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The gap between rounds in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was the perfect opportunity for some of the riders to take a breather after a relentless first half of the 2022 season, featuring an incredible title fight. Some riders used this time to relax while others continued taking part in sport or additional training, as well as completing a two-day test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK duo Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli were two of the busiest riders in the summer break, as they enjoyed some time in the United Kingdom. They were supporting Team Manager Paul Denning as he took part in a motocross race, before heading to Cadwell Park and the famous ‘mountain’ for some demonstration laps in front of the crowd who had gathered. Both also took part in the two-day test in Spain, while Razgatlioglu also enjoyed some water sports, meaning a very busy summer break for the Yamaha duo.

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took in a football match in Barcelona as FC Barcelona took on Manchester City at the Camp Nou in a thrilling game. Teammate Alex Lowes went to the golf course as he continued practicing his game, while both started their summer break a week later as they took part in the Suzuka 8 Hours; finishing second. Just before the summer break started, Lowes attending his twin brother’s wedding as Moto2™ star Sam Lowes got married.

Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was also at the iconic race as he claimed his first victory, while Lecuona spent some time cycling and training with Moto3™ star Diogo Moreira. Lecuona’s Honda teammate, Xavi Vierge, was also in Japan as a reserve rider, while he took advantage of the summer break to enjoy a holiday on the Balearic Islands.

At Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, Michael Ruben Rinaldi took some time to train with Valentino Rossi at his ranch, while he also spent time with Chaz Davies following the Barcelona test and did some endure training with the Ducati rider coach. Rinaldi was also joined by Team HRC Team Manager Leon Camier and Moto3™ star John McPhee. Championship leader Alvaro Bautista, Rinaldi’s teammate, took some downtime to spend with his family while he also took to the flat track to keep himself sharp.

Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) used his summer break to race on a road bike in the UK with his road racing team, while teammate Michael van der Mark made his WorldSBK comeback during the Barcelona test following an injury sustained in Estoril. Fellow BMW rider Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) enjoyed a break on the French island of Corsica after the two-day test.

American star Garrett Gerloff (GYTR Yamaha WorldSBK Team) took in some sights of the UK, visiting the iconic Stonehenge as well as Brands Hatch for a BSB meeting. As well as a track day, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) enjoyed in Sardinia, Italy, while Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) also enjoyed time in Italy as he visited Rome. The Argentinean rider also took part in the German IDM championship at Assen, claiming a podium finish.

In WorldSSP, Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) returned to training following injury sustained at Donington Park back in July as he stepped up his recovery for his home round, with the Frenchman aiming to return to the rostrum. Championship leader Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) had a busy summer break as he competed in MotoE™, a title he could win before WorldSSP returns to action in France.

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