Argomenti trattati
As engines roar to life and anticipation fills the air, the riders of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship have gathered at the iconic Autodrom Most for Round 5 of the 2025 season. This track, known for its challenging layout, is set to host an exhilarating weekend of racing in the Czech Republic. On Thursday, ahead of the Motul Czech Round, riders took the opportunity to reflect on their journeys, discuss their goals for the weekend, and address the recent adjustments to fuel flow regulations that could impact their performance. Let’s dive into the key quotes and insights from the paddock.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: Aiming for victory
Toprak Razgatlioglu, riding for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, expressed his enthusiasm for the circuit, saying, “I’m really happy because I love this circuit and we’re very strong.” His confidence is palpable, as he recalls last year’s success at Most. Razgatlioglu emphasized the importance of the upcoming Friday practice, stating, “I hope my feeling on the bike is good as I need a good setup for the race because we use the SC1 rear tyre, the harder tyre.” He’s aiming high, targeting three wins this weekend, highlighting that his focus remains solely on racing: “I don’t care about fuel flow; I’m just focused on my job. When I saw the changes, I was smiling because my bike is faster than the Yamaha and maybe the Bimota, but not faster than Ducati.”
Nicolo Bulega: Future aspirations with Ducati
Meanwhile, Nicolo Bulega from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati is riding high after a successful weekend in Cremona. “I’m happy to race after Cremona. We had great results there and it was a fantastic weekend for me,” he stated. However, he acknowledges the challenges ahead, particularly with Razgatlioglu’s formidable presence. Bulega is also feeling the effects of the fuel flow changes on his bike, noting, “For my smooth riding style, fuel flow adjustments are not easy because our bike started to be more nervous.” At just 25 years old, he’s thinking long-term: “My goal is to stay with Ducati because they gave me a great opportunity to become a great WorldSBK rider.”
Alvaro Bautista: Eyes on the future
Alvaro Bautista, also from Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, is clear about his intentions: “I confirmed to the team that I want to keep racing for ’26 and now I’m waiting for their answer.” After a positive experience in Cremona, Bautista feels confident heading into Most, aiming to replicate or even improve his past performances. He recalls, “Last year, I remember that the results were bad, but the feeling with the bike improved compared to the other rounds.” His commitment to Ducati is firm, as he awaits confirmation on his future.
Sam Lowes: Seeking redemption
Sam Lowes from the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team is looking for redemption after a crash at Most last year. “I was really happy with the Sunday at Cremona; I wasn’t feeling so good, so it was a really positive day. Looking forward to getting back at Most,” he reflected. He sees this weekend as an opportunity to prove himself, especially given his significant improvement compared to last year, stating, “I think I already have 21 more points than last year, so it’s obviously a lot better than my rookie season!” His focus is on consistency, hoping to stay within the top ranks.
Jonathan Rea: Back in the saddle
Jonathan Rea from Pata Maxus Yamaha is returning from injury and approached Most with cautious optimism. “Cremona was a lot worse physically on the bike, but I was going to have that pain no matter when I started the season,” he explained. After being sidelined for several rounds, he’s eager to regain his rhythm, stating, “If I could come away from Most feeling good with the bike, riding the bike in the proper way… that would be something to be satisfied with.” His determination to overcome physical challenges is evident as he aims for a full race weekend.
Iker Lecuona: Focused on performance
Iker Lecuona from Honda HRC is keeping his eyes firmly on the track. “My intention is to keep working at home, here, I know I can win and fight for the top positions so that is my target,” he remarked. He’s chosen to focus solely on performance, dismissing distractions about his future: “About the future, I don’t really care, I know what I can do on the bike.” His straightforward approach reflects a readiness to tackle the challenges at Most head-on.
Danilo Petrucci: Aiming for podiums
Danilo Petrucci from Barni Spark Racing Team expressed hopes that the harder tyre allocation will suit his racing style better. “Cremona wasn’t like I wanted, and we faced some difficulties and bad luck,” he said. Despite setbacks, he’s optimistic: “We want to fight for the podium.” His aspirations reflect the fierce competition within the paddock and the desire to capitalize on every opportunity.
Andrea Locatelli: Aiming high
Andrea Locatelli from Pata Maxus Yamaha is also looking to capitalize on past performances at Most. He stated, “The Cremona race was not a good weekend for us for a lot of reasons. I think we understand what the main problem was.” With a clear focus on improvement, he aims for the top five but dreams of standing on the podium again: “Like Assen and Portimao, we were able to get podiums, so why not try again in this round?”