Superbike World Championship

{{Short description|International motorcycle racing}} {{Infobox motorsport championship | name = FIM Superbike World Championship | logo = Superbike World Championship logo (2022).svg | image-size = 240px | caption = ''Logo since 2022'' | category = Motorcycle racing | region = International | inaugural = 1988 | folded = | constructors = Bimota, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha | tyres = Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Goodyear | champion rider = {{flagicon|TUR}} Toprak Razgatlıoğlu | manufacturer = {{flagicon|ITA}} Ducati | champion team = {{flagicon|ITA}} Aruba.it Racing – Ducati | website = {{url|https://www.worldsbk.com/|worldsbk.com}} | current_season = {{CURRENTYEAR}} Superbike World Championship }}

'''Superbike World Championship''' (also known as '''WorldSBK''', '''SBK''', '''World Superbike''', '''WSB''', or '''WSBK''') is a silhouette road racing series based on heavily modified production sports motorcycles.

The championship was founded in {{SBK|1988}}. The Superbike World Championship consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities. Each round has two full length races and, from 2019, an additional ten-lap sprint race known as the Superpole race.<ref>[http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2019/WorldSBK+set+to+welcome+new+weekend+format WorldSBK set to welcome new weekend format] worldsbk.com, 11 December 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/three-race-format-2019-season/4311702/ WSBK reveals details of 2019 three-race format] motorsport.com, 11 December 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019</ref> The results of all three races are combined to determine three annual World Championships, one for riders, one for manufacturers and, {{Synthesis span|text= as of 2024, a Teams World Championship.|talk="Teams World Championship"|reason=no confirmation in source that teams championship is new for 2024|date=February 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.fim-moto.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/2024/2024_SBK_SS_SS300_World_Championships_Regulations_-Update_07February.pdf?t=1707819065 | title=FIM superbike, supersport & supersport 300 - World championships regulations 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217155943/https://www.fim-moto.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/2024/2024_SBK_SS_SS300_World_Championships_Regulations_-Update_07February.pdf?t=1707819065 | archive-date=2024-02-17}}</ref>

The motorcycles that race in the championship are tuned versions of motorcycles available for sale to the public, by contrast with MotoGP where purpose built machines are used. MotoGP is the motorcycle world's equivalent of Formula One, whereas Superbike racing is similar to sports car racing.

Europe is Superbike World Championship's traditional centre and leading market.<ref name="revival">[https://archive.today/20070504205950/http://www.crash.net/feature_view~cid~5~id~6435.htm 2005 to mark WSBK revival?] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> However, rounds have been held in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, and South Africa and the series plans on keeping extra-European circuits in rotation.

The championship is regulated by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and organised by MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Commission approves Liberty Media's acquisition of Dorna |url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2025/European+Commission+approves+Liberty+Medias+acquisition+of+Dorna |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=www.worldsbk.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-04 |title=Liberty Media completes acquisition of MotoGP {{!}} Crash.net |url=https://www.crash.net/motogp/feature/1075679/1/liberty-media-completes-acquisition-motogp |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=www.crash.net |language=en}}</ref>

==History== ===Early years=== {{Recentism|date=April 2024}} {{See also|List of Superbike World champions}} The Superbike World Championship began in {{SBK|1988}}, being open to modified versions of road bike models available to the public. For many years, the formula allowed for machines with 1,000 cc V-twin engines (principally Ducati, but later Aprilia and Honda) to go up against the 750 cc four-cylinder engines (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki). For the first few seasons Honda won with the RC30, but gradually the twins got the upper hand. Using 1,000 cc V-twin engines benefited Ducati and it was able to dominate the championship for many years, but the 750 cc was second or third each year between 1994 and 1999.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

Held under the FIM, the Formula TT from 1977 to 1989 once constituted the official motorcycle World Cup. Having proven itself both popular and commercially viable, it was decided by the end of the 1990 season to end the Formula TT and the Superbike World Championship would succeed it.

===1990s and early 2000s===

From {{SBK|1993}} to {{SBK|1999}} Carl Fogarty and Ducati dominated, Fogarty won the title a record four times and finished as runner-up twice on factory Ducatis. Troy Corser also won the 1996 title and finished as runner-up in 1995, both times on a Ducati.

Realizing that 1,000 cc V-twin engines suited the superbike racing formula more, Honda introduced its own V-Twin powered motorcycle the VTR1000 SPW in {{SBK|2000}}. The result was clear right away as Colin Edwards won the championship in the bike's first year of competition. Ducati regained the title in {{SBK|2001}} with Troy Bayliss. Colin Edwards again reclaimed the title in 2002 on the same VTR1000 SPW bike.

