The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is finalizing preparations to host the fourth round of the WorldSBK this year. Prosecco DOC Catalunya WorldSBK, which will officially debut on the World Cup track this Friday, 5 May, promises another edition full of strong emotions and surprises.
Speaking of the Catalan event, we are talking about Alvaro Bautista. The leader of the competition certainly has in his retina that triple he signed in the previous edition of the motorcycling event in front of a large number of fans who showed their support. For this occasion, the Spaniard presents candidacy from the top of the points table and with a significant advantage of 56 points.
Furthermore, the Ducati rider sets out on one of his home circuits with an injection of extra motivation after completing another triple as well as signing Ducati’s 400th win at the final round held at Assen. Its supremacy is more than obvious, but if the circuit has shown anything in its relatively short association with the Superbike World Championship, it’s that anything can happen.
Toprak Razgatlioglu is, at the moment, Bautista’s closest rival. Second in the standings, the Turk is looking to return for the previous edition in which he was embroiled in a battle for victory with Bautista, although without the ultimate reward. The Yamaha rider knows what it’s like to be on a circuit podium, so he will do whatever he can to turn the tide of the championship. His team-mate Andrea Locatelli is third in points, and he certainly wants his leading role too.
The WorldSBK riders have endured rain, sunshine and high temperatures on the Catalan track. In this context of uncertainty, Jonathan Rea managed to win in 2020, an edition that brought him the gold medal. Three years later, the multiple-champion of the competition has a streak with ups and downs, as he comes from a double podium, but also from a fall. Axel Bassani is fourth in the best independent driver’s standings table after an impressive start to the year, but he is yet to find the podium he needs. Two years ago he led Race 1 and finished second, so he could be in the betting.
Nor should we lose sight of two national riders who will attempt to set the bar very high: Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona, both enrolled at Team HRC. Lecuona, in particular, was one of the strongest riders at the Barcelona test a few weeks ago, taking pole position for 2022. Wirz, for his part, took his first WorldSBK podium in the second round of the year and went home to date. expected to reach the top
More excitement with WorldSSP and WorldSSP 300
Beyond the Queen category, her younger sisters will also challenge each other in Barcelona. The intermediate category, WorldSSP, is led by Italian Nicolo Bulega and his Ducati, who are very strong after their respective duos in Australia and the Netherlands. Niccolò Manzi (Yamaha) is in contention for second, followed by Marcel Schroeter (MV Agusta). Jorge Navarro (Yamaha) is the home team’s best placed eighth in the world championships, although Adrian Huertas (Kawasaki) will help them defend their national representation.
In the WorldSSP 300, which held its first round in Assen, the differences are minimal, with Czech Petr Svoboda (Kawasaki) in first place, followed by Humberto Mayer (Yamaha) and Samuel de Sora (Kawasaki). Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Kawasaki), however, is chasing that top 3 finish, just 4 points behind second and third place. Julio GarcÃa (Kawasaki), Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki) and Yère Sainz (Kawasaki) will take over the Spanish participation in the second round of this category.
a sustainable event
Prosecco DOC Catalunya WorldSBK has received ISO 20121 certification since 2021, in recognition of its commitment to sustainability, promoting actions to raise awareness among all parties involved.
This year, for example, sustainable mobility and the efficient use of resources are promoted. To do this, the circuit works with suppliers who supply electric vehicles, as well as recharging points in the paddocks for teams and promoters. The efficient use of resources is also encouraged, emphasizing the restriction of water consumption in the context of the current drought.
Another action worth highlighting is a committed and 0km catering offer, the reduction of plastic waste through reusable cups, as well as the correct segregation of all waste, and the donation of surplus food generated by the teams.
All this while always trying to raise awareness in the community with areas such as the Bosque del Crater, the stability stand in the paddock (open from 9am to 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays) and the Red Cross point next to Gate 1. The circuit also provides an ambulance service for people with reduced mobility.
