Located in South Australia, Shell V-Power Motorsport Park at The Bend will join the WorldSBK calendar from the Championship’s 41st season onwards. Australia has been a cornerstone of WorldSBK since the Championship first visited the country in 1990, producing some of the sport’s most successful riders and delivering memorable moments for almost four decades. The Bend is one of Australia’s leading motorsport facilities, featuring multiple circuit configurations and modern infrastructure designed to host international events.

Dr Sam Shahin, Managing Director of Shell V-Power Motorsport Park: “Securing WorldSBK is a significant achievement for The Bend and today’s announcement marks a historic day for motorsport and for South Australia. From the outset, our vision has been to create a proud facility capable of attracting the world’s leading motorsport categories and hosting the highest levels of international competition. A decade on, we celebrate a major milestone; WorldSBK is coming.

Read our other WorldSBK news here...

“This championship is set to bring the top motorcycle manufacturers, teams and riders to South Australia, creating a powerful platform that will showcase our venue, our passionate motorsport community and our state to a global audience. WorldSBK has an incredibly passionate global fanbase and we look forward to welcoming them to The Bend and delivering an event experience that reflects the significance of this championship and its place on the international calendar.”

Peter Malinauskas, South Australian Premier:  “Securing WorldSBK further strengthens South Australia’s position as Australia’s motorsport capital and will deliver significant economic, tourism and profile benefits across the state, and in particular our regions. South Australia has built one of the strongest motorsport portfolios in the country. From the world-class facilities at The Bend to the Adelaide street circuit, we are attracting premier events, passionate fans and global attention.

“With WorldSBK joining MotoGP, the Adelaide 500 and the AirTouch 500 Enduro, this announcement reinforces our commitment to motorsport and reflects our determination to ensure South Australia remains the home of motorsport in this country. It also provides a pathway for the next generation of riders, engineers, officials, volunteers and motorsport enthusiasts to engage with world-class competition right here at home.”

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director: “Australia holds a special place in the history of WorldSBK and remains an important market for our championship, manufacturers, teams and fans. We are pleased to confirm The Bend as the future home of the Australian Round from 2028.

“The venue offers excellent facilities and a strong commitment to motorsport, providing a solid platform for the next chapter of WorldSBK in Australia. We look forward to working closely with the team at The Bend and all local stakeholders as preparations begin for the first event in 2028.”

Further information regarding the inaugural WorldSBK event at The Bend, including dates and ticketing details, will be announced in due course. Keep an eye on WorldSBK.com

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TISSOT SUPERPOLE RACE

Sunday morning’s Tissot Superpole Race proved unpredictable as light rain fell shortly before the start, creating mixed grip conditions and forcing riders to adapt on slick tyres.

Starting from the middle of the front row, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) quickly asserted control, stalking early leader Yari Montella before making a decisive move at Turn 10 once the rain intensified. From there, Bulega managed the conditions superbly to secure his second win of the day and maximum points heading into Race 2. Montella made a dream start, claiming the holeshot into Turn 1 and leading his first-ever WorldSBK laps.

The Barni Spark Racing Team rider held firm in the early stages but gradually slipped back as the rain increased, eventually finishing just outside the podium in fourth. The Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team enjoyed a breakthrough result, with Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes delivering a double podium for the Italian manufacturer. Bassani’s second place marked his first WorldSBK podium since 2023, while Lowes successfully defended third under pressure from Montella in the closing laps.

Behind the podium fight, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) ran closely together throughout, while Alvaro Bautista and Iker Lecuona capitalised on the conditions to recover from deep grid positions and secure valuable points and improved starting positions for Race 2.

TISSOT SUPERPOLE RACE – Top 10 Results
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +2.752s
3. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +3.563s
4.  Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)
5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team)
6. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team)
7. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team)
8. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha)
9. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
10. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

A torrential downpour made Race 2 treacherous, but Bulega converted pole into the lead and controlled the race throughout. He was over a second clear after one lap, five seconds ahead at half distance and 11 seconds in front at the flag in a masterclass of wet-weather riding.

Read our race news and WorldSBK features here…

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) started from the front row and battled the Lowes brothers early on before settling into third for much of the race. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) showed strong pace and passed Bassani on Lap 2, but crashed heavily at Turn 9 on Lap 16. His misfortune promoted teammate Alvaro Bautista to his first podium of the season.

Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) capitalised on the wet to secure a career-best fourth, while Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) crashed later in the race, easing Mackenzie’s run to the finish. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) led the Yamaha charge in fifth, ahead of Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

Having spent the early stages of the race in podium contention, Sam Lowes suffered a high-speed crash at Turn 3. The ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider was diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and contusions to his right hand and left ankle. Bulega leaves the opener with a 20-point lead over Bassani, while Montella remains third despite his Race 2 crash. Ducati tops the Manufacturers’ Standings by 20 points, with all six manufacturers scoring during the weekend.

Nicolo Bulega – “It was an amazing weekend. Honestly, it was incredible. The Superpole Race this morning was a bit tricky because it started to rain and we were on slick tyres. I had to be very careful but we won and I really enjoyed the race. I was a bit angry before Race 2 because I knew I had a very good feeling and strong pace in the dry but it started to rain. I tried to turn that frustration into positive energy to win in the wet as well. I started well and had a good feeling from the start. The track became quite slippery but I managed to win again. I’m really happy.”

Axel Bassani – “It’s been a really nice Sunday. We’ve been fast all week and had good, consistent pace. We were always inside the top five and I felt good with the bike. In the wet conditions I didn’t expect this result because during testing in the wet the feeling wasn’t great. I was cautious at the start and focused on being consistent and not making mistakes. In the end it worked. I want to thank the whole team for their hard work. We showed this morning, with both bikes on the podium, that the team is working very well. Alex is also fast and it’s been a really strong Sunday for us.”

