Despite coming under attack as he began to struggle with his rear tyre, Gardner managed to claim his second P6 of the weekend in what turned out to be his best WorldSBK round of the season. 

Third in qualifying, Saturday’s flag-to-flag Race 1 saw Gardner slide down the order after using the intermediate tyre for the first time in his career.

Calling it a ‘daunting’ experience, Gardner then recovered by taking sixth in the Superpole Race. 

“It’s been a very positive weekend,” Gardner told WorldSBK.com. “We had a great qualifying and got lucky to be on the front row. 

“It was an unlucky Race 1 with the tyre choice and that’s down to experience with those tyres. I had never run the intermediates in the wet before so it was a bit daunting for me. 

“I had a good sprint as well and managed to keep the front two rows. Then I was having quite a good race until around lap 14/15 – the rear tyre really started to drop and I saw the guys coming at me fast. 

“They were closing the gap and I knew there nothing I could do. I was already on the limit. We were lucky to finish the race. 

“I had a few holes in the tyre just like Toprak. We were lucky not to get a flat tyre.”

Thanks to his best qualifying result since joining WorldSBK, and his performance in Sunday’s double-header, Gardner spent much of the weekend competing with the top riders in the class, which has not always been the case.

Blistering, de-lamination and punctures were the cause of Razgatlioglu’s tyre failure, and Gardner admitted he was lucky not to suffer the same fate. 

The Australian did feel as though he perhaps pushed too hard early on, causing him to lose grip from lap 15 onwards. 

“I finally got to see the head of the race which was cool,” added Gardner. “Maybe it made me push too hard in those [first] 15 laps and use too much tyre. 

“The other guys were capable of saving the rear tyre better. We’re trying to make up a deficit with straight line speed. 

“I think there’s a bit more we can get out of our package. Toprak is doing it and he was unlucky with his rear tyre situation. I think it was a confidence boost this weekend.”

Free Practice 1 got underway in wet conditions as most of the grid tip-toed their way around the Most circuit. 

One of those was Jonathan Rea who began setting the pace ahead of GRT Yamaha rider Remy Gardner. 

1.4 seconds clear of the Australian, Rea then pumped in a time of 1:48.418s in order to move a further second clear. 

Rea’s advantage began to shrink when the likes of Toprak Razgatlioglu ventured out on circuit, however, the six-time world champion was still holding a lead of over one second with a quarter of the session gone. 

Razgatlioglu eventually got the better of Rea thanks to a time of 1:45.117s, but the 2021 world champion was quickly beaten to top spot by Gardner.

The former Moto2 world champion broke underneath the 1m 45s barrier while Alvaro Bautista jumped up to P5 behind Alex Lowes.

As a dry line appeared, as did dry tyres, lap times began to improve drastically as Dominique Aegerter broke the 1m 40s barrier. 

Scott Redding, who was first to switch to dry tyres then went three second clear of the Yamaha rider.

Bautista and Rea chose not to take advantage of the drying conditions as they remained in their garages. 

Razgatlioglu then smashed Redding’s fastest time by a full second before the Brit went quickest by six tenths on his final lap, which was enough to claim top spot.

Most World Superbike records

Fastest Lap – Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing Team 1:30.947s

Most Wins – Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK (4)

2022 Race Winners

Race 1 – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati

Superpole Race – Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK

Race 2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK

Making his return to World Superbike action was Michael Van Der Mark, who had been sidelined with a broken leg since Assen. 

Making his WorldSBK debut, Hannes Soomer saw his session end in the gravel after suffering a highside at turn 21. 

Weekend Schedule

Friday 

Free Practice 1 – 09:30-10:15

Free Practice 2 – 14:00-14:45

Saturday 

Free Practice 3 – 08:00-08:30

Superpole 10:10-10:25

Race 1 – 13:00

Sunday 

Warm-up – 08:00-08:15

Superpole Race – 10:00

Race 2 – 13:00

The former world champion in Grand Prix is not involved in his son’s career anymore, however, the differences between MotoGP and WorldSBK are substantial and the Australian is of the belief that latter is not suited to Remy’s style.

