WorldSBK Sunday Jerez

2024 World Champions

The 2024 season draws to a close with Toprak on top

Tissot Superpole Race Highlights

Nicolo Bulega of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati secured the Tissot Superpole Race win at the Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto with a daring overtake at Turn 5 on the fifth lap. Bulega had initially taken the holeshot but was soon challenged by Toprak Razgatlioglu from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team on Lap 2. The Turkish rider held the lead for four laps until Bulega reclaimed the front, immediately pulling away from Razgatlioglu. By the time they reached the chequered flag, Bulega had stretched his lead to over two seconds.

From his front-row starting position, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) ensured his final weekend racing for Kawasaki would end on a high, securing a podium finish. Although Danilo Petrucci of Barni Spark Racing Team closed the gap to within two-tenths of a second mid-race, Lowes kept his composure and claimed his eighth Superpole Race podium of the season.

WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race Results

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +2.375s
3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +4.182s

Race 2 Highlights

In Race 2, Bulega once again shot to the front from pole position, leading the opening two laps. However, on Lap 3, Razgatlioglu made his move into Turn 1 to take the lead and remained in control for the rest of the race. The gap between Razgatlioglu and Bulega remained tight, never exceeding a second. On Lap 10, Bulega found half a second, applying pressure on Razgatlioglu.

Despite grappling with grip issues, Razgatlioglu made a crucial adjustment to maintain his lead. When a red flag was waved on Lap 16 due to a technical issue with Phillip Oettl, Razgatlioglu had already done enough to secure his 18th victory of the season.

For the first time this season, Michael van der Mark joined his teammate on the podium. Starting from the second row, the Dutchman overtook Andrea Locatelli at the Dani Pedrosa Corner on Lap 3 to secure a podium spot. Van der Mark then faced attacks from Andrea Iannone, who made a move on Lap 9 but dropped to sixth after contact. Although Iannone was closing in on van der Mark when the red flag came out, he ultimately had to settle for fourth.

Alex Lowes finished fifth, wrapping up fourth in the overall championship standings, while Petrucci finished sixth.

Post-Race Interviews

P1 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
“After the Superpole Race, we made changes to the bike setup and switched the tyres. The package worked very well for Race 2, although losing grip in the last laps was challenging. I felt in control because the front tyre held up, and we took the win. This race was critical for me since it was the season finale, and I needed to finish on a high note. Ducati is a strong competitor, but this weekend showed BMW’s strength. However, we still have areas to improve for next season. Overall, I’m thrilled—becoming World Champion again and securing my second title is incredible. My first title was for my dad, but this one is for me. It’s been a long, successful season with 13 consecutive wins, and it feels amazing.”

P2 | Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“This weekend was probably my best of the year. I gave everything in Race 2, but Toprak was just too fast today. I struggled with the front, and I couldn’t push as hard as I did in the Superpole Race. My feeling with the bike wasn’t as good, and Toprak was quicker than yesterday. Still, I’m really pleased with my performance. I think I achieved the best I could today and this year. I’m proud of my rookie season and will remember this experience for the rest of my life.”

P3 | Michael van der Mark | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
“This podium feels like a dream. It’s been an incredible season for BMW, not just for winning the world title but also for the journey we’ve been on. I’ve put a lot of effort into developing this bike, and BMW has supported me all the way, despite some bad luck in recent years. I’ve felt the podium coming closer as the season progressed, and today, I finally made it. It’s extra special to stand on the podium with Toprak in the last race of the season. It’s a fantastic achievement for the whole team to finish the season with two riders on the podium, and now we’re ready to prepare for next year.”

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.545s
3. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +10.938s
4. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +12.399s
5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +13.522s
6. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +13.948s

Championship Standings

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 527 points
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 484 points
3. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 357 points

WorldSSP Third consecutive win for Manzi to finish the season

WorldSSP Season Finale Highlights

Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) dominated the final race of the WorldSSP season, leading from start to finish. Starting from third position, the Italian rider quickly capitalized on Can Oncu’s (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) misfortune when Oncu, who had been leading, crashed out at Turn 9 on the opening lap.

Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing), who had earned pole position based on his fastest lap in Race 1, dropped to fourth by the end of the first lap. Unfortunately, his race ended in disappointment as he crashed midway through the 17-lap contest, concluding the season in seventh place in the overall standings.

World Champion Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) started the race from fourth and stayed in the hunt for a podium throughout. However, a wide run at Turn 6 with just four laps remaining allowed Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) to slip past and claim the first podium of his WorldSSP career, finishing third. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) also took advantage, securing second place and his seventh podium of the season.

Simone Corsi’s tenth-place finish was enough to clinch the 2024 Supersport Challenge title, as the Renzi Corse rider ended the season with a comfortable 20-point lead over Tom Edwards.

Post-Race Interview:

P1 | Stefano Manzi | Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing
“The race was super tight today! In the beginning, it was relatively easy to hold the lead. Starting from the front row, I got a good launch off the line and found myself in P1 by the end of the first lap. My rhythm was strong, and I managed to create a gap. But after that, things became tricky. The riders behind me closed the gap, and I couldn’t break away—it felt like someone was on my tail in every corner! It was incredibly close, but I managed to hold on for the win. It’s amazing to finish the season this way, especially since this was the last race with the R6. Winning like this is a great way to honour the bike.”

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
2. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +0.275s
3. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.810s
4. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +3.504s
5. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +5.137s
6. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +7.468s

Championship Standings

1. Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 439 points
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 415 points
3. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 382 points

WorldSSP300 First title for Mahendra, first win for Kove

WorldSSP300 Race Highlights

Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) secured the 2024 WorldSSP300 championship with a sixth-place finish in the final race of the season. The Indonesian rider only needed four points to claim the title and maintained a steady position inside the top ten throughout the race, ensuring his championship victory.

Julio Garcia Gonzalez (KOVE Racing Team), who narrowly missed out on the win by just 0.003 seconds in the previous race, claimed victory in a thrilling drag to the finish line against Antonio Torres. This win marked KOVE Racing’s first-ever World Championship victory. Garcia Gonzalez, who had already secured five podiums this season, was joined on the podium by his teammate, Marc Garcia, making it a double celebration for KOVE.

Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki), needing a race win to stay in contention for the championship, led at various points but never officially crossed the line in first. His hopes for the title slipped away as he dropped to fifth place on the final lap.

Post-Race Interviews:

P1 | Julio Garcia Gonzalez | KOVE Racing Team
“I’m really happy because this is my first win in WorldSSP300! To take this win at my home round is amazing. It’s a really special moment for me and my team. Everyone has worked so hard all season, and I’m thrilled for KOVE. The team did a fantastic job, and we had both riders on the podium. I’m really happy with how we finished the season and can’t wait to continue next season with the team and Marc Garcia as my teammate!”

World Champion | Aldi Mahendra | Team BrCorse
“I’m so happy. It’s been my dream since childhood to become World Champion. When I saw my brother Galang racing in WorldSSP300 and WorldSSP, I thought, ‘I want to be like him.’ Now, I’m a World Champion, and it’s incredible for me, my family, and everyone. I’m also the first-ever Indonesian champion, which feels amazing! I can’t wait for next year as I’ll be moving up to WorldSSP with Yamaha!”

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

1. Julio Garcia (KOVE Racing Team)
2. Antonio Torres (ProDina Kawasaki Racing) +0.028s
3. Marc Garcia (KOVE Racing Team) +0.230s
4. David Salvador (MS Racing) +0.342s
5. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.538s
6. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +0.545s

Championship Standings

1. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) 221 points
2. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) 200
3. Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) 163

Official WorldSBK Press Release