2019 WSBK Entry List
International organisers, DORNA, released entry lists for the world superbike and world supersport categories over the weekend, with a stellar line-up for both categories set to debut at Phillip Island’s season kick-off of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship from February 22-24.
The WorldSBK grid sees seasoned pros going into battle against world champions from the grand prix ranks, as well as a couple of hotshots returning to the production series for the Yamaha Finance round.
Led by reigning world champion Jonathan Rea, 10 riders on the 2019 WorldSBK grid have won a total of 181 races between them. Rea has a whopping 71 one of those, followed by Tom Sykes (34), Chaz Davies (29), Marco Melandri (22), Eugene Laverty (13), Leon Haslam (5), Ryuichi Kiyonari (5), Michael van der Mark (2), Alex Lowes (1) and Jordi Torres (1).
Haslam and Kiyonari return to the WorldSBK ranks in 2019 – the latter for the first time since 2009 – while the grand prix stars are Spaniard Alvaro Bautista and German Sandro Cortese. And they bring with them major firepower: Bautista was the 2006 125cc champion and went on to win 16 races in the lightweight and intermediate classes before moving into MotoGP, where he was a three-time podium finisher; while Cortese was the 2012 Moto3 champion and in 2018 clinched the world supersport title in his first attempt.
With Cortese now on the WorldSBK circuit, the 25 rider WorldSSP grid boasts many of last year’s title contenders determined to gain 2019 class honours. Lucas Mahias moves to Kawasaki taking the spot of retired five-time world champ Kenan Sofuoglu and pairing with Japanese Hikari Okubo for 2019. Jules Cluzel will ride alongside Corentin Perolari in the all-French Yamaha team, while Randy Krummenacher, Ayrton Badovini and Raffaele De Rosa all return. History will be made, when Spain’s Maria Herrera (MS Racing) becomes the first female to take a full-time WorldSSP ride.
As a bonus for fans, the new three-race WorldSBK format launches, with the 10 lap Sunday midday sprint adding to the 2 x 22 lap traditional WorldSBK 3pm races on Saturday and Sunday. WorldSSP will contest one 18 lap battle on Sunday at 1.15pm. An advance three-day ticket is just $120* and includes free Paddock Access from www.worldsbk.com.au or Ticketek. Kids 15 and under are free.
Let’s take a closer look at the proposed 2019 WorldSBK grid
Four-time world champion Rea will remain at home with his Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK and crew chief Pere Riba, both focussed on a record-breaking title number 5.
But there’s been a change on the other side of the garage, as Haslam joins the squad. Signing a one-year deal, the British champion returns to WorldSBK for the first time since 2015 – although we have seen him every year since then during wildcard appearances.
It’s a similar story over in the Aruba.it Racing Ducati garage, with Davies remaining with the team for a sixth season on board the sensational new Panigale V4 R. He’s finished runner-up on three occasions in WorldSBK, and this year has a new face on the other side of the garage – MotoGP recruit Alvaro Bautista who’s pace in early testing has been impressive.
There will be no changes at the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team, as van der Mark and Lowes line up with their YZF-R1s for the third season in a row. Both riders took their first WorldSBK wins in 2018; van der Mark took the double victory around Donington Park, and Lowes followed with the race two win around Brno.
Welcoming the return of BMW as a factory support, the BMW Motarrad WorldSBK Team, run by Shaun Muir Racing, will be lining up on the grid with reigning STK1000 champion Markus Reiterberger and 2013 WorldSBK champion Sykes. Reiterberger, who dominated the STK1000 class on a BMW in 2018, has experience in WorldSBK, while Sykes boasts some of the most experience in the paddock.
Fielding a third Ducati Panigale V4 R in 2019 will be the Barni Racing Team, which has signed Michael Ruben Rinaldi. The Italian already has one year of experience in the WorldSBK class under his belt. Joining the best independent team of 2018, who secured six podiums last season, his experience and relationship with Ducati will no doubt help to continue this into 2019.
Making the step up from the European Superstock 1000 Championship, Alessandro Delbianco will line up on the grid with the new Althea MIE Racing Team as it makes the switch to Honda – aligned with the mighty Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) returning to the championship for the first time since 2002.
British rider Leon Camier will stick with Althea and Honda after a tough season, joined by Japanese legend Kiyonari. Camier had a strong start to 2018 but ended in 12th overall after being plagued by injury and bike problems. Kiyonari has 53 race starts to his name, with three wins overall and experience in many national superbike championships.
Yamaha will run a second factory supported team in 2019, with Cortese and Melandri lining up for the GRT Yamaha WSBK Team. Cortese is keen to adapt his riding style for the new season ahead. Melandri, a WorldSBK race winner in 2018, joins Cortese – the veteran back with Yamaha for the first time since 2011.
