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The 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is at the halfway stage. The Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round was Round 6 of 12 and the fight for this year’s crown is as close as ever, with just nine points separating Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), while other battles are raging on behind the top two. There’s been plenty to learn, from the title battle, silly season, an incredibly close ‘midfield’ and much more.

RESPONDING TO EVERYTHING THROWN AT THEM: Bulega and Razgatlioglu a step ahead

It’s not news to say Bulega and Razgatlioglu are a step clear of their rivals – their race times and the gaps to P3 generally prove that. What’s been even more incredible to see is how the #11 and the #1 throw everything at each other, and more, and the pair can respond. Or how they can bounce back from disappointment immediately. Razgatlioglu had a disappointing Australian Round and took a hat-trick in Round 2. Bulega had two tech issues on Sunday at Assen and took a hat-trick next time out at Cremona. ‘Bulegas’ pulled off a last corner move on ‘El Turco’ in Race 2 at Most, and how did Razgatlioglu respond? With a hat-trick in Ducati’s backyard. Nothing fazes this duo, and that means the title fight in the second half of the campaign is going to be even more thrilling.

RIDER MARKET BLOWN OPEN: big names without a contract…

Around this time of the year is when riders want to start having their future sorted for the following campaign. Yet for Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), his big Misano announcement put him right back into silly season after he had indicated his desire to stay in place. Six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) had a troubled start to the season but seems to be getting on top of the Yamaha R1 after recovering from injury. However, he’s out of contract at the end of the season. There are plenty of factory seats available, as well as a plethora of Independent seats opening up, with plenty of news to come, despite only a handful of riders being confirmed.

COMPETITION IS FIERCE FOR THE PODIUM SPOTS: anyone’s game for a rostrum

Nine riders have stood on the podium so far in 2025. That’s only one fewer than in 2022 and 2023, and four down on 2021 and 2024, but with half the season to go – and several riders look like they could be in with a chance of reaching the podium. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) arguably had his best chance so far at Misano, starting from the front row. At the same time, Honda HRC duo Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge are often close to the podium this season. Rea is another to keep an eye on – particularly at Donington, where he goes so well – while Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team), fresh from a contract renewal, is getting quicker with the Kawasaki ZX-10RR machine with every session.

INDEPENDENT FIGHT: Petrucci’s consistency takes on Sam Lowes's improvements

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) has often been one of the podium contenders during his two-and-a-half years in WorldSBK, but this year – in a congested battle – he’s showing that more than ever. He’s scored points in all but one race (Assen Tissot Superpole Race) and leads the Independent Riders’ battle with 179 points. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) tails him by 55 points, but the #14 has shown remarkable gains from his rookie season, taking a first pole and podium at Assen and finishing in the top ten in 14 out of 18 races this year. On the other hand, Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) was a race winner last year, but has only looked that competitive in Australia. 2025 has been a season of struggle for ‘The Maniac’, who will hope the second half of the campaign brings better fortunes.

HONDA BECOME CONSISTENT TOP SIX CHALLENGERS: good progress for Lecuona and Vierge

Speaking of Honda, there’s been a lot of progress over the last two seasons. They started 2024 abysmally and finished it on the rostrum, and 2025 started roughly where last season ended – in the conversations for the top ten. Now, there’s been even more progress, and while the CBR1000RR-R machine still isn’t a regular podium contender or race winner, it is getting closer to the rostrum. Of course, the two Spaniards will want more, and they’ll keep pushing hard to be in the top three as often as possible.

BIMOTA’S FIRST STEPS BACK: quick progress for the Italian brand

It’s similar for Bimota in their comeback season, where they started the campaign in the top ten, and have made steps forward, particularly if Alex Lowes or Bassani can qualify well in Tissot Superpole. The Lowes secured the Italian brand’s first rostrum in 25 years at Misano. Bassani struggled on the ZX-10RR last year in his first season with the Provec Racing-run squad, but has adapted quickly to the KB998 Rimini, showing speed everyone knows he’s got in abundance. For Alex Lowes, his experience is undoubtedly helping the team move forward, with the #22 on the rostrum for four different manufacturers across his illustrious career. The next step will be to get on the podium regularly.

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