Category: WSBK

San Juan (Argentina), 10 Oct 2019: The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship moves to Argentina for the penultimate “tango” of what has been an incredible 2019 season. Returning at Circuito San Juan Villicum a year after its inauguration, there is a lot of expectation ahead of the 2019 MOTUL Argentinean Round as riders will benefit this year from their previous experience at the track. But, among both the WorldSBK and WorldSSP fields some riders will get a taste of the unique layout of the Latin American race track for the first time this weekend.

The racing action promises to be outstanding as usual, but the WorldSBK experience at San Juan will be even better for the Argentinian fans. Alongside the unmissable WorldSBK and WorldSSP races, entertainment will be guaranteed all day as the world-famous stage of the Paddock Show will also head south for another weekend with lots of new interactive activities and shows ready for the fans!

As usual on-stage activities will begin early on Friday morning with WorldSBK Free Practice 1 as live commentary will be available for all sessions until Sunday. Don’t miss the exclusive WorldSBK Podium experience! At Circuito San Juan Villicum, Parc Fermé and Podium will be situated right next to the Paddock Show stage. Bikes will roll into the paddock and fans will be able to take part in the Superpole and race celebrations and listen to riders’ reactions on stage a few minutes after receiving their trophies.

But if your wish is to get even closer to the riders, then don’t miss the Supershow on Saturday from 17:30 at the Paddock Show. All WorldSSP and WorldSBK riders will be there to meet the fans, sign autographs and take some pictures. Moreover, in two occasions over the weekend, South American riders from GP3 and a selection of WorldSBK riders will attend the Latinoamericano Meet’n’Greet giving fans more opportunities to meet their heroes.

Take part to the interactive quizzes to have a chance to win incredible WorldSBK prizes, such as a copy of the Official Yearbook, access to the starting grid and official merchandise. And if you are not lucky enough with the games, you can still buy a souvenir from your unforgettable weekend at the Fan Zone. Shops, Motul entertainment, products display and a lot of activities for the whole family are just a few of the things offered within the area.

When the bikes head back into their garages and entertainment at the track will be over, then head to San Juan Centre as the party will continue there. Take a stroll around Plaza del Sol and Parque de Mayo on Friday and Saturday evening from 8 pm, and enjoy the WorldSBK atmosphere with music, food trucks and autograph sessions with riders

Magny Cours, 25 Sept 2019: Ducati are the undisputed leaders at Magny Cours with 16 wins, as the next competitor is Kawasaki at half that number (8). The last three wins came in 2016 (double) and 2017 (Race 2) with Chaz Davies. Last year, Ducati recorded two podium placements with Xavi Fores third in Race 1 and Chaz Davies second in Race 2. The Italian manufacturer also leads the podiums ranking at the French Track with 38: more than the double of their next competitors, Kawasaki and Yamaha at 17 each. Despite being the most successful manufacturer for wins and podiums at Magny-Cours, they recorded only one Superpole here, in 2003 with James Toseland.

It is Kawasaki to hold the record of Magny-Cours Superpoles, seven, to Yamaha’s and Honda’s three each. They have won eight times at the French track, and all wins coming from 2012 onwards. They are the team to beat as last year, Jonathan Rea the double. In 2018, Kawasaki was able to equal Yamaha for Magny-Cours podiums, 17, at the second spot behind Ducati (38), scoring three podiums out of possible four with their works riders Rea and Sykes. In the last seven Tissot Superpoles here, the best Kawasaki on the grid was either on pole (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) or second on the grid (2015).

Yamaha won five times in Magny -Cours, the last one coming in 2010 from pole in Race 1 (Cal Crutchlow). Last year, they scored one podium with Michael van der Mark, third in Race 2, enough to keep the second spot for Magny-Cours podiums, the same number as Kawasaki (17 each).