Alvaro Bautista – “We tried a new setup and it helped me a lot. I felt more comfortable with the bike. During the Superpole Race, I was positive because I started from P12 and finished seventh. Our pace was good enough to fight for the podium, as I caught the front group, but the race was too short. In any case, I was happy with the feeling and the speed. In the wet for Race 2 it was a lottery. Finishing third was a good way to end the weekend. We’ll keep working to improve.”

WorldSBK – Race 2 Top 10 (Full results here…)
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +11.336s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +17.790s
4. Tarran Mackenzie (MGM Optical Express Racing) +28.356s
5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +30.966s
6. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +31.901s
7. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
8. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
9. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team)
10. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team)

WorldSBK – Championship Standings (after Round 1)
1. Nicolo Bulega – 62 points
2. Axel Bassani – 42
3. Yari Montella – 26
4. Lorenzo Baldassarri – 25
5. Alvaro Bautista – 19
6. Iker Lecuona – 19
7. Tarran Mackenzie – 17
8. Miguel Oliveira – 17
9. Sam Lowes – 16
10. Danilo Petrucci – 16

WorldSSP 600

A heavy rain shower before Race 2 left the grid gambling between wet tyres and slicks. The top riders who opted for slicks were rewarded, with Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) claiming victory in his debut WorldSSP weekend. From last on the grid, Aldi Satya Mahendra completed a stunning one-two for the team.

Jaume Masia, winner on Saturday for Orelac Racing Verdnatura, started from pole but chose wets and was forced to pit for a tyre change, finishing inside the top ten. Title rival Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) rebounded after pitting to take fifth at the flag.

Aussie Oli Bayliss was one caught up in the tyre issue, having to pit and change to slicks, stopping any chance of a second podium finish for the weekend, however, his race one form is a sign that the NSW rider is going to be a great one to watch for Australian fans this season…

Albert Arenas – “It feels great to win again! This has been a very special weekend. It’s been difficult though because we had some issues. We overcame them and to take the win was very satisfying. We tried both rain tyres and slicks in the warm-up and that helped us make our decision for the race. It was raining when I went to the grid but I could feel the bike was still rideable. I checked several weather forecasts and decided to take the gamble. In the end, it worked. It’s nice when the risk pays off.”

WorldSSP – Race 2 Top 10 (Full results here…)
1. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team)
2. Aldi Satya Mahendra (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +4.937s
3. Matteo Ferrari (WRP Racing) +13.967s
4. Alessandro Giombini (Motozoo by Puccetti Racing) +50.953s
5. Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +1’25.203s
6. Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) +1 lap
7. Alessandro Zaccone (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) +1 lap
8. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +1 lap
9. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +1 lap
10. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +1 lap

WorldSSP Championship Standings (after Round 1)
1. Albert Arenas – 38 points
2. Jaume Masia – 31
3. Matteo Ferrari – 26
4. Philipp Oettl – 25
5. Aldi Satya Mahendra – 23
6. Can Oncu – 22
7. Oli Bayliss – 20
8. Roberto Garcia – 17
9. Alessandro Zaccone – 17
10. Andrea Giombini – 13

The post WorldSBK Round 1 | Bulega Wins On Sunday, Bimota Double Podium appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

In Tissot Superpole, Bulega delivered Ducati’s landmark 200th WorldSBK pole position with a blistering 1’28.244s lap aboard his Aruba.it Racing Ducati machine. It marked the tenth pole of his WorldSBK career and immediately set the tone for the opening race of the season. Behind him, Yari Montella claimed his first front-row start for the Barni Spark Racing Team, while Sam Lowes completed an all-Ducati front row for ELF Marc VDS Racing.

Tissot Superpole results are here… Read our WorldSBK content here…

World Superbike

When the lights went out for Race 1, Bulega converted pole into the holeshot and immediately began to stretch the field. Controlling the pace from the front, he led all 22 laps and crossed the line with a margin of just under five seconds to open his title campaign in emphatic fashion.

Montella backed up his Superpole performance with a measured and mature ride to second place, holding position throughout the race to secure his maiden WorldSBK podium. The Italian never threatened the runaway leader but comfortably managed the gap to the riders behind.

Remy Gardner was also forced to retire and classified as a DNF, capping a challenging Race 1 for the manufacturer at Phillip Island…

The fight for the final podium position delivered one of the highlights of the race. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) absorbed sustained late-race pressure from Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), crossing the line just 0.036s ahead to claim his first podium in the premier class.

One of the standout recovery rides came from Iker Lecuona, who charged from the fifth row of the grid to sixth place. His progress included a decisive pass on Alex Lowes at Turn 8 after closing rapidly in the second half of the race.

Starting from 21st after a Superpole crash, Miguel Oliveira produced an impressive recovery ride to eighth. A lively mid-race battle with teammate Danilo Petrucci saw the pair exchange positions before Oliveira emerged ahead.

It was a difficult opening race for Yamaha. Xavi Vierge was running inside the top ten and leading the Yamaha charge before a heavy crash exiting Stoner Corner with six laps remaining ended his race. Fellow Australian Remy Gardner was also forced to retire and classified as a DNF, capping a challenging Race 1 for the manufacturer at Phillip Island.

WorldSBK – Race 1 Top 10 (Full results here…)
Nicolo Bulega
Yari Montella
Lorenzo Baldassarri
Axel Bassani
Sam Lowes
Iker Lecuona
Alex Lowes
Miguel Oliveira
Alberto Surra
Danilo Petrucci

WorldSSP 600

In WorldSSP, Jaume Masia dominated the opening race of the season for Orelac Racing Verdnatura, while Australia celebrated a home podium as Oli Bayliss claimed a career-first World Championship top three for PTR Triumph Factory Racing.