===2002=== {{Main|2002 Superbike World Championship}}

Colin Edwards won his second championship in what was arguably the most impressive comeback in the history of motorcycle racing. The season started with Troy Bayliss winning the first 6 races and by the end of race 1 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca he had 14 wins and was leading the championship by 58 points. Race 2 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was the start of Colin Edwards' comeback, he went on to win all 9 remaining races and (aided by a race 2 crash for Bayliss at Assen) Edwards won the championship at the final race of the season at Imola. The final race of the season saw both riders fighting wheel to wheel for the entire race. The race is known by fans as the "Showdown at Imola".

The manufacturer's championship was won by Ducati. During these years the Superbike World Championship reached the zenith of its popularity, with global fan and full factory support.<ref name="rules2">{{cite news|title=WSC In Turmoil With New Rules Package|publisher=Motorcycle-USA.com|access-date=2012-08-01|date=2003-07-18|url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/464/13599/Motorcycle-Article/WSC-In-Turmoil-With-New-Rules-Package.aspx|archive-date=2015-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106104123/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/464/13599/Motorcycle-Article/WSC-In-Turmoil-With-New-Rules-Package.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2003=== {{Main|2003 Superbike World Championship}}

In {{SBK|2003}} the FIM changed the rules to allow 1,000 cc machines (twins, triples or four-cylinder) to race. Rule changes in MotoGP to allow four-stroke engines meant that the Japanese manufacturers focused their resources there, leaving the Superbike World Championship with limited factory involvement<ref name="1000ccSBK">[http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26jan011000ccsuperbikes.html 1,000 cc Superbikes May Save World Championship] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807175321/http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26jan011000ccsuperbikes.html |date=2008-08-07 }} motorcycledaily.com retrieved on September 13, 2007</ref> (only Ducati and Suzuki).

{{SBK|2003}} also saw the entry of Carl Fogarty’s Foggy Petronas FP1. The bike was developed under the previous regulations and was powered by a three cylinder 900 cc engine. With most of the field running Ducati motorcycles, the championship received the derogatory title "the Ducati Cup".<ref name="rules2"/><ref name="rules">[https://web.archive.org/web/20071205185059/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/worldsuperbike/24961/ World Superbike: Time for More Rule Tweaking? (Part 1)] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> The factory Ducati Team entered the only two Ducati 999s in the field, taking 20 wins from 24 races in a season where all races were won by Ducati. Neil Hodgson won the title on a factory Ducati.

===2004=== {{Main|2004 Superbike World Championship}}

In an effort to create a more competitive field in {{SBK|2004}} organizers announced a series of changes to the championship. The most significant was that from {{SBK|2004}} the teams have had to run on Pirelli control or 'spec' tyres. The decision to award the control tyre to Pirelli was controversial. The Pirelli tyres were considered to be below the standard of Dunlop and Michelin that most of the teams had been using. Dunlop looked to take legal action against the decision<ref name="Dunlop">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5~id~72727.htm Dunlop plans legal action over rule changes.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> while Pirelli claimed that Michelin and Dunlop were also asked if they would be interested in the one-make tyre rule contract.<ref name="Pirelli">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5~id~103060.htm Pirelli: All the manufacturers were approached.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> Partly as a result of the control tyres, Motorcycle Sports Manufacturer Association (Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha) announced that no MSMA teams would participate in the Superbike World Championship, later modifying their statement allowing Ducati to participate.<ref name="rules2"/><ref name="rules"/>

A few privateers chose to run Japanese bikes in {{SBK|2004}}. Ten Kate Honda with Chris Vermeulen as its rider, won races and actually contended for the title that eventually was won by James Toseland and Ducati.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f1network.net/main/s180/st63752.php|title=Motorcycle Racing Online - World Superbike championship review 2004|website=www.f1network.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wsb-archives.co.uk/championship-standings.php?year=2004 |title=WSB Unofficial archive (from good sources) |access-date=2016-11-29 |archive-date=2016-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415154937/http://www.wsb-archives.co.uk/championship-standings.php?year=2004 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2005=== [[Image:Toseland-walker.jpg|thumb|James Toseland (1) on a Ducati leads Chris Walker (9) on a Kawasaki and Yukio Kagayama (71) on a Suzuki during a 2005 Superbike World Championship race]] {{Main|2005 Superbike World Championship}}

Following Ten Kate Honda's success Japanese motorcycles made a return in {{SBK|2005}} with major teams from all four Japanese manufacturers run through teams ran by European importers.<ref name="rules"/> Troy Corser won the 2005 championship, giving Suzuki its first Superbike World Championship title.

