After the first round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, which saw the amazing treble victory of defending champion Álvaro Bautista, Dorna and the FIM announced the addition of one final round to the calendar which will take place as the seventh round from July 14 to 16 after reaching an agreement with the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari of Imola.
The appointment at the iconic circuit is the second on Italian land after Emilia-Romagna in Misano Adriatico, from June 2 to 4. Imola will host the Italian round on its return to the WorldSBK calendar after three seasons. 2019 was the last time they hosted a series-derived motorcycle World Championship with victories for Rea in races 1 and 2 and for Bautista in the Superpole Race. And it does so during the whole Ducatista euphoria over the two titles for Borgo Panigale achieved in 2022 by the pilots for Álvaro Bautista and the constructors for Ducati.
Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, explained that “after three seasons, we are delighted to welcome Imola to the 2023 calendar. This second round in Italy confirms the popularity of the Championship among Italian fans, as there is a lot of passion for our sport there, with many Italian riders and teams in our Paddock. Imola has an illustrious history within World Superbike, and we look forward to the 2023 Italian round, which promises to be an exciting event for the fans. “
Pietro Benvenuti, General Director of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, said in the statement that “it is with great pleasure that we announce this agreement with the Dorna WSBK Organization, which returns Imola to the prestigious WorldSBK calendar. We know that many fans will not miss this event for nothing in the world, because Imola has always had a strong connection to this series, not to mention the fact that a World Champion will take to the track on a Ducati, without a doubt a good incentive for many of the “Rossa” see it from the track. The choice for the month of July is also strategic for the region, as it will open up business opportunities at a time when local accommodation options is not at full capacity, Confirming the role of the circuit as the motor of the local economy. This is a good result that has been possible e thanks to the full support of the Municipal Administration, which sincerely wishes to bring the Superbike back to Imola.”
Imola will also host this 2023 Emilia-Romagna Formula One GP from May 19 to 21, sixth on the calendar and where the European tour of the ‘Great Circus’ begins.
The Superbike calendar
February 24-26 Australia (Phillip Island)
3-5 March Indonesia (Mandalika)
21-23 April The Netherlands (Assen)
May 5-7 Catalonia (Barcelona-Catalonia)
2-4 June Emilia-Romagna (Misano)
June 30-July 2 Great Britain (Donington Park)
14-16 July Italy (Imola)
28-30 July Czech Republic (Most)
8-10 September France (Magny-Cours)
22-24 September Aragon (Motorland Aragon)
September 29-October 1 Portugal (Portimao)
13-15 October Argentina (San Juan Villicum)
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
