2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship Nears Conclusion: Riders’ Championship Up for Grabs
As the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season draws to a close, the fight for the Riders’ Championship is heating up. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has the opportunity to clinch the title at Circuito Estoril, while there are numerous other storylines unfolding ahead of the Estoril Round. Let’s hear from some of the key players as they prepare for a thrilling weekend.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “My Goal is to Win the Race… Not Thinking About the Championship”
Looking ahead to a potentially title-sealing weekend, Razgatlioglu expressed his excitement and determination:
“After 2022, we come back here again and I’m really happy because I like this track. Last time, I lost because Alvaro passed me on the straight. I like this track, but this weekend’s going to be a little difficult. I’m just focused on the races because I missed winning. Maybe the weather will be different this weekend. My goal is to win the race. If I win all races and Bulega finishes third, we win the title. But I’m not thinking about this—I’m thinking the Championship finishes at Jerez. I’m just riding the bike and fighting for the win. If I win, I’ll be happier because second wasn’t enough for me at Aragon. I have zero stress now; I’m here to win the race.”
Razgatlioglu also noted his desire to finally triumph in wet conditions, something he has yet to achieve in WorldSBK:
“If it’s wet, I’ll be fighting for the win again. I’ve never won in wet conditions in WorldSBK. But really, zero stress—I’m not thinking about the Championship.”
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “There’s No Team Order… But I Won’t Disturb My Teammate”
Alvaro Bautista heads to Estoril in high spirits after a strong showing at MotorLand Aragon:
“After a Sunday like Aragon, I’m very motivated. Now, it’s a different track, different conditions. It’s been two years since I raced here. The target is to get the feeling I had at Aragon, which was really nice. I’m happy the feeling’s coming back! At the start of the season, we struggled a lot due to my injury, and I didn’t have confidence with the bike. But at Most, we made changes and I recovered that confidence.”
Touching on team orders at Estoril, Bautista clarified:
“At Aragon, we had a small briefing before the Saturday race because both riders had a chance to fight Toprak, but Bulega had the better shot. We decided to help Nicolo and not get between him and Toprak. I tried to make it so Nicolo lost two points instead of three, which was better. But this weekend, there’s no formal team order—I’ll try not to disturb him, and he won’t disturb me.”
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I Just Want to Enjoy the Weekend… I Don’t Want Team Orders”
Nicolo Bulega, focused on enjoying the upcoming race weekend, expressed his desire for a smooth event after a turbulent time at Aragon:
“I hope to be fast this weekend because, at Aragon, I was fast but it was a strange weekend. I want a normal weekend. Race 1 wasn’t a nice moment, and we lost points. I felt good, especially on Saturday, but the race pace wasn’t strong.”
When asked about team orders, Bulega emphasized his independence:
“I don’t have a specific goal for the weekend, other than to do my best. I’ve never asked for team orders, and I don’t want them. If Alvaro can win, he should win. We’re part of the same team, and it’s important for Ducati to win titles. Alvaro and I are both doing a great job.”
Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven): “We’ll Sign in a Few Days, a Few Weeks…”
Andrea Iannone gave an update on his future, while reflecting on his journey at Estoril:
“I think it’s an incredible track, and I’m really happy to be here. It’s been years since I rode here, but I’m excited! At Aragon, we did a good job, but I want more. Realistically, I never thought I’d be fighting to be the top Independent rider, especially against Danilo, who has more experience. Regarding the future, we haven’t signed anything yet, but we will in a few days or weeks—it’ll be a surprise!”
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “My Injury’s Fine… I Should Have No Pain on the Bike”
Jonathan Rea shared an update on his injury and discussed his performance goals for the weekend:
“My injury’s almost healed, so I shouldn’t feel any pain on the bike. At Aragon, a track where I’ve been strong, I had a disappointing weekend and struggled to be competitive. We’ll work step by step to address our weaknesses. The WorldSBK field is so competitive that being even slightly off puts you far behind.”
Rea also praised Razgatlioglu’s season:
“Toprak’s been incredible this season. Despite missing a few races due to injury, he’s still leading the Championship, which speaks to his dominance. It’s not a matter of if he wins the title, but when. Chapeau to him.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “I Want to Jump on the Podium Again!”
Danilo Petrucci is hoping for a better outcome than his 2012 MotoGP™ visit to Estoril, where he was lapped:
“Estoril has some bad memories for me—I was lapped by Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedrosa, and Rossi! But this track is wonderful, and after testing here in August, I have high expectations. I want to fight for a podium again, and I’m not focusing on the Independent Riders’ Championship. Winning our first race this season felt like a lifetime ago, but it was a special moment.”
Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW): “We Have Everything We Need to End the Year Better Than We Started”
Garrett Gerloff is determined to continue his strong form as the season winds down:
“I really like this track—it has a good flow. It was nice in 2020, but 2022 didn’t go my way. With BMW’s top speed, I think we’ll do well here. The bike’s more consistent now, and that’s been key. Early in the season, I gave everything just to break into the top ten. Now, I’m aiming to finish the season stronger than we started, and I’m confident we have what we need to achieve that.”
As the 2024 Superbike World Championship nears its conclusion, the Estoril Round promises to deliver thrilling action, with title contenders and riders alike fighting for crucial victories and personal milestones. Stay tuned!
