For the first time this season, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea was the dominate rider. The Northern Irishman returned to his winning ways at Autodromo Nzionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari Imola, finally dethroning Aruba.it Racing Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista from his perfect record of wins in the opening four rounds of 2019 World Superbike.Rea claimed the race-one and Superpole Race wins aboard the ZX-10RR; race two was canceled due to extremely wet and unsafe conditions.Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea
In race one, Rea started from second on the grid behind Aruba.it Racing Ducati’s Chaz Davies, who claimed the Superpole (pole position) Saturday. While using a development-spec Pirelli rear tire, Rea passed Davies quickly.By lap three, he set a new WorldSBK record of 1:46.023, and continued to lead all 19 laps. He eventually took the checkered flag by 7.832 seconds ahead of Bautista. Claiming third was Turkish Puccetti Racing Kawasaki’s Toprak Razgatlioglu, who claimed his debut WSBK pole.Rea’s performance was just as strong during Sunday’s Superpole race, which occurred just ahead of the rain.He again led every lap, and finished 2.141 seconds ahead of the pole man Chaz Davies. Bautista finished third, 6.864 seconds back. Rea now has nine WorldSBK wins at ImolaWith his wins, Rea now has 220 points, and trails Bautista by 43 points after five of 13 rounds.Speaking after 2019 Imola World Superbike, Jonathan Rea said “It was a really positive weekend, to get my feeling with the bike here and be able to really get the maximum out of it.“To pick up two race wins makes me really happy. I want to thank all the team for always believing and keeping on pushing. We never stopped believing that this weekend was a perfect opportunity for the chance to win. With our form here in the past, the way our bike works here and the way I ride – it was our chance.“So we had to take it and I did, in both races. That was positive but unfortunately race three was cancelled because of the weather which came in. I completely understand and I am sure we will get our chance again.”Ducati’s Alvaro BautistaAs for Bautista, he had won 11 straight heading into Imola (Assen Superpole Race canceled due to wet conditions). But he has finished on the podium in every round so far.Following Sunday’s race-two cancelation, Alvaro Bautista said “Unfortunately the bad weather affected the second race, and it was raining really hard. The track conditions were dangerous, with a lot of water in some parts and streams crossing the track.“It was too risky for the riders and it was the right decision to cancel the race. We feel really bad about that because we know that there are a lot of Superbike fans here, but rider safety is the most important aspect.“Having the support of all the Ducatisti is incredible and even though I didn’t win a race, it was one of the best weekends in my entire career because I really felt their support. For this reason, I feel a bit sorry for them, but I think they will understand the situation.”Th 2019 WorldSBK Championship now breaks for three weeks ahead of round six June 7-9 at Circuito de Jerez Angel Neito in Spain – a home round for the 34-year-old Bautista. The riders will also complete a two-day test at Misano May 29-30.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!
