The Prosecco DOC Catalunya WorldSBK has today written another chapter in its history with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The fourth round of the World Superbike Championship came to an end, and it did so with a weekend focused on local hero Álvaro Bautista. The Spaniard, as he did in the last edition, monopolised the first position during the whole weekend, achieving a new hat-trick by winning Race 1, Superpole Race and Race 2.
Moreover, he achieved this milestone in front of a total of 32,140 attendees at the event, a figure that represents an increase of 7.5% compared to the 2022 edition. The Spanish rider celebrated his victories in an unbeatable atmosphere, with a paddock full of excited faces from the thousands of fans present, who were able to enjoy one of the most prestigious world championships in the world. Live podiums, access to the starting grid and visits to the pit lane were some of the attractions for those attending the race.
Bautista had already made it clear yesterday when he told the media that the Catalan track is like “his own backyard”. In his more than 20 years of career, the rider from Talavera de la Reina has ridden at the Circuit on countless occasions. That factor, together with Bautista’s excellent streak, has made the Prosecco DOC Catalunya WorldSBK the perfect opportunity to extend his lead at the top of the standings.
This morning, Bautista was on top of the podium in the Superpole Race. A few hours later, the Aruba.it Racing-Ducati rider was back on the podium with a considerable lead of eight and a half seconds. However, at the start of the race Toprak Razgatlioglu, his biggest rival for the title, managed to overtake him. Bautista, after returning the move, did not let go of the controls. The Turkish rider was overtaken by the two Ducati riders, Bautista and Michael Rinaldi as well.
With Razgatlioglu out of the podium positions, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) also tried to make a gap behind Bautista. But his joy was short-lived as Rinaldi clung on to second place, with Bautista further and further behind. The surprise came on the final corner of the last lap, when Toprak Razgatlioglu surprised Rinaldi, overtaking him with no chance of a reply at the chequered flag.
Bautista, Razgatlioglu and Rinaldi were the guests on the podium, but they were not the only protagonists. Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK riders Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea were fourth and fifth respectively. Good points for Rea in the World Championship, much needed after his crash in the Superpole Race this morning when he was fighting for second place with the Turkish rider. A few drops of rain caused Rea to crash.
A spectacular Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) was very close to the front group. The Catalan was sixth and completed a weekend in which he progressed from strength to strength. Iker Lecuona, his teammate, was ninth. Even so, in the morning race he was just off the podium. Isaac Viñales (TPR by Viñales Racing), the fourth home rider in the series, was unable to finish Race 2. Other WorldSBK heavyweights such as Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) also failed to finish the race.
Sofuoglu takes his first win in WorldSSP
Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Augusta Reparto Corse) took a well-deserved victory at the Circuit today, the first of his World Supersport career. Toprak Razgatlioglu’s pupil won a race in which he dominated for most of it. It only took him three laps to take the lead, and he led until the last two laps, when things started to get complicated for him.
Marcel Schroetter, his teammate, was also in the fight for victory. The German, who had lost some positions, being surprised by riders like Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), recovered without difficulties and showed himself as a candidate for the victory. The last laps of the race turned into a three-way fight with Sofuoglu first, Manzi second and Schroetter third. These positions were the ones obtained at the chequered flag, but on paper they were different.
Stefano Manzi, who would have been second, lost a position for exceeding the track limits on the last lap. In the end he finished third, behind Schroetter. Nicolo Bulega, the WorldSSP leader, was also in the fight with this group, but later surprised everyone by stopping on track with an apparent mechanical failure when he was in the top 5. Even so, the Aruba.it Racing-WorldSSP Team rider still leads the standings, thanks in part to his victory yesterday.
Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) was also among the best, taking ninth place. The next best Spanish rider was Adrián Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) in 12th position. Adrián Fernández (Evan Bros WorldSSP Yamaha Team), meanwhile, took a point for his 15th place. Álvaro Díaz (Arco Yart Yamaha WorldSSP) was 20th.
Gennai wins WorldSSP 300 at the last second
Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) today scored an “in extremis” victory. So last minute that it was necessary to review the images to ensure the results. The Italian climbed a total of 19 positions, something almost unthinkable in such an evenly matched category. He was able to do so because practically the entire grid became an infinite line with constant changes of positions.
Numerous riders passed by the first position, but it was Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) in particular who was celebrating victory. In the end he had to settle for silver. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki), who started leading the 12-lap race, was third.
Leader Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki) missed out on a number of points in Barcelona. Although he was fourth yesterday, today you have to go down to tenth position to find his name. His biggest rival, Humberto Mayer (Yamaha MS Racing/AD78 Latin America Team) was eighth today and fifth yesterday. For that reason, Svoboda can breathe easy. Samuel di Sora, the third in the battle, crashed out, leaving him a little behind in the fight.
Daniel Mogeda (Kawasaki GP Project) was the best placed home rider. The Catalan was fifth. José Manuel Osuna (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) was ninth, while Julio García (Team Flembbo-PI Performances) was 12th.
A sustainable event
The Prosecco DOC Catalunya WorldSBK has been ISO 20121 certified since 2021 for its commitment to sustainability, promoting actions to raise awareness among all stakeholders.
This year, for instance, sustainable mobility and the efficient use of resources were promoted. For this purpose, the Circuit worked with suppliers that use electric vehicles, and also provided charging points in the paddock for teams and promoters. The efficient use of resources was also promoted, with an emphasis on water consumption restrictions due to the current drought context.
Another action to be highlighted is a committed and 0 km catering offer, the reduction of plastic waste through reusable cups, as well as the correct segregation of all waste, and the donation of surplus food generated by the teams.
All this always trying to raise awareness in the community with areas such as the Crater Forest, the sustainability stand in the paddock. The Red Cross point located next to Gate 1 offered ambulance service for people with reduced mobility.