Gardner’s rookie season has not been as good as expected, with the 2021 Moto2 world champion yet to record a top five finish in 21 races. 

Teammate Dominique Aegerter has shown more consistency than Gardner, while also achieving better results in both race and qualifying conditions.

Speaking to Motosan.es about his son’s WorldSBK campaign to date, Wayne Gardner added: “To be honest, I expected better results and I think a lot of the fans did too. Since I am not involved in his career, I do not know the reasons for what is happening to him. 

“You may have to ask Remy himself or his representative, Paco Sanchez“.

“I really think Remy is going to have a hard time excelling in WorldSBK because I don’t think it suits his style.”

Gardner made the move to WorldSBK after just one season in MotoGP, where KTM announced they would be splitting from him after just a few months.

Although the two never spoke at length about KTM’s decision, Gardner called it a shock for them to move on from his son so quickly. 

“It was a shock to me because KTM always gives riders two years, especially a Moto2 World Champion,” said Gardner. 

“Remy did a great job in Moto2, he controlled the championship and yes, it was very strange because it was only six months before they told him he was out. 

“However, I was not involved in managing everything. Lisa and I, who were running it until then and then Aki, who was taking care of it in 2021… but then Remy made the decision that he didn’t want to continue with Aki and signed the contract with Paco Sánchez. That’s where all the problems started. 

“I don’t really know the details of the story because Remy didn’t share it with me and I’m not involved in his career anymore. Still, I think it was a tough decision by KTM.”

Petrucci enjoyed his best weekend yet in WorldSBK from a performance point of view, however, different circumstances meant the former MotoGP rider failed to deliver the results he should have.

The Italian looked set to challenge Toprak Razgatlioglu for a podium in Race 1 before crashing out at turn eight.

While in the Superpole Race, Petrucci made contact with another rider not once, but twice. 

The first of those came on the opening lap as he hit Aegerter heading into turn two, which then led to Aegerter being shoved into his teammate Gardner.

Both Yamaha riders crashed as a result before Petrucci was handed a Long Lap penalty.

After recovering some of the lost positions, Petrucci then took out Iker Lecuona which resulted in the Honda rider being declared unfit for Race 2.

But Petrucci was adamant that the stewards should have listened to his view on the accident with Aegerter and Gardner, before coming to their decision. 

The Misano round was not the first in which Petrucci felt hard done by, after being disqualified from Race 1 in Catalunya.

“In the Superpole Race, I didn’t have a good start but I was on the inside at Turn 2 and unfortunately, me and Domi… I was on the inside and he closed the door,” said Petrucci. 

“It felt like somebody touched the rear end of my bike but for me the decision of the Stewards is not correct. 

“Every time something happens on the first lap, they always say ‘it’s the first lap and it’s difficult to judge’. Today they were so quick to give me a Long Lap. They didn’t even listen to my opinion. 

“They give me a Long Lap in the race, sending me to P10. I don’t think the stewards have been so nice with me this year, always in this situation. 

“At least we can talk and then give me a penalty at the end of the race, don’t give me a Long Lap on the second lap. 

“For me, it’s not right. On the inside, where can I go? I’m sorry for him and Remy. For me, the FIM Stewards’ decision is absolutely wrong.”

Having lost ground from fourth on the grid, Petrucci dived inside Aegerter as the field threaded its way from Turn 1 to 2 at the start of the Superpole contest.

But the pair made contact, with the Swiss star falling and wiping out GYT Yamaha team-mate Gardner.

Petrucci was handed a Long Lap Penalty for the incident.

“For me [the penalty] was not really the right decision,” the Barni Ducati rider told WorldSBK.com.

