Vallelunga on standby for WSBK return

Vallelunga could return to the World Superbike Championship