WorldSSP – Race 1 Top 10 (Full results here…)
Jaume Masia
Philipp Oettl
Oli Bayliss
Albert Arenas
Can Oncu
Matteo Ferrari
Ondrej Vostatek
Alessandro Zaccone
Roberto Garcia
Jeremy Alcoba

The post WorldSBK Round 1 | Bulega Dominates Superpole and Race 1, Bayliss Podiums appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

The Aruba.it Racing Ducati rider topped both sessions and ended the day with a best lap of 1’28.858s, almost half a second clear of Alex Lowes, who led the chase aboard the impressive new Bimota KB998 Rimini superbike.

A red flag in FP2, caused by wildlife straying onto the circuit, curtailed late running and meant Bulega’s most telling work came via a strong and consistent nine-lap stint. The Italian has looked supremely comfortable all week and arrives at a circuit where he famously claimed a clean sweep of victories last season. Once again, he looks the rider to beat.

Lowes’ day was highlighted by genuine progress in the hotter afternoon conditions. Although a Turn 4 fall ended his session early, the Briton’s pace on long runs confirmed the potential of the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team package. Team-mate Axel Bassani reinforced that promise with fourth fastest overall, keeping Bimota firmly in the WorldSBK spotlight.

Third fastest was Sam Lowes, despite a Turn 1 crash in FP2 for the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider. Lowes completed 33 laps across the day and emerged as the leading Independent Rider, showing consistent 1’29s pace whenever he was able to push.

The strength of the Independent Ducati squads was further underlined by Alvaro Bautista, Lorenzo Baldassarri and Yari Montella, who rounded out positions five through seven on the combined timesheets for the day.

A quietly impressive Friday came from Garrett Gerloff, ninth fastest for the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team. The American showed clear progress in his second season on the Kawasaki, helped by reuniting with long-time crew chief Les Pearson.

The all-new ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider line-up continued its learning curve, with Miguel Oliveira and Danilo Petrucci finishing tenth and twelfth respectively as they adapt to the BMW M 1000 RR. Full results for the day are here…

WorldSSP: Masia the man to beat ahead of home-hero Bayliss

In WorldSSP, momentum from testing carried straight into qualifying as Jaume Masia completed a perfect Friday by claiming the first Tissot Superpole of the season. The Orelac Racing Verdnatura rider secured pole position with a 1’32.115s lap, edging the field by 0.172s.

Australian fans had plenty to cheer about as Oli Bayliss delivered a career-best qualifying performance to line up second for PTR Triumph Factory Racing. Bayliss has been one of the standout riders all week and looks poised to challenge for race victory on home soil.

It was also a landmark session for a new manufacturer in the class, with Valentin Debise taking third on the grid aboard the ZXMOTO machine of ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing. The Frenchman completed 20 laps and appears well-prepared for the Chinese brand’s WorldSSP race debut.

Fourth went to Can Oncu, now with Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing, while Bayliss’ team-mate Tom Booth-Amos salvaged fifth despite a heavy Turn 11 highside that brought out a red flag late in the session. With strong pace across both championships and local heroes well placed, Phillip Island is set for a fascinating opening weekend of racing. Full results for the day are here…

WorldSBK Phillip Island Friday Gallery

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WorldSBK testing at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit wrapped up with Nicolo Bulega setting the benchmark on a dominant Ducati showing. The Italian topped all four sessions, completing 138 laps of the 4.445km circuit, while the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad locked out the first four positions on the timesheets.

Read our WorldSBK content here…

Bulega’s fastest lap of 1’28.630 confirmed his status as the man to beat, with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) six tenths behind. Bassani and Lowes proved competitive for bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, completing a combined 140 laps and showing strong pace ahead of the opening round.

Crashes marred the final day of testing, with Jake Dixon sidelined by a fractured left wrist after a Turn 11 fall. Stefano Manzi and Alvaro Bautista also crashed at Turn 2 and Turn 10 respectively, though Bautista still topped the mileage charts with 74 laps.

Get your tickets and find out the info for Phillip Island here…

Lorenzo Baldassarri’s return to Superbike impressed as the Team GoEleven rider ended the test third fastest, while Miguel Oliveira led the rookies in seventh place for ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.

Nicolo Bulega – P1:

“I feel good with the bike. We tried something different during the second session but then returned to the previous setting. There’s still a lot of room to improve, and I want to take that step forward with my team ahead of the race weekend.”

Sam Lowes – P2:

“I had a really good day. We improved the bike this afternoon and I found a good rhythm after a longer run in the morning. The team has done a great job session by session, and I feel competitive heading into the weekend.”

Lorenzo Baldassarri – P3:

“It was another positive day. We focused on consistency with the race tyre and built a strong feeling with the bike. Testing results were a bit unexpected, but I feel ready for the first race weekend.”

Day 2 Combined Results:
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’28.630s
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.666s
Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.698s
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.721s
Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.743s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.945s

Testing now concluded, the paddock turns its focus to Round 1, with Bulega and Ducati looking ominously strong as the season opener approaches.

