INDIA in F1

Tag: WorldSBK

  • #FRAWorldSBK: Will Ducati extend their number of wins at Magny Cours?

    #FRAWorldSBK: Will Ducati extend their number of wins at Magny Cours?

    Will Ducati extend their number of wins? A WorldSBK image

    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.

  • Alvaro Bautista returns to winning ways in Portugal: #PRTWorldSBK – Day 3

    Portimao, 8 Sept 2019: A thrilling Race 2 at Portimao fired the championship race back into life as Alvaro Bautista (aruba.it  Racing – Ducati) overcame a poor start and a shoulder injury to triumph over Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in a final lap run to the line. With plenty of drama from lights out and slipstreaming battles soon following, groups were scattered right through the field and provided a packed Portimao plenty of action.

    Off the line and it was a blissful start for Rea from pole position but a disaster for Alvaro Bautista, who plunged down the order to sixth place after Lap 1. Toprak Razgatlioglu was a fast starter and up to second, ahead of Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Alex Lowes was fourth (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and teammate Michael van der Mark was fifth, ahead Bautista – but the Spaniard was right in the hunt as the group remainder close together.

    Bautista soon began his comeback, first picking off Michael van der Mark down the front straight at the end of Lap 1, before picking off Alex Lowes two laps later. The comeback continued and he hit third a lap later, before slicing ahead of Jonathan Rea to momentarily lead with 15 to go. But Toprak Razgatlioglu had other ideas, as the Turkish rider hit the front of the field.

    With Razgatlioglu and Bautista leading, Rea had to try and find a way to react to the change of the guard at the front. Leon Haslam was still in the mix with the two Pata Yamahas just sat behind, with the front six covered by just one second. A lap later, the horsepower of the Ducati propelled Alvaro Bautista back into the lead of a race for the first time since Misano, and the Spaniard soon began to put the hammer down.

    Jonathan Rea fought back on his fellow Kawasaki rider Toprak Razgatlioglu, but whilst he closed up on Bautista, he wasn’t able to make a move on the Spaniard. Further back and at half race distance, isolation of the leading six began to set in. Alex Lowes made his move on Leon Haslam with 10 to go, after the ‘Pocket Rocket’ lost an entire second to his fellow Brit.

    One rider to watch was Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) as he closed on the battle for fourth. Behind them, Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) were squabbling over ninth, just behind Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK).

    With the gap between Bautista and Rea extending to over a second, and Razgatlioglu sat in a safe third place – barring acts of God – the big battle on track was for fourth, with Alex Lowes and Leon Haslam swapping places with five laps to go. At Turn 3, Michael van der Mark parked his Yamaha in the way of Haslam, bringing Loris Baz right into play. Haslam fought back however, and a lap later at Turn 5 he was back into fifth place and chasing after Alex Lowes.

    In the closing laps, the race began to come alive at the front, with Rea lapping quicker than Bautista and the gap coming down to less than a second, although with two laps left to run, it was beginning to look a little bit late for Rea to return to the front. However, his teammate – Leon Haslam was climbing all over Alex Lowes in the battle for fourth.

    On the final lap, the gap at the front closed dramatically and Jonathan Rea was right with the Spaniard, but on the run to the line, Ducati power prevailed over Rea’s resilience. Bautista was back on top and took the verdict, winning for the first time at Portimao. Rea was second and Toprak Razgatlioglu took a tenth career podium in third. Alex Lowes held-off Leon Haslam but Loris Baz made it to sixth and beat Michael van der Mark. Lowes therefore returns to the third overall.

    Marco Melandri putting in a hearty effort for eighth place, whilst Tom Sykes was able to beat Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) in the remaining places inside the top ten. Jordi Torres was eleventh and couldn’t return to the top ten, with Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) and Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) completing the points.