“First of all, I’m sorry about the crash of Dominique and Remy, but I was on the inside and I think a little bit in front because I just felt Dominique touch the rear of my bike.

“Normally, especially in the first lap, they [Stewards] don’t give any penalty. But today they didn’t wait even two laps to understand the situation, they gave immediately the Long Lap.

“At least I would have preferred to speak with the Stewards and maybe receive a penalty after the race. Also because with the Long Lap my race was ruined.”

Aegerter said: “We actually had a great getaway, but I got hit after just two corners which led me to crash. Unfortunately, Remy was involved too, which is a real shame for the team.”

While Aegerter re-joined at the back, Gardner tumbled heavily down the track and couldn’t continue.

“We had a good start and I felt good with the SCQ tyre and reckoned we could have done a good race to gain a better position on the grid. Unfortunately, we didn’t get past turn two and personally I didn’t feel 100% physically after the crash,” said the Australian.

Petrucci: ‘I thought I’d broken my femur’

But the Superpole drama wasn’t over for Petrucci, who dropped from sixth to tenth after serving his penalty, then became involved in a race-stopping clash with former MotoGP team-mate Iker Lecuona on lap 7.

“I was behind the two Honda guys, Xavi [Vierge] passed Iker in Turn 8, Iker went a bit wide and I was there and we touched,” said Petrucci, who clipped the back of Lecuona. “I’m so sorry for Iker but I had no space to go. Unfortunately, we both crashed.”

The race was red-flagged with Lecuona briefly trapped under his bike, and later declared unfit, while Petrucci was also taken to the Medical centre before returning for the final race.

“When I crashed, I thought I’d broken my femur,” Petrucci explained. “Fortunately I just have a really big hematoma on my right leg.”

“It was really tough to make race [two]. I was in the medical centre just minutes before the start and was not sure. But in the end, I needed to try and I would like to thank all the fans and my team.”

Lecuona said: “We had a big crash in the Superpole race and it was not even my fault as I was hit from behind by another rider.

“I had to go to the medical centre and was declared unfit for race two. I’m not feeling great but not too bad either. The good thing is that I’ve nothing broken, and this is the most important thing.

“On the other hand, I have this contusion to a muscle in my leg and a few hematomas here and there, so it’s best I don’t walk for two or three days and rest completely. But this is racing in the end.”

Petrucci, who had also crashed while chasing Toprak Razgatlioglu for third place at the same (Turn 8) corner in the Saturday race, went on to claim seventh in the final outing of the weekend.

“During race one, I sincerely thought to go on the podium, even if it’s almost impossible to pass Toprak here. But for sure I would have preferred to finish fourth [than crash],” Petrucci said.

“But we are still not good at braking. And even braking less than before I crashed [in race one]. It’s the first time I’ve crashed going slower into a corner.

“[Sunday] was a chaotic Superpole race and then I started tenth in race two.

“If you are stuck behind riders two-three tenths slower it’s hard to pass. I tried to score as many points as possible and we’ve maybe made a step forward.

“I think we had the potential for one podium [this weekend] but we only left with a seventh… It was a really unlucky weekend.”

Petrucci believes next month’s Donington Park round will show if recent upgrades to the Panigale, most notably a new swingarm, were behind his improved speed at Misano.

“I think I will have a good answer at Donington Park,” he said. “I don’t know if [our speed at Misano] was because the track was very grippy, or just having more kilometres on this bike.

“The big test for us will be Donington Park where we can see if I did a definite step forward and can fight for the top five again, like this weekend.”

Petrucci is currently tenth in the world championship with a best race finish of fifth in his rookie WorldSBK campaign.

Setting the pace after just a couple of laps, Andrea Locatelli was then bumped off top spot as Alvaro Bautista went four tenths quicker.

Potential teammates in 2024, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Scott Redding also jumped ahead of Locatelli.

Bautista then improved by nearly four tenths again on his next effort, however, Razgatlioglu was half a second up through two sectors. 

