Home Run: Imola Highlights
The Motul Italian Round gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for
Jonathan Rea went into the WorldSBK weekend at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari as a definite favourite to do the double, sharing the honours as most successful rider at Imola with Carlos Checa. With a large Championship lead and as the only rider to have been on the podium in every race, it looked like a mountain to climb to overhaul the reigning Champion.
Chaz Davies, however, on the ever-improving Ducati 1199 Panigale R, had other plans. With a bigger points deficit than most his results at the flag should have created, the 2015 runner-up is pushing hard to close in on Rea, having lost a big haul of points in the first Round of the year after a crash on the last lap in Race 2 in Phillip Island. If Rea’s name was penciled next to the victory in Imola, Davies was ready to try and rub it out.
In WorldSSP, Randy Krummenacher remained points leader upon arrival to the Italian track, with the Swiss rookie keeping impressively consistent in his first year. Jacobsen and Cluzel got to Imola after some tough Rounds looking to bounce back, and reigning Champion Kenan Sofuoglu was on a charge as World Supersport arrived to a track he likes.
STK1000 saw some high profile incidents in Assen, leaving the Pata Yamaha squad especially affected and with two replacement riders for Imola. Raffaele de Rosa lead the Championship from compatriot Michael Ruben Rinaldi, and the home pressure was on for an Italian-packed grid.
So who took the glory at one of the most spectacular racetracks in the world? Relive the best of Imola as WorldSBK took to the track on a significant anniversary in the history of the circuit.