    The gap comes down to 91 points in the championship race, but the battle for third is well and truly alive, with 45 points covering third to seventh. Who will come out on top in both battles however, is yet to be seen.
    P1 – Alvaro Bautista (aruba.it  Racing – Ducati)

    “It has been a long time since my last win, so I feel extremely happy to be back winning. The last few races were not easy for me, but everybody has been supporting me, so I want to thank all the people who have believed in me. Today it was a tough race. I wasn’t 100% fit, and after yesterday race I haven’t a lot of energy left. In the final laps, I was fighting with the bike, the tyre performance dropped a lot, and I was destroyed. I am so happy about this victory”.

    P2 – Jonathan Rea  (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)

    “I saw Alvaro making so many mistakes, and it was enough to keep me motivated to keep pushing. Unfortunately, it was really strong today, and we couldn’t do the same, but I felt so good with my team. They gave me a great bike all weekend. We went back to the setting from FP3, and I felt a little bit stronger at the end of the race, and I could ride below 1′.43, so I am thrilled with our effort. Now I am looking forward to the next round in France”.

    P3 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing)

    “Yesterday it wasn’t a good day for us. I did a bad qualifying and had to start Race 1 from the thirteenth position, but this morning I worked hard with the team and used a different setup that helped me get into the fourth position in the Tissot Superpole Race. My focus was more on Race 2 because I wanted to get back on the podium today. It was a really good race, and I am happy with this result. Now let’s see what will happen next race”.
    #PRTWorldSBK at Autodromo Internacional do Algarve: Race 2
    1. Alvaro Bautista (aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
    2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.111
    3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +4.576

  • Jonathan Rea takes 8th consecutive win: WorldSBK

    Portimao, 7 Sept 2019: The Acerbis Portuguese Round welcomed the first race of the weekend with World Superbike Race 1, with the sun still shining brightly and the WorldSBK grid ready for their return to action. With Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) starting from pole, the Ulsterman made it an eighth consecutive win at Portimao, with three different manufacturers on the Race 1 Portimao podium.

    With the race getting underway, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) got the holeshot and took the lead into Turn 1 but there was drama behind. A lunge from Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) saw him barge his own teammate Alvaro Bautista out of the way, forcing Bautista right down to 18th place after the Spaniard tagged the back of Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team).

    By the end of Lap 1, it was Rea leading Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Chaz Davies was up to fourth and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) made a bright start in fifth.

    At the end of Lap 3, Davies and van der Mark had disposed of Leon Haslam, with the Kawasaki rider fading. But two laps later, and Davies had got ahead of Tom Sykes at Turn 1, with van der Mark taking advantage at Turn 3 before Haslam took the 2013 WorldSBK champion at Turn 6. On the front straight, Razgatlioglu got ahead of Sykes at the end of the lap, capping off a bad lap for the Huddersfield rider. Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) was the first crasher of the race at Turn 8 but remounted and was back racing.

    Further back, Bautista was caught up behind Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) in the battle for ninth, with the two veterans of motorcycle racing swapping paint between Turn 9 and 12. However, Bautista made it ahead at the end of the lap and soon, got ahead of Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK). Back in the fight for fourth, and it was Tom Sykes who crashed at Turn 13, not the way he wanted to celebrate a contract extension for 2020. Sykes re-joined and was back in the points by the halfway distance.

    Whilst they scrapped it out for the remaining podium positions, Jonathan Rea had already built up a lead of over three seconds and was well on his way for an eighth consecutive Portimao victory. Unrivalled, untouched and unbelievable dominant, Rea had come into his own in Portugal.

    With 11 laps to go and with tyre life now becoming a factor, Razgatlioglu made his move at Turn 3 and got ahead of Leon Haslam. The Independent rider was ahead of the factory rider and now, Razgatliolgu had two seconds ahead of him until the podium battle between Davies and van der Mark. In seventh place, Alvaro Bautista was beginning to close on Alex Lowes, who was having a quiet race in sixth position. Bautista was the fastest rider on track, in a race of ‘what could’ve been’.

    With nine laps to go, Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) came into the pits to end what had been a disappointing race. The Irishman was on pole at the Portimao venue in 2018 but that kind of success had been far away a year later. Back in the battle for fourth and Leon Haslam had got back ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu and began to edge clear with seven laps to go. But now, a new threat was very much in the fight: Alvaro Bautista was taking chunks out of the gap, lapping nearly a second a lap quicker.

    At Turn 5 with six to go, Bautista took advantage of Lowes’ error as the British rider ran in too deep; Bautista was now sixth. Further up, the battle for second had calmed, with Davies seemingly able to break away from van der Mark. Bautista cleared Razgatlioglu with three laps to go on the straight and tried to get ahead of Haslam at Turn 3, but the Brit held on and toughed it out through Turn 4, as the three battled hard. A lap later and Bautista used the top speed of the Ducati and took fourth from Haslam, where he would stay until the chequered flag.

    Across the line, it was Jonathan Rea who took the win and extended his championship lead to 94 points. Chaz Davies was a safe second from 12th on the grid and van der Mark a settled third. Bautista came home fourth ahead of Leon Haslam, whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu faded to finish in sixth, but all the way from 13th on the grid to finish as top Independent. Alex Lowes was seventh, ahead of Sandro Cortese, Marco Melandri and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), just edging out Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) to complete the top ten.

    P1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)

    “The big thanks today goes to my team because surely this weekend we made the bike better especially in the hot condition. I worked really hard at the beginning of the race to try and find a gap, then when I got to five seconds I got really nervous so I just tried not to make any mistake and bring the bike home. Thanks to all the support that I got.
    I am looking forward to tomorrow. We can try to improve the bike a little bit, especially at the end of the race to make things more comfortable. We achieved our target today”.
    P2 – Chaz Davies (Aruba .it Racing – Ducati)
    “Honestly if you would have told me that I would be on the podium after that qualifying performance, I’d laughed to it. It wasn’t a good qualifying at all and the start it wasn’t brilliant, but then I just went in deep into Turn 1 and then did the same into Turn 3 and made up like eight places and just went forward. That was the strategy, but sometimes you don’t know if it works out that way. Being aggressive it paid off today, and I put myself into that good group earlier on. Otherwise, it would have been a hard race starting from twelfth. I am pleased, and I think my bike was solid, even I struggled just a little bit with the front in the latter laps. But I only had to manage the gap on Michael, and Johnny was too far. Thanks to my team, they worked hard. I think that the most important thing is that we were able to bring here our performance from Laguna. These are two completely different race tracks, and I generally struggled here in the past, but now we got a good result today”.

    P3 – Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team)

    “I am really happy to be back on the podium. This weekend we have been struggling a lot with the bike, and I have never been happy with it, but today in the race I felt a lot better. I had a nice battle with Chaz, and I thought I could stay with him till the end by I continued to struggle all the way through. Anyway, even if I wasn’t comfortable on the bike I was still able to deliver a podium to my team so I am really pleased with today race”.
    #PRTWorldSBK at Autodromo Internacional do Algarve: Race 1
    1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
    2. Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.891
    3. Michael van der Mark (PATA Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +6.168
  • WorldSBK set to be spiced up in Portugal; #PRTWorldSBK

    WorldSBK set to be spiced up in Portugal; #PRTWorldSBK

    The rollercoaster awaits: WorldSBK set to be spiced up in Portugal. Image WorldSBK

    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.

  • Portimao to host WorldSBK until 2022

    Portimao to host WorldSBK until 2022

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

    Officials pose after signing the contract. A WorldSBK image

    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”.

