Michael Rinaldi “FIT” for the free practice sessions of the Italian Round. Bautista and Bulega ready to defend their leadership in WorldSBK and WorldSSP

Michael Rinaldi will be riding the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Ducati Panigale V4R for the first free practice session of the Italian Round, which will begin tomorrow at 10.30am at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Following the scary accident he was involved in during the second lap of Race-2 at Donington, the Italian rider underwent the necessary medical examinations this morning, which yielded positive results. Rinaldi will be reviewed again after FP1 for a further check to obtain the final “FIT” for the remainder of the round.

Álvaro Bautista arrives at Imola to defend his championship lead. The reigning World Champion has conquered 16 victories and one second-place finish so far, earning 357 points, and he is now 93 points ahead of Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).

Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)

“We return to Imola, a track where I have raced only once but have fond memories. Plus, it will be the second home race for Ducati, which always adds to the excitement. I must admit that it won’t be an easy weekend because we don’t have much data for this track. Therefore, our goal will be to work as best as possible to find the same feeling we have had throughout the season so far. I don’t have any specific expectations; I hope to have fun and give the Ducati fans a great weekend.”

Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)

“I am truly happy to be back competing at the Imola Circuit, a fantastic track. I am thrilled to have been declared ‘fit’. I take this opportunity to thank the entire Dorna medical staff for their daily support since Donington. I will need to be reviewed after FP1, but it’s a normal procedure, and I hope to pass the examination without any issues. It will be a unique weekend also because we haven’t ridden on this track for a long time. Furthermore, the weather forecast predicts scorching temperatures throughout the weekend. But I assure you, it will be a lot of fun.”
 

WorldSSP

For Nicolò Bulega and the Ducati Panigale V2, the goal is to defend the first position in the World Supersport Championship standings. The Italian rider has a 55-point advantage over Manzi (Yamaha).

Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11):

“I can’t wait to race at Imola, even though it will practically be a new track for me. The last time I raced at the circuit was with the ‘PreGP’ in 2013, so I don’t have any references. However, we are coming from a very good period: I feel good and have trained a lot. I hope it will be a great weekend in front of many friends, Ducati enthusiasts, and the fans who support me.”

Ducati and Kawasaki rev limits updated ahead of the Prometeon Italian Round

Rev limits in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship category will be updated for the Prometeon Italian Round, as announced by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO).

Following the latest analysis of the relative performance of the machines over the last three rounds, the maximum rev limit for Ducati will be decreased by 250 rpm – as per article 2.4.2.2-3* of the regulations.

Ahead of Round 7 in Italy, Kawasaki has elected to use five concession points to benefit from a 250 rpm rev limit increase as per article 2.4.3.3 of the regulations.

*The rev limit may be updated (according to Art. 2.4.2.3) at the end of every 3rd event provided at least 3 events remain in the season.

A regularly updated version of the FIM SBK Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed on the FIM website.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport returns to historic Imola circuit with the WorldSBK – Leon Haslam on the second BMW M 1000 RR of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari at Imola will host the FIM Superbike World Championship for the first time since 2019.

Leon Haslam temporarily returns to the WorldSBK as a substitute rider for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

Imola is new territory for Scott Redding, as well as Garrett Gerloff and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team, while Loris Baz is already familiar with the track.
 

Munich. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is returning to historic Imola (ITA) with the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK). The seventh round of the 2023 WorldSBK season will take place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari from 14th to 16th July. The WorldSBK has regularly visited Imola in past decades, most recently in 2019. Leon Haslam (GBR) will ride the second BMW M 1000 RR alongside Scott Redding (GBR) in the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

Haslam is no stranger to BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the WorldSBK. The 40-year-old Briton has competed in a total of 316 WorldSBK races between 2003 and 2022, finishing as runner-up in the championship in 2010. In 2011 and 2012, he raced as a BMW Motorrad Motorsport factory rider with the BMW S 1000 RR, earning a total of eight podium finishes. In the current 2023 season, Haslam competes with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad British Superbike Team aboard the BMW M 1000 RR in the British Superbike Championship (BSB), where he has already achieved six podium finishes, including two at the recent round at Snetterton (GBR).

Imola is a track with a rich tradition, but as it has not been on the WorldSBK calendar in recent years, it is still unfamiliar to some. The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team is already familiar with the circuit from the past, as are Haslam and Loris Baz (FRA). However, Redding has not raced there before, and Garrett Gerloff (USA) will also make his Imola debut, as will the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team.

Quotes ahead of the Imola round.
 
