The second round of the FIM World Superbike Championships at Jerez, in Spain – at the Angel Nieto circuit – at the weekend saw some spectacular racing.
Britain’s Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati / Ducati Panigale V4 R), after winning race one on Saturday, was reconfirmed as winner of race two on Sunday as well, thereby giving Ducati a splendid double win and taking first place in the overall championship standings, 24 points ahead of reigning World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK / Kawasaki ZX-10RR), who took a brilliant win in the superpole race.
In World SSP600, Italian rookie Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. World SSP Team / Yamaha YZF R6) took his third win of the championship, confirming his position as leader this season with a 15-point advantage over second-place rider Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha / Yamaha YZF R6).
The first European weekend of the FIM World Superbike Championship ended with the second race in the World SSP300 class, where Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha World SSP300 / Yamaha YZF-R3) took the win.
Round one of the series was held at Phillip Island, in Australia, in January, before the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic forced a hold on proceedings.
Gregorio Lavilla, executive director of the WorldSBK Sporting and Organisation departments said: “Firstly, it is a great satisfaction that we can announce a safe return to racing for all three classes. The history of both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 enriches the atmosphere of the WorldSBK paddock, often providing some of the closest racing all season, as well as allowing the stars of the future to flourish on the world stage.
“2020 has provided its obstacles but thanks to the hard work, tenacity and determination of all parties involved, we will return to the world’s circuits with all three classes. We now look forward hugely to the recommencement of racing at Jerez, whilst welcoming back all corners of the racing paddock.”
The next round is set for Portimao, in Portugal, on September 9.
Several riders from Portugal have competed in WorldSBK over the years, the most successful of them being Alex Vieira, the only Portuguese to have won a race in the series, at the Osterreichring in 1989 (Race 1) and to start from pole – at Hockenheim in 1988.
Photo courtesy Ducati
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WorldSBK Championship Standings – Top 5 after two rounds:
1 – S. Redding (Ducati) 98
2 – J. Rea (Kawasaki) 74
3 – A. Lowes (Kawasaki) 72
4 – T. Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) 66
5 – C. Davies (Ducati) 57