  • Davies takes first win of 2019 in Race 2: WorldSBK

    Ducati rider seals his 30th WorldSBK win in a frantic Race 2, ahead of Rea and Razgatlioglu

    Laguna Seca (California), 14 July 2019: The final race of the weekend for the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Laguna Seca took place under predictably sunny skies, with Chaz Davies (Aruba.IT Racing – Ducati) taking his first win of the season with a dominant lights-to-flag victory. His teammate, Alvaro Bautista, retired from the race with injury after crashing in the Tissot Superpole Race, meaning the gap extends between himself and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) at the head of the field.

    Another lightening start from Chaz Davies from second on the grid meant the Welshman took the advantage at Turn 1 and held it at Turn 2. Racing into third place, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) made a brisk start whilst slotting in behind him, Tom Sykes aboard his BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team machine. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was ahead of Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), whilst Jordi Torres Team Pedercini Racing) was up in eighth.

    Jonathan Rea tried once to get ahead of Davies on Lap 2 on the entrance to Turn 5 but ran wide and allowed Davies to take the lead back. It would stay like this for the entire distance, with Jonathan Rea unable to match Chaz Davies, who was in a class of his own at the head of the field. Toprak Razgatlioglu was soon dropped but was lapping constantly quicker than those behind him, consolidating his podium pace.

    After Lap 2, Alvaro Bautista’s injured shoulder proved too much, and the Spaniard’s luckless weekend came to a premature end when he retired. Two laps later, third in the championship Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was out with a technical problem. The battle for third place in the championship was now really on.

    Battles were strewn throughout the field, with Alex Lowes mugging Sykes halfway through the race before clearing off into a safe fourth place, whilst Sykes and Haslam ran toe-to-toe for the remainder of the race, although it resulted in no change of order. Behind them, Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) had come through the order to get ahead of Jordi Torres. Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) was strong too, up to ninth from a poor starting position.

    But back at the front, it was all about Chaz Davies as he pulled away from Rea and came home with a huge advantage to win his first race since Aragon Race 2 in 2018. Rea was up in second and extending his championship advantage to 81 points. Toprak Razgatlioglu was back on the rostrum yet again, consolidating his position as a real challenger for third overall in the championship. Alex Lowes and Tom Sykes completed the top five, whilst Leon Haslam was sixth.

    Loris Baz held off a resurgent Jordi Torres to come home seventh, whilst Marco Melandri had to make do with ninth, whilst fellow countryman Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team) was inside the top ten yet again in tenth position, just pipping Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) who finished 11th.
    P1 – Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati)

    “This means so much to me. It’s been a tough season for me. We’ve been trying so many things and not just really finding my feet. This year has been so so tough for many different reasons, but I want to say thanks to my team because they’ve been behind me the whole way and nobody threw the towel, and they kept trying to get more and more comfortable and this is the result. To win here on the U.S. soil is so amazing. I think it’s my fourth win here and I love Laguna, I love America, I love California and bringing home the victory today is the best way to going into the Summer Break. I am really happy with that, and it is dedicated to all my team”.

    P2 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)

    “I am super satisfied with our weekend. We got two wins, a new lap record and also a second place! It is good for us. The team gave me a great bike and our ZX-10RR was working so good. We just made a small change between the Superpole Race and Race 2 that put my front in crisis a little bit, and I was struggling to finish the corner, but aside from that, I did the best I could so congratulation to Chaz and Ducati. I am looking forward to my Summer Break now”.

    P3 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing)

    “I am happy to be on the podium again. This morning the Tissot Superpole Race didn’t go well because after the red flag we didn’t change tyres, and we were able to finish just fourth. But for Race 2 I knew that my feeling with the bike was good. I tried to follow the front guys but I couldn’t keep their pace as again, after 10 laps, tyres dropped their performance. Anyway, I am pleased about this second podium, and I now am looking forward to starting my holidays”
    #USAWorldSBK at Laguna Seca: Race 2
    1. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati)
    2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +3.333
    3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +11.658
  • Jonathan Rea win opens up the WorldSBK title race

    Jonathan Rea win opens up the WorldSBK title race

    Jonathan Rea on way to Race 1 victory on Saturday. A WorldSBK image

    Monterey (California), 13 July 2019: The 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title race took yet another twist and turn around the undulations of the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. In a dramatic opening few laps, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) led the ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati pairing of Chaz Davies and Alvaro Bautista, before another unthinkable error blew the championship wide open once again.

