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The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship heads to Hungary for the first time since 1990 as Balaton Park hosts its first round. While it will be the circuit’s first WorldSBK event, the Championship will celebrate its 1000^th race, scheduled to be the Tissot Superpole Race. It comes as the lead in the title fight changed hands last time out at Donington, with four points separating new leader Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) heading into the Hungarian Round.

LITTLE TO SEPARATE THE TOP TWO: just four points in it…

Razgatlioglu’s on a run of eight wins in nine races, and six on the bounce, following his Donington hat-trick and that has helped him turn a 42-point deficit leaving Australia into a four-point advantage ahead of Round 8. Bulega has been able to closely match his rival at Most, Misano and Donington – circuits ‘El Turco’ dominated at last year – but Balaton Park is a new challenge for all, with only some stock bike testing taking place there and not the entire WorldSBK field. Both Razgatlioglu and Bulega did get some laps in at the Hungarian venue.

THE FIGHT FOR THIRD: Petrucci vs Bautista vs Locatelli

The momentum is ebbing and flowing as three riders scrap it out for third in the world. P3 is currently held by Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) but he’s just 15 points clear of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) in fourth and the #19 will have a spring in his step following his Race 2 rostrum at Donington. Then there’s Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who’s been aiming to maximise his Yamaha R1 package every weekend to stay in the fight, with three top-five finishes at Donington comfortably his best at the British circuit. Out of this group, only Bautista ventured to Balaton for time on the street bike.

POSITIVES TO TAKE FROM DONINGTON: Rea takes step forward, Alex Lowes fighting for podiums?

Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) had a strong weekend at Donington. Despite a tech issue in Race 2, it was his best weekend of 2025 as he fought for the top five positions. Scott Redding (MGM BONOVO Action) also had a good weekend as he battled with Rea in Race 1. They’ll hope to take that momentum forward into Hungary where there has been limited running and no races, with everyone on a level playing field. It’s similar for Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) who didn’t have to learn Donington and showed his true pace by fighting inside the top ten. Balaton is similar but different – while he will have to learn the track, so will everyone else. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) has been making gains on the ZX-10RR machine and the Texan will hope that continues in Hungary as he hopes to keep his position in the top ten. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) put Bimota on the front row at Donington and, if he’s declared fit following an ankle sprain suffered in a crash in Race 1 at Donington, will be hoping to repeat that speed – of course, there could be some symmetry too if either he or teammate Axel Bassani is able to win the Superpole Race, after Bimota won the first ever WorldSBK race with Davide Tardozzi. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will hope to keep his form going after taking a podium last time out at Donington.

AIMING FOR THE TOP TEN: can Aegerter keep his form going, will Honda bounce back?

Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) has often struggled throughout 2025 but appeared to make a breakthrough in the UK with three top ten finishes, including a season’s best P7 in Race 1. Teammate Remy Gardner was also in the top ten fight, finishing P12 twice and P9 in the Superpole Race. As for the Honda HRC duo of Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, they struggled at Donington but will aim to bounce back at Balaton to continue a season where they have largely been on a positive trend. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) will hope to continue his strong rookie campaign going, and Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) will be looking for a return to the podium fight for a season of struggle so far. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has also had a tricky year and will hope for better fortunes at a new venue. Michael Rinaldi (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) and teammate Bahattin Sofuoglu will again be aiming for points. Tito Rabat (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) has his second weekend at the Independent MIE Honda squad, joined by the returning Zaqhwan Zaidi.

Watch the Donington highlights show HERE, read the Official Programme for Hungary HERE and watch every moment from the UK using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now 65% off!