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Pre-season title favourite Nicolo Bulega wasted no time stamping his authority, topping both sessions for the Aruba.It Racing – Ducati squad. The Italian completed 72 laps and logged more than 30 tours under the 1m30s mark, underlining his strong pace aboard the new Ducati package. Only three other riders managed to dip beneath the 90-second barrier, with Axel Bassani emerging as Bulega’s closest challenger. The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team rider ended the day just 0.291s adrift.It was a dramatic opening for Sam Lowes, who endured a technical issue in the morning followed by an afternoon crash. Despite the setbacks, the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team rider rallied strongly, setting his fastest lap late in the day during a six-lap stint to secure third overall.After limited dry running over the European winter, Xavi Vierge impressed as the fastest Yamaha rider, placing ninth aboard the Pata Maxus Yamaha machine. A morning crash failed to derail reigning Supersport World Champion Stefano Manzi, who finished just two-tenths behind Vierge as he continues adapting to life in the Superbike class with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.Rookie honours went to Jake Dixon, the former Moto2 rider ending the day tenth for Honda HRC, ahead of Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Manzi.The session wasn’t without incident, with eight crashes recorded during Superbike running. Among them was an early-afternoon fall for Alvaro Bautista at Turn 5. The double world champion and eight-time Phillip Island race winner still managed eighth fastest, almost a second off Bulega’s benchmark, and is expected to close the gap as testing continues.Speaking after topping Day One, Bulega said the focus was on mileage and understanding the new bike following disrupted winter testing. Despite the hot conditions costing a few tenths, he was encouraged by the base setup and remains confident of making further gains ahead of race weekend.

Day One Results (Top Six)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) – 1’29.345
Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.291
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.562
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.576
Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) +0.670
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.914

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Fans and media attending the international racing weekend can see a broad selection of Kawasaki’s latest and most iconic motorcycles on static display, spanning hypersport, supersport and heritage-inspired road models.

At the heart of the exhibit will be Kawasaki’s performance machines, including the supercharged Ninja H2 and the high-performance Ninja ZX-10R, a model with deep links to WorldSBK racing and recent global updates reflecting its track-borne pedigree.

The Kawasaki lineup also features well-rounded sport and roadster models such as the Ninja ZX-6R, the retro-styled Z900RS SE, and the accessible middleweight Z500 SE, offering something for a wide range of riders and enthusiasts.

Complementing the Kawasaki machines, the display will also showcase several Bimota models, a marque closely associated with Kawasaki through shared engineering and racing ties. Among these are the striking Tesi H2 and its TERA variant, along with the KB4 and KB998 Rimini, the latter reflecting Bimota’s blend of Italian design and Kawasaki-derived performance.

The WorldSBK Australian Round is a highlight on the global racing calendar, bringing elite motorcycle racing to Phillip Island’s fast, flowing 4.445 km layout each summer. Kawasaki’s presence on paddock and display underscores the brand’s strong connection to performance culture in both competition and road-going motorcycles.

Kawasaki welcomes visitors to check out its full display throughout the WorldSBK weekend, with social media channels set to share event highlights and behind-the-scenes content. See you there!

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With just over a month to go, organisers have officially released the full three-day event schedule, confirming a packed program of international and domestic racing across the weekend – we will see you there!

World Championship On-Track Action

On the international front, WorldSBK will begin proceedings on Friday, February 20, with two Free Practice sessions, while the World Supersport (WorldSSP) field will complete Free Practice followed by the all-important Tissot Superpole session.

Read our WorldSBK reports and features here…

Saturday’s action ramps up with WorldSBK’s final Free Practice, before Superpole and Race 1 close out the day. WorldSSP will contest a Warm Up session ahead of Race 1 later in the afternoon.

The event concludes on Sunday, February 22, with WorldSBK Warm Up, followed by the Tissot Superpole Race and the final feature Race 2, scheduled for a 4:00pm finish. WorldSSP will also complete their Warm Up and Race 2 during the closing day.

Strong Australian and International Line-Up

All permanent WorldSBK and WorldSSP riders have been confirmed for the season opener. Australia’s presence remains strong, with Remy Gardner returning for his fourth WorldSBK season aboard the GYTR GRT Yamaha, while Oli Bayliss continues in World Supersport with PTR Triumph Factory Racing.

Check out the awesome Pirelli Tyre ticket giveaway here…

Several high-profile changes headline the 2026 grid, including Miguel Oliveira, who will make his WorldSBK debut with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, following a long MotoGP career. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) enters the season as one of the favourites after finishing runner-up in 2025, just 13 points behind outgoing champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, who departs for MotoGP in 2026.

Australian Superbike Championship Support

Supporting the World Championship is Round 1 of the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), featuring Australian Superbike, Supersport, and Supersport 300 categories.

Read our ASBK reports here…

Domestic classes begin Friday morning with Free Practice, followed by Qualifying for Supersport and Supersport 300. Supersport 300 Race 1 will close out Friday’s track action.

Saturday includes Australian Superbike Qualifying, Supersport 300 Race 2, Supersport Race 1, and Australian Superbike Race 1, before Supersport completes Race 2 later in the day.

Sunday delivers the final domestic races of the round, with Supersport 300 Race 3, Australian Superbike Race 2, Supersport Race 3, and Australian Superbike Race 3 rounding out the weekend.

Tickets, Access and Fan Experience

General Admission tickets offer extensive viewing access across the circuit, including the popular outfield areas near Gardner Straight. Fans can also ride their motorcycles directly to select viewing points.

Premium options include BarSBK, offering prime viewing locations at Doohan Corner, Siberia and Lukey Heights, as well as camping at the circuit, with both motorcycle-only and general camping areas available. Limited powered sites are offered.

For the ultimate experience, VIP Hospitality and ClubSBK packages provide pit roof access, premium facilities and views of Superbikes reaching speeds of up to 320km/h along Gardner Straight.

All ticket holders receive free paddock access, including Parc Fermé, podium celebrations, rider interviews, merchandise, food and drink, and The Paddock Show, hosted by Michael Hill across all three days.