[[Image:Troy Bayliss SBK 2006.jpg|thumb|left|Troy Bayliss won the Superbike World Championship three times with Ducati]]

===2006===

{{SBK|2006}} saw the return of Australian Troy Bayliss to the Superbike World Championship after three years in MotoGP. The combination of Bayliss and Ducati proved unstoppable and they dominated the season, winning 12 races. Honda-mounted James Toseland and Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga battled for second with the British rider coming out on top. Defending champion Troy Corser on a Suzuki was fourth. {{SBK|2006}} gave the feeling that the Superbike World Championship was 'back' following the years of decline in {{SBK|2003}} and {{SBK|2004}}.<ref name="rules"/>

===2007=== [[Image:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|thumb|Max Biaggi riding his Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 at Assen]] {{Main|2007 Superbike World Championship}}

With MotoGP machines reduced in capacity from 990 cc to an 800 cc maximum displacement, 1,000 cc Superbikes, both at World Championship and top national championships (AMA Superbike and British Superbike) become the largest capacity bikes (but not the most powerful) being road raced in {{SBK|2007}}. While superbikes remained two or more seconds per lap slower than MotoGP bikes at most tracks where both raced, they had equal or more power.<ref name="powerful">[http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/worldsuperbike/35637/?page=1 WSBK: Superbikes Now the Most Powerful Racing Bikes in the World] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206004243/http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/worldsuperbike/35637/?page=1 |date=December 6, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="collision">[http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/34988/ Collision Course: MotoGP and World Superbike] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205191533/http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/34988/ |date=December 5, 2007 }}</ref> Troy Bayliss attempted to defend his title, riding once again a Ducati 999. Though 999 production ended in 2006 and the bike was replaced by the Ducati 1098, Ducati produced 150 limited-edition 999s at an elevated race specification to satisfy homologation requirements. Bayliss' main rivals in his title defense included former MotoGP rider Max Biaggi riding a Suzuki, 2004 champion James Toseland riding a Honda and Noriyuki Haga riding a Yamaha.

The combination of some uneventful races in MotoGP<ref name="boring1">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~153939.htm Poncharal apologises for boring race.] crash.net retrieved on September 13, 2007</ref><ref name="boring2">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/september/sep10-16/sep1207motogpvalentinorossiadmitsmotogpalittleboring/ Valentino Rossi admits MotoGP is a ‘little boring’] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 13, 2007</ref> and some exciting<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/world-superbikes/2007/august/wsb-top-three/|title=WSB top three|website=www.motorcyclenews.com}}</ref> races in SBK saw the championship's popularity increase even more.

The championship was won by James Toseland in the season's last race. His 415 points put him two points ahead of Noriyuki Haga, with former MotoGP winner Max Biaggi following with 397 points on a Suzuki.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/results+statistics/riders+manufacturers|title=WorldSBK|website=www.worldsbk.com}}</ref>

===2008=== {{Main|2008 Superbike World Championship}}

After introducing the Ducati 1098 in 2007 powered by a 1,099 cc v-twin engine Ducati requested that Superbike rules be changed to allow v-twins of up to 1,200 cc compete against 1,000 cc four-cylinder bikes. Ducati argued that they no longer produced a road-going 1,000 cc V-twin superbike<ref name="Ducati">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr9-16/apr1107ducatigoesofficialwithwsbquitthreat/?&R=EPI-90430 Ducati goes official with WSB quit threat] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> and that the level of tuning now needed to make their 999 competitive on the race track was too expensive.<ref name="1200 cc">[http://www.crash.net/feature_view~cid~5~id~8999.htm WSBK responds to 1200 cc rumours.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> Ducati said they would quit if the rules were not changed,<ref name="Ducati"/> while Alstare Suzuki team boss Francis Batta also said that his team would quit if the new rules gave Ducati an unfair advantage.<ref name="Suzuki">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr2-8/apr0207biaggisteamthreatenswsbwalkout/ Biaggi's team threatens WSB walk-out] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref>

The FIM eventually included the 1,200 cc displacement limit for twins in the {{SBK|2008}} superbike rules. According to the new rules, twin-cylinder motorcycles would be 6 kg heavier than four-cylinder machines (168 kg to 162 kg) and would also have a 50 mm air restrictor fitted. The weight limit and the intake-restrictor size of twin machines would be updated, if needed, during the Championship, by a system analysing the race points obtained.<ref name="tech">[http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=1793&cat_id=1 Changes to the Technical Rules for 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110183500/http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=1793&cat_id=1 |date=2009-01-10 }} worldsbk.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref>

The new rules also changed the minimum number of bikes required to acquire homologation. For 2008 and 2009, all manufacturers, regardless of total production numbers, had to produce a minimum of 1,000 bikes to acquire homologation. From 2010 onwards, the minimum production number was increased to 3,000 bikes. In the past, smaller manufacturers were allowed to build as few as 150 bikes to meet the homologation requirements. Manufacturers took advantage of this by producing 'homologation specials'--highly tuned versions of their road bikes with performance parts designed especially for racing.<ref name="meaning">[http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jun/e/n070616d.htm 1200 cc Is In, But What Does It Mean?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831072339/http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jun/e/n070616d.htm |date=2007-08-31 }} superbikeplanet.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref>

The 2008 SBK championship was dominated by Troy Bayliss of Australia, on his Ducati 1098, who concluded his season and his career with a double win at the brand new, 195-million-Euro Portimao circuit in Portugal, after which he retired.

