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The Rocca Sforzesca di Imola played host to the pre-event for the Motul Italian Round at Imola, with WorldSBK paddock stars getting into character in medieval costume before taking each other on a different kind of battlefield. With a demonstration and small re-enactment staged, the scene was then set for an archery competition.

First, riders from the paddock including Tom Sykes, Leon Camier, Sylvain Guintoli and Davide Giugliano were tasked with suiting up in their costumes, with members of the medieval brigade close by to lend a helping hand. Buttons and gloves proved the most difficult as the riders pulled on the layers and grabbed their shields, with battle cries starting to echo around the building and promises of retribution made. A briefing then followed, before the riders marched their way out over the moat and witnessed a re-enactment. Some also got involved, with Davide Giugliano making sure to sit on the first victim to prove he was indeed a man temporarily down, and Leon Camier giving a rousing call to arms as he entered the fight. The battle-cry royale however was provided by Kawasaki Racing Team rider Tom Sykes, who found himself immediately in character once suited up and primed for battle.

The next part of the event saw the riders try their hand at archery, with their competitive spirit fired up once again as the realization dawned that the fight would be every man for himself. After an early misfire by MV Agusta’s WorldSSP rider Lorenzo Zanetti, the task proved harder than many imagined with some performances a little wide of the mark. MV Agusta WorldSBK  rider Leon Camier was one of those left slightly disappointed by the outcome, and went on to explain the level of his disappointment by the fact that he had both previously tried archery and even owned a bow and arrow. Most, however, had a good excuse after never having tried their hand at the discipline, and one test shot each didn’t prove enough to go pro.

The early leader was Aruba.it rider Davide Giugliano, who got some good points bagged at both his and Ducati’s home round to set the first benchmark, and it was left to 2013 Champion Sykes and 2014 Champion Guintoli to try and depose the local rider’s points tally. As the pressure started to mount, however, rumours about one of Giugliano’s key competitors were quick to spread: Tom Sykes, it was said, had previously showed great skill at archery and the Yorkshireman waited until almost last to step up and release his go for glory. Sykes, aware of the stakes, kept his full focus on the board despite attempts to distract him from his Italian rival, who had commandeered the commentary mircrophone, and the rumours proved true as the Yorkshireman managed to not only hit the board, but also double Giugliano’s score.

With everything to play for for the final competitors, Honda WorldSSP rider PJ Jacobsen was unable to mount a true challenge for the win before it was left to Sylvain Guintoli to take on his old 2014 WorldSBK Championship rival. After a moment’s preparation, the French Yamaha rider gave it his best shot, but sadly was unable to scale the heights of Sykes’ score (6). He did however come home in a shared P2, equaling Giugliano and making sure there were three different manufacturers on the pre-event podium.

After chance for those who lost out to lick their wounds, track action gets underway at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola on Friday 29^th of April, as the WorldSBK paddock put on a different kind of armour for a different kind of battle and prepare to face each other down each again for Round 5 of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.