2017 MEDIA GUIDE 2 | Dear Media Friends and Colleagues, We are delighted to present the 2017 edition of the WorldSBK We have once again produced the Media Guide as an all- Media Guide, complete with all information needed throughout inclusive reference book for all Media Representatives, which the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, accompanying contains more information regarding teams, riders, bikes, results, you for what is set to be an exhilarating season. With new riders, statistics, circuit profiles, rules and regulations than ever before. an updated WorldSBK grid format, and newly introduced support Supporting your passion and work across the 13 Rounds of the class for the talents of tomorrow. Championship, this Guide will continue to help you in producing that much appreciated coverage. WorldSBK continues to bring fans of the world’s fastest production-based motorcycle series new and exciting initiatives, Due to the devotion and professionalism from all parties keeping them on the edge of their seats. By introducing the involved, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship World Supersport 300 series, it will allow a new generation of continues to reach pure motorsport success, and we take this talent to learn and grow through the renowned Championship. opportunity to extend our thanks to the Media in all forms. You On top of this, the reshuffled grid in WorldSBK Race Two brings will be guaranteed a warm welcome from our Communications more thrill than ever before, as riders will now fight right through Department over the course of the season, as we hope to the pack to take victory. provide the best working environment possible. Thank you for your continued dedication and support! All the best, WorldSBK Communications Department | 3 Jonathan Rea Tom Sykes Chaz Davies Marco Melandri Nicky Hayden Stefan Bradl Michael van Alex Lowes Markus Reiterberger Jordi Torres der Mark Kawasaki Kawasaki Aruba.it Aruba.it Red Bull Honda Red Bull Honda PATA Yamaha Althea BMW Althea BMW Racing Team Racing Team Racing - Ducati Racing - Ducat WorldSBK Team WorldSBK Team PATA Yamaha Official Official WorldSBK Racing Team Racing Team WorldSBK Team Team 4 | Leon Camier Eugene Laverty Lorenzo Savadori Ondrej Jezek Ayrton Badovini Randy Xavi Fores Riccardo Russo Roman Ramos Alex De Angelis Krummenacher MV Agusta Milwaukee Aprilia Milwaukee Aprilia Grillini Grillini BARNI Guandalini Team Kawasaki Pedercini Racing Reparto Corse Racing Team Racing Team Kawasaki Racing Team Racing Team Go Eleven SC-Project Puccetti Racing Jonathan Rea Tom Sykes Chaz Davies Marco Melandri Nicky Hayden Stefan Bradl Michael van Alex Lowes Markus Reiterberger Jordi Torres der Mark Kawasaki Kawasaki Aruba.it Aruba.it Red Bull Honda Red Bull Honda PATA Yamaha Althea BMW Althea BMW Racing Team Racing Team Racing - Ducati Racing - Ducat WorldSBK Team WorldSBK Team PATA Yamaha Official Official WorldSBK Racing Team Racing Team WorldSBK Team Team Leon Camier Eugene Laverty Lorenzo Savadori Ondrej Jezek Ayrton Badovini Randy Xavi Fores Riccardo Russo Roman Ramos Alex De Angelis Krummenacher MV Agusta Milwaukee Aprilia Milwaukee Aprilia Grillini Grillini BARNI Guandalini Team Kawasaki Pedercini Racing Reparto Corse Racing Team Racing Team Kawasaki Racing Team Racing Team Go Eleven SC-Project Puccetti Racing | 5 6 | MEDIA CONTACTS Dorna WSBK Organization Narcís Monturiol 2, 08960, Sant Just Desvern - Spain Tel. +34 934 738 494 WorldSBK Communications Department [email protected] ROME HEADQUARTERS Commercial & Marketing Dep. Viale Luca Gaurico, 9/11 - 00143 Rome - Italy Tel .+39 06 50966.1 - Fax +39 06 50966.460 | 7 8 | CONTENTS Quick guide WorldSBK riders 5 Information 10 WorldSBK riders 30 WorldSSP riders 74 Superstock 1000 entry list 106 Supersport 300 entry list 110 Rounds 114 Round 1 - Phillip Island (Australia) 116 Round 2 - Buriram (Thailand) 118 Round 3 - MotorLand Aragón (Aragón) 120 Round 4 - Assen (Netherlands) 122 Round 5 - Imola (Italy) 124 Round 6 - Donington Park (UK) 126 Round 7 - Misano Circuit (Italy) 128 Round 8 - Laguna Seca (USA) 130 Round 9 - Lausitzring (Germany) 132 Round 10 - Portimão (Portugal) 134 Round 11 - Magny-Cours (France) 136 Round 12 - Jerez (Spain) 138 Round 13 - Losail (Qatar) 140 Stats and Results 142 Key Rules 162 Tools 176 Notes 182 10 | 1 INFORMATION | 11 BROADCASTERS 2017 EUROSPORT BEIN SPORTS FOX SPORTS ESPORT 3 SKY SPORT FLOW SPORTS MEDIASET OSN FOX LATIN AMERICAN ESPN BRASIL CHANNELS SPORT TV ITV SPILER TV J SPORTS TELEDEPORTE TVE SUPERSPORT SERVUS TV 12 | | 13 14 | and Troy Bayliss, were able to battle for the title into the millennium, attracting worldwide coverage. Following this growth in popularity, WorldSBK now welcomes more than half a million trackside spectators every year. Born in 1988, the World Superbike championship began with the As Pirelli came in as single tyre manufacturer, James Toseland ethos of bringing production-based motorbikes to the track. became