===2009=== {{Main|2009 Superbike World Championship}} During the offseason, Yamaha lost Noriyuki Haga to Ducati, who signed him to replace the retired Troy Bayliss. His place was taken by 3-times AMA champion Ben Spies, who was expected to give Haga serious competition.

Ben Spies took a record 11 poles in the 14 round series and 14 wins (17 podiums) in 28 races; his main rival Haga was more consistent, finishing on the podium 19 times but winning only 8 races. 2009 also saw the debut of BMW and the return of Aprilia. Aprilia took a fourth final place in the championship with Max Biaggi, while BMW finished thirteenth with Troy Corser.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsbk.com/season/stats?p_S_Campionato=SBK&p_Anno=2009&p_PilotiCostruttori=P |title=STATS |publisher=Worldsbk.Com |access-date=2011-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224022343/http://www.worldsbk.com/season/stats?p_S_Campionato=SBK&p_Anno=2009&p_PilotiCostruttori=P |archive-date=2012-02-24 }}</ref>

===2010=== {{Main|2010 Superbike World Championship}} 2009 Champion Ben Spies moved to MotoGP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2wheeltuesday.com/2009/09/motogp-ben-spies-to-motogp-early-james-toseland-pushed-out/ |title=MotoGP: Ben Spies to MotoGP Early, James Toseland Pushed Out |publisher=2WheelTuesday |date=2009-09-17 |access-date=2011-03-18}}</ref> James Toseland returned to the championship after 2 seasons in MotoGP and took Spies place at the Sterilgarda Yamaha World Superbike team, partnered by fellow Brit Cal Crutchlow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://londonbikers.com/news/12399/toseland-and-crutchlow-in-2010-yamaha-wsb-line-up-its-official |title=Toseland and Crutchlow in 2010 Yamaha WSB Line Up - It's Official |publisher=Londonbikers.com |date=2009-10-01 |access-date=2011-03-18 |archive-date=2011-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724234727/http://londonbikers.com/news/12399/toseland-and-crutchlow-in-2010-yamaha-wsb-line-up-its-official |url-status=dead }}</ref> The factory Ducati team retained their two riders.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guy |first=Michael |url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/World-Superbikes/2009/September/sep2109-haga-and-fabrizio-stay-at-ducati-for-2010/?&R=EPI-118660 |title=Haga and Fabrizio retained at Ducati for 2010 - News | Motorcycle Sport | WSB Results | World Supersport | MCN |publisher=Motorcyclenews.com |access-date=2011-03-18}}</ref>

The 2010 season started on February 28 at Phillip Island and ended on October 3 at Magny-Cours.

===2011=== {{Main|2011 Superbike World Championship}}

The knockout system introduced for Superpole in 2009 was revised as the number of riders admitted to the first two sessions was reduced from twenty to sixteen and from sixteen to twelve respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportrider.com/news/new-rules-changes-motogp-and-world-superbike|title=The new rule changes for MotoGP and World Superbike|work=sportrider.com|publisher=Bonnier Motorcycle Group|date=6 January 2011|access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://arhiiv.msport.ee/files/6213/6574/9419/SBK_en.pdf|title=Road Racing FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup regulations 2011|work=arhiiv.msport.ee|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|date=31 January 2011|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220102933/http://arhiiv.msport.ee/files/6213/6574/9419/SBK_en.pdf|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ducati no longer competed with a factory team in 2011, after 23 seasons which had brought the marque a total of 29 riders' and manufacturers' championship titles, instead limiting its participation to privateer teams running their works bikes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4147-ducati-to-pull-factory-team-from-2011-wsbk-championship.html|title=Ducati to pull factory team from 2011 World Superbike|work=Superbike World Championship|publisher=Infront Motor Sports|date=27 August 2010|access-date=27 August 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100828061022/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4147-ducati-to-pull-factory-team-from-2011-wsbk-championship.html| archive-date= 28 August 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> Aprilia's gear-driven camshafts on its RSV4 motorcycle – which won the title in {{SBK|2010}} with Max Biaggi – was banned for the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://motomatters.com/news/2010/07/31/wsbk_2011_rule_changes_include_an_end_to.html|title=WSBK 2011 Rule Changes Include An End To Aprilia's Gear-Driven Cams|work=motomatters.com|publisher=MotoMatters|first=David|last=Emmett|date=31 July 2010|access-date=28 September 2010}}</ref>

After a dominating since season opening, Carlos Checa won his first championship and Ducati's 17th manufacturer title.

