What to Anticipate in Barcelona
The Supported Test, staged on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, has set the stage for the WorldSBK grid to gear up for the Pirelli Catalunya Round.
Nicolo Bulega of Ducati stole the limelight during the Supported Test, dominating proceedings by claiming the top spot on both days of action.
With Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes leading the standings upon arrival in Barcelona, all eyes are on him, closely shadowed by the promising newcomer Nicolo Bulega.
The reigning Championship leader, Alex Lowes, is yet to secure his maiden victory at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, which serves as the home turf for Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK. In contrast, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) boasts an impressive record at the Catalan track with six victories under his belt. His teammate, Nicolo Bulega, is eager to sustain the momentum from his strong season start and convert his performance from the Supported Test into triumph on the track.
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), after grappling with injury-related setbacks at the Australian Round, is determined to recapture his pre-season form with the Yamaha YZF R1 at a circuit where he has previously clinched two podium finishes. Meanwhile, teammate Andrea Locatelli, currently occupying third position in the standings, is resolute in bouncing back with a formidable result following a technical glitch that hindered his contention for victory in Race 2 of the Australian Round.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is set to make his debut at the Catalan venue with BMW. His impressive performance during the Supported Test prior to the Round suggests that he is likely to emerge as one of the frontrunners during the event. Concurrently, teammate Michael van Der Mark has previously tasted victory at this track with a different manufacturer. Together, they are focused on fine-tuning their BMW M 1000 RR to suit the demands of the circuit and aiming for a commendable performance.
Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) have both savoured triumph at this circuit in the past. Meanwhile, the duo from Team HRC, Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona, with the latter returning from an injury sustained at Phillip Island, are determined to elevate their performance for their home round.
WorldSBK | KEY STAT
6 different winners came out of 12 races run here so far: in 2022 Alvaro Bautista went from zero wins to the track record of three, doubling up last year, ending up at six. The only other rider to have more than one win here is Jonathan Rea at two.
Yari Montella leads Championship charge into Pirelli Catalunya Round
What to Keep an Eye on in Barcelona
Fresh from his stellar double triumph at Phillip Island, Yari Montella strides into the Pirelli Catalunya Round as the frontrunner in the Championship standings, with aspirations to surpass his lacklustre performances from last year’s outings in Barcelona, where he failed to crack the top 10.
Marcel Schroetter emerges as a formidable contender at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya, leveraging his sturdy showing in Australia and an illustrious track record of podium finishes at the Spanish circuit.
All gazes converge on Yari Montella of Barni Spark Racing Team as he ventures into Barcelona. With a flawless winning streak in Australia, Montella is poised to solidify his position as a serious title challenger with another commanding display on the Catalan turf. MV Agusta notably left their mark during the 2023 Catalunya Round, clinching a victory and notching up three podium finishes over the course of the event. Following his impressive performance in the season opener, where he secured two podium finishes, Marcel Schroetter of MV Agusta Reparto Corse emerges as one to keep a keen eye on.
The Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team, having tasted victory in Barcelona previously, harbours the promise of yet another commendable outcome, particularly with Adrian Huertas, who graced the podium in the preceding race. Stefano Manzi of Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing, commencing his 2024 campaign with a runner-up finish in Race 1, is eager to bounce back from his disappointment in Race 2 at Phillip Island. With a podium finish in 2023, he remains firmly in contention for victory. Can Oncu of Kawasaki Puccetti Racing also boasts a podium appearance at the Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2022 and is resolute in showcasing his resurgence to form after a lengthy absence due to injury throughout most of the 2023 season.
Revving Up for Action: WorldSSP300 Ready for 2024 Season Opener
The forthcoming 2024 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season promises a thrilling saga of high-octane competition as riders gear up for intense showdowns and nail-biting races on the international platform, kicking off with the eagerly anticipated Pirelli Catalunya Round at the iconic Circuito de Barcelona-Catalunya. With a roster of contenders representing esteemed manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, and Kove, each showcasing their unique strengths and innovations, excitement mounts for what is poised to be a scintillating spectacle in the upcoming WorldSSP300 campaign.
Grid Updates
Jeffrey Buis, the reigning champion under the banner of Freudenberg KTM-PALIGO Racing, embarks on a determined quest to defend his title following his consecutive triumphs in 2020 and 2023, cementing his status as the sole two-time champion in the category. Making the switch to KTM, Buis is poised to carve his name even deeper into the annals of WorldSSP300 history amidst stiff competition from his rivals.
Mirko Gennai, representing MTM Kawasaki, emerges as a prominent challenger to Jeffrey Buis’s supremacy. Joining forces with Buis’ former team, MTM Kawasaki, alongside Loris Veneman, Gennai brings his impressive record of four race victories to the Championship, with aspirations to dethrone the reigning champion. Among the returning contenders are familiar faces who tasted victory in the 2023 season, including Matteo Vannucci of Pata Yamaha AG Motorsport Italia, Aldi Satya Mahendra of Team BrCorse, and Jose Manuel Osuna Saez of DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team. Additionally, Bruno Ieraci of Team ProDina Kawasaki, who clinched victories as a wildcard entrant in the previous season, returns full-time to the championship, alongside Inigo Iglesias Bravo of Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki.
New Regulations
Aligned with the WorldSSP regulations, the WorldSSP300 category witnesses significant alterations in scheduling, notably with the grid formation for Race 2 determined by the fastest laps recorded in Race 1. Moreover, the Tissot Superpole sessions are scheduled for Friday following a morning Free Practice session, adding an intriguing dimension to the competition.
Images WorldSBK Official Press Release
