Some time ago, Carmelo Ezpeleta, who is the boss of Dorna responsible for promoting both MotoGP and WSBK in the broad sense, hit the headlines by identifying the championship reserved for motorcycles from the series as a “ second division” compared to what would therefore be the elite, lived with prototypes. An intended educational approach but which was interpreted as a damaging hierarchy of values by WSBK fans. Today, Ducati is rectifying the situation with its boss but also with its rider Alvaro Bautista…
Le WSBK is it a cheap championship? The answer is obviously no, but when compared to MotoGP, we must remember its philosophy and its issues so as not to fall into this cliché. The boss of Ducati, Claudio Domenicali thus speaks of the reasons for the involvement of his brand in this paddock, which is as strong as that experienced in the Grand Prix. And it is first of all, of course, a question of product, of connection with customers, with interesting synergies: “ the V4R is quite similar to MotoGP machines, but mainly in terms of inspiration “, declared the Italian. “ If you look at the engine, you have the same bore/stroke ratio and displacement, i.e. 1cc. But the Panigale engine stands out with a completely different design ».
« The V4R is a motorcycle that you can buy for a relatively reasonable price. For the price you'd otherwise get a mid-range car, you can get a 221 hp motorcycle. It is the same technology and the same concept as in the MotoGP World Championship. But everything is more down to earth. Yet we have high-performance software in this bike with top-notch traction control, straight from MotoGP. But the software costs nothing once you develop it. The standard V4 Panigale's electronics aren't as sophisticated ».
And he ends his demonstration thus: “ thus, the Superbike World Championship benefits from MotoGP. Because there you have a good basis for developing a very competitive motorcycle, like our V4 superbike. Nevertheless, the price of the production machine remains manageable ».
On the WSBK: “ we have to look at these two championships separately«
Sundays talks about two different platforms when talking about MotoGP and Superbike: “ MotoGP is completely focused on prototypes and is therefore very expensive, even in racing. The Superbike World Championship can still be financed at reasonable costs. This is why I have no complaints with the SBK. I don't see any problem with this racing series. We have to look at these two championships separately, in terms of drivers, circuits, technology and costs. We also need to follow a different path in terms of approach ».
And that's exactly what its pilot says Alvaro Bautista : " it's not the second division. It's a different league » says the Spaniard in an exclusive interview with 'Motorsport-Total.com'. “ MotoGP is the premier category. The motorcycles are prototypes. This is where new technologies are created. In the Superbike World Championship, we use sports cars from the series. New technologies arrive here later ».
« Life in the World Superbike Championship is different. But my way of working, preparing at home or on the circuit, is identical », Specifies the former MotoGP rider. “ The only difference is that this paddock is much more relaxed and accessible. It is more user-friendly, even if the competition is tough. Race weekends are more intense here. From Saturday, the program is tight with training, a Superpole and races. It's particularly difficult for the mind ", Explain Baptist who assures : " the level of the drivers is also very high here ". Besides, Yamaha absolutely wants to evaluate his WSBK World Champion on his R1 on his M1 Toprak Razgatlioglu for a possible new career direction towards the Grands Prix…
