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 KRT team launch event will be held on February 6^th at 20:00 CET at the Bimota factory in Rimini, Italy.

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 of 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 will take place in Berlin on January 15^th.

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. 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 Marc VDS Ducati will host their team launch on January 13^th, and GoEleven Ducati will host their team launch in Limone Piedmonte, Italy, on January 17^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, recording nine DNF's, 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.

Confirmed Team Launch Dates (ongoing):

January 13^th - (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)

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

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

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

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