The Acerbis Italian Round is here, and the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid gathers at the Cremona Circuit with plenty of anticipation. As the paddock prepares for battle, the pre-race chatter has revealed a blend of confidence, caution, and ambition. From riders eyeing redemption to those still recovering from early-season struggles, Cremona promises fireworks. Here’s what the top contenders are saying heading into Round 4.

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “After 10 Laps, the Bike Behaves Completely Differently”

Returning to Cremona for the first time as a competitor, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was characteristically candid about the challenges ahead.

“I’m really happy to arrive at Cremona after missing out on racing here last year,” Toprak said. “I tested here, but maybe only did 35 to 40 laps, not enough to really understand the bike setup. I like the layout, but we don’t have a base setup. I honestly don’t know if the track suits BMW or my style, but we’ll find out.”

Reflecting on his rival’s misfortune at Assen, he noted: “Bulega had two technical issues there, and especially the second one, where he was close to winning—it’s tough. Sure, it helped me in the points, but I never wish technical problems on anyone.”

As for his own challenges, Toprak revealed, “At Assen, my rear tyre was finished after 11 laps. I just wanted to finish in a good position. I hope here in Cremona we get a good result. The problem is that after 10 laps, the bike changes so much. I just don’t know what to expect, but I’m hopeful we can be near the front.”

Nicolo Bulega: “Ducati Understand the Issue—Let’s See if It Works”

After a frustrating double DNF at Assen, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is looking to reset at his home round, though he admits the Cremona circuit doesn’t naturally suit his riding style.

“I went home after Assen and needed some days to clear my head,” Bulega shared. “Watching the races back, I was fast, especially going from P10 to P1. I’m focusing on those positives and bringing that mindset to Cremona.”

On Ducati’s response to the technical problems, he’s cautiously optimistic: “I think Ducati understand what went wrong. Hopefully, we’ve solved it. I arrive here feeling confident. The results before Assen were strong.”

But Bulega offered a realistic note too: “Honestly, I don’t really like this track—it doesn’t quite fit my style. Still, we’ll do our best and aim for the podium.”

Danilo Petrucci: “To Repeat It Would Be a 99 Out of 100 in Difficulty”

Cremona holds special significance for Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who stunned the field in 2024 with a clean sweep of all three races. Can lightning strike twice?

“Last year was one of the best weekends of my career,” Petrucci said. “To win all three races in Italy—my first races of the season—was incredible. Repeating that will be very, very hard.”

“How hard? From 0 to 100, I’d say 99,” he added. “To improve on last year, I’d need to take pole too. There’s a bit more pressure this time because of last year’s results, but I’m treating it like any other race. A podium would be great. If not, top five at least. I lost too many points at Assen on Sunday and need to make those up.”

Jonathan Rea: “As Soon As I Sat on the 2025 Bike, I Felt Competitive”

Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) makes his long-awaited return to racing after injury, and he’s eager to get back to work and support the Yamaha effort.

“It feels great to be back. It’s been a long road, but I didn’t miss that many races in the end. Every day I worked to recover as fast as possible,” Rea said.

He reflected on the pain and grind of rehab: “The first few weeks were rough—being in a cast, the pain was intense. I spent hours every day in the hyperbaric chamber. As soon as I could train again, I went to Barcelona. Once I started feeling better, recovery came quickly.”

Rea was already feeling good before the injury. “Back in November, as soon as I rode the 2025 bike, I felt competitive. We had a really strong winter. I think the bike is one of the fastest over race distance, and we’re starting to see that now. Credit to Yamaha for all their work. I’m ready to get down to business.”

Alvaro Bautista: “I’m Really Enjoying This Year More Than Last Year”

While the 2025 season hasn’t gone entirely to plan for Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), the Spaniard is optimistic as he turns the page to Cremona.

“It’s been a wild start—some podiums, but also three races without points,” Bautista admitted. “It’s tough to recover from mistakes, but we move forward.”

On the uniqueness of Cremona, he said: “Most of us only started racing here last year. It’s a track with little margin, but I feel more comfortable this year. I don’t need to push to the absolute limit like in 2024.”

Bautista also teased what’s next: “We have a new Ducati coming in 2026, and right now, I feel like I’d like to ride it. I’m enjoying this season more than the last. That’s what matters most.”

Andrea Locatelli: “It’s Not Enough—I Want More”

Fresh off his first WorldSBK win, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) is feeling the momentum heading into his home round.

“I live close to Cremona, so it’s really special to race here,” Locatelli said. “I want to keep pushing, like in Assen, and try to win again—why not?”

He admitted the win meant a lot, but he’s far from satisfied. “You enjoy the moment, sure, but then you reset. For me, one win isn’t enough. I’m still dreaming, still working hard. I want more.”

On teammate Jonathan Rea’s return, Locatelli added: “It’s great that Jonathan’s back. We need that experience in the box. Yamaha is happy with me, and I’m happy with them, but we’re also considering what’s best for my future. There are always options, and we have to evaluate carefully.”

Yari Montella: “Saturday Has Been the Wrong Day for Us”

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) has only one mission this weekend—get through Saturday.

“I was thinking back recently—when I was 13 or 14, I trained at this circuit. Now I’m racing here in WorldSBK, it’s emotional,” he said.

Montella’s focus is sharp: “We need to finish on Saturday. That’s been the problem. We crashed out on Saturday in Australia, Portimao, and Assen. Sundays, we’re usually in the top ten. We know the areas to work on, and we’re improving. But Saturday has to go better.”

Axel Bassani: “We Can Do a Good Job If We Keep This Up”

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) is coming off his best result of the season—a top-five finish at Assen—and is hoping to carry that form into Cremona.

“Assen was great. First time in the top five for us with this new bike, so that’s a big achievement,” said Bassani. “Race 1 was strong, though I made a mistake—I’m sorry for the team. Still, the bike is working well overall.”

Cremona presents fresh challenges, especially with straight-line speed: “We’re lacking a bit on the straights, but the technical sections suit us. The key is to start at the front. At Assen, I used Toprak’s slipstream to get a good Superpole. If we can qualify well, we can race well. That’s the plan.”

Final Thoughts

As the WorldSBK paddock settles into Cremona, the narrative threads are already compelling: a wounded Bulega aiming to bounce back, a resurgent Petrucci defending a historic sweep, Rea’s return from injury, and Razgatlioglu trying to tame his unpredictable BMW. With weather and tyre wear always wildcards, anything could happen.

Cremona promises drama, redemption, and perhaps even a surprise or two—just the way WorldSBK fans like it.

Official WorldSBK Press Release