For its 7th round, the drivers of the Superbike World Championship took over the paddock of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, in Imola in Italy, for the 7th round of the 2023 WorldSBK season.
Lhe last edition of Superbike dating back to 2019, many riders do not know the hilly layout of the Santerno circuit, likeAndrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing), Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Xavi Verge (Team HRC), Remy gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) and Garrett gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW).
Conversely, the headliners of the championship are Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Toprak Razgatlioğlu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rhea (Kawasaki Racing Team) have already raced there, and even won the last two races as far as the Northern Irishman is concerned.
This year, the Kawasaki rider, currently 4th in the general classification, is already 194 points behind the reigning champion and solid current leader. Alvaro Bautista, which precedes by 93 units Toprak Razgatlioğlu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), and 182 Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK).
They said…
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “ We return to Imola, a circuit where I have only raced once but of which I have good memories. Additionally, this will be the second home race for Ducati, which always adds to the excitement. I have to admit that it won't be an easy weekend because we don't have a lot of data for this circuit. Therefore, our goal will be to work as best as possible to regain the same sensations that we have had throughout the season so far. I don't have any specific expectations; I hope to have fun and give the Ducati fans a great weekend. »
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “ I have good memories at Imola since 2015, fighting with Federico Caricasulo for the victory in the European Superstock 600 Championship! This time it will be my first time with Yamaha, and I think we can do a good job, because I love this circuit. I like the corners you can't see, you go into the corner blind, I like those old school tracks and where there's hard braking! At Imola Johnny was very strong in the past, but I will try to do my best. It's never possible to tell what will happen before the race! We'll see, but I want to fight for victory again. »
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “ I rode in Imola, but that was many years ago! We will see what happens during the weekend, we will definitely find difficult conditions because it will be very hot and so we have to be ready for that and stay focused. Imola is interesting, but I always liked the track, especially when I was riding in the Italian championship (CIV Moto3) and won the race there in 2013, so I have good memories there. We have to start working hard on Friday to prepare for the weekend. Many drivers have never seen this circuit, but drivers like Johnny know it very well, and it is therefore important to approach Friday with everything you need to be fast from race 1 and continue to obtain good results. It's good to have another Italian race, it's very different from Misano! There's a lot of ups and downs, hard braking, and for the chicane… we're going to try to enjoy it and make the most of it. »
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) : " When I saw that Imola was back on the calendar, I was already looking forward to it. It's a great circuit with a real atmosphere. We feel very close to the fans, especially with the paddock being so tight and intimate. The circuit is full of history. It has a beautiful layout, rolling hills and some of the most iconic stretches in the world. I'm looking forward to getting there and we have good memories of 2019. With plenty of data, I hope we can start Friday with a strong setup and continue to be competitive, as we were at Donington last last time. It is important to try to stay on the podium and score good points for our championship battles, as we will move on to Most shortly after. The next two rounds, in Italy and the Czech Republic, mark a part of the championship where we want to capitalize and be strong. I can't wait to get started. »
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “ I'm really happy to be back at the Imola circuit, a fantastic track. I am delighted to have been declared 'fit'. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Dorna medical team for their daily support from Donington. I will have to be tested after the first day of racing, but this is a normal procedure, and I hope to pass the test without problems. It will be a unique weekend because we haven't driven on this circuit for a long time. In addition, the weather forecast predicts scorching temperatures throughout the weekend. But I assure you it will be a lot of fun. »
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team) : " Imola is a historic circuit that has been the scene of some incredible WorldSBK battles, including the battle between Edwards and Bayliss that decided the championship during the 2002 season. The track itself is quite challenging, with quick and slow changes of direction, as well as elevations and descents. We haven't driven there since 2019, but it's a circuit that I really like. It's an 'old school' type circuit, which is quite physically difficult, especially with the hot temperatures predicted for the race weekend. My goal, as always, is to get a good start on Friday so that I can claim podiums on Saturday and Sunday, and of course have fun. »
