WorldSBK bursts again into motion in France as Bautista, Rea and Razgatlioglu proceed their three-way title battle
The second half of the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season begins with the Pirelli French Spherical on the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.
The 2022 version will see Pirelli as its Occasion Predominant Sponsor and the occasion shall be happening on September Ninth-Eleventh.
Pirelli has been the unique Official Tyre Provider of the Championship since 2004, and since 2020 all courses has been utilizing completely DIABLO Superbike slick tyres. Pirelli additionally provides the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup as a part of the SBK Roadway initiative.
WorldSBK in numbers
23-24 – Alvaro Bautista, at 23 wins, the identical of Raymond Roche, is simply exterior the all-time top-10. His present rival Toprak Razgatlioglu occupies the tenth place along with Carlos Checa. It’s a double goal for Bautista, as Carlos Checa is probably the most profitable Spanish rider in historical past.
15 – Toprak Razgatlioglu led not less than for one lap the final 15 races: information is offered since 1998 and it’s the very best streak since then, beating the 12 by Colin Edwards from Misano/1 to Imola/2 in 2002.
41 – 41 podium locations for Ducati at this observe, the report worth for Magny-Cours. Kawasaki follows at 30 and Yamaha at 27.
10-10 – The very best grid spot for successful in Magny-Cours? It’s equally break up as 10 wins got here from pole and 10 from the second grid spot.
What to look out for in Magny-Cours
Championship P1 – 298 factors
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati – Racing)
It is going to be Bautista’s fourth go to on the French circuit, the second with Ducati.
He has by no means gained on the French venue, his greatest consequence being fifth place in 2019.
Bautista begins the second half of the season because the Championship chief with a 31-point benefit over Rea.
“I believe Magny-Cours shall be a troublesome race for us. Three years in the past, I keep in mind that my first observe was Race 1 so it wasn’t simple, I began from the again after which I used to be combating for the win till Toprak hit me. Final 12 months, I used to be fairly good with Honda ending sixth. However wanting on the observe itself and the climate situations, I consider it will likely be laborious for us. Let’s see, I’m going there constructive with no expectations as a result of I anticipate that we’ll undergo there.”
Championship P2 – 267 factors
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Workforce WorldSBK)
Rea is probably the most profitable rider on the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours with 9 wins. His final one was within the Tissot Superpole Race final 12 months.
He holds the lap report of the French observe with a quickest time of 1’36.374s set in 2021’s Race 1.
Rea is on a winless run of 9 races, his longest since he was second 10 instances and third as soon as at first of 2019, when then-rookie Bautista was the winner in all these 11 races.
“Magny-Cours is a superb place to start out this final a part of the season. It’s some of the essential a part of the 12 months as a result of it’s six races in very fast succession. It’s essential to be very sturdy and constant, keep wholesome by means of that interval. Kicking off in Magny-Cours, a fantastic begin … It’s circuit for me and the group. Our ZX10RR works nicely there and I had lot of blissful recollections. So being September and coming into the autumn season in Europe, we have now to anticipate something by way of climate. However we shall be ready both means. After a very stable take a look at in Barcelona a few weeks in the past, I really feel like we have now base to start out the weekend and I stay up for persevering with working with the group. After all, the goal is to be on the rostrum.”
Championship P3 – 260 factors
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Razgatlioglu has 4 wins on the French observe and he took two wins at Magny-Cours in 2021, though he crossed the road first in all three races.
He took his first WorldSBK victory on the French venue again in 2019.
He stands in third place within the Championship standings and has lowered the hole to Rea to seven factors.
“After the take a look at in Barcelona, we’re able to race in Magny-Cours. It’s my favorite observe. Final 12 months was particularly nice with three wins… not two! This 12 months, I’ll strive once more for 3 wins. I hope we gained’t have rain in France. I’ll give my greatest once more.”
Championship P4 – 148 factors
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Locatelli’s greatest consequence at Magny-Cours is his third place in Race 1 2021.
He stands in fourth place within the Championship standings with 14-advantage over Rinaldi.
“I’m heading constructive to Magny-Cours. After two days of testing in Barcelona we discovered base setup and I’ve a very good feeling with the bike. Now it will likely be attention-grabbing to be again on observe. Magny-Cours was one other nice observe for us final 12 months as a result of we had a podium there. I’ll give my most as a result of it’s time to shut the hole to the entrance and we have to stick with our rivals.”
Championship P5 – 134 factors
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Ducati Racing)
In 2021, Rinaldi’s greatest consequence on the French venue was a fourth place in Race 1.
He has been on the rostrum two instances to date this season, each on dwelling soil at Misano.
“We go to Magny-Cours after a constructive take a look at in Barcelona. I don’t know what to anticipate there as a result of the climate situations can change so much. I’ll attempt to give my 100% and get the very best consequence we are able to. It’s not second total, not due to the velocity however for different causes, however it’s what it’s and we’ll give our greatest.”
Championship P6 – 127 factors
Iker Lecuona (Workforce HRC)
It is going to be Lecuona’s first go to to the historic French venue.
He’s sixth within the Championship standings, solely seven factors behind Rinaldi.
“I’m blissful to come back again on observe for the Championship after the summer time break that allowed us to cost the batteries, though for me it has been a mixture of relaxation and work. First, the great expertise at Suzuka 8 Hours, it was my first endurance race and so I needed to be taught lot of issues. I loved it so much, not solely racing but additionally sharing every thing with two wonderful teammates. Then we had take a look at in Catalunya. I saved on the event work with my group and it allowed me additionally to regain the sensation with my bike, the tyres and the seat. Now we go to Magny-Cours, once more a brand new observe for me this 12 months and I do know nothing about it. I’ve solely watched some movies from previous races however the first day shall be essential to be able to be taught the structure after which the work will proceed as all the time.”
To control:
With 5 high 5 finishes within the final six races, together with two podium locations, Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Workforce) continues to get nearer to the entrance. Thus far, his greatest consequence on the French observe is a victory again in 2021. His teammate Michael van der Mark will make his return following his damage sustained in Estoril.
French rider Loris Baz (Bonovo Motion BMW) stands in Eleventh place within the Championship standings. His greatest consequence to date in 2022 is a sixth place in Race 1 at Assen. His greatest consequence on the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours was a second place in 2020 (Race 2).
Different native rider Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is 14th within the Championship standings. Most Race 2’s ninth place is his greatest consequence to date this season. In 2021, his greatest consequence at Magny-Cours was a thirteenth place in Race 2.
Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha), twenty second within the standings, will purpose for a high ten end at his dwelling spherical. His greatest results of the 2022 season was a twelfth place in Estoril and Assen. In 2021, he was twelfth in Race 2, his greatest consequence on the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.
All 5 manufacturing facility groups took half in a non-public take a look at on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in August to arrange for the second a part of the season. The manufacturing facility groups had been joined by the Bonovo Motion BMW, Orelac Racing VerdNatura and TPR Workforce Pedercini Racing groups.
The put up WorldSBK: Three-Method Title Combat Continues This Weekend At Magny-Cours appeared first on Roadracing World Journal | Bike Driving, Racing & Tech Information.