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “First of all, many thanks to Leon for being available at short notice to be with us at Imola. We know each other well from the past, where we celebrated success together, and this season he has returned to the BMW Motorrad family in BSB and is familiar with the new BMW M 1000 RR. He also has a lot of WorldSBK experience, and we are confident that he will quickly get back up to speed at Imola. After his crash at Donington, Tom Sykes is on the road to recovery and was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after a week, and we all send him our best wishes. Michael participated in a track day last week, however a return for Imola would still be too early, and we have jointly decided that he will sit out this weekend, and then we will reassess the situation. Now we are excited about Imola. Scott showed a clear upward trend in Donington, which was confirmed by his fourth-place finish in the second race. Garrett was also fast and consistently strong there and we want to continue that at Imola. However, a major topic will be the high heat expected over the weekend which can be challenging for humans, machines, and tyres.”

Garrett Gerloff, #31 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “It’s going to be an interesting weekend, I think. It’s a track that I’ve never been to and it looks like it could be technical. But I feel good learning new layouts and this circuit being mainly a left-hand corner dominant one with some elevation changes and being tighter, it kind of reminds me of the tracks I raced in America a lot. I’m hoping this connection is a solid one and it does help me to learn it a bit faster, but I think there’s going to be a few people that haven’t been there or at least haven’t been there for a while. I just hope it will be a good weekend and we can keep improving like we did at Donington.”

Scott Redding, #45 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “Imola is new track for me so it’s another element to the weekend, I always like new tracks! I hope for a good weekend and to keep the momentum from Donington.”

Loris Baz, #76 BMW M 1000 RR, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “It has been a tough season and tough couple of weekends with completely no luck unfortunately at the last two rounds, which is a shame, because I feel strong again on the bike. I just need to have a calm weekend, so I hope Imola will be that one. I’m sending my best wishes again to Tom Sykes and Michael Ruben Rinaldi who were involved in the crash at Donington and I hope they can come back soon. For me, I’m really happy to come back to Imola. It’s a track that I always loved a lot and I have good memories there. It’s really an old school circuit with an atmosphere that is so different than the rest of the venues. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure we can be fast there. I have experience on this track, I know the layout and everything. I just hope we can put all of our bad luck behind now and have a nice and calm weekend on the BMW M 1000 RR. I know the guys in this team never stop working incredibly hard and I feel it’s definitely time to get our normal mojo back and rediscover the pace that we had in the beginning of this season.”

Leon Haslam, #91 BMW M 1000 RR, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It’s a fantastic opportunity. Obviously I have a lot of history with Imola. We took the championship in 2010 down to the last round at Imola. I have a lot of history from this circuit and it’s fantastic to ride again for BMW Motorrad Motorsport. We are riding the BMW M 1000 RR in the UK so I’m looking forward to work with Shaun Muir and all the guys from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. We will see. I have no real big expectations, I just want to try to enjoy and hopefully we can get some good information and some good results.”

Excitement builds as WorldSBK returns to Imola

Imola is a classic WorldSBK venue, offering thrilling races and a vibrant atmosphere. The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari carries a rich history and hosted some of the finest WorldSBK battles such as the Bayliss-Edwards’ Showdown in 2002.

DID YOU KNOW? 

In the 2001 Race 2 at Imola, the victory was decided by a razor-thin margin of just 0.021 seconds separating Regis Laconi and Ruben Xaus, making it the closest finish in the circuit’s history.

IMOLA’S HOT SPOTS WITH TOPRAK RAZGATLIOGLU

T2-3/ “I enjoy the first sector. In some corners you cannot see as they have blind entries. The first sector is fine and it becomes quite difficult afterwards. The first straight isn’t exactly straight, it’s a long curve before entering the first of four chicanes – Variante Tamburello. This chicane is not small or tight – it’s quite a big one … left, right then a curve on the exit.”

T7/” This is the only real hairpin, with a big climb on the exit. It’s slightly off-camber here. This is a good corner for braking. And you need good acceleration on the way out to arrive at T9. It is all uphill, so you need to carry good the speed with you.”

T18/ “It’s a curving downhill section followed by two left corners. I always like an old school track and an old school bike. I am going to ride here on my Yamaha for the first time.”

WorldSBK | KEY STAT

100

With three podium finishes at Donington Park, Toprak Razgatlioglu has now accumulated a total of 99 podiums, leaving him just one step away from reaching the impressive milestone of 100.

What to look out for in Imola

As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship arrives at the historic Imola circuit, anticipation is building for a thrilling weekend of racing.

Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati), currently leading the Championship standings, will be eager to make his mark at Imola, Ducati’s home round. With solid past results at this circuit, including a third-place finish in the Tissot Superpole Race and a second-place finish in Race 1 in 2019, Bautista knows what it takes to excel on this demanding track as he looks to add valuable points to his championship campaign and claim his first victory at the historic circuit.

Meanwhile, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) is on the verge of a significant milestone as he stands at 99 podium finishes. Imola presents a golden opportunity for him to reach the impressive milestone of 100 podiums. Despite it being his first time racing at Imola with Yamaha, Razgatlioglu will be pushing hard to achieve this feat and continue his strong form at Imola.

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) will be aiming to climb up the championship standings. Imola has been a happy hunting ground for Rea in the past, with his exceptional record at this circuit including 9 victories (among them the last four WorldSBK races at Imola). As he looks to close the gap in the championship race, Rea will spare no effort in his pursuit of success.

Another rider to watch out for is Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who recently celebrated his first podium finish at Donington Park. Competing on home soil, the Italian rider will strive to build on his recent success and deliver a strong performance at Imola.

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), currently holding third position in the championship standings, faces a unique challenge as he takes on Imola for the first time with a Superbike. The Yamaha rider will be eager to adapt quickly to the demanding circuit and maintain his strong position in the championship battle.

The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team will aim to carry forward their momentum after Scott Redding’s solid fourth-place finish in Race 2 at Donington Park. There’s a question mark over Redding’s teammate for the round, as Tom Sykes will be out injured after his Race 2 crash at Donington Park, whilst Michael van der Mark hopes to come back, but will only do so if he’s feeling fit enough.

More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:

Classic Italian Venue Next For Lowes And Rea

Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes will journey to the iconic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola circuit in Italy for the seventh round of the 2023 WorldSBK championship, which will be held between 14-16 July.

The once regular WorldSBK venue of Imola makes a somewhat unexpected welcome return to the calendar this season, offering a second immersive Italian experience after the fifth round was held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in early June.

Both KRT riders have competed on WorldSBK machinery at Imola before, although Lowes is about to race his official Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR there for the first time.

Rea has scored no fewer than nine of his record 118 career race wins at Imola, the most recent six of his Imola successes in partnership with KRT. His first Imola win was in 2011 and his most recent two were taken the last time WorldSBK raced there, in 2019.

Lowes is yet to score a podium at Imola but has already taken a top-three finish this season, at Mandalika, in early March.

In what has been a challenging campaign at times due to current Championship rules that compromise the ultimate racing potential of the Ninja ZX-10RR, Rea is fourth in the championship rankings and Lowes is seventh after six of 12 rounds have been completed.

The 4.936km Imola circuit is as unique as it is renowned, with no fewer than four chicanes of various designs and speeds. The layout backs onto the Santerno River on two sides, limiting any potential enlargement of the long, narrow paddock. The historic town of Imola is in plain view at its eastern end while the circuit itself encloses both the community-owned Acque Minerali park and even some private residences inside its heavily undulating layout.

After the Imola event, Autodrom Most hosts the Czech Round of WorldSBK, between 28-30 July. A five weekend-long summer break follows immediately after.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “When I saw Imola was back on the calendar I was already looking forward to this one. It is a great track with a real atmosphere. You feel very close to the fans, especially with the paddock being so closely-knit and intimate. The circuit is steeped in history. It has a nice layout, undulations and some of the most iconic sections of track in the world. I am looking forward to getting there and we have good memories from 2019. With a lot of data I hope we can start Friday with a strong set-up and continue being competitive, like we were at Donington last time out. It is important to try to stay on the podium and try to score some good points for our championship battles, because we will move on to Most soon after. These next two rounds, in Italy and the Czech Republic, mark a part of the championship where we want to capitalise and be strong. I cannot wait to get stuck in.”

Alex Lowes, stated: “Imola is an historic track which has seen some amazing WorldSBK battles, most notably the Edwards/Bayliss scrap to decide the championship during the 2002 season. The layout itself is quite challenging with fast and slow changes of direction and also some elevations and drops. We haven’t ridden there since 2019 but it is a track I really enjoy. It is an ‘old school’ style of circuit, which is quite challenging physically, especially in the hot temperatures that have been forecast for race weekend. My target, as always, is to get off to a good start on Friday so we can challenge for the podiums on Saturday and Sunday – and of course have some fun.”

Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti racing) will ride for his Italian-based team once more, this time at the second home round for the Puccetti squad, which is based in Reggio Emilia – a relatively short drive along the Autostrada network from Imola.

Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki) and Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing Kawasaki) continue their seasons at Imola, looking to score championship points.