===2012=== {{Main|2012 Superbike World Championship}}

The season saw the number of complete motorcycles in use limited to one per rider; this meant that the rules allowing bike changes during a race (''flag-to-flag'') were cancelled.<ref name=CDM>{{cite news|url=http://www.corsedimoto.com/senza-categoria/superbike-tutte-le-novita-della-stagione-2012/|title=Superbike: tutte le novità della stagione 2012|work=corsedimoto.com|publisher=Editoriale L'Incontro|date=22 February 2012|access-date=6 December 2016|language=Italian}}</ref><ref name=regs>{{cite web|title=Road Racing FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup Regulations|url=http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/6510004_Anglais.pdf|access-date=25 February 2012|work=fim-live.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711003859/http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/6510004_Anglais.pdf|archive-date=11 July 2012|quote=1.17.3: Grid positions will be based...for the Superbike, on the Superpole results and the qualifying practice results. In the case where the Superpole has been cancelled, the grid position will be based on the qualifying practice results.|page=28}}</ref>

Aprilia rider Max Biaggi clinched his second SBK championship, pipping Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes by just half a point. Marco Melandri won more races than both Biaggi and Sykes this season but failing to score points in 5 of the last 6 races cost him the title.

===2013=== {{Main|2013 Superbike World Championship}}

The season saw the number of riders per row on the starting grid reduced from four to three;<ref name=Crash>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/185209/1/pit-stops-weight-change-for-wsbk-2013.html|title=Pit stops among WSBK rule changes|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=17 October 2012|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=FIM>{{cite web|url=http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/6510004_eng.pdf |title=Road Racing FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup regulations 2013 |work=fim-live.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme |date=31 January 2013 |access-date=7 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517122533/http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/alfresco/6510004_eng.pdf |archive-date=17 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the knockout system in use for Superpole was revised as the number of riders admitted to the first and to the third session changed from sixteen to fifteen and from eight to nine respectively.<ref name=FIM/> In addition, pit stops with tyre changes were introduced in order to avoid races to be interrupted due to variable weather conditions.<ref name=Crash/><ref name=FIM/>

Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes was crowned champion after obtaining the third-place finish he needed to secure the title victory at Jerez.

===2014=== {{Main|2014 Superbike World Championship}}

The season saw the revision of the Superpole format: riders placed from eleventh to twentieth position in the combined classification of the first three practice sessions were admitted to Superpole 1, then the two fastest SP1 riders progressed to Superpole 2, which finally awarded the pole position, joining the ten fastest riders of practice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2013/New%20TissotSuperpole%20format%20for%20the%20upcoming%202014%20season|title=New Tissot-Superpole format for the upcoming 2014 season|work=worldsbk.com|publisher=Dorna WSBK|date=23 December 2013|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref>

Aprilia's Sylvain Guintoli became the Superbike World Champion at the last race, prevailing over Tom Sykes by six points in the standings.<ref name=titles>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/wsbk/race-report/210484/1/sylvain-guintoli-clinches-2014-wsbk-title.html|title=WSBK Qatar: Sylvain Guintoli clinches 2014 WSBK title|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=2 November 2014|access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> But both Marco Melandri and Tom Sykes won more races than Sylvain Guintoli this season. With Sykes winning 8 and Melandri 6 compared to Guintoli's 5.

===2015=== {{Main|2015 Superbike World Championship}}

Jonathan Rea became 2015 World Superbike Champion riding a Kawasaki.

===2016=== {{Main|2016 Superbike World Championship}}

Jonathan Rea won his second consecutive Superbike World Championship title at the first race of the last round at Losail,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/wsbk/feature/234851/1/rea-seals-2016-world-superbike-title.html|title=WSBK Losail, Qatar: Rea seals 2016 World Superbike title|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=29 October 2016|access-date=26 January 2017}}</ref> while Kawasaki had secured the manufacturers' title at the previous event at Jerez.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/wsbk/race-report/234442/1/davies-dominates-as-sykes-chips-into-reas-lead.html|title=WSBK Jerez, Spain: Davies dominates as Sykes chips into Rea's lead|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=15 October 2016|access-date=26 January 2017}}</ref> Chaz Davies won the most races this season with Davies winning 11 races to Rea's 9.

After changes in the standard weekend timetable, the first race, which was previously run on Sunday along with the second one, was scheduled to be held on Saturday.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/12/article/world-superbike-race-weekend-schedule-changes-for-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220193415/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/12/article/world-superbike-race-weekend-schedule-changes-for-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2015|title=World Superbike Race Weekend Changed for 2016|work=motorcycle-usa.com|publisher=Motorcycle USA, LLC|last=Wilson|first=Byron|date=16 December 2015|access-date=25 December 2015}}</ref>

===2017=== {{Main|2017 Superbike World Championship}}

The season saw the revision of the starting grid format for the second race, which was previously based on qualifying results for both races: riders placed from fourth to ninth in Race 1 were promoted to the first two rows for Race 2; then the third, the second and the winner followed on the third row; the remaining riders were sorted from the tenth grid slot onwards according to Superpole results.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/235532/1/world-superbike-announces-radical-grid-shakeup.html|title=World Superbike announces radical grid shake-up|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=6 December 2016|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fim-live.com/en/library/download/60181/no_cache/1/|title=FIM Superbike, Supersport & Supersport 300 World Championships regulations 2017|work=fim-live.com|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|date=1 January 2017|access-date=20 February 2017|page=29}}</ref>

Jonathan Rea won his third Superbike world title for Kawasaki, by winning the Magny-Cours Race 1. His victory gave him an unassailable lead with five races remaining.

