The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has released this Thursday all the details of the Hyundai N Catalunya WorldSBK Round, the ninth round of the Superbike World Championship, which is held this weekend on the Catalan track with maximum incentives and the pulse for the ‘red-hot’ title in the three categories. In the premier class of WSBK, after the Magny-Cours test, the Turk Toprak Razgatlioglu leads Jonathan Rea by 7 points, world champion for the last six years and today both have made their ambition clear with a view to the weekend,
The presentation of the Barcelona test has been chaired by Josep Lluís Santamaría, general director of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, accompanied by Berni faus and Gregori lavilla as part of the organizers’ representation. The first, as executive director of Gemocat (company promoting the event) and the second, as executive director of the sports and organization part of WorldSBK.
They have also been present Santi Siquier, responsible for Territorial Action for Sports of the General Secretariat for Sports and Physical Activity; Francesc Xavier Marcé, Councilor for Tourism and Creative Industries of the Barcelona City Council; as well as Pere Rodriguez, mayor of Montmeló. The sports representation has been defended by the WorldSBK riders Álvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu; and by those of Supersport and Supersport 300 Ana Carrasco, Manuel González and Adrián Huertas.Josep Lluís Santamaría, general director of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, has highlighted “The organizational capacity of the track, facilities that host four world events for the second consecutive season & rdquor;. He has also made reference to the environmental work carried out by the sports venue, and has said that “This year the Circuit received the ISO 20121 certification for sustainable events and throughout this weekend we will also have the follow-up audit of the certification. We do motorsport, we do races, but we also take care of sustainability & rdquor;,
The CEO of Gemocat, Berni faus, has spoken of the main difference with respect to the last edition: the presence of the public. “We are very excited to be able to receive an audience. It was very difficult, but we have everything ready for the fans to enjoy this weekend. In addition, we have organized the Parade Lap, a lap of honor at the Circuit with their own motorcycle in which up to 800 fans will participate on Saturday afternoon & rdquor;.
Gregori lavilla, Executive Director of WorldSBK Sports and Organization, has focused on the weekend’s attractive program: “We have seven races between WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP300, and two more from the Yamaha bLU cRU Cup. There is no time to be bored or distracted. In addition, the championships are very exciting and fun, with great fights and diversity of teams and drivers fighting for victory & rdquor;.
It is precisely about these struggles that the same protagonists have been able to speak, some of the championship drivers. This has been the case for Alvaro Bautista, who said that “It is fantastic to race here with an audience, little by little it is getting back to normal. With the Honda we are doing a good development, something that is not easy, because in WSBK every season there are more riders involved in the fight. In addition, this year we are racing with the new Turn 10, which in my opinion is much better than the previous one, although it has always been a circuit that I really liked & rdquor;, has added.
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea They have also been present and have garnered many looks for representing the duel of the year for the crown. English has recognized that “It is a very special race for the home team, and also last year I was able to win here. The season is over and I am very motivated to do my best & rdquor;. The Turk, however, has another memory of the first edition of the Catalunya WorldSBK Round. “In one of the races last year I was unable to participate due to a severe accident, so I really want to make up for it. I like the fight with Jonathan, he is a very strong pilot, although off the track there is a lot of respect & rdquor;, has contributed Razgatlioglu, who adds seven points more than Rea.
Adrian Huertas, the Supersport 300 leader, acknowledges that “It is a very difficult category and the calculator can never be taken out. The idea is to continue pulling with the line of podiums and victories that we have, but always with a head. I really like this circuit, so we’ll see what happens & rdquor;. Your classmate, Ana Carrasco, has stated that “I am not yet 100% physically, but I am within a margin that allows me to drive well. I’m looking forward to racing here, I haven’t competed in a long time since I got injured last year. In addition, it is the first time in a long time that I have run with an audience. Hopefully finish with a podium at home & rdquor;.
Manuel Gonzalez, fifth classified in the Supersport category, arrives with his newly released record of victories. “I came from winning at Magny-Cours, from taking that step that I was missing and little by little I am improving my experience with this bike. I love this track, I have raced here only twice, but it suits my riding style very well.& rdquor ;, has stated.
On the other hand, the institutional representation has been defended by Santi Siquier, head of Territorial Action for Sports of the General Secretariat for Sports and Physical Activity; and Francesc Xavier Marcé, councilor for Tourism and Creative Industries of the Barcelona City Council. Siquier has said that “For the Generalitat it is a sign of goodwill to have this fourth world championship, Superbike, which, added to F1, MotoGP and Rallycross, configures this poker of sporting events that take place at home, at the Circuit, and that help us a lot to assume these objectives of international projection of Catalan sport that we have been pursuing during all these years & rdquor;.
Francesc Xavier Marcé has followed this line and explained that “We have carried out a study in recent months during the pandemic on the strengths of the Barcelona brand and its reputation, and the Circuit has once again emerged as a fundamental piece. The world of hoteliers, commerce and restaurants asks us that the world events be held in Barcelona, at the Circuit. Therefore, welcome your work, count on us. We are very interested in the tests that are done here and the pedagogical role of the Circuit ».Pere Rodriguez, Mayor of Montmeló, recalled the importance of this year as it is the 30th anniversary of the route: “The Circuit has a present and a future thanks to actors such as teams, promoters, companies and institutions. The Circuit intends to improve and continue to grow and that will make these actors also mobilize & rdquor;.
How the championships come to BarcelonaToprak Razgatlioglu is in control of WorldSBK
The Turk from Pata Yamaha with BRIXX is surprising this season, beating Jonathan Rea in the points battle. Between them, only a difference of seven points. Third place in the World Championship is former MotoGP ™ rider Scott Redding. Álvaro Bautista is the best-ranked Spaniard, in tenth position.
Dominique Aegerter finds no rival in WorldSSP
The Swiss has a comfortable advantage of more than sixty points that place him as a clear favorite for the crown. They are followed by Steven Odendaal and Philipp Oettl. Manuel González defends the representation of home from the fifth place.
Spanish leadership in WorldSSP 300
Adrián Huertas is the leader of the smallest category in the World Cup, with a total of 179 points. Tom Booth-Amos is in charge of putting pressure on Huertas, albeit at 21 points, followed by Jeffrey Buis. Ana Carrasco occupies the ninth position with 51 points.