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Barcelona, round # 450 in the history of the Superbike. The second round of the season in Catalonia after Phillip Island, where Alex Lowes took the World Championship lead, thanks to his Superpole Race and Race 2 victories in Australia.
So, now they’re back in Europe at Montmeló, on a traditional track. Consequently, expectations are high for the weekend. If a swallow does not a summer make, Lowes will be called upon to confirm himself on the Spanish track with the Kawasaki. The same goes for Nicolò Bulega, who was really surprising in this start of the season. along with Andrea Iannone.
The Aruba rider, who won in the category on his debut, is proving to be something of a record slayer on his Panigale. But time seems to stand still for The Maniac, despite not having raced for the past four years. Among those who are ambitious in playing a starring role, there’s also Danilo Petrucci – who was smiling after the Barcelona tests – as well as Rinaldi and Sam Lowes.
Of course, the rider to defeat will be Alvaro Bautista. No need to beat around the bush: after a slow start of the season, between ballasts and his not very ideal physical condition, the rider from Spain is certainly the favorite for the Catalan stage. In the past, tire management has always made the difference for him, and we think he’ll want to reassert his supremacy this time, too.
For the world champion, the Motomeló stage could be defined as the moment of truth, where that Bautista we all know very well will resurface. In some way, this also involves Johnny Rea, called to completely chase away the Australian ghosts and where, in his debut with Yamaha, he didn’t score a single point, unlike Locatelli, who’s become a reference in the blue garage.
Instead, when it comes to BMW, everyone is eager and waiting to see Toprak on his bike. In just a few months, the Turkish rider has already proven he’s tailored the M 1000 RR to such an extent that he’s put his respective brand mates behind him. The Munich-based constructor is working hard to close the gap with the competition, even if some questions remain in terms of reliability. However, there are many more for Honda, which is going through one of its most complicated moments since returning to the Superbike. So, sending a signal is a must.
