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The 2025 Pirelli Spanish Round will mark the end of a golden MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship era. Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) will bid farewell as a full-time rider at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, while there’s still a title fight to sort out. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) heads to Spain 39 points clear of rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) with 62 available, meaning it could be decided in Race 1.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT: Another Jerez decider between Razgatlioglu and Bulega

There’s almost a sense of déjà vu heading to Jerez. In 2024, ‘El Turco’ headed to the season finale 46 points clear of Bulega. This year, ‘Bulegas’ is seven points closer, but still has to climb a mountain if he’s to take this year’s Championship at the season finale. Razgatlioglu needs to be 37 points or more clear after Race 1 to secure the title on Saturday, meaning if he beats the Ducati rider, he’ll be Champion.

THE END OF AN ERA: The ‘Titanic Trio’ prepare for one last dance

Of course, while one eye will be on the title fight, the other will be on the goodbyes the paddock is about to face. Rea’s final round as a full-time rider – where he’s already racked up 119 wins, 264 podiums, 44 poles and six titles – comes at Jerez. He’s been fighting in the top five recently, so is there one last podium, a fairytale ending, for the #65 on the cards? Rea isn’t the only farewell. Razgatlioglu will begin his MotoGP adventure and is aiming to go out as a triple Champion, while Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) – still fighting for third in the standings – says goodbye to the factory Ducati team for the second time after 98 podiums, 47 wins and two titles in his second stint.

SAYING GOODBYE TO THEIR TEAMS: An emotional weekend at Jerez awaits

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) is in the fight for third too, but after a freak gym accident where he sustained a fractured metacarpal, he’ll be reviewed on Thursday ahead of the round. He’ll hope to race at Jerez in his final round for Barni Ducati before moving to BMW. At BMW, it’s also the last race for Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), and he’ll aim to go out on a high; he was on the podium here in 2024. Current Honda HRC riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge face their last round in Honda red before switching to Ducati and Yamaha respectively, while Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) – if he’s declared fit – will have his last race for GRT Yamaha. Elsewhere, Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) and Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) will bid farewell to their respective teams, aiming to go out on a high after up-and-down campaigns.

WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS? P3 in the standings, plus places in the top ten

There’s lots still to play for at Jerez, away from the title fight. The Manufacturers’ Championship is as close as you’d like, with three points between Ducati and BMW in the Italian brand’s favour. With the highest-placed rider from each manufacturer scoring, expect this to go to the wire. Third in the world is now even tighter after Petrucci missed Estoril, with Bautista in third, ‘Loka’ in fourth and ‘Petrux’ in fifth, separated by just eight points. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) is now sixth in the standings after Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) missed Estoril, with nine points between the two brothers. If he’s to race at Jerez, the #14 will need to pass a pre-round medical check on Thursday. Vierge sits eighth, 20 points clear of Iannone in ninth, while ‘The Maniac’ is just eight points clear of Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) as they scrap it out for the lower reaches of the top ten.

AIMING TO GO OUT ON A HIGH: Can they end the season in style?

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) showed strong pace at Estoril, and he’ll hope to continue that at Jerez, while Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) will aim to fight inside the top ten once again. Meanwhile, rookies Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) and Zaqhwan Zaidi (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) will aim to conclude their season on a high, as will Tarran Mackenzie (MGM BONOVO Action), Michael Rinaldi (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) and Tito Rabat (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team).

TWO WILDCARDS ON THE GRID: Fong returns, Tulovic makes debut

After a debut in WorldSBK last time out at Estoril, Bobby Fong (Attack Performance Yamaha Racing) returns for a second weekend on the R1. There’s a debut for Lukas Tulovic on the Ducati Panigale V4R, riding for Team Triple M Ducati Frankfurt. Tulovic won this year’s IDM Superbike championship and has experience in Moto2 and MotoE.

Catch up on the Estoril highlights show HERE, read the Official Programme for Jerez HERE and don’t miss any action using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!