2020 MEDIA GUIDE WE MAKE EXCITEMENT MEDIA OFFICE REGISTERED OFFICE: Dorna WSBK Organization S.r.l. : Viale Luca Gaurico 9-11, Narcís Monturiol 2, 08960, Sant Just Desvern - Spain 00143 Rome - Italy Tel. +34 933 726 401 HEADQUARTERS: WorldSBK Communications Department Dorna WSBK Organization S.r.l. Via Sudafrica 7, [email protected] 00144 Rome - Italy SPANISH BRANCH: Dorna WSBK Organization S.r.l. Sucursal en España: Narcìs Monturiol, 2 08960 Sant Just Desvern Barcelona – Spain 3 CONTENTS About us 5 Circuits & Rounds 76 Intro 6 Yamaha Finance Australian Round 77 Sportainment 7 Pirelli Spanish Round 78 WorldSBK History 9 Motul Portuguese Round 79 Pirelli TOP Sponsor 13 Prosecco DOC Aragon Round 80 TV Reach & Broadcasters 16 Pirelli Teruel Round 81 Acerbis Catalunya Round 82 Pirelli French Round 83 WorldSBK Riders 19 Motul Argentinean Round 84 Pirelli Riviera di Rimini Round 85 WorldSSP Riders 43 WorldSSP Challenge Riders 66 Key Rules 86 WorldSSP300 Riders 72 Statistics 92 Manufacturers 107 Tools 118 ABOUT US The 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship had all of the ingredients It is a somewhat bittersweet return to racing, and we do so with the thoughts of It goes without saying that the calendar has obviously changed. We start back to be a thrilling year of action. The opening Yamaha Finance Australian Round got everyone impacted with us. However, whilst the racing action takes care of itself, again at Jerez before moving directly to Portimao. Then, two weekends at Aragon underway with some of the best WorldSBK action ever seen in the Championship’s there are new protocols in place that will be strictly adhered to, devised with help before the inaugural Catalan Round at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Magny- 32-year history. Three different winners across the weekend for the first time ever, from the Medical Commission. The WorldSBK paddock is a melting pot for people Cours, San Juan and Misano, the latter two of which are to be confirmed on those the second-closest podium of all time and two new Championship leaders, the from all walks of life who have all faced numerous challenges. dates. unpredictability of on-track action has never been higher. Now, we must tackle the pandemic as a collective force, following the protocols We thank you, our media partners, for your patience and your confidence that However, since then, the world has been rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic. and hopefully, this will show that humanity can prevail. Hard work has gone into this season will go ahead, and we can be sure that, if Phillip Island was anything Unpredictability on-track had transcended into uncertainty off of it and the pause making the paddock the safest place possible, in order to get the World Superbike to go by, you’ll be in for a phenomenal season. We hope you can enjoy it with us, ensued. Millions have been affected by this with thousands of lives lost. Our show back on the road. There’s even more action in WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 and we hope that you have every confidence that by following the protocols, we thoughts and condolences go to all impacted by this outbreak; we hope to be able too, as they will have an additional race per round to make up for the lost can all be safe. The aim is to return to normal and to have our fans and all media to return to some sort of familiarity with scintillating on-track action and bring some opportunities. Race 1 for both classes will be on Saturday whilst the usual Race 2 partners back with us, but measures need to be taken in order to make it as safe thrilling motorcycle racing back to our fans. will feature on Sunday. as possible when they do return. Together, we can overcome this. Regards, WorldSBK Communications Department 6 SPORTAINMENT One of the most popular parts of a visit to the MOTUL FIM Pure passion can be felt right through the WorldSBK Paddock all WorldSBK manufacturers competing on track also adds Sadly, due to the COVID-19 and the subsequent Superbike World Championship is the Paddock Show, Show, as anticipation for the weekend ahead builds from Friday plenty of glamour to the already-exciting spectacle. restrictions, this won’t be available throughout 2020. a unique feature for fans, riders and media alike. Exclusive morning with commentary of Free Practice. As well as bringing That doesn’t mean we aren’t working harder than ever to WorldSBK, it allows fans to get even closer to the riders riders and fans together, the WorldSBK Paddock Show is a From Parc Ferme, podiums, evening concerts and before to make sure that our fans’ return to the paddock and can be an alternative way to keep up with the on- vital promotional tool which gives companies and Sponsors media events, to autograph sessions, video promotions, is bigger, better and more memorable than ever before. track action. Newly