Tickets are available now via worldsbk.com.au and Ticketek…

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Friday practice
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) topped the timesheets on Friday at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s final round of the year kicked off in Spain. Bulega didn’t have Friday all his own way after hitting technical trouble in Free Practice 2, as he claimed top spot ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

Read our previous WorkdSBK round reports here…

WorldSSP

With the Riders’ Championship wrapped up, the FIM Supersport World Championship’s riders returned to Spain for the final round of their season at the beloved Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The Pirelli Spanish Round looked like it would host a thrilling final chapter as Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing #40) took pole in the Tissot Superpole session. The Italian was joined on the front row by Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) and Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura #51), the latter making his return to the front row for the first time in five rounds.

Saturday
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) set a lap time that left jaws dropped in Tissot Superpole for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he claimed pole at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia. He was the only rider in the 1’36s bracket, as he obliterated his own lap record from last year on the way to beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) to P1 on the timesheets.

WorldSBK Race 1

The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title race will go down to the wire after Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) dominated Race 1 at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) by nearly four seconds. Bulega converted his pole into victory, remaining unbeaten on Saturday, while Razgatlioglu finished second but couldn’t clinch the championship early.

Razgatlioglu got a strong start and took the lead at Turn 1, but Bulega quickly responded and seized control by the opening sector. Razgatlioglu dropped down the order but fought back to P2 after passing Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) at Turn 6. However, Bulega had already opened a two-second gap, lapping consistently in the 1’38s while Razgatlioglu stayed in the 1’39s. Bulega cruised to his 18th WorldSBK career win, while Razgatlioglu’s second place marked his 25th consecutive podium, tying Colin Edwards’ all-time record. Razgatlioglu now needs just three points in Sunday’s races to secure the title.

The battle for third was intense, with Iannone leading early but under pressure from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) and Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC #97). Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) was working his way up the field. Lowes often challenged Iannone through Turns 12 and 13, but Iannone held firm. By Lap 11, Bautista made a bold move at Turn 13, passing Vierge and Lowes to reach P4. Bautista’s attack on Iannone at Turn 13 on Lap 13 saw him briefly take third, though a mistake at Turn 2 dropped him back behind Iannone and Vierge.

Bautista reclaimed third at Turn 6 on Lap 15, strengthening his championship standing with a record sixth consecutive P3 finish. Meanwhile, Vierge pressured Iannone for fourth, eventually passing him at Turn 13 on Lap 18, though Iannone fought back on Lap 19 after Vierge ran wide. Iannone held on to fourth by the finish.

“On Saturday we made a step with the bike. In the morning, we had an incredible lap in the Superpole, and in Race 1 we did very well. I’m happy with my Saturday, and we’ll see about Sunday,” Bulega said.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +3.766s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.569s
4. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +11.221s
5. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +12.272s

WorldSSP Race 1

The FIM Supersport World Championship’s penultimate race at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto saw Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) continue his dominant season with his 19th podium, claiming victory. He was joined by rookie Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52), who scored his second career podium in P2, and Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team), who tied Nicolo Bulega for ninth on the all-time WorldSSP podium list with 30 finishes.

At the start, Oncu took the holeshot ahead of Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing). On Lap 2, Oncu forced Casadei wide at Turn 6, pushing him back to P8; this move was deemed irresponsible riding by the FIM Stewards, resulting in a penalty that dropped Oncu two positions after he eased off on the back straight. Masia and Manzi then passed him, with Manzi capitalising on Oncu’s penalty to move into the lead.

Manzi later set his sights on Alcoba, making a decisive late-race pass to take the win. Alcoba pushed hard in the second half and led into the final lap but ran wide at Turn 13, allowing Manzi to reclaim the lead. Oncu, despite a strong start, struggled with pace in the closing stages, finishing fourth. However, a track limits penalty dropped Masia from the podium to P4, promoting Oncu to third.

Masia had looked strong early, challenging Manzi and Oncu for the lead, but his final corner mistake cost him a podium finish. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #76) impressed by moving from P10 to finish fifth, while Casadei, after being forced wide by Oncu early on, was unable to recover and settled for sixth.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
2. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +0.051s
3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.329
4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +0.400s
5. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +1.625s

Sunday
Superpole Race

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed victory despite a collision with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in the Tissot Superpole Race for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The pair came together at Turn 5 on the opening lap, with the title fight going to Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) completing the podium at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

The title race took a HUGE twist when Bulega and Razgatlioglu collided at Turn 5, with ‘El Turco’ sliding into the gravel and out of the race. The incident was placed under investigation by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards, with the #11 given a Long Lap Penalty for irresponsible riding. Bulega went on to take victory and take 12 points out of Razgatlioglu’s Championship lead even after his penalty, while Razgatlioglu would start Race 2 from the fourth row in tenth place. The reigning Champion held a 22-point lead over Bulega heading into Race 2, meaning Bulega had to win with a non-score for Razgatlioglu to claim the title: ‘El Turco’ needed to lose 22 points or fewer to win the title, with countback going in his favour. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) battled his way up to second, ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) who completed the podium.

Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) once again fought for a podium, finishing in fourth place behind ‘The Maniac’ as he closed the gap on Iannone throughout the final few laps. However, he also had to resist a challenge from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) to hold on to P4, with the #22 finishing fifth.

Superpole Race Results

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.055s
3. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) +5.236s
4. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +6.484s
5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +6.900s

WorldSBK Race 2

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) secured his third MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title with a podium finish in Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed victory to complete a Pirelli Spanish Round hat-trick. Starting tenth, Razgatlioglu finished third, clinching the championship in the final race of the season.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) led early at Turn 1 ahead of Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC), while Bulega dropped from P1 to P3 but quickly passed Vierge and Bautista to take the lead by Lap 2. Razgatlioglu steadily climbed from tenth to sixth by Lap 2, knowing he needed just three points to secure the title. He moved into fifth on Lap 4, then into fourth on Lap 6, and claimed third from Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) on Lap 9, closing in on the podium as Bulega pulled away.

