UP FOR GRABS: which titles can still be won at Jerez?
There’s plenty to play for at the season-ending Spanish Round with several titles still not decided…
The sun might be setting on the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship but there’s still lots to be decided with just one round left. The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto hosts the season finale and there are plenty of titles to decide at the Prometeon Spanish Round. The Riders’ Championship is now decided but there are still several more awards to be handed out on the final day of the season.
NOTHING IN IT: Pata Yamaha vs Aruba Ducati for Teams’ Championship
10 points separate the two protagonists in the fight for the Teams’ Championship. The gap was seven points heading into Race 1 but Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK’s double podium with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli in second and third giving them 36 points, while Aruba.it Racing – Ducati scored 33. It meant Pata Yamaha’s lead extended to 10 points but with so many points available on Sunday, this title will only be decided in Race 2.
TOP INDEPENDENT RIDER: two Italians duelling it out
Another title that’s up for grabs is the Independent Riders’ title, with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) in contention. Bassani leads the way on 244 points compared to Petrucci’s 216, with the #47 not scoring in Race 1 and ‘Petrux’ scoring 11 points. It means the gap between them is now 28 points, down from 39, and the #47 can win it in the Superpole Race by losing two points or fewer to his compatriot. If not, as long as he loses 28 or less on Sunday to the #9, he will win the title.
INDEPENDENT TEAMS’ TITLE: two-way scrap in Spain
Following Saturday’s Race 1, only two teams remain in contention for the Teams’ Championship. GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team lead the way on 277 points, despite a non-score in Race 1, with only Motocorsa Racing able to prevent them from winning it. The gap is 33 points, with Motocorsa able to score 37 thanks to their one-rider line-up. Bonovo Action BMW fell out of contention on Saturday, as they now trail GRT Yamaha by 80 points, but I can only score 66.
TISSOT AWARD UP FOR GRABS: Razgatlioglu vs Bautista… again
While the pair are fighting for the Riders’ Championship, the Tissot Award is available for both Razgatlioglu and Bautista to win this weekend. The gap heading into the Spanish Round was three points, but Bautista’s pole and Razgatlioglu’s seventh place in the Tissot Superpole session means the Spaniard now leads by six points. This title will be decided after Sunday’s Tissot Superpole Race, with the #1 needing to not lose six points or more to his rival.
Watch every moment from Jerez LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!
