The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series got underway (eventually) with the Daytona 500 on Monday. F1 2024 bursts into life next week. However, this weekend it is the 2-wheel stars who take centre stage as the World Superbikes (WorldSBK) season launches at the famous Phillip Island Circuit in Australia.
Unlike MotoGP, the bikes ridden in the WorldSBK competition are souped-up road-going models which can used by the general public. So, whereas MotoGP can be compared to Formula 1, i.e. purpose build machines, WorldSBK in contrast is similar to sports car racing.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Nuts & Bolts of World Superbikes
This weekend’s action is the first of twelve rounds, culminating with the ‘Spanish Round’ at the Circuito de Jerez in October. Each race weekend consists of two full length races, the first taking place on a Saturday, the second on a Sunday. In recent years, an additional 10-lap sprint race known as the Superpole race has been added into the programme.
Points accumulated from all three weekend races each round are added to the main World Championship standings. With three titles up for grabs each season – Riders, Teams & Manufacturers Championships.
Embed from Getty ImagesJonathan Rea – The Latest in a Long Line of British Success Stories
British riders have a long and illustrious history in World Superbikes. Five champions in total have hailed from these Isles, winning a grand total of 14 titles between them since WorldSBK started in 1988. The most decorated of the Brit boys is Jonathan Rea, who won six Riders’ titles in-a-row on his Kawasaki from 2015-2020. He finished second in both 2021 & 2022 and was a well adrift 3rd in 2023.
The GB Superbikes’ trailblazer though was Carl Fogarty, who was victorious four times for his Ducati team during the 1990s. Jonathan Rea goes again this season, but he is broken ties with his beloved Kawasaki. “I needed something new, a new challenge” said the Northern Irish legend, who is with Team Yamaha for 2024.
The modern era of Superbikes has become a more Euro-focused competition. Fourteen riders from the USA and Australia, including stars such as Troy Bayliss & Colin Edwards, reigned in the past.
However, European riders have won the last 14 Championships on the spin. There are only 3 non-Euro riders set to race in 2024. Garrett Gerloff (USA), Adam Norrodin (Malaysia) & son of former World Champion Wayne Gardner, Remy Gardner (Australia). None of them are fancied to push for podium spots this year though.
Bookies have priced up Gardner as the best hope of the trio at odds of 66/1 for the Championship. Check all the latest title odds here.
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Bautista Continue to Bully his WorldSBK Rivals?
Alvaro Bautista is the current star of the Superbikes scene. The Spanish speedster goes in search of a third consecutive title, a WorldSBK feat that only Jonathan Rea has achieved. Bautista was 125cc world champion way back in 2006 and twice recorded top-6 season finishes in MotoGP (2012 & 2013). He has shot to stardom though during his second WorldSBK spell with Ducati. Romping to the title by 72pts in 2022 & 75pts in 2023.
2021 champion, Toprak Razgatlıoglu was Bautista’s ‘closest’ rival in both previous seasons and the Turk looks to be his main rival again. Nicolo Bulega, Bautista’s 2024 teammate at Ducati will also be worth keeping an eye on. He stormed to the Supersport World Championship title last season.
The WorldSSP Championship runs as the support class to the WorldSBK. Do not rule out [Jonathan] Rea either who will be looking to make an instant impact in his Yamaha. It will be the stuff of dreams if he could wrap up a 7th WorldSBK title after a four-year gap.
For all you night owls, insomniacs or (very) early birds out there, the live Eurosport 2 schedule for Round 1 at Phillip Island this weekend is as follows:
Saturday 24th February:
03:15 – WSBK Race 1
Sunday 25th February:
01:45 – WSBK Superpole Race
03:15 – WSBK Race 2
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Image Credit: Deposit Photos