DEFINING OVERTAKES: the big moves from Cremona and Aragon after a dramatic double header
Some corners provided good overtaking opportunities while, at others, riders created an unlikely move at unusual turns
The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s visits to the Cremona Circuit and MotorLand Aragon have concluded with some incredible overtakes, some coming at corners you wouldn’t expect. From high-speed changes of direction to big moves under braking, there were some unforgettable passes across the two rounds.
TURN 5 AT ARAGON: Iannone jabs it down the inside
Aragon’s Turn 5 left-hander comes right after Turn 4 where riders are continually reducing speed, but that didn’t stop Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) releasing the brakes and jabbing it down the inside of Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) there to reclaim the lead of Race 1, before going on to win the race.
TURN 15 OVERTAKES: Bautista, Razgatlioglu make their moves
The Tissot Superpole Race at Aragon went down to the last-lap, as Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) made moves at Turn 15. First, ‘El Turco’ sent it on the inside of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) there to move into P1, before Bautista followed suit on his teammate. Then, on the final lap, it was Bautista vs Razgatlioglu as the reigning Champion overtook the BMW rider.
BULEGA MAKES GAINS AT TURN 7: an unusual overtaking spot
After losing out at the start of Race 2, Bulega was on the charge as he looked to recover to a podium. Turn 7 seemed to be one of his favourite passing places, as he got ahead of Iannone and Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) there, while he also got ahead of Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) on the run to Turn 8.
CREMONA’S TURN 4: Iannone sends it at the change of direction
Turn 4 at Cremona is the first right-hander of the track, but it isn’t a place you’d consider to be an overtaking opportunity – unless your name is Andrea Iannone. After catching Bulega through the final sector of the first lap, he surprised the #11 by going up the inside to briefly moved into the lead of the race.
FINAL CORNER PASS: Lecuona on the charge at off-camber Turn 13
The last turn at Cremona is a left-hand hairpin but its design lends itself to overtaking despite a short run into it. The off-camber corner allows different lines and Lecuona took full advantage of this, pulling off an unexpected move on Iannone to move up the field.
BAUTISTA THROUGH AT TURN 2: part of an epic comeback
Reigning Champion Bautista could only manage 13th in Tissot Superpole but he was soon fighting his way through the field. He carried speed through Turn 1 and set up a move on van der at Turn 2 to move up the field; he eventually went on to finish third.
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