Honda have won twice at French circuit: the first time in 2005, when Chris Vermeulen won from pole in Race 1 and the second time the following year, when James Toseland won Race 1. Since that last win, the Japanese manufacturer have been on the podium seven times at Magny-Cours, finishing in third no less than in five of them. The last placement on the Magny-Cours rostrum was recorded in 2016: a second place by van der Mark in Race 1. Last year, their best result was a ninth in Race 2 by Leon Camier. They had their share of bad luck, as Jonathan Rea fell twice while leading: in 2012 race 1 and 2014 in race 2.

BMW scored two podium finishes at Magny-Cours: Leon Haslam was third in the first 2011 Race, while Marco Melandri was the runner up the following year, always in Race 1 behind Sylvain Guintoli. Last year, they recorded two 10th places with Loris Baz.

Portimao, 3 Sept 2019: It is a welcome return to racing action for the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, after a lengthy Summer break. The title fight will reignite this weekend, as Portimao will host the tenth event of the season: the Acerbis Portuguese Round. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) returns to the Portuguese venue with an 81-point lead, whilst early-season revelation Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will make his racing debut at Portimao, in a bid to surge back to form.

Heading the championship standings with a comfortable 81-point lead, Jonathan Rea has completed a remarkable comeback. The Ulsterman, who was 61 points behind Alvaro Bautista after the Tissot Superpole Race in Jerez, comes to a circuit of which he has been dominant at in recent seasons. Winning the last seven races at the venue – of which six have been with Kawasaki – Rea has a target on his back. Can anyone stop the four-time WorldSBK champion at one of his most successful circuits?

Alvaro Bautista has endured a torrid couple of events and, with his departure from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati outfit confirmed, he has nothing to lose in the final four rounds of the season. If he is to rekindle the hope of winning the WorldSBK championship, then he will need to start taking points from Rea straight away. Having never raced at Portimao but tested there, only to finish ninth, Bautista will need to overcome his difficulties of recent rounds if he has any chance of staying in the title tussle.

The battle for third place in the championship is well and truly alive and kicking, with six riders covered by 50 points. At the head of that, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team), who arrives in Portugal off the back of finishing the Portimao test on top, whilst also confirming he won’t remain in the team for 2020. The British rider has had a difficult time of things at Portimao in recent years, with just two top ten results from the last six races held there. On the other side of the garage, fortunes are different. Now back to full fitness and ready to go, Michael van der Mark will seek to build on his fourth place in the Portimao test. Three Portimao podiums in the last three races and all for Yamaha, can the 26-year-old return to winning ways?

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is a rider to watch out for. Having returned to winning ways in emotional fashion at Laguna Seca, the Welshman will look to continue working in this way ahead of the remainder of the season. With his 2020 future confirmed, Davies will also want to gel further with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, in order to end the season strongly. The best result of second in Race 1 in 2017 is the highlight for him at Portimao. Can he win again?

Leading the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team charge is Tom Sykes, who has been on pole three times at Portimao, whilst also achieving two wins at the rollercoaster Portuguese circuit. Sykes has achieved podiums at every WorldSBK round since Misano, highlighting the development of the new machine. The team themselves head into the round with optimism, having signed Eugene Laverty for the 2020 season.

The Independent team charge continues to be led by Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing), as the 22-year-old relentlessly set the pace on the opening day of Portimao testing. Having visited the circuit just once in his WorldSBK career, 2018 yielded an eight and a DNF. A podium during every round since Imola, will Razgatlioglu continue his form? Never discount other former Portimao winners who are in the Independent battle too, such as Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) and Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven).

Former Portimao podium rider to watch out for include Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who has taken four podiums at the venue for three different manufacturers: will Kawasaki be his fourth? As well as Haslam, there is Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha), who took a second for Kawasaki back in 2014. Keep your eyes on Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) and Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), as they all go in search of their first podiums of 2019.

The Moriwaki Althea Honda Team challenge will see a new face, with Takumi Takahashi replacing Leon Camier, as the British rider continues to recover from a shoulder injury. He will join Ryuichi Kiyonari, who returns to the Autodromo Internacional Algarve for the first time in a decade.

