P1racenews AI automatic summary:
New riders, world champion’s moving teams and first-time circuits should add more drama and excitement to WorldSBK than ever before in 2024.
The 2023 WorldSBK season was thrilling and action-packed, but the upcoming 2024 season holds even greater promise. Toprak Razgatlioglu, a former Yamaha rider and 2021 champion, has joined BMW with the goal of propelling the German manufacturer to the top of the series. This move could significantly impact BMW’s standing since Razgatlioglu is widely regarded as one of the best Superbike riders in the world. With Michael Van Der Mark, Scott Redding, and Garrett Gerloff also riding M 1000 RR machines for BMW, the team is poised to pose a serious challenge.
In a surprising twist, Jonathan Rea, a six-time world champion with Kawasaki, has switched to Yamaha, taking Razgatlioglu’s place. This transfer could make Rea a stronger contender in the upcoming season, and he could potentially be a major threat to Bautista’s title defense, depending on BMW’s performance.
Andrea Iannone, who has served a four-year doping ban, will be a headline addition to WorldSBK in 2024. A former MotoGP race winner, Iannone possesses exceptional skills on two wheels. He will be riding for Ducati, known for having the best package on the grid. Despite his time away from racing, Iannone is expected to perform well, and with the Panigale V4 R at his disposal, he could become the second-best rider on that bike, behind Bautista.
The 2024 calendar features 10 out of 12 races in Europe, with Balaton Park in Hungary and Cremona in Italy as the new venues. These unfamiliar circuits pose fresh challenges for all riders, as there is no previous Superbike data available. New circuits often lead to unpredictable results, making these races potential opportunities for new winners to emerge.