the youngest World Superbike champion in 2004 with Appealing to the ordinary bike fan, the series’ popularity grew Ducati, holding off Frenchman Regis Laconi before Australian rapidly as it attracted big personalities who allowed the sport to pair Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss continued to reign in 2005 and grow and be shaped into what it is today; one of the world’s most 2006. Housing some of the greatest on-track battles seen in prestigious bike racing series. motorbike racing, the international paddock became even more Starting with Fred Merkel taking back-to-back championships renowned in the world of motorsport. aboard the Honda RC30, the series continued to progress into Although an active manufacturer in the series since it began, the ‘glory years’ - birthing stars still around today. With over 17 Yamaha took their first title in 2009 with American rookie different World Champions crowned since the series’ inaugural Ben Spies after a hotly-fought season long battle with former season 30 years ago, the ever-changing grid and thrill of racing MotoGP™ rider Max Biaggi. Battles between Biaggi and the has kept fans and riders captivated ever since. experienced Carlos Checa emerged in the following seasons, The early 1990’s saw the American Dream live on - despite before we entered the ‘Kawasaki era’, seeing both take world a French Revolution - as Raymond Roche gave Ducati their titles. first WorldSBK crown. Doug Polen and Scott Russell took Dorna Sports took over of the rights to the series in 2013 and the honors respectively for Ducati and Kawasaki ahead of WorldSBK has continued to go from strength to strength. With the ‘Fogarty Era’. That saw the popularity of World Superbike four different classes coming to blows every weekend, the series skyrocket and allowed it to establish a firm fan base who still provides some of the closest racing action in the world, with flock to circuits today, as close and edge of your seat racing seven manufacturers now taking to the grid to put on one of the became the basis for this ever popular series. greatest shows on earth. ‘King’ Carl Fogarty made his mark on the series from 1994 with From 2013, British rider Tom Sykes led a resurgence for the Ducati’s 916. The Brit secured four world titles, as well as facing green machine that is the Kawasaki. The Japanese factory stiff competition from the likes of Honda’s Colin Edwards and have dominated the series for the last four seasons, despite Suzuki’s Troy Corser. The trio, along with Ducati’s Neil Hodgson tough competition from Sylvain Guintoli and Aprilia in 2014. | 15 It’s been the Kawasaki lineup of Sykes and Jonathan Rea who first FIM title holder for Suzuki in 2000. Yamaha took their turn have been taking control of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World at glory at the turn of the millennium – Jorg Teuchert was able Championship we have today. to take those honours - before Andrew Pitt took Kawasaki to Becoming the first rider to take back to back titles since Fogarty, the top in 2001. Astonishingly, the series then saw a fourth Rea was able to take the title down to the wire at Qatar in 2016 manufacturer stand on top over all, with Frenchman Fabien Foret and secured his second WorldSBK crown ahead of team-mate riding the Honda to glory in 2002 with Ten Kate. Sykes, after a hard-fought battle with Chaz Davies on the ever Australian domination entered the field in 2003, with Chris faster Ducati Panigale R. Vermeulen victorious in 2003 before Karl Muggeridge mirrored Heading into 2017, Rea will look to secure a record-breaking his heroics a season later. Records were then made in 2006 consecutive triple crown, which will be a hard-fought task in this as Sebastien Charpentier became the first rider to take back ever changing and dramatic racing series. to back WorldSSP titles. However, it wasn’t long before Turkish rider Kenan Sofuoglu came onto the scene, taking the 2007 crown. 2008 saw Andrew Pitt make his return to the top with Ten Kate Honda, and in 2009 World Supersport became one of the most fiercely competitive series as four manufactures were capable of fighting for podium finishes. A season-long battle Unmissable action is provided for fans once again as World between Cal Crutchlow and Eugene Laverty emerged, with Supersport continues to be the main support class for Crutchlow crowned champion on his Yamaha YZF-R6, ahead of WorldSBK, but the Championship provides its own world class Laverty on his Parkalgar Honda. racing worthy of its own accolade. With a permanent entry list of In 2010 it was a new decade but experienced champions, as 24 riders, all capable of putting up a strong fight, the grid is one Sofuoglu took his second title with Ten Kate Honda; despite which will stir up all levels of drama. tense competition from Joan Lascorz with Kawasaki and Welcomed into the paddock as a European class, it became a Eugene Laverty on the Parkalgar Honda.