Santamonica SpA and Dorna WSBK Organization are thrilled to announce a contract extension, which will see Misano World Circuit host the Superbike World Championship until 2020.
As the ever popular Rimini Round reaches its 50th WorldSBK race this weekend, it is the perfect occasion to announce an extension of the partnership. Providing fantastic racing, state of the art facilities and stunning levels of Italian passion, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli are also celebrating their 45th year of hosting racing activity. This extension will see WorldSBK racing action take on the 4.226km circuit for the next three years.
Luca Colaiacovo, president of Santamonica SpA expresses his delight following the announcement: "With the WorldSBK series there is a historical and important link which brings strong levels of commitment, in order to improve the facilities that we welcome each year. This year we launched our new Paddock 4, we have redesigned the main paddock building and opened another entrance point."
"Signing the agreement,” adds Andrea Albani, Managing Director MWC, “Opens up new development opportunities for sports and business activities. Additionally the event schedule is a key ingredient of the Motor Valley, an activity Misano is highly involved with and is strengthened with the WorldSBK series.”
WorldSBK Executive Director Daniel Carrera explains: “The Misano Round is a natural circuit for WorldSBK to visit. You can find widespread passion, strong organizational skills and plenty of involvement on a local scale. It was an easy decision to make, one which feels almost natural."
In perfect, sunny conditions at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” on Saturday morning it was Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) who secured pole with a superb new record lap (1’33.662) of the 4.226km Italian track.
The red hot run from Sykes saw him beat his own previous record (1'34.037) from last year at Misano to grab another pole, whilst his teammate Jonathan Rea was also under that 2016 record time with a 1’33.990 for second place on the grid. The two KRT men are to be joined on the front row by Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) who qualified in third.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) put in a 1’34.337 for fourth place on the grid on his Ducati Panigale R, whilst also featuring on the second row are Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).
Meanwhile, the third row is set to comprise another Briton, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) who qualified just ahead of Spanish pair Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) and Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team).
Completing the top 12 on the grid - on the fourth row - are Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven).
The two riders to have made it through from Tissot Superpole 1 were Ramos and Krummenacher, with Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) missing out on classification for SP2 by just 0.007s.
Race 1 at the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round will commence at 1pm local time on Saturday.