2023. Imola will proceed as round 7 of the championship and will take place 14-16 Jul 2023. It has been 3 seasons since WSBK last visited this iconic race circuit which has a long history of defining motorsports triumphs across the different series that stop here. In a press release from WSBK:

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, was delighted to welcome Imola back onto the calendar: “After three seasons away, we are thrilled to welcome back Imola to the calendar in 2023. This second round in Italy confirms the popularity of the Championship amongst the Italian fans as there is a lot of passion for our sport there with many Italian riders and teams in our paddock. Imola has an illustrious history within World Superbike, and we look forward to the 2023 Italian Round, which promises to be an exciting event for the fans.”

The excitement of Italian fans coupled with Ducati’s continued dominance will be an incredible spectacle. Pietro Benvenuti, Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola General Director, stated his pleasure at the return of WorldSBK to Imola, and is keen for more memories to be made: “It is with great satisfaction that we announce this agreement with Dorna WSBK Organization, which brings Imola back to the prestigious WorldSBK calendar. We know that there are many fans who wouldn’t miss this event for anything as Imola always had strong ties with this Championship. Not to mention that a World Champion on a Ducati will take to the track, undoubtedly a great incentive for many of the “Rossa” to watch on from trackside. Opting for the month of July is also strategic for the region as it will open business opportunities during a period when local accommodation options are not at full capacity, confirming the role of the circuit as a driving force of the local economy. It’s a great result made possible thanks to the full support of the Municipal Administration, which strongly wanted the return of Superbike to Imola.”

Defending champion Alvaro Bautista, racer for Aruba.it Racing Ducati team  wasted no time setting the tone for the 2023 WSBK Season. Bautista dominated the competition in wet condition in race one. After starting from P2 Bautista was able to overtake pole sitter Toprak Razgatlioglu on the start. From this point on Razgatlioglu started to fall behind and the race soon became a head to head battle between Bautista and rival Jonathan Rea of Kawasaki Racing WSBK. Ultimately Bautista was able to hold off Rea in a wet weather racing masterclass of defense and race craft. 

Race two is where it all started to go wrong for Jonathan Rea. Falling off pace and trickling down the order Rea finished P7 while Bautista secured another victory which increased the season point deficit for Rea to 31 points on the season. Rea will need to bounce back in Indonesia to stand a chance at maintain championship hopes this season. With Bautista winning both races and Superpole it is clear he has no intention of slowing down from where he left off in 2022. Aruba.it Racing Ducati teammate Michael Rinaldi took P2 in Race two and Superpole which helped maximize points for the Aruba.it camp after Rinaldi finished P14 in disappoint race one.

The rest of the field had no answers for Aruba.it Racing Ducati this weekend and they will all need a strong showing at Round 2 in Indonesia if they want to stay in the title fight.

Top 10 Race One Results

Top 10 Race Two Results