The season was marred by the death of Honda rider and former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a pedal-cycling accident near Rimini, Italy, on 22 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/129694/hayden-dies-from-cycling-crash-injuries|title= Hayden dies from cycling crash injuries|publisher=autosport|date=22 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref>

===2018=== {{Main|2018 Superbike World Championship}}

Jonathan Rea won his fourth Superbike world title for Kawasaki.

2018 was the final season run with the two-race format, as a three-race format was introduced for 2019.

===2019=== {{Main|2019 Superbike World Championship}}

A new race format was introduced for the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2019/WorldSBK%20set%20to%20welcome%20new%20weekend%20format|title=WorldSBK set to welcome new weekend format|work=Superbike World Championship|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=11 December 2018|access-date=12 January 2019}}</ref> As in 2018, two normal length races (Race 1 and Race 2) were held – one each on Saturday and Sunday (Friday and Saturday in Qatar). A third race, a ten lap sprint named the Superpole Race,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://resources.worldsbk.com/newsdesk/2019/schedule/WorldSBK_2019_StandardTimeSchedule_CETZone.pdf|title=2019 standard time schedule (Time zone: CET)|work=Superbike World Championship|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=11 December 2018|access-date=12 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113062707/http://resources.worldsbk.com/newsdesk/2019/schedule/WorldSBK_2019_StandardTimeSchedule_CETZone.pdf|archive-date=13 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> was held on the final morning of the weekend prior to Race 2. The starting grids for Race 1 and the Superpole Race were determined by a single 25-minute Superpole Qualifying session. The grid for Race 2 featured the top nine riders in the Superpole Race in the order in which they finished followed by the remaining riders sorted by their Superpole Qualifying times.<ref name=regs_video>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/videos/2019/2019%20WorldSBK%20New%20Regulations|title=The new WorldSBK three-race format explained!|work=Superbike World Championship|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=15 February 2019|access-date=23 February 2019}}</ref>

Jonathan Rea won his fifth Superbike world title for Kawasaki.

===2020=== {{Main|2020 Superbike World Championship}}

In a season shortened by the Covid pandemic, Jonathan Rea won his sixth Superbike world title for Kawasaki.

===2021=== {{Main|2021 Superbike World Championship}}

The championship was won by Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

===2022=== {{Main|2022 Superbike World Championship}}

Álvaro Bautista won his first championship and Ducati's 18th manufacturer title.

===2023=== {{Main if exists|2023 Superbike World Championship}} On 23 April 2023, Ducati reached '''400''' victories in Superbike and Álvaro Bautista won '''40''' victories.<br /> Álvaro Bautista won his second Superbike world title for Ducati and Ducati won its 19th manufacturer title.

===2024=== {{Main if exists|2024 Superbike World Championship}} Jonathan Rea moved from Kawasaki to Yamaha. Nicolò Bulega, 2023 Supersport champion, makes his debut at the Superbike World Championship. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu moves from Yamaha to BMW. On March 24, 2024, Álvaro Bautista reached '''60''' victories with Ducati. On 1 April 2024, Formula One Owners Liberty Media Bought 86% of Dorna Sport which owns MotoGP and World Superbikes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-01 |title=Liberty Media Announces Agreement to Acquire Commercial Rightsholder of MotoGP™ |url=https://www.libertymedia.com/investors/news-events/press-releases/detail/527/liberty-media-announces-agreement-to-acquire-commercial |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Liberty Media Corporation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Liberty Media to acquire Dorna |url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2024/Liberty+Media+to+acquire+Dorna |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.worldsbk.com}}</ref> Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, who had previously won the championship in 2021, won his second Superbike world title.<br> Ducati won its 20th manufacturer title.<ref>{{cite news |title=Superbike, Razgatlioglu è campione del mondo. A Bulega Gara-1 |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Moto/Superbike/19-10-2024/superbike-spagna-toprak-razgatlioglu-e-campione-del-mondo-bulega-vince-gara-1.shtml?refresh_ce |access-date=19 October 2024 |agency=gazzetta.it |publisher=gazzetta.it |date=19 October 2024}}</ref>

===2025=== {{Main if exists|2025 Superbike World Championship}} Jonathan Rea declared his retirement at the end of this season. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu won his third Superbike world title.<ref>{{cite news |title=Superbike, Jerez: Toprak Razgatlioglu è campione del mondo |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Moto/Superbike/19-10-2025/superbike-jerez-toprak-razgatlioglu-e-campione-del-mondo.shtml |access-date=19 October 2025 |agency=gazzetta.it/ |publisher=gazzetta.it/ |date=19 October 2025}}</ref> Ducati won its 21st Superbike world title. On 19 October 2025, Nicolò Bulega achieved '''20''' Superbike victories. While Toprak Razgatlıoğlu left Superbike at the end of this season as world champion, moving on to MotoGP with Yamaha for 2026. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu has achieved '''78''' Superbike victories, second only to Jonathan Rea in the all-time Superbike wins list.

