WorldSBK gears up for Pirelli
Emilia-Romagna Round: a thrilling showdown at Misano
What to look out for in Misano
- A private test at Misano provided the WorldSBK grid with the opportunity to prepare for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round.
- It was Toprak Razgatlioglu who was fastest at the Misano test after two days of action.
- Alvaro Bautista heads to Misano leading the standings, six points ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu.
The anticipation is building as the WorldSBK Championship heads to the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” for the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round from June 14th to 16th.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) comes into Misano with an impeccable record, having won the last four races at this iconic circuit. He is undoubtedly the man to beat, leveraging both his past success and current form, as he leads the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has rapidly adapted to his BMW machinery. Despite just three race weekends under his belt, Razgatlioglu has already propelled BMW into contention, equalling their best season’s tally with three wins. His familiarity with Misano, where he clinched victories in 2021 and 2022, will undoubtedly be an asset as he aims to further BMW’s impressive season.
The Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round will also mark significant firsts and comebacks for several riders. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) will experience their first home race on WorldSBK bikes, a milestone that promises to be special for the Italian duo and their local fans. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) will also be looking to make their mark at home, while Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) makes a welcome return after recovering from injury.
Adding to the excitement is Michele Pirro making a wildcard appearance with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati. Pirro’s vast experience and familiarity with the Ducati machinery will make him a formidable competitor and a fan favourite.
WorldSBK | KEY STAT
6 points between the championship leader and runner-up after 9 races is the narrowest margin since 2020, when Rea was leading Redding by just 4 points.
WorldSSP takes on Misano with top 4 in nail-biting contest
What to look out for in Misano
Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) leads the Championship with 86 points. Hot on his heels are Italians Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), both with 85 points. Manzi, who won the last WorldSSP race at Misano, is a strong contender for the top spot, while Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) is the only other rider on the current grid with a WorldSSP win at Misano.
Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) sits in fourth place with 84 points, making the top four in the Championship incredibly tight, with only two points separating them.
Adding to the intrigue, local rider Lorenzo Baldassarri has switched teams and will now compete for WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph, while Jorge Navarro will race for Orelac Racing Verdnatura. These team changes could bring a fresh dynamic to the race, with Baldassarri particularly motivated to perform well on home soil.
Misano challenge: WorldSSP300 riders on edge
What to look out for in Misano
Daniel Mogeda (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kawasaki) arrives at Misano as the leader of the WorldSSP300 standings, boasting 63 points. However, hot on his trail is Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki), determined to close the gap with his 57 points.
Keep an eye on Bruno Ieraci (Team ProDina Kawasaki), currently sitting at P12 in the standings but a double race winner at Misano last season. His experience and past success on this circuit make him a formidable contender.
Matteo Vannucci (Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia) stands out as the only other rider on the grid with a previous win at Misano, adding to the anticipation surrounding his performance. Italian riders are set to shine on home soil, with names like Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse), Mirko Gennai (MTM Kawasaki), Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo-PL Performances) eager to make their mark in front of their home crowd.