Bulega maintained a gap of over 3.5 seconds, but Bautista reduced it to 1.8 seconds by the finish. Bulega’s win secured Ducati the Manufacturers’ Championship and marked his 20th WorldSBK victory. Bautista rounded out the season with his 21st podium and 128th WorldSBK career podium. Razgatlioglu leaves WorldSBK as a three-time World Champion and joins an elite group moving to MotoGP alongside Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and Jonathan Rea.

Behind the leaders, a fierce battle for fourth unfolded. Vierge briefly took fourth on Lap 10, with Locatelli responding. Both ran wide at Turn 13, allowing Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) to slip through, but he later ran wide at Turn 1, dropping to sixth. Locatelli ultimately edged Vierge by 0.098 seconds to claim fourth in a tight contest among future Yamaha teammates.

“The feeling is amazing. This weekend was a bit stressful because everything was going very well, especially on Saturday. Today I came to the track more relaxed, just needing a P7 in the Tissot Superpole Race, but we crashed in Turn 5. After that, I stayed calm and just focused on Race 2 because I just needed a strong performance there. In the end, we won the title,” Razgatlioglu reflected.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.793s
3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +6.339s
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +8.833s
5. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +8.931s

Championship Points

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 616 points
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 603
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 337
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 310
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 284

WorldSSP Race 2

In what was the final event of the FIM Supersport World Championship’s 2025 campaign, and while Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) had already locked up the Riders’ Championship, the field didn’t pull any punches. Race 2 of the Pirelli Spanish Round at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, saw Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) top the final podium of the season for his second WorldSSP win. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing #69) closed his campaign strong in P2 with his ninth podium of the season, ahead of P3 finisher Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing), who capped off his time in WorldSSP with his 20th rostrum result this crusade, one podium shy of Nicolo Bulega’s 2023 record. With the #51’s win, he overcame Booth-Amos’s two-point Championship lead to usurp the bronze medal from the fourth-year British rider.

At lights out, the front row maintained their positions on T1. In the run across the line to start Lap 2, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) took the race lead from Oncu, kicking off a scrap at the front over the first third of the contest between Masia, Oncu, Manzi, Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA #37) and Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing). With seven laps to go, Masia emerged at the front of the pack with more than a second of margin between him and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) behind him. Masia’s pace was very impressive, sticking lap after lap within the low 1’43’s. Booth-Amos looked as good as he had all season, battling with Manzi as the remaining laps ticked down. After a very tight final lap, Booth-Amos beat out the incumbent Champion in a mad dash to the line, shuffling the #62 to P3 while the #69 took P2. Unfortunately for the Englishman, however, with Masia’s win, he outscored the Brit by five points, enough to topple his two-point lead and boot Booth-Amos down to a P4 finish in the Riders’ Championship.

Can Oncu’s (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) pace fell off from Masia and the lead group as the race progressed; however, he did enough to claim P4. Oettl came out the faster of his protracted duel with Garcia, but in their battle, they let Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) past for P5.

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
2. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +3.255s
3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +3.262s
4. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +6.089s
5. Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing) +6.999s

Championship Points

1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 466
2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 372
3. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 265
4. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 262
5. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) 200

WorldSSP300
WorldSSP300 Race 1

The penultimate FIM Supersport 300 World Championship race in the category’s history was a spectacle to behold with plenty of drama as the field took to the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, in their final Pirelli Spanish Round.

After a red flag stoppage, Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) again led the field across the line for his third win in four races. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI #38) followed him across the line as he took home critical Riders’ Championship points and was tailed by Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing #88) in P3. A better ending to the WorldSSP300 Championship couldn’t be written, as the stage was set for a winner-takes-all three-way Race 2 on Sunday.

WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results

1. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)
2. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.019s
3. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.248s
4. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.438s
5. Pepe Osuna (ZAPPAS-DEZA-BOX 77 Racing Team) +0.513

WorldSSP300 Race 2

The final FIM Supersport 300 World Championship season was sent out with a bang as the title-deciding Race 2 came down to the final sector to proclaim Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7) the race winner and 2025 World Champion. After a litany of penalties, Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) took home his fourth podium of the season in second and Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki #71) closed his 2025 with a fourth WorldSSP300 podium.

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove)
2. Dani Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.404s
3. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.450s
4. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) +0.500s
5. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.735s

Championship Points

1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) 231
2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 213
3. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) 203
4. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) 191
5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 168

WorldWCR
WorldWCR Race 1

The FIM Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship took to the track for their penultimate race of the competition’s second season at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

And it was Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team #6) who benefitted from a dramatic final lap to top the podium for the sixth time this season. Chloe Jones (GR Motorsport #15) followed her home in P2 for her fifth second-place result of the season and Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha #36) was leading the race into the final lap, then finished in P4, but a penalty sent her back up onto the podium in P3.

With these results, Herrera headed into the final race on Sunday with a 15-point lead over Neila, and Jones increased her lead for P3 ahead of Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team #96) by a further three points.

WorldWCR Race 1 Results

1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team)
2. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +0.291s
3. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +1.114s
4. Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell) +2.686s
5. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) +5.503s

WorldWCR Race 2

The FIM Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship came all the way down to the wire as the deciding Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, crowned Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) as the 2025 World Champion!

18-year-old wildcard Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell #58) capped off her debut weekend by winning the final race of the season. Joining her on the final podium of the Pirelli Spanish Round was Beatriz Nelia (Ampito Crescent Yamaha), who took her 12th podium of the season, placing both second in the race and the Championship.

