News

BIMOTA RETURNS: the storied Italian manufacturer back on the grid

bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team will make their long-awaited return to WorldSBK after a 10-year hiatus from the sport, last competing at Laguna Seca in July 2014. The Italian Manufacturer will be partnering with Kawasaki to produce the new KB998, which will be ridden by Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani. The bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team launch event will be held on February 6^th at the Bimota factory in Rimini, Italy, unveiling their attractive new bike.

THREE FOR TOPRAK?: BMW looks to continue last season’s success

ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK will look to keep the ball rolling with their new talisman Toprak Razgatlioglu coming off a red-hot season which saw him win a record-setting 13 consecutive races. ’El Turco’ has breathed life into a historically wayward BMW team, who now look to record their first ever back-to-back titles. He is joined by teammate Michael Van Der Mark who enjoyed a productive comeback season after being plagued by injuries throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The Dutchman secured two podiums, including first place at a wet and wild French Round at Magny-Cours, finishing sixth in the rider championship. The German manufacturer’s team launch took place on January 15th at their facility in Berlin, and have since unveiled their new 2025 M1000RR in preseason testing.

Ducati’s diverse success: The Bolognese manufacturer celebrated their 20^th manufacturer title in 2024

Aruba.it Racing - Ducati had a pleasant surprise in 2024 with the breakout success of rookie Nicolo Bulega, dueling with Toprak throughout the season for first place and finishing second in the rider championship. The two-time champion Alvaro Bautista had a subpar season by his standards despite finishing third in points, the Spaniard had a litany of crashes which hampered his placement in several rounds throughout the season, costing him in the title race. Despite this, race wins by five different riders led Ducati to their 20^th manufacturer’s title. Aruba.it Racing Ducati’s official team launch will be held in Monte San Pietro, Bergamo, Italy on February 11^th.

Ducati independent teams Team GoEleven and Elf Marc VDS Racing Team will look to host their team launches earlier, in January. Ducati affiliates  Ducati affiliates Marc VDS Ducati hosted their team launch on January 13^th, and GoEleven Ducati held theirs in Limone Piedmonte, Italy, on January 17^th,debuting their new livery.  Marc VDS Ducati hosted their team launch event on January 13^th. Sam Lowes will return for his second year riding with Marc VDS Ducati, a season in which he showed clear upside however struggled to find his footing with the bike, being forced to retire nine times, more than any other rider on the grid. GoEleven Ducati rider Andrea Ianonne looked in his element in 2024, after a 4-year hiatus from the sport he landed podium finishes five times and finished first at Aragon’s Race 1.

MORE CONFIRMATIONS: Kawasaki gears up with Gerloff, Honda resurgent, Yamaha incorporating new parts

Garrett Gerloff will begin his first season with the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team in Australia at Phillip Island. The 29-year-old American rider has consistently been among the top half of the grid, his worst ever rider’s championship final placement being just 12^th place. He will look to take the next step in his career and break into serious championship contention fresh off a ninth-place finish in the Rider’s Championship with Bonovo Action BMW. Kawasaki will host their team launch on Saturday February 8^th

Despite rainy preseason testing, a new crew chief for Xavi Vierge, and working on implementing a new Ohlins suspension system in their bikes, Vierge has looked good on track. Iker Lecuona suffered a broken rib in the offseason, however was able to make his return to the circuit in Day 1 of testing in Portimao. Both riders will look to continue the Honda project and get the Japanese manufacturer back in the podium fight in 2025. Honda HRC will host their team launch event on February 10^th.

Yamaha is hoping to continue the growth they have displayed so far in the preseason, the six-time World Champion looked dynamic in testing, as he was the fastest on the track in a rain-affected Day 2 of testing at Jerez. Pata Maxus Yamaha Team Principal Paul Denning spoke on the progress he and his team have been making in the offseason, however Remy Gardner and his GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team look similarly strong, fourth-fastest at a mixed-conditions Day 1 of testing at Portimao. Yamaha’s teams held an online launch event in late January at which they debuted their new liveries ahead of the 2025 season.

Confirmed Team Launch Dates:

January 13^th- Elf Marc VDS Racing Team

Jan 15^th –  Berlin, Germany (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

January 17^th Limone Piedmonte, Italy – (Team GoEleven)

January 27^th – (Pata Maxus Yamaha and GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team)

February 6^th - Rimini, Italy – (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team)

February 8^th – (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team)

February 10^th – (Honda HRC)

February 11^th- Monte San Pietro, Bergamo, Italy (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)