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The 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is moments away from starts; the 2021 WorldSBK season is one that will forever be remembered for the bar-to-bar battling of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). With Ducati’s Scott Redding thrown into the mix, three manufacturers had three title contenders producing the best racing imaginable. Can we have more of the same in 2022? You better believe it!

TITANIC TRIO: Razgatlioglu, Rea and Bautista aim for fame

With Razgatlioglu and Rea staying with Yamaha and Kawasaki, they look almost certain to be drawn together on track once again. Razgatlioglu is the most unlikely of superstars. His talent on a bike is unlike anything else in racing with his flamboyant style paying homage to his family background of stunt riding whereas Rea’s shows the adaptability of his motocross background. Both will be at the front this year.

The biggest change for 2022 will be at Ducati. Gone is Redding and in his place is the returning Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). The Spanish star lost the 2019 title with a series of crashes – not all of which were his doing – but he looks ready to right those wrongs. Armed with the fabulous Ducati Panigale V4 R, he will win races, likely as early as the opening round of the year at MotorLand Aragon and be a constant front runner. The only question mark hanging over Ducati is whether he has learned from his mistakes to become consistent. Two years on an underperforming Honda will have given him a new focus. Bautista has sharpened his tools for battle at the front and is arguably the title favourite.

JOINING THE PARTY: BMW and Honda undertake their own revolutions

With Ducati hiring Bautista, Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was the odd man out. He’s switched the red of Ducati for the white of BMW and has his work cut out to get back to the front of the field on a regular basis. When the news broke that he was leaving Ducati the English rider, 12 times a race winner, was put under the microscope. Now it’ll be the turn of the BMW M 1000 RR to prove that it’s worthy of having a title contender in the saddle.

The major upgrades last year proved that it has the basis of a good bike, but something has been lacking at BMW despite Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) picking up a Superpole Race victory last year. With the ability to use all of their engine potential as well as a new fuel tank and constant electronic improvements, can they finally be regular challengers? Finding a solution to their corner entry woes will be critical for BMW but their rider line-up is second to none.

Loris Baz and Eugene Laverty also line up on Bavarian machinery; BMW has no place to hide in 2022 and they need to prove that they are more competitive. BMW will be able to take advantage of an easing of testing restrictions for “concession bikes” in 2022. The other manufacturer to avail of this will be Honda. Now entering their third season as a full factory return, HRC needs to impress. The big money signing of Bautista in 2020 proved their intent, but now they need to prove their worth and bag a first win.

Into his second season as team manager, Leon Camier flexed his muscles and brought in an all-new rider line-up. Ex-MotoGP™ rider Iker Lecuona stars in the Superbike class alongside Moto2™ podium finisher Xavi Vierge. Winter testing has been a mixed bag for Honda and Vierge will open the season nursing fractured ribs. Honda will be hoping that more testing can help them unlock the undoubted potential of CBR1000RRR. Aside from the riders, the invaluable experience of Pete Jennings, crew chief to Iker Lecuona this year, joins the team, whilst the squad also switch suspension manufacturers from Öhlins to Showa (the same as Kawasaki) and brake brands too, Brembo to Nissin (the same as BMW).

DARK HORSES: plenty to watch out for elsewhere

Nine riders on the grid have already won WorldSBK races. Don’t be surprised to see some new additions to the winners with the likes of Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) and Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) all having the talent and machinery to do it this year, whilst there’ll be the likes of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who will aim to return to winning ways after missing out in 2021.

WorldSBK in 2022 could be better than ever! Watch all the drama with the WorldSBK VideoPass!