    Off the line, it was a strong start from Rea, and the reigning four-time WorldSBK Champion held the advantage from Bautista and Davies. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) made a blistering start and was fourth by Turn 5, whilst Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), despite an initially good start, was back in fifth. Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) held his own off the line. Into the penultimate corner on the opening lap, Davies got ahead of Bautista and went in pursuit of Jonathan Rea.

    New lap records came thick and fast, with Davies initially setting it on Lap 2 before his teammate bettered on Lap 3, becoming the first rider to set a 1.22s lap in race trim. One lap later and it was a disaster for Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), as the British rider hit the deck at the Corkscrew.

    At the beginning of Lap 5, Davies challenged Rea and through Turns 1 and 2, the Welshman took the lead but ran wide, with Rea slicing back through and sitting the Ducati rider up. Alvaro Bautista was right in the mix and beginning to get into the swing of things but then, a disaster. Bautista crashed once again in the early stages of the race on a full tank of fuel. The Spaniard tucked the front at Turn 5 and his Ducati Panigale V4 R was in the gravel once again.

    With Bautista re-joining but out of the leading group, Jonathan Rea edged clear of Chaz Davies, with the top two stabilising until the end of the race, with Rea taking his race lead up to five seconds. Toprak Razgatlioglu was up in third place and despite a mid-race charge from Sykes, he held on to complete the top three.

    Battles were strewn all the way through the field, starting with Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) pipping Jordi Torres for fifth in the final few laps. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) put in a strong ride to seventh from 15th on the grid, getting ahead of Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha).

    Further back, Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) recovered from his worst Tissot Superpole in 17th to get to ninth. Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) was enjoying a good battle with Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) over 11th. The battle for 13th went the way of Alessandro Delbianco (Althea Mie Racing Team), who pushed ahead of Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK).

    Back at the front, it was an eighth win of 2019 for Jonathan Rea, who romped home ahead of Davies and Razgatlioglu. Tom Sykes was fourth ahead of Alex Lowes, whilst Jordi Torres took his best result of the season in sixth, with two Independent riders inside the top six. Van der Mark and Baz were next up in seventh and eighth, whilst Marco Melandri and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team) completed the top ten.

    The championship advantage now increases for Rea, with a 49-point lead over rival Alvaro Bautista.
    P1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)

    “I want to thank all my crew, they gave me such a good bike here, and I felt good. Physically I was just heading my points and I could have ridden the bike all day long because I was having so much fun. The tyre dropped a little towards the end, but I had the job done. As soon as I snapped the cord, I was able to focus on myself and hit the point. It is a massive privilege to be here in the U.S., racing here under the sun, and I love this track, so let’s see tomorrow if we can try to repeat this performance, but it is going to be tough for sure”.

    P2 – Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati)

    “We had a testing few rounds with a lot of difficulties, so it’s great to be back in parc fermé again. I missed this place! It was a tough race actually. I chose the soft rear tyre, which maybe wasn’t the best move, but it was a risk I wanted to take since I don’t have a lot to lose. So, I thought that I’d try to go away and try to use that tyre to the best effect in the early laps, but in the end, Johnny was in front, and I couldn’t see a way around. Then my tyre dropped, and I only had to try staying a little bit more constant. Nother than less, it was a good effort compared to the last few races, and I am really happy to be up here again”.