Claiming her second podium of the season, Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA #17) finished in third place to see off the 2025 WorldWCR campaign.

WorldWCR Race 2 Results

1. Paola Ramos (YVS Sabadell)
2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +9.578s
3. Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94-YAMAHA) +9.678s
4. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +9.803s
5. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) +10.032s

Championship Points

1. Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) 245 points
2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) 240
3. Chloe Jones (GR Motosport) 164
4. Roberta Ponziani (Klint Forward Racing Team) 156
5. Sara Sanchez (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR Team) 126

How did the Aussies Do?

Remy Gardner (#87) impressed in Superpole with a strong sixth (later promoted to fifth) on the grid and overcame a rear brake issue in Race 1 to finish a determined eighth after fighting in the podium group early on. Then, on Sunday, Gardner showed resilience after an early crash in the Superpole Race, battling through shoulder pain to finish 11th in Race 2 with a determined and steady performance.

PTR Triumph’s Oli Bayliss (#32) suffered bad luck again, retiring on lap 10 due to a technical issue while running P20 in the opening race. Starting from the same grid spot for the second bout, he frustratingly struggled to find his rhythm and finished just outside the points in 17th.

The post WorldSBK Round 12 | Toprak Razgatligolu secures WorldSBK title appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

Friday practice
WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) set the pace on Friday at the Circuito Estoril in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he looked to claw back valuable points on rival Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). The #11 was the only rider in the 1’35s bracket, while ‘El Turco’ showed some impressive speed during the afternoon session.

Read our previous WorldSBK reports here…

WorldSSP

The 2025 FIM Supersport World Championship season got off and running in their penultimate round at the Circuito Estoril as the grid was set for Saturday’s Race 1 with the conclusion of their Tissot Superpole Race. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) was the fastest on Friday to kick off the EICMA Estoril Round, taking his fourth pole of the season. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #76) gave him a late run for his money, but he finished behind Oncu in P2. Rounding out the front row, Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse #53) took P3 for his third front-row start of 2025.

Saturday
WorldSBK

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was virtually unbeatable in the Tissot Superpole session at the Circuito Estoril after setting an incredible 1’34.203s to claim pole for the EICMA Estoril Round. ‘El Turco’ was a second quicker than his own FP3 lap record and more than a second faster than the 2022 pole lap record, as he beat title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to P1 in Portugal.

WorldSBK Race 1

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed a hard-fought Race 1 win at Estoril after dropping to fifth on the opening lap and charging back to the front. The victory allowed him to gain five points on title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who finished second in a red-flagged encounter during the EICMA Estoril Round.

The race was red-flagged following a Turn 1 incident involving Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #47), who crashed and triggered a pile-up. Tetsuta Nagashima (Honda HRC #49), Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team #99) and Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team #60) also went down, while Tarran Mackenzie (MGM BONOVO Action #95) took a hit but stayed upright. All five riders restarted from their original grid positions for a 20-lap race.

At the restart, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) jumped from third to first, ahead of Bulega, while Razgatlioglu dropped to P5. He quickly passed both Jonathan Rea (#65) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) to move into third, then overtook Bulega and Bautista to take the lead by Lap 3. Despite pressure from Bulega mid-race, Razgatlioglu – running the SC1 front tyre after the red flag – responded and controlled the final laps to take his 20th win of the season. Bulega claimed his 51st career podium in second.

Bautista and Rea fought over third in the early stages, with Rea looking faster but unable to make a move stick. A mistake from Rea on Lap 8 gave Bautista breathing room, though the Kawasaki rider closed the gap again. On Lap 12, Rea attacked after another Bautista error, but Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) joined the fight and passed Rea on Lap 15. Locatelli then followed through, pushing Rea to sixth. On Lap 16, Locatelli overtook Lowes for P4, with Lowes finishing fifth and Rea sixth. Bautista held on to take his 16th podium of the year.

“I’m very happy, but I was pushing so hard in the race, especially in the beginning. I felt like everything was good, but in the middle, Nicolo started catching me. I always accepted that Ducati has more grip in hot conditions. When he started catching me, I said I was ready to fight,” Razgatlioglu stated.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.948s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +14.729s
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +16.563s
5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +17.044s

WorldSSP Race 1

Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) continued his red-hot form at the EICMA Estoril Round, claiming his second career WorldSSP victory with a commanding Race 1 performance. The Frenchman outpaced both title contenders in a strategic ride that saw him steadily pull away from the lead battle.

Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) launched from pole and grabbed the holeshot, leading the opening lap. But by Lap 2, title rival Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) had stormed from 13th to P5.

As the race unfolded, Oncu and Manzi battled intensely for P2, allowing Debise to stretch his lead. The Renzi Corse rider maintained a consistent pace and built a gap of nearly half a second to secure the win, while Manzi edged Oncu for second.

The result extended Manzi’s championship lead to 64 points, putting him on the verge of securing the WorldSSP title in Race 2 – so long as he didn’t lose more than 14 points to Oncu.

Behind the podium fight, Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team #65) ran strong early but slipped back to P5 by Lap 8. He recovered his rhythm and brought it home in P4. Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA #94) held station in P5, unable to close the small gap to the lead group despite running a consistent pace.

With Manzi in control of the title race and Debise delivering back-to-back wins, all eyes turned to Race 2, where the championship could be decided.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

1. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse)
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.440s
3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.814s
4. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +2.616s
5. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +2.667s

Sunday
Superpole Race

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took a major step toward the 2025 WorldSBK title with a second victory at the EICMA Estoril Round, his 21st win of the season. Holding off title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in a tense 10-lap Superpole Race, Toprak extended his championship lead by three points.

