On the cusp of reaching the landmark since the end of the 2014 season, Marco Melandri (Aruba it.Racing- Ducati) was able to hit the 100^th victory for Italy last Sunday in race two of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

The last time an Italian reached the chequered flag first goes back to the second race in Magny-Cours 2014, which was also won by Melandri. Davide Giugliano stood on the podium eight times between 2015 and 2016 - also with a Ducati Panigale - but was never able to make that jump onto the top step for almost three seasons. Double World Superbike champion Max Biaggi also added a podium in his prompt return to competition three years after his retirement. The Roman rider was third in 2015’s Malaysian Race 1, competing as a wild card for the Aprilia Racing Team.

Melandri has been close to securing a victory since his return in 2017, with the 34 year old taking six podiums so far, before finally taking the victory at his home race last Sunday.

The milestone achieved by Melandri at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli came just 29 years after the debut victory from an Italian in WorldSBK. Italian’s have been making history in WorldSBK since the lights went out for the very first time, as Davide Tardozzi secured the first ever race win at Donington Park in 1988.

The UK holds the top spot in the victories ranking with 208, followed by the United States with 119 and Australia with 118 wins.

Below you can find, in round numbers, Italy’s victories in the Superbike World Championship:

And below you can find the achievements of every victorious Italian: