The Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto in Andalucia is ready to host the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season finale, and it promises to be a dramatic round. Not only does the campaign draw to a close with everyone looking to cap off a record-breaking year, but the paddock must also say goodbye to Pirelli after 23 seasons of exclusive tyre supply since 2004, a stretch that fueled 12 different champions including Jonathan Rea's six consecutive titles for Kawasaki from 2015 to 2020.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) arrives already crowned champion, but the records keep calling. He could match Ben Spies with an 11th pole of the year and chase the all-time single-season podium record of 34 set by Jonathan Rea in 2019 by aiming for his 36th rostrum before making his jump to the MotoGP paddock. It is a weekend of goodbyes up and down the grid, too. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) takes his final ride in Yamaha blue ahead of a move to Barni Ducati, taking over from Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) whose future remains unconfirmed. Bautista, who insists he is untroubled by what comes next, adores the Jerez circuit and showed real podium pace at Estoril. Meanwhile, Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) wraps up a single, tough season with BMW, admitting his continuation in WorldSBK is still a decision to be made.
Further down the order, Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) wants more silverware to wrap up his debut Ducati campaign after being beaten by Bulega at Estoril, despite Jerez not traditionally suiting his style. The fight for bronze is also boiling. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) holds a 53-point advantage over Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), meaning he can secure third in Race 1 if he stays 38 points or more clear. Alex Lowes has a strong Jerez record and won't go down easy, though he also has to keep an eye on twin brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), who sits just 12 points behind him in the hunt for P4.
The top-ten scrap is fierce as well. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) sits sixth with his future secured on a renewed GoEleven Ducati deal, holding a six-point gap over Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team). But rookie Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) has been on an absolute tear with four podiums across Cremona and Estoril, putting him eighth and within striking distance of the battle. Behind them, Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) leads Alvaro Bautista, though Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is only one point behind Bautista after finding strong form at Estoril.
Finally, the intra-team and minor battles add even more spice to the weekend. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and teammate Xavi Vierge are separated by just 10 points in the fight to be top Yamaha. Elsewhere, Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) carries a run of six consecutive points-scoring rides into a circuit where he first tested the CBR1000RR-R SP machine, alongside teammate Somkiat Chantra who has scored points in four of the last six races. Loris Baz steps in once again to replace Tarran Mackenzie at MGM Optical Express Racing, returning to a venue where he previously achieved a best finish of P4.