Sticking with the same team for 2019 will be Toprak Razgatlioglu, who heads into his second season with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. The young Turkish star was able to secure two podiums in 2018, as he continues to get to grips with the ZX-10RR. Securing the STK1000 title in 2017, Razgatlioglu has a natural speed which he is continuing to define with the WorldSBK machine.
Jordi Torres makes his return to the WorldSBK paddock after a brief stint in MotoGP as a replacement rider. The Spanish rider is joining Team Pedercini Racing for 2019, and will make his debut on the Kawasaki machine, debuting on the ZX-10RR. Independent Kawasaki rider Leandro Mercado (Orelac VerdNatura) sticks with his 2018 team, while Eugene Laverty moves from Aprilia to Team GoEleven’s new Ducati Panigale V4R.
The full WorldSBK grid begins pre-season testing again in late January, with the final shakedown at Phillip Island on February 18-19 ahead of round one and the three-race formula debut. Also on the agenda is an 18-lap world supersport race and nine national support races, kicking off the 2019 Australian title chase for superbike, supersport and supersport 300.
Tickets now on sale
A three-day general admission ticket, including free paddock access is $120* secured in advance, or $230* when you add camping to your purchase an available at www.worldsbk.com.au or Ticketek. Kids 15 and under, accompanied by a full paying adult, are free for track entry and camping.
*All ticket prices quoted purchased in advance and subject to Ticketek service and handling fees. Book now and save on gate prices.
^Children 15 and under are free and must be accompanied by a paying adult.
N. | Rider | Nat. | Motorcycle | Team |
1 | Jonathan Rea | GBR | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | Kawasaki Racing Team |
91 | Leon Haslam | GBR | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | Kawasaki Racing Team |
7 | Chaz Davies | GBR | Ducati Panigale V4 | ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati |
19 | Alvaro Bautista | ESP | Ducati Panigale V4 | ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati |
22 | Alex Lowes | GBR | Yamaha YZF R1 | Pata Yamaha WorldSBKÂ |
60 | M Van der Mark | NED | Yamaha YZF R1 | Pata Yamaha WorldSBKÂ |
28 | Markus Reiterberger | GER | BMW S1000 RR | BMW Motorrad WorldSBKÂ |
66 | Tom Sykes | GBR | BMW S1000 RR | BMW Motorrad WorldSBK |
21 | Michael Ruben Rinaldi | ITA | Ducati Panigale V4 | BARNI Racing Team |
54 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | TUR | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | Turkish Puccetti Racing |
52 | Alessandro Delbianco | ITA | Honda CBR1000RR | Althea Mie Racing Team |
2 | Leon Camier | GBR | Honda CBR1000RR | Moriwaki-Althea HONDAÂ |
23 | Ryuichi Kiyonari | JPN | Honda CBR1000RR | Moriwaki-Althea HONDAÂ |
36 | Leandro Mercado | ARG | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | Orelac Racing VerdNatura |
50 | Eugene Laverty | IRL | Ducati Panigale V4 | Team Goeleven |
81 | Jordi Torres | ESP | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | Team Pedercini Racing |
11 | Sandro Cortese | GER | Yamaha YZF R1 | GRT Yamaha WorldSBK |
33 | Marco Melandri | ITA | Yamaha YZF R1 | GRT Yamaha WorldSBK |
2019 World Supersport Entry List
N° | Rider | Nat. | Motorcycle | Team |
32 | Isaac Viñales | ESP | Yamaha YZF R6 | Kallio Racing |
36 | Thomas Gradinger | AUT | Yamaha YZF R6 | Kallio Racing |
84 | Loris Cresson | BEL | Yamaha YZF R6 | Kallio Racing |
3 | Raffaele De Rosa | ITA | MV Agusta F3 675 | MV Reparto Corse |
22 | Federico Fuligni | ITA | MV Agusta F3 675 | MV Reparto Corse |
21 | Randy Krummenacher | SUI | Yamaha YZF R6 | BARDAHL Evan Bros. |
64 | Federico Caricasulo | ITA | Yamaha YZF R6 | BARDAHL Evan Bros. |
95 | Jules Danilo | FRA | Honda CBR600RR | CIA Landlord Insurance |
TBA | Honda CBR600RR | CIA Landlord Insurance | ||
44 | Lucas Mahias | FRA | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Kawasaki Puccetti Racing |
78 | Hikari Okubo | JPN | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Kawasaki Puccetti Racing |
16 | Jules Cluzel | FRA | Yamaha YZF R6 | GMT94 YAMAHA |
94 | Corentin Perolari | FRA | Yamaha YZF R6 | GMT94 YAMAHA |
38 | Hannes Soomer | EST | Honda CBR600RR | MPM WILSport Racedays |
74 | Jaimie van Sikkelerus | NED | Honda CBR600RR | MPM WILSport Racedays |
15 | Alfonso Coppola | ITA | Honda CBR600RR | GEMAR – Cioiciaria Corse |
61 | Gabriele Ruiu | ITA | Honda CBR600RR | GEMAR – Cioiciaria Corse |
47 | Rob Hartog | NED | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Team Hartog Against Cancer |
10 | Nacho Calero | ESP | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Orelac Racing VerdNatura |
48 | Xavier Navand | FRA | Yamaha YZF R6 | DK MOTORSPORT |
30 | Glenn van Straalen | NED | Kawasaki ZX-6R | EAB Racing Team |
67 | Gaetan Matern | FRA | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Flembbo Leader Team |
6 | MarÃa Herrera | ESP | Yamaha YZF R6 | MS Racing |
86 | Ayrton Badovini | ITA | Kawasaki ZX-6R | Team Pedercini Racing |
80 | Hector Barbera | ESP | Yamaha YZF R6 | Team Toth by Willirace |
2019 Supersport 300 Entry List
N° | Rider | Nat. | Motorcycle | Team |
4 | Marc Garcia | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | DS Junior Team |
81 | Angel Heredia | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | DS Junior Team |
99 | Francisco Gomez | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | DS Junior Team |
6 | Robert Schotman | NED | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki MOTORPORT |
95 | Scott Deroue | NED | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki MOTORPORT |
7 | Eliton Gohara K | BRA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | BCD Yamaha MS Racing |
25 | Andy Verdoïa | FRA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | BCD Yamaha MS Racing |
36 | Beatriz Neila | ESP | Yamaha YZF-R3 | BCD Yamaha MS Racing |
47 | Ferran HMoyano | ESP | Yamaha YZF-R3 | BCD Yamaha MS Racing |
18 | Manuel Gonzalez | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | ParkinGO Team |
27 | Filippo Rovelli | ITA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | ParkinGO Team |
71 | Tom Edwards | AUS | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | ParkinGO Team |
17 | Koen Meuffels | NED | KTM RC 390 R | Freudenberg KTMÂ |
97 | Maximilian Kappler | GER | KTM RC 390 R | Freudenberg KTMÂ |
23 | Paolo Giacomini | ITA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki GP Project |
32 | Alexandra P | CZE | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki GP Project |
79 | Tomas Alonso | POR | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki GP Project |
88 | Bruno Ieraci | ITA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki GP Project |
13 | Dino Iozzo | RSA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Nutec – RT Motorsports SKMÂ |
20 | Dorren Loureiro | RSA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Nutec – RT Motorsports SKM |
22 | Nick Kalinin | UKR | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Nutec – RT Motorsports SKM |
55 | Galang H Pratama | INA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Semakin Di Depan Biblion Motoxracing |
65 | Jacopo Facco | ITA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Semakin Di Depan Biblion Motoxracing |
41 | Jan-Ole Jahnig | GER | KTM RC 390 R | Freudenberg KTM Junior Team |
72 | Victor Steeman | NED | KTM RC 390 R | Freudenberg KTM Junior |
24 | Kevin Sabatucci | ITA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Team Trasimeno |
64 | Hugo De Cancellis | FRA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Team Trasimeno |
Omar Bonoli | ITA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Team Trasimeno | |
19 | Benjamin T Molina | CHI | Yamaha YZF-R3 | TERRA e MOTO |
30 | Daniel Blin | POL | Yamaha YZF-R3 | TERRA e MOTO |
11 | Kevin Arduini | ITA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 2R Racing Team |
82 | Jack Hyde | AUS | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 2R Racing Team |
52 | Oliver König | CZE | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | ACCR Czech Talent Team – Willi Race |
77 | Vojtech Schwarz | CZE | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | ACCR Czech Talent Team – Willi Race |
44 | Tom Bramich | AUS | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Carl Cox – RT Motorsports by SKM |
9 | Steffie Naud | FRA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Flembbo Leader Team |
14 | Enzo De La Vega | FRA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Flembbo Leader Team |
1 | Ana Carrasco | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300 |
66 | Dion Otten | NED | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | MTM Racing Team |
69 | Jeffrey Buis | NED | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | MTM Racing Team |
15 | Manuel Bastianelli | ITA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Prodina IRCOS Kawasaki |
78 | Joseph Foray | FRA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Prodina IRCOS Kawasaki |
54 | Bahattin Sofuoglu | TUR | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Puccetti Junior Team |
Marco Carusi | ITA | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Puccetti Junior Team | |
8 | Mika Perez | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Scuderia Maranga Racing |
21 | Borja Sanchez | ESP | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | Scuderia Maranga Racing |
3 | Mateo Pedeneau | FRA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Team MHP Racing |
12 | Romain Dore | FRA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Team MHP Racing |
33 | Kyrian Hartmann | FRA | Yamaha YZF-R3 | Â Team MHP Racing |
93 | Adrien Quinet | FRA | Honda CBR500R | Â TGP Racing |