===2026=== {{Main if exists|2026 Superbike World Championship}} Jonathan Rea, the multiple champion and record-holder for victories, briefly returns to the championship as a test and replacement rider for Honda, racing at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal and at TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands. On July 4, 2026, Ducati celebrates its centenary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cento anni di Ducati |url=https://www.ducati.com/it/it/ducati-centenario |website=ducati.com |publisher=ducati.com |access-date=30 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ducati celebra i cento anni con la moto da 200 mila euro 'Superleggera Centenario' |url=https://www.ansa.it/emiliaromagna/notizie/2026/04/17/ducati-celebra-i-cento-anni-con-la-moto-da-200-mila-euro-superleggera_e051b683-2eee-4735-bc6f-357f7670d586.html |access-date=31 May 2026 |agency=ansa.it |publisher=ansa.it |date=17 April 2026}}</ref>

==Riders== {{See also|List of Superbike World Championship racers|List of Superbike World Championship race winners}} Riders from all over the world compete in the Superbike World Championship. The championship is perhaps most closely followed in Italy because of Ducati and the United Kingdom where superbike racing has been the most popular form of motorcycle racing. National-championship superbike racing is conducted in several countries, including the United States, the UK and Japan. Riders from Australia and the United States have traditionally been successful in the world championship. No American rider had won a race since Colin Edwards won the 2002 championship until Ben Spies joined the series in 2009, but no Americans competed in the series between 2003 and 2007.

British rider Carl Fogarty had long been the most successful rider in the championship's history, winning the championship four times, and amassing a total of 59 race wins. Jonathan Rea cemented his overtaking of Fogarty in the history books by winning his fifth consecutive world championship title in 2019, amassing a new record number of race wins, too. Rea went on to win his sixth title in 2020.

Many riders successful in the Superbike World Championship have gone on to MotoGP, such as 2002 champion Colin Edwards, 2007 champion James Toseland, and 2005 runner-up Chris Vermeulen. The championship has seen several former MotoGP riders move to it, usually after failing to earn competitive rides. The 2008 field includes five former MotoGP winners: Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa and Makoto Tamada all raced exclusively in MotoGP before joining SBK, while Troy Bayliss, Noriyuki Haga, and Régis Laconi had alternating spells in both.

Except for Frenchman Raymond Roche, who won the championship in {{SBK|1990}}, all Superbike World Champions had been native English speakers, until Max Biaggi won the championship in 2010 and 2012 and also 2011 champion Carlos Checa and 2014 champion Sylvain Guintoli becoming the second Frenchman to take the title. Italian riders Davide Tardozzi and Marco Lucchinelli won the first two races of the series, and Frenchman Adrien Morillas was also victorious in 1988; Germany had to wait for Max Neukirchner to achieve this in 2008, although Austrian Andreas Meklau was the first German-speaker to win a race, in 1993. Spain's first race winner was Ruben Xaus in 2001.

==Superbike motorcycles== Superbike racing motorcycles are derived from standard production models. In the past, however, manufacturers took advantage of loopholes in the rules to create "homologation specials" — motorcycles with low production numbers made especially for racing.

'''Current SBK motorcycle manufacturers:''' * Bimota: YB4EI, SB8R, BB3, [KB998 * BMW: S1000RR, M1000RR * Ducati: 851, 888, 916, 996, 998, 999, 1098, 1198, 1199 Panigale R, V4R Panigale * Honda: RC30, RC45, RC51, CBR1000RR * Kawasaki: GPX750R, ZXR750, ZX-7RR, ZX-10R * Yamaha: YZF750, YZF-R7, YZF-R1

'''Former SBK motorcycle manufacturers:''' * Aprilia: RSV Mille R, RSV4 * Benelli: Tornado Tre 900 * Erik Buell Racing: 1190RX * MV Agusta: MV Agusta F4 * Petronas: FP1 * Suzuki: GSX-R750, GSX-R1000

{{Gallery | title = 2007 World Superbike motorcycles by all 5 participating manufacturers | align = center | File:Lorenzo Lanzi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|Lorenzo Lanzi riding the Ducati 999F07 | File:James toseland wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|James Toseland riding the Honda CBR1000RR | File:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|Max Biaggi riding the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 | File:Noriyuki Haga wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|Noriyuki Haga riding the Yamaha YZF-R1 | File:Fonsi Nieto wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|Fonsi Nieto riding the Kawasaki ZX-10R }}