Looking set to take over from the reigning world champion, the Turkish star instead ran into trouble in sector three which resulted in him losing over 1.5 seconds. 

After setting several laps close to that of Bautista’s fastest time, Razgatlioglu eventually overhauled the factory Ducati rider. 

FP1 saw a slow start for Jonathan Rea as the six-time world champion was outside the top ten for much of the session. 

A full second off the pace and down in P13, Rea finally sneaked into the top with seventh place. 

At the front, Michael Ruben Rinaldi showed his prowess around Mugello as he took over top spot with just over half the session remaining. 

A time of 1:33.394 was set by the Italian as he went quickest by just -0.004s from the Yamaha man.

Backing up his statements following the Misano test where he suggested he could fight for the win, Razgatlioglu’s race pace was continuing to look very strong, as was the case for Bautista and Rinaldi.

The most impressive rookie through four rounds, Dominique Aegerter, was continuing to show brilliant form as he sat one place ahead of Locatelli with just a few minutes remaining. Aegerter was fourth behind Rinaldi, Razgatlioglu and Bautista.

With time attacks fully underway, Razgatlioglu looked set to smash the fastest time before being held up by Remy Gardner in sector three. 

Razgatlioglu was not to be denied though as he set a time of 1:33.154s in order to go two tenths clear of Rinaldi.

Misano World Superbike Records

Lap Record – Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Pata Yamaha 1:33.722s (2022)

2022 Race Winners

Race 1 – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati 

Superpole Race – Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Pata Yamaha

Race 2 – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati

There was early drama for Loris Baz as the Bonovo Action BMW ran into technical issues before completing a flying lap. The French rider had to pull off the circuit at turn eight.

Weekend schedule (UK Time)

Friday 

09:30-10:15 – Free Practice 1

14:00-14:45 – Free Practice 2

Saturday 

08:00-08:30 – Free Practice 3

10:10-10:25 – Superpole 

13:00 – Race 1

Sunday 

08:00-08:15 – Warm-up

10:00 – Superpole Race

13:00 – Race 2

Alvaro Bautista is currently the cream of the crop when it comes to riders switching from MotoGP and having success in WorldSBK.

Whether it was 2019 or his return to Ducati at the beginning of last season, Bautista has been a winning machine every time he’s been in red.

His title win last season sealed what was a dominant campaign, although 2023 looks to be heading the same way in more devastating fashion.

But outside of Bautista, Scott Redding, who won the 2019 BSB title following several seasons in MotoGP, also won races with Ducati but was unable to beat the likes of Jonathan Rea (both his seasons with Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2021. 

This year, Danilo Petrucci and Remy Gardner joined the series, both of whom have recent experience in MotoGP. However, both riders are yet to claim a podium. 

Not taking anything away from the talents that Petrucci and Gardner are, Checa believes the current level in WorldSBK shows that you can’t be guaranteed success just because you came from Grand Prix racing.

Speaking to WorldSBK.com, Checa said: “I think WorldSBK always had a strong grid and the performance of all the riders is quite high. We can see the evidence. 

“We see first, second, third and it seems like the others are not good enough but Petrucci won in MotoGP, Remy did really good in Moto2 but it’s not a Championship where you arrive and because you were in front in a different championship or MotoGP, you can automatically be in front. 

“There’s a lot of work, it depends on the bike and the team. You can adapt better or not. It seems like Bautista adapted perfectly and other riders, like Petrucci and probably Remy, are struggling as well. 

“I think these riders have the capacity and ability and the performance to potentially be in front. Sooner or later, if they have an opportunity, we can see them at the front.”

Speaking of Bautista and the Spaniard’s current level of success, Checa doesn’t see the likes of Rea and Razgatlioglu working together to try and stop the Ducati rider.

“This is an individual sport, and everyone is working for themselves,” added Checa. “Clearly, now, Alvaro is one step in front as Jonny and Kawasaki did in the past, as Toprak did in some moments, catching Jonny and beating him. 