    P3 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing)

    “I am extremely pleased with this result today. Last year I suffered a big crash here, and this year we are on the podium! I knew that today getting on the rostrum would not be easy to achieve, but we took advantage of Bautista’s mistake. I tried to follow Johnny and Chaz then, but my bike was moving and sliding a lot. Maybe for tomorrow, we will make some changes to the bike setup to improve the tyre consumption, but for today I am really happy”.
    #USAWorldSBK at Laguna Seca: Race 1
    1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
    2. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) +5.693
    3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +12.721
    Championship Standings after Race 1, Round 9
    1.  Jonathan Rea (GBR) Kawasaki (401 points)
    2. Alvaro Bautista (ESP) Ducati (352 points)
    3. Michael van der Mark (NED) Yamaha (215 points)
  • Laguna Seca set to put on stunning off-track show for fans

    Laguna Seca set to put on stunning off-track show for fans

    From the Paddock Show to Go-Karting, there’s action aplenty for trackside fans to enjoy during the Geico U.S. Round at Laguna Seca in 2019

    A World SBK image

    Monterey (California), 11 July 2019: With the momentum in the championship changing hands in recent rounds, the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is ready for another twist and turn at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca circuit, situated in Monterey, California, USA. Whilst on-track drama will keep fans glued to the action, there are plenty of things to take part in off-track.

    Starting with the Paddock Show, it will feature an array of activities, from fan competitions and live commentaries of the sessions to exclusive chats with the very best riders in WorldSBK. Know the quirks and all the behind the scenes information throughout the weekend, before getting your chance to meet the stars of the WorldSBK show on Saturday – as part of the SuperShow. Team managers, riders and paddock celebrities will all be in attendance, with the ‘Party in the Paddock’ to finish the day off. Be sure not to miss out after what will be a scorching opening race day! More of the same follows on Sunday, with rider chats and fan give-aways!

    A unique experience in WorldSBK is the ability to get up close to the immediate celebrations from the podium. Once again, included in the ticket price, fans can get close to their heroes and enjoy the aftermath with all of the emotions. Get soaked with the spray, celebrate with your favourite rider and be part of the party atmosphere that has become synonymous with the WorldSBK podium – accessible for all.

    Watch the WorldSBK action from another angle too, with the Motul Action Box at garage number 22, to be immersed into the reality of watching on from the pit lane. The nerves combined with the electrifying action will be sure to make it an unforgettable experience.

    There is a unique opportunity at the Geico U.S. Round, as fans will be able to take their own motorcycles on the famous Laguna Seca circuit between 11:35am and 11:55am on Saturday morning. An escorted lap around the breath-taking 3.602km (2.238mi) layout, featuring iconic corners in the motorsport, such as the Corkscrew and Rainey’s. Conditions and supplementary tickets will be available from the Ticket Office.

    If the 55m elevation change of the real circuit isn’t enough, then Go-Karting is also available from Friday to Sunday between 09:00 and 16:00. Take out your competitive edge against friends, to see who is the next best thing when it comes to getting around a short, sharp circuit in the quickest time possible. For the children, there is Mini Moto from the same times at the Marketplace.

    Other things to keep an eye out for are the vast merchandise opportunities, to affiliate yourself with your WorldSBK hero. The Ducati Island Experience should be on everyone’s Laguna Seca bucket list, whilst the Rev Limiter Zone and FREE manufacturer demo rides are also available. Don’t forget, children 15 and under are admitted for FREE with a full paying adult and for those who want an authentic experience, trackside camping is available throughout the weekend.

  • Rea takes first triple treat of 2019 ahead of Razgatlioglu and Bautista

    In the final action of the weekend for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it was yet another thrilling encounter from lights-out to the chequered flag. It was action right from the start, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) coming out on top after another tough scrap with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing).

    Heading towards Turn 1 for the first time, Jonathan Rea rocketed from pole position to grab the holeshot, ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing), whilst Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) blasted into third. At the Old Hairpin however, Bautista was passed by home-hero Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Chaz Davies had a strong opening, running as high as fifth, right behind his teammate. It was a nightmare for Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) one lap later, as the Spaniard retired.