==Champions== {{Main|List of Superbike World Champions}}

==Race weekend== Up to 2013 season * '''Friday''' ** ''1st free practice'' (60 minutes) and ''1st qualifying'' (60 minutes) * '''Saturday''' ** ''2nd qualifying'' (60 minutes) and ''2nd free practice'' (60 minutes) :The times of first and second qualifying are combined and the 15 fastest riders qualify for Superpole. The rest receive a grid position based on lap time, starting with 16th. To qualify for the race, riders must record a lap time no longer than 107% of the time recorded by the pole-position rider. :*''Superpole'' ** The first 15 riders of the qualifying practice on the track participate in a Knockout session. ** All sessions are 12 minutes each, with a seven-minute interval between sessions. *** The first round consists of 15 riders. The slowest three riders are eliminated and start 13th to 15th. *** The second round consists of 12 riders. The slowest three riders start 10th to 12th. *** The final round consists of nine riders. The top nine are set in this session. ** All times for riders advancing are wiped, requiring advancing riders to set a best time in every Superpole session in which they participate. Starting grid. * '''Sunday''' ** ''Warm-up'' (20 minutes) ''Race 1'' and ''Race 2'' :Race distance must be from a minimum of 90 km to a maximum of 110 km.

<br>

From 2019 onwards:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2019/WorldSBK+set+to+welcome+new+weekend+format|title = WorldSBK set to welcome new weekend format}}</ref> * '''Friday''' ** ''1st free practice'' (50 minutes) and ''2nd free practice'' (50 minutes) * '''Saturday''' ** ''3rd free practice'' (30 minutes) ** ''Superpole'' (25 minutes) *** Sets the starting positions for Race 1 and the Superpole Race *** To qualify for the race, riders must record a lap time no longer than 107% of the time recorded by the pole-position rider. ** ''Race 1'' * '''Sunday''' ** ''Warm-up'' (15 minutes) ** ''Superpole Race'' *** Ten lap race. *** Top 9 finishers set their grid position for Race 2; positions from 10th onwards set from Saturday's Superpole. ** ''Race 2''

==Scoring system== {| class="wikitable" |+ '''Current points system''' ! Position ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 |- ! Points | 25 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |} * For the Manufacturers' Championship, only the highest finishing motorcycle by a particular manufacturer is awarded the points for that position, as in MotoGP and most other forms of motorcycle racing.

{| class="wikitable" |+ '''Superpole points system''' ! Position ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 |- ! Points | 12 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |}

==Support classes==

===Supersport World Championship=== {{Main|Supersport World Championship}}

Supersport World Championship has been a support class to the Superbike World Championship since 1990.

To be eligible for World Supersport, a motorcycle must have a four stroke engine of between 400 and 600 cc for four cylinder, 500 and 675 cubic centimetres for triples and between 600 and 750 cc for twins and must satisfy the FIM homologation requirements. World Supersport regulations are much tighter than in World Superbike. The chassis of a supersport machine must remain largely as production, while engine tuning is possible, but tightly regulated. As in world superbike a control tyre is used, although supersport regulations dictate that the tyres must be road legal and therefore race slicks are not allowed.

A World Supersport race takes place at every World Superbike round.

===FIM Superstock 1,000 Cup=== {{Main|FIM Superstock 1000 Championship}}

The FIM Superstock 1,000 Cup was a support class to the Superbike World Championship at the European rounds. Motorcycles with the same displacement as superbikes can run in superstock 1000 (though 1,200 cc twins were allowed for 2007). Superstock rules are much more restrictive and most components on the bike remain stock. The bikes run on Grooved Pirelli tyres. The Superstock 1000 championship is open to riders up to 24 years of age.

===European Superstock 600 Championship=== {{Main|European Superstock 600 Championship}}

The Superstock 600 European Championship was a support class to the Superbike World Championship. The championship uses 600 cc production motorcycles and is reserved for riders between 15 and 24 years of age. Same rules as Superstock 1000 apply, but the series is organized by FIM Europe.

==Video games== As the World Superbike Championship has grown in popularity over the years, video games have been developed to incorporate its growing fan base. Originally EA Sports held the licence to produce SBK videos games until 2001 when they discontinued the series. The Italian developer Milestone developed the three video games: Superbike World Championship, Superbike 2000 and Superbike 2001 published by EA Sports, which were very successful. Milestone, from 2007 to 2012, developed other games in the series published by Black Bean Games, deal signed in 2006 via RTR Sports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sponsorship: Black Bean – Superbike |url=https://rtrsports.com/en/portfolio-posts/sponsorship-black-bean-superbike/ |website=rtrsports.com |publisher=RTR Sports |access-date=19 November 2022}}</ref> From 2007 to 2012 are published: SBK-07: Superbike World Championship, SBK-08: Superbike World Championship, SBK-09: Superbike World Championship, SBK X: Superbike World Championship, SBK 2011: FIM Superbike World Championship and SBK Generations.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website|https://www.worldsbk.com/}} {{in lang|en}}

Category:Superbike World Championship Category:Motorcycle road racing series World Championship Category:World motorcycle racing series Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1988 Category:FIM world championships