The beginning of the World SBK season has been characterized by an outstanding performance from the Motozoo ME AIR Racing team, led by Italian rider Federico Caricasulo, who showed notable consistency in both races.
The start of a new phase for all Galfer riders in the World SuperSport 600 competition at the Phillip Island Circuit in Australia. With favorable weather conditions and a newly asphalted track, last weekend marked the start of the first race of this world speed championship, introducing a series of changes in regulations. This first appointment of the year brings with it various novelties, both for this particular circuit and for the entire season.
In both categories, WorldSBK and WorldSSP, during the two races of the weekend, all riders were required to make a pit stop due to the strong abrasion of the asphalt on the tires. With a minimum time set for entry and exit from the pit lane, between laps 8 and 10 of each race, all riders had to make this stop and change tires (with the option to change the front tire, although it was not mandatory). This measure was applied only at the Phillip Island Circuit due to its recent resurfacing.
Another significant change brought by this new season concerns the starting positions in the second race, where the first 9 positions will be determined based on each rider’s fastest lap during the first race.
Focusing on the results of the weekend, it is usual to observe numerous changes, both on the grid and in the pits at the beginning of each season. Among the Galfer riders for the 2024 season, it is worth noting the new collaboration with the Motozoo ME AIR Racing team, whose new MV Agusta F3 800 RR bikes are equipped with Floatech® discs and G1310 Racing pads, thus contributing to the impressive performance of Federico Caricasulo, who reached third position in the overall standings after achieving two consecutive fourth places in both races. On the other hand, his teammate Luke Power did not participate in this Australian Grand Prix.
Galfer has renewed its collaboration again with the Evan Bros team, which this year features French rider Valentin Debise. Although Debise did not manage to finish the first race, he demonstrated his skill in the second race by reaching fifth position. The team will not have a second rider, but will have Ana Carrasco for the new WCR Championship category, where only female riders will participate. On the other hand, the PTR Triumph team renews its riders, with Tom Both-Amos, who retired in the first race and finished thirteenth in the second. His teammate, Ondrej Vostatek, achieved 14th position in the first race and 19th in the second.
The next WSBK appointment will take place at the Circuit de Catalunya, very close to Galfer’s facilities, during the weekend of March 22-24.