Other riders to watch out for include Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), who has a best of seventh at Portimao and has been top ten finishers in the last three rounds. Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will look to end the season on a high and secure himself a ride for 2020. Alessandro Delbianco (Althea Mie Racing Team) will make his Portimao WorldSBK debut, although he was sixth in the FIM Superstock 1000 race last season. All of the regular riders will be joined by former FIM Superstock 1000 champion, Sylvain Barrier. The French rider will wildcard with the BRIXX Ducati outfit.

Contract extension ensures Autodromo Internacional do Algarve remains on the calendar for further three years

Portimao, 23 August 2019: Parkalgar (Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve) and Dorna WSBK Organization are delighted to announce that the Portuguese racetrack will remain on the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar until 2022.

Ahead of the 2019 official WorldSBK test at Portimao, CEO of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve Paulo Pinheiro, Isilda Gomes mayor of the city together with João Fernandes President of Algarve Tourism Board and Gregorio Lavilla (WorldSBK Executive Director of Sporting and Organization) have announced the signing of the contract extension that will see WorldSBK continuing to race in Portugal for a further three years (2020-21-22).

The Portuguese Round has been held in Portimao since 2008 with the only exception of 2016. Moreover, the famous racetrack has been the stage of the Official WorldSBK Test in 2015 and since 2017, becoming a particularly important venue for all riders and teams making their final arrangements for the most crucial part of the season.

Also participating at the event at Portimao Town Hall, Friday 23rd August 2019, reigning WorldSBK World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) and Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) all gave positive comments regarding the extension.

Paulo Pinheiro, CEO of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve: “I am happy and proud that we will continue to have WorldSBK for another three years. It was our first event back in 2008, and it remains our main event and Portugal’s biggest motorcycle event. The championship has grown in the last years, and the next three will be even more exciting. WorldSBK for us, it’s almost like a family. Together we have raced in this paddock for seven years reaching amazing results. We have great memories, and for us, it’s amazing to be able to continue to be part of the championship. For our city, region and country, this is the biggest motorsports asset with global media exposure and more than 40.000 spectators attending over the weekend. During the year, with several tests and events, we reach more than 90 days of bike trackdays, and this shows how important WorldSBK is, as it confirms its economic impact.
We are looking forward to the next three years, but now we are fully focused on making the 2019 event bigger and better than ever before with the help of DORNA, teams, riders and all the fans.”

Isilda Gomes, Mayor of Portimao: “It is fantastic news that Portugal biggest motorsports event will continue to take place in Portimao for further three years, and it is particularly good to hear it in the year that Portimao has been named the European City of Sports. The news doesn’t only make us proud, but it is a commitment to continue to be active partners of Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and recognize the strong impact of this event on our local economy”.

João Fernandes, President of Algarve Tourism Board: “The Superbike World Championship is the biggest international motorcycling competition occurring in Portugal, and we all know that it attracts not only riders and their teams but also thousands of enthusiasts and media from all over the world. The announcement of the continuity of this event for three more years in the Algarve is, therefore, welcome news. The Algarve has long been regarded as a favourite seaside destination for German, UK, Dutch and Spanish tourists. It is now time for this region to claim the title of best sports destination thanks to its warm climate, good infrastructures and friendly hospitality. Sports tourism has been increasing over the last 20 years, and it is my wish that it can also bloom in the Algarve at motorsports speed (the Superbike World Championship will definitely help us with this task).”

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director of Sporting and Organization: “The renewal of the contract with Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is fantastic news for WorldSBK. Portimao Circuit stands out as being a very unique layout that makes it one of the riders’ favourite destinations in the championship calendar. Every year the Portuguese Round becomes the stage of spectacular racing and fans flock to Portugal not only to enjoy the WorldSBK battles but also for discovering the beauties of the landscapes and enjoying the amazing Algarve beaches. Autodromo do Algarve has modern facilities that constantly improve every year to host our paddock. The fact that Portimao has secured WorldSBK until 2022 shows the deep bond between the two parties, and we can’t wait to see the incredible races that Portimao will give us over the next three years”.