“Now Alvaro has arrived and beat them. Maybe with more room or space than they expected. He’s the reference. 

“Now they need to catch Alvaro and the distance is quite big. I don’t know if they will be able to. It seems so difficult because Alvaro is controlling and riding over them, and he increased the lead quite a lot. I don’t think they will do any teamwork. 

“It’s more a resignation, it seems they cannot fight to win so they will fight for second place. So far, if there’s no problem for Alvaro and Ducati, they need to fight for other positions. 

“It’s clear that in some circuits they’ll be closer, I don’t know if they’ll be able to beat him, although it would be nice for the spectacle, because these three battling is what the fans like. 

“But they have to do a great job, with their teams, with Yamaha and Kawasaki, because Ducati has done a big step forward and have found a rider who can take profit of the bike, which is Alvaro.”

World Superbike champion Alvaro Bautista has won his ninth race out of ten although disaster struck Ducati following a lcash between two of its riders.

Despite a slitgly sluggish launch, Bautista’s straight line speed meant he was able to hold off Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Jonathan Rea on the run to turn one.

The biggest mover was Andrea Locatelli as the factory Yamaha rider came from the fourth row to end lap one in P4, one spot ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu. 

Locatelli was demoted to fifth by his teammate as Razgatlioglu began showing his prowess under braking. 

Doing his best to stay with Bautista, Rinaldi was within six tenths of his teammate after two laps, however, lap three was a significant one as Bautista then improved his lead to over a second. 

A red flag was then deployed on lap four following a crash for PETRONAS MIE Honda rider Eric Granado. The Brazilian went down at turn 11 before being stretchered away by marshals trackside.

Once the incident was cleared, a new race distance of 17 laps was confirmed as Bautista started from pole once again. 

Bautista made a much better start this time around as he held onto the lead from Rinaldi and Axel Bassani.

On lap two, Rinaldi and Bassani came to blows as contact was made at turn three. On the racing line, Bassani was instead moved out wide by Rinaldi before more contact was made at turn 10.

This time it resulted in Rinaldi crashing out after Bassani was the rider who initiated contact. The incident was then investigated by race direction before a Long-lap penalty was awarded to Bassani.

Prior to their incident, there was another incident as Scott Redding crashed out at turn ten after running into the rear of Lorenzo Baldassarri’s Yamaha. 

Bassani, who was over two seconds down on race leader Bautista, took the penalty immediately and subsequently lost out to Rea, Razgatlioglu and Locatelli.

While Bassani attempted to make a comeback to podium places by overtaking Locatelli for P4, Bautista was in a league of his own as he stretched his lead to over six seconds.

Struggling behind Iker Lecuona, Alex Lowes suffered a crash with seven laps to go which was his second of the day.

Failing in his bid to close in on Rea and Razgatlioglu, Bassani instead went backwards as Locatelli came back through with 4 laps remaining.

After following Rea all race, Razgatlioglu finally made his move at the start of the final lap and was completely out of shape while doing so.

But the Yamaha rider somehow managed to make the apex at turn one before holding on until the checkered flag.

Catalunya World Superbike records

Lap record – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati 1:41.135s

2022 Race Winners

Race 1 – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati

Superpole Race – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati 

Race 2 – Alvaro Bautista SPA Aruba.it Ducati

 

Weekend schedule (UK time) 

Friday

Free Practice 1 – 09:30-10:15

Free Practice 2 – 14:00-14:45

Saturday 

Free Practice 3 – 08:00-08:30

Superpole – 10:10-10:25

Race 1 – 13:00

Sunday 

Warm-up – 08:00-08:15

Superpole Race -10:00

Race 2 – 13:00

Ducati

After starting his title defence with eight wins from nine races, Bautista confirmed he will be staying at Ducati and not retiring. 

