Moving into WorldSBK for the first time on a full-time basis in 2022, Czech youngster Oliver Konig is sure to have a baptism of fire. Having debuted in the class at Mandalika in 2021, Konig’s path to the Championship sees him as the first rider to jump directly from WorldSSP300 to WorldSBK. In the WorldSSP300 category, he took a first podium in 2021 at home at Most, on his way to 11th overall in the Championship. He graduated in 2022 with the Orelac Racing VerdNatura outfit, Jose Calero’s team once again supporting young riders, and the team have opted to keep Konig after he took two points finishes at the end of the 2022 season.