5th round of a season which includes 12, Donington Park hosts the World Championship this weekend World SBK, with its Superbike, Supersport and WCR categories, the Supersport 300 not having the honor of crossing the Channel.
En Superbike, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) currently leads the championship with 179 points. The Turkish driver showed a remarkable capacity for adaptation and prowess with his new German manufacturer and, following a perfect weekend in Misano (62 points scored), put the official duo of Borgo Panigale on the ropes .
Nicholas Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), however, follows him closely, with only 21 points, while his teammate
Alvaro Bautista occupies third place and remains in the race, with 155 points, with the tenacious desire to defend its title.
Although a little further away, alex lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) valiantly defends the greens, as does
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) the blues, after the departures of the flagship riders of the brands concerned.
Conversely, among the disappointments of this first third of the season, we will of course cite Jonathan Rhea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) which is paying a high price for the consequences of its Australian fall…
Historic performances at Donington Park
In 2023, Donington Park has been the scene of exciting battles, Alvaro Bautista winning the two long races and Toprak Razgatlioglu triumphant in the Tissot Superpole Race.
Toprak Razgatlioglu et Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) hold the record for the most wins (6) at this iconic British circuit among the current grid, with a total of six wins. Alvaro Bautista et Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) follow with two victories each. Jonathan Rhea has taken the last three pole positions at Donington Park.
Main challenges
Toprak Razgatlioglu will have to demonstrate his ability to adapt at Donington Park with the BMW, with the aim of extending his streak of four consecutive victories and equaling the record of nine victories of Marco Melandri for the Bavarian manufacturer. Nicholas Bulega tackles Donington Park on the handlebars of a Superbike for the first time, drawing on the experience acquired during his two seasons in Supersport. Jonathan Rhea, for his part, will perhaps aim for his fourth consecutive pole position on the British circuit, but will have to adapt to the circuit with the Yamaha for the first time.
Local drivers
alex lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will strive to achieve good results. As much as we can expect great things from the first, the second continues to ask us questions about the consistency necessary for a high-level driver. It's the first time that Sam Lowes heads to Donington Park in WorldSBK, although he has already won in WorldSSP in 2012 and 2013 at this circuit.
Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) will also look to take advantage of home advantage, trying to surpass his fourth place in Race 2 of 2023, his best result with BMW.
Times (add one hour for France)