Bautista held a special press conference on Thursday ahead of his home round in Barcelona, where it was announced that the former MotoGP rider will be staying with Ducati on a one-year deal. 

The big change at Ducati could come in the form of the second seat as Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Axel Bassani, Danilo Petrucci or WorldSSP series leader Nicolo Bulega are all thought to be in play. 

Yamaha 

The most intriguing name to watch for next season is 2021 world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Turkish star is intent on securing a move to MotoGP with the Japanese manufacturer, although staying in WorldSBK appears slightly more likely at the moment.

Yamaha will want to retain Razgatlioglu at all costs, while BMW and Honda are believed to have expressed interest. Andrea Locatelli’s strong start to 2023 should make him an easy choice to remain at Pata Yamaha, while Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter could be fighting it out for a factory seat if Razgatlioglu leaves. 

Kawasaki

Like Bautista, Rea is the only other rider confirmed for next season after signing multi-year deal midway through last season.

What happens next to Rea will be the bigger storyline as Alex Lowes has not yet been confirmed for a contract renewal. 

BMW

While the addition of Scott Redding to help propel them into the fight for wins has not worked as intended, the former BSB champion has shown impressive pace at times and remains their best rider. Redding is not contracted to the team beyond this season and it remains to be seen whether they will renew his contract, as is the case with Michael Van Der Mark at the factory team. 

Honda

Expectation is that Iker Lecuona will be retained for a third season, however, Xavi Vierge’s seat could be at risk, especially if the Japanese brand do push forward with trying to sign Razgatlioglu or a MotoGP rider. 

Aruba.it Ducati 

Alvaro Bautista (End of 2024)

TBA

Kawasaki Racing Team 

Jonathan Rea (End of 2024)

TBA

Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK

TBA

TBA

Team HRC WorldSBK 

TBA

TBA

ROKIT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team

TBA

TBA

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team 

TBA

TBA

Barni Spark Ducati Racing Team

TBA

GoEleven Ducati 

TBA

Bonovo Action BMW

TBA

TBA

Motocorsa Ducati 

TBA

PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team 

TBA

TBA

Puccetti Kawasaki 

TBA

GMT94 Yamaha

TBA

Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSBK Team 

TBA

Orelac Racing Kawasaki 

TBA

Heading into the final lap, the WorldSBK rookie, who had been closing in on the Ducati rider for several laps attempted an overtake at the final chicane.

Aegerter went to the inside of Bassani and managed to stay on-track, however, slight contact resulted in the Italian running off the circuit and coming across the line in fourth.

But after gaining an advantage in doing so, Bassani was instead dropped to fifth. Happy to concede the position, Bassani said if it was for a podium then the feeling around it would have been different.

Speaking to WorldSBK.com, Bassani added: “I tried for the podium today but I was in the middle of Yamahas. Only blue [around me]. But yeah, I’m happy. Dominique was better than me on the last three laps. 

“Now we need to understand what we need to do to arrive on the podium. If it was for a podium I would not be happy but for fourth position it is okay. I want a solution for the podium because we are really near to it.”

In terms of Aegerter’s performance, Race 2 was another strong indication that the two-time WorldSSP champion is beginning to look like the favourite for rookie of the year.

Consistently ahead of teammate Remy Gardner and Danilo Petrucci, Aegerter was instead close to mixing it with factory Yamaha rider Andrea Locatelli. 

Discussing his race, Aegerter said: “I just spoke with Axel before and it was a great move. That was a great Race 2, finishing 4th and getting top independent is nice. We had a good start and fierce battles until the last chicane. 

“There are still aspects of this bike that I can learn how to better exploit, we’re going step by step. 

“We have a great long-run pace and base setup, but we should be quick in the early stages too. I’m happy with the package we have, Yamaha and the GYTR GRT Team are doing a great job, plus it’s good we can share data with fast guys. 

“We’ll keep working for sure, that is what has got us where we are today. We hope to be in the top group again in Barcelona.”