    With the race settling down, on Lap 3, Razgatlioglu took the lead at the circuit where he took his first WorldSBK career podium. With a strong out-braking manoeuvre at the Melbourne Loop, he was able to pinch the advantage. However, two laps later, Rea took the lead back and one lap further on, Haslam momentarily got ahead of the Turk at the Foggy Esses. At the Melbourne Loop, Razgatlioglu recovered and the 22-year-old was back in second.

    Razgatlioglu was able to retake the lead from Rea, with the two riders dancing side-by-side around the Donington Park circuit. Another late-braking move at the Melbourne Loop saw him retake the lead and then, putting the hammer down. Razgatlioglu and Rea broke clear of the fading Haslam in third place, whilst Alvaro Bautista was all over the rear-end of the five-time WorldSBK race winner.

    With 12 to go, it was a rare error at the Foggy Esses from Toprak, allowing Rea to cut through and take the lead back from the young Turk. A lap later, and the battle for third started to ignite with Bautista taking the final podium position from Leon Haslam. With all the swapping, slowly but surely, Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) was now closing down Leon Haslam, with Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in sixth. Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was seventh from tenth on the grid, whilst Davies had slipped to eighth.

    There was a change in the battle for fifth place, as Alex Lowes forced Baz wide at the Foggy Esses, with the British rider getting ahead into the Melbourne Loop. Even further back, double winner from Donington Park in 2018, Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team), got ahead of Davies for eighth place.

    In the closing stages, there were two battles: for first and second between Rea and Razgatlioglu, and for third place between Bautista, Lowes, Haslam and Baz – with Lowes getting ahead of Haslam with just three laps to go. Going into the final lap, half-a-second split the leading two, whilst Bautista had a small buffer for a safe third place.

    Coming to the line for the final time, Jonathan Rea completed a Donington Park hat-trick at home, the first triple he has achieved this season. Razgatlioglu took another podium with second and Alvaro Bautista took his first podium of the weekend, although he now trails the reigning WorldSBK champion by 24 points. Alex Lowes was fourth whilst Leon Haslam completed the top five, only just ahead Loris Baz.

    Tom Sykes was the best of the rest, with Michael van der Mark taking a hearty, hard-earnt eighth, ahead of Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), who completed the top ten after a disappointing Prosecco DOC UK Round. Peter Hickman (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was 11th, ahead of Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), with Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Alessandro Delbianco (Althea Mie Racing Team) completing the points.
    P1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)

    “It was incredible, a similar story to Misano with Toprak in Race 2. It was really difficult, he was so strong on the brakes, but my team gave me a great bike and physically this weekend I felt really good, so I was able to extract the best potential from my ZX-10RR. In free practices, I was a little bit unhappy about the setup, and we were quite far away, 0.9 s from the fastest lap time, but step by step we arrived and three race wins, and back in the lead of the championship I can’t quite believe it. We will keep working like we are doing and we go to Laguna next week, which is another good track for us, but I enjoyed the atmosphere here. There were a lot of people here at Donington and now let’s see what happens”.

    P2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing)

    “Yesterday with the wet conditions we didn’t go well. We tried a similar setup to Misano but I didn’t feel good on the bike and it was sliding a lot at the rear, so I was waiting for today because I was expecting a dry race and I felt really strong on those conditions. The Tissot Superpole Race was good but it wasn’t perfect. We focused on Race 2, which was more important for me. I did a good start, I followed Johnny and after I overtook him we had a small fight together but he was strong and fast. On the final two laps, I tried to attack him again but it was impossible. I am happy with another podium and now we see what will happen in the US”.

    P3 – Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati)

    “Today was important for us to finish the race. We crashed in Misano Race 2 and yesterday again. I knew it was meant to be a tough weekend for us because we are struggling a lot in this kind of tracks that are bumpy and with have poor grip. In the Tissot Superpole Race, I tried to stay with the front group. I pushed as much as I could and physically I was destroyed at the end of the eight laps because the bike was moving a lot and I had to put so much energy in trying to keep the bike straight and not lose too much time exiting the corners. In Race 2, I tried to do the same. I did a good start and remained with the front group. I pushed hard and had to use double my energy, but I managed to finish on the podium, and I am happy because we struggled a lot this weekend. Now we have to improve the weak points of our bike, but I look forward to the next race”.

