2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship – Aragon Round Preview
The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returns, this time from the iconic MotorLand Aragon after an exhilarating stop in Italy. The Tissot Aragon Round marks a critical phase of the season, with riders making comebacks from injury and title hopes on the horizon. Here’s a recap of the key quotes and updates from Thursday’s press conference in Spain.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
“More stressed than when I was fighting for the title… my target is to win!”
Toprak Razgatlioglu opened up about his return after injury:
“When people saw me, everyone said, ‘Happy to see you back!’ It’s been a tough four weeks. Watching the races made me eager to return quicker. Today was difficult, and I felt more stressed than in 2021 when I was fighting for the title! I’m not 100% ready, as it’s been four weeks without training or riding. I’m fit now, though, and my motivation is high. I made a mistake in my crash; I tried to brake later and lost the front tyre. I’m focused on this weekend—this track isn’t easy for me, but we’ve won on new tracks before. My target is to win and fight for the podium. I’ve never won here in WorldSBK, so I’m determined to change that.”
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“I’m really happy that Toprak and Jonathan are fit.”
Alvaro Bautista reflected on his recovery and home race at Aragon:
“I feel better now than I did after Cremona. After the adrenaline wore off, I was exhausted, but I’ve been improving each day. I’m not 100%, but I’m hoping to feel better as the weekend progresses. Racing at home is always special, and I’ve had great memories here. I’m really happy that Toprak and Jonathan are fit. It’s always better to compete with everyone at their best. If Toprak is at full strength, I expect him to be very competitive and fight for victories in all three races.”
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha)
“Quite excited to ride… my thumb’s movement is quite limited.”
Returning from injury, Jonathan Rea shared his thoughts:
“I’m excited to get back on the bike, though I’m not fully fit. My thumb’s movement is still limited, and even putting on the glove is challenging. However, sitting on the bike felt okay. I’ve done everything possible to speed up the healing process. I’m eager to test the new bike’s wings—hopefully, they help with stability and allow me to keep the throttle more open. Let’s see if reality matches my expectations.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team)
“I want to win again as soon as possible…”
After tasting victory at Cremona, Danilo Petrucci is hungry for more:
“Winning in Italy was huge, especially with friends and family around. It was an amazing feeling. Now that I know what it takes to win, I want to repeat it soon. The goal is to enjoy the race and fight for podiums like we did in the last rounds. I’m not focusing too much on the Championship standings right now, but a top-three finish next year could be my goal.”
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“I recovered a lot of points, but I wasn’t happy to gain them against an injured rider.”
Bulega discussed the title fight and the upcoming race:
“I like this track and feel ready. At Cremona, I recovered a lot of points, but I’d rather have done it with everyone healthy. I prefer battling against fully fit riders, even if it’s tougher. Toprak was on a winning streak before his injury, and I expect him to be fast this weekend. I’m just focusing on doing my best, and we’ll see where we stand in the Championship.”
Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven)
“My idea is to stay in WorldSBK; I love this Championship!”
Andrea Iannone addressed his uncertain future in WorldSBK:
“We have good speed, and I feel confident, but everyone’s fast. I’m glad to see Toprak back, as he’s crucial to the Championship fight. My future is still unclear; we made progress at Cremona, but nothing is finalized yet. I want to stay in WorldSBK because I love this Championship, but I prefer to battle on the track, not off it.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing)
“I have something on the table… I just have to wait one or two weeks.”
Rinaldi is still searching for a ride in 2025:
“This is my favorite track, with great memories. Last year, I won here, and I’m excited to ride the new asphalt, which reportedly has more grip. My relationship with the team will end this season, but I still have options. I’ll decide my future in one or two weeks. For now, I’m focused on showing that I can still compete at the top level.”
Iker Lecuona (Team HRC)
“We’re missing turning ability from the chassis side…”
After a strong performance at Cremona, Lecuona is aiming for the podium:
“We tested before Cremona and nearly got a podium there. The new surface here feels different, and some corners, like Turn 12, are faster and wider. We’re still struggling with the bike’s turning, which was evident at Cremona, but overall, the bike works well. I’m confident, and my recent form gives me hope for a strong performance.”
As the Aragon Round kicks off, all eyes are on these riders as they make their comebacks, aim for wins, and continue to fight for the Championship. Stay tuned for an exciting weekend of Superbike racing!
Ahead of the meet & greet with fans in the City Hall square, riders Xavi Vierge, Andrea Locatelli, Adrian Huertas, Yeray Ruiz, and Gonzalo Sanchez joined local authorities for a photo opportunity.
Official WorldSBK Press Release