introduced Superpole Shows along the chance to hold Product Presentations, Press Conferences sponsor displays, competitions and a plethora of other with the popular Podium Shows after each race allows and Workshops; for either their own staff or in a public form. entertainment, the Paddock Show is bound to play fans to hear the leading riders’ reactions minutes after an even bigger part in the story of WorldSBK. the Prosecco DOC is sprayed, live on-stage commentary, It is not only entertainment on stage that keeps the fans to take part in competitions and Meet ‘n’ Greets. enthralled throughout the weekend. Stunning displays featuring 7 8 WorldSBK HISTORY Scott Russell took the honours for Ducati and Kawasaki international paddock became renowned in the world of FIM Superbike World Championship between 2015 and 2018, respectively, ahead of the ‘Fogarty Era’. This catapulted motorsport and created household names the world over. with Ulsterman Rea charging to four successive titles whilst popularity of World Superbike and allowed it to establish igniting a great rivalry with hard-charger Chaz Davies and a firm fan base who still flock to circuits today. Despite being an active manufacturer in the series smashing record after record. During this time, Yamaha returned Born in 1988, the FIM Superbike World Championship since it began, Yamaha took their first title in 2009 with for the first time since 2011 and were podium achievers began with the ethos of bringing production-based motorbikes ‘King’ Carl Fogarty made his mark on the Championship from American rookie Ben Spies, after a hotly contested straight away, whilst Aprilia, BMW and MV Agusta all took to the track and has been shaped into what it is today; one 1994 with Ducati’s 916. The Brit secured four titles as well season-long battle with ex-MotoGP™ rider Max Biaggi the challenge to Kawasaki, Ducati, Yamaha and Honda. of the world’s most prestigious motorcycle racing series. as facing stiff competition from the likes of Honda’s Colin and WorldSBK veteran, Noriyuki Haga. Battles between Edwards, Yamaha’s Noriyuki Haga and fellow Ducati rider, Troy Biaggi and experienced Carlos Checa emerged in the The 2019 WorldSBK season saw one of motorcycle Fred Merkel took back-to-back Championships aboard the Corser. All of them, along with fan favourite Pierfrancesco following seasons, seeing both take world titles. racing’s biggest comebacks, as Jonathan Rea overturned Honda RC30 in the inaugural season before the series Chili, New Zealander Aaron Slight and Kawasaki’s Akira an enormous 61-point deficit to claim a record-shattering continued to progress and grow, featuring stars still around Yanagawa attracted worldwide coverage. Following the growth Dorna Sports took hold of the rights to WorldSBK in 2013 fifth WorldSBK crown. Despite fierce opposition from rookie today. With over 17 different World Champions crowned since in popularity, WorldSBK now welcomes more than half a million and WorldSBK has gone from strength to strength ever Alvaro Bautista, shining star Toprak Razgatlioglu and a whole the inaugural season 32 years ago, the ever-changing grid and trackside spectators every year, as well as millions on TV. since. British rider Tom Sykes surged Kawasaki back to the host of other rivals, Rea pulled of a memorable comeback, thrill of racing has kept fans and riders captivated each year. James Toseland became the youngest World Superbike front of the field. The Japanese factory have dominated the but 2020 looks set to bring one of the biggest title-fights Champion in 2004 with Ducati, a record he still holds today, Championship since 2013 until present, although Aprilia were yet. Will he be dethroned, or can he continue to reign? The early 1990’s saw the American Dream live on before Australian pair Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss continued able to pinch the title away in the dramatic last race of 2014. despite a French Revolution as Raymond Roche gave to reign in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Housing some of Ultimately, it had been the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK Ducati their first WorldSBK crown. Doug Polen and the greatest on track battles seen in motorcycle racing, the of Sykes and Jonathan Rea who took control of the MOTUL 9 WorldSBK HISTORY In 2010, it was a new decade but full of experienced Champions, as Sofuoglu took his second title with Ten Kate Honda; despite tense competition from Joan Lascorz with Kawasaki and Eugene Laverty on the Parkalgar Honda, the Turk clinched Unmissable action is provided for fans once again as World the crown by only a handful points during the final round. Supersport continues to be the main support class for WorldSBK, but the Championship provides its own world class British riders continued to filter through the ranks, and 2011 racing worthy of its own accolade.