Bulega made the strongest start, taking the holeshot ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Razgatlioglu. The BMW rider quickly passed Bautista and took the lead from Bulega at Turn 1 on Lap 2. The pair swapped positions multiple times in a thrilling sequence through Turns 6 to 9, but Razgatlioglu held firm and began to pull away. Although Bulega applied pressure late in the race, Toprak managed the gap and claimed another crucial victory.

Bautista completed the podium in P3 after an early scrap with Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who was running P5 before crashing at Turn 7 on Lap 5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) capitalised, passing Rea and holding off a charging Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven #29) to secure fourth. Iannone had to settle for fifth after slicing through the field once again.

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team #87) claimed P6 after fending off Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC), who gambled on the SCQ tyre.

With momentum on his side, Razgatlioglu entered Race 2 with the title in reach, needing one final push to seal another WorldSBK crown.

Superpole Race Results

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.545s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +8.942s
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +10.060s
5. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +10.122s

WorldSBK Race 2

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a crucial Race 2 win at Estoril, his 17th WorldSBK victory, to keep the 2025 title fight alive. The #11 held off Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who finished second, ensuring the championship will be decided at the final round in Jerez.

As in the previous races, Razgatlioglu lost ground at the start, dropping to fifth behind Bulega, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). He moved past Bautista early on and overtook Iannone – who was handed a double Long Lap Penalty for a jump start – before passing Locatelli at Turn 9 to take second by Lap 3.

At that point, Bulega had a 1.4-second advantage. The pair traded rapid lap times over the next few, but Bulega began to edge away, stretching the gap to 1.5 seconds by Lap 7 and over two seconds at halfway. Though Razgatlioglu kept the pressure on, Bulega controlled the pace to take the win and delay Toprak’s title celebrations.

The fight for third was intense, with Bautista under pressure early in the race. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) muscled past Locatelli to challenge for a podium, but Bautista held firm. The reigning Champion claimed his third P3 finish of the weekend, moving into third in the overall standings. Bulega’s win, combined with Bautista’s podium, also secured the 2025 Teams’ Championship for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati. Lowes finished fourth, losing time in the final laps, while Locatelli rounded out the top five.

With one round remaining, the title showdown between Bulega and Razgatlioglu is set for a dramatic conclusion in Jerez.

“It was a very good race in Race 2. We improved the bike a lot from the Superpole Race in the morning. I’m happy because this win is important. I know the Championship looks very difficult, but we’ll never give up. Toprak has been strong all season, but we’ve also had a very strong season. We will give Jerez our 200%. The only things I can do now are do my best and put pressure on Toprak,” Bulega said.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +4.868s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +15.331s
4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +17.333s
5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +20.567s

Championship Points

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 580 points
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 541
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 292
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 284
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 284

WorldSSP Race 2

With the round-closing Race 2 of the EICMA Estoril Round, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) was crowned the 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion. The Italian claimed his title at the Circuito Estoril with force, as he won the race by a large margin. The #62 was followed onto the podium by Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) in second and rookie Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52) in third.

Oncu shot off the line, followed into the first corner by Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA #37) and Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse), with Manzi lying in wait behind the Ducati rider. The trio was joined in the fight for P1 at times by Roberto Garcia (GMT94-YAMAHA) and Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team), however, none had the pace to match Manzi, as one by one, his competitors dropped off.

Emphatically, Manzi won his first WorldSSP Riders’ Championship by a margin of more than two seconds. Oettl weathered the storm of riders dropping off ahead of him to land his second podium of the year. Alcoba tailed the pair across the line from his P25 start position. His recovery ride to P3 marks the lowest-ever starting position for a podium finisher in a WorldSSP race.

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
2. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +2.599s
3. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +2.574s
4. Roberto García (GMT94 Yamaha) +3.944s
5. Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +4.432s

Championship Points

1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 425 points
2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 343
3. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 233
4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) 227
5. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) 185

WorldSSP300
WorldSSP300 Race 1

Racing action at the first day of the EICMA Estoril Round was closed out on Saturday with the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship’s Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) taking his fifth career win in the category.

Teammates Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki #50) and Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki #71) both made dramatic late moves to get onto the podium ahead of the title leader Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7). #50’s P2 spelled a fifth podium of the season for Thompson and a tenth career podium for his #71 Dutch teammate.

WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results

1. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)
2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.304s
3. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.336s
4. Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.360s
5. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.517s

WorldSSP300 Race 2

It was an electric afternoon in Estoril on Sunday as the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship field closed out the EICMA Estoril Round weekend. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) topped the rostrum with his third win in the Championship. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) chased him across the line as he scored his fifth podium of the season in P2, and Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing), who landed his sixth career podium, will ride to Jerez with an Estoril Race 2 podium in his back pocket.

With a win ahead of the #7 directly behind him, the Australian cut his title deficit to 10 points, now sitting five points closer behind Fernandez, who maintains his Championship lead. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) missed the podium in P4, meaning his deficit to P1 increased to 22 points. While the gap is not insurmountable, with one round left, all eyes are now on Jerez.

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

1. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki)
2. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.010s
3. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) +0.036s
4. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.041s
5. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.111s

Championship Points

1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) 205
2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 195
3. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) 183
4. Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) 159
5. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 145

How did the Aussies Do?

Remy Gardner kicked off his Estoril weekend with a strong P7 in qualifying and followed it up with a solid ninth in Race 1 before delivering consistent performances on Sunday to claim sixth in the Superpole Race and seventh in Race 2. Oli Bayliss (#32) backed up a promising P12 qualifying with a gritty ride to P13, overcoming a tough start to swiftly surge through the field. He then produced another commendable effort to grab 12th in the second bout. Carter Thompson won race two of the 300s!

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