    #GBRWorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 2
    1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
    2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +0.365
    3. Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) +5.930

  • Jonathan Rea wins Race 1 and takes championship lead, as Bautista crashes again at Donington

    A wet Race 1 proved to be dramatic in the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, as Donington Park hosted yet another thrilling encounter. A frantic start saw Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) take the lead early on and never look back as he romped to a 76th career win to take the championship lead, as Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) crashed out in dramatic fashion.

    It was a blistering opening lap from Jonathan Rea, who leaped of the line and took the lead at Turn 1, opening up a lead of over a second on the first lap. Pole-sitter Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) held second place, ahead of Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), with the Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha of Loris Baz in fourth. Alvaro Bautista was fifth in the early stages but losing time to Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team).

    As the race settled, Rea was setting a scorching pace, lapping two seconds a lap quicker than anybody else, whilst behind him, Loris Baz got his way into the podium positions and ahead of Leon Haslam at the Melbourne Loop on Lap 2. One of the bigger losers off the start was Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing), who was down in ninth. It was a bright start for Argentine rider, Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), who was up to eighth from 14th, one place behind replacement rider, Peter Hickman (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).

    On Lap 4, Bautista began to respond to Lowes, as the Spaniard pulled clear and steadied the tide. Further down the order, Alessandro Delbianco (Mie Althea Racing Team) was showing his wet weather skills once again, as he was coming through the order. However, two laps later, it was a colossal moment for the Italian at Turn 2, with both legs off one side of his Honda, taking to the soaking wet grass at high-speed, yet somehow remaining upright.

    Back at the front, Jonathan Rea continued to pull away from the rest, although Tom Sykes was beginning to match his former teammate’s lap times. After eight laps, Rea had a seven second lead, setting a supreme pace but needing to remain focussed, as the rain became heavier and more water was laying on the track. Whilst Sykes was second, Haslam was back in third and ahead of Loris Baz.

    Then, a succession of accidents as Jordi Torres crashed on wet grass on the exit of Turn 6, whilst Sandro Cortese crashed at the same corner on the same lap, with the entry of the corner being the only difference. However, then there was huge drama, as Alvaro Bautista crashed out in spectacular style at the same point of the track, suffering his first back-to-back crashes of the season. The championship pendulum had now swung to Jonathan Rea, but with more than ten laps left, he still had to remain upright.

    As riders ahead fell, other riders took advantage, with Leandro Mercado now elevated into sixth place, Hickman seventh and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in eighth. Behind them, Alessandro Delbianco was on the move, up inside the top ten and wanting more, as he chased after those ahead of him.
    Jonathan Rea took a third career victory at Donington Park, his 76th in total. Tom Sykes was back on the podium for a second round running and on a third manufacturer at Donington Park, whilst Leon Haslam was third at his home venue. Once again proving his worth in the wet weather, Loris Baz was fourth, ahead of Alex Lowes, who had a relatively quiet race.

    A stunning ride for ‘Tati’ Mercado saw him take his joint-best result of his career and his best result of the 2019 season. Peter Hickman took a career-best seventh as a replacement rider, whilst behind him was Michael van der Mark, Alessandro Delbianco and Chaz Davies – the Italian getting the Welshman on the penultimate lap. It was a best result of the season for Ryuichi Kiyonari (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team), who took 11th.

    The championship lead now changes for the first time in 2019, with Jonathan Rea leading Alvaro Bautista by nine points, with the Northern Irishman being 61 points behind at one point. This remarkable comeback promises to give thrilling battles on Sunday at Donington Park.