2025 WSBK Thread

[BigEvilDoer]

SPOILERS are Allowed.

So, did anyone catch the WSBK races from Philip Island this past weekend?
Couple of surprises, but much like MotoGP, it seems as though the series is dominated by the sheer number of Ducatis in the paddock.

The racing in general was decent with lots of passing throughout.

 

[Lightcycle]

Thanks for starting a WSBK thread, I was just about to do the same!

Watched PI last weekend. Yes, there are many Ducs on the grid, but it's a damn good bike though. You've got guys like Redding whose results are basically 80% bike, 20% rider. Where was he the last couple of years on close to the same package as what Toprak took the WC with? Give him a V4R and he's at the pointy end of the pack again. It just seems to be a universally rideable bike for all sizes, weights and styles, just like the GP23/GP24s.

You could argue that the V4R is that good because of all the data collected from all the teams/riders, but my gut feel is that there is a lot of Audi money being thrown at Ducati's racing program, and it's showing up in race results.

PI does seems to favour the Ducs though. I expect Toprak to come through later on in the season. IIRC, he didn't do that well at PI last year either.

 

[Brian P]

Watching race 1 Portimao now. Wow.

 

[Lightcycle]

Watching race 1 Portimao now. Wow.

Just catching up on Day 1.

Toprak Airlines around the outside of Petrucci on Lap 2/Turn 9. Holy crow!

Also, great battle between Bulega and Toprak. Got some 2023 Deja Vu from Stoprak's front brake vs the Ducati straight-line advantage.

Hope Day 2 is just as exciting!

 

[sempre1]

Toprak was the man to beat in Portimao!! It was nice to see Bulega right there with Toprak