WorldSBK Misano: Race preview

Italian flair readies to host an unpredictable title fight, whilst home heroes look to take charge in WorldSBK at magical Misano.

The 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship thunders into Italy for the fourth round of the season, the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, a stone’s throw away from the picturesque Adriatic Sea.

Packed grandstands, a title fight as fierce as ever and a huge home contingency ready to put on a display, Misano is one of the most anticipated rounds on the calendar, with a special atmosphere always making a fever pitch feeling throughout the paddock. With the continuous fighting from the titanic trio but gains being made behind, Misano is ready to host yet another dramatic round, but who is going to come out on top?

Leading the championship into Ducati’s home event, Aruba.it’s Alvaro Bautista is sitting pretty with a 17-point lead over his nearest rival, Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea. After four wins so far in 2022 and never once finishing off the podium, Bautista heads to Misano where he won for Ducati back in 2019 and took a top six for Honda in 2021. He also took his first MotoGP podium at the circuit in 2012 after a last corner showdown with Andrea Dovizioso, whilst he has podiums and wins from his 250cc days too. Teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi always goes well at Misano and will be in the fight for victory, with the home-hero taking two wins last year as well as a second. Could the titanic trio about to become a fighting foursome?

With 17 points between him and the top of the standings, Rea is within striking distance of Bautista’s points lead, although Misano wasn’t the kindest to the Ulsterman in 2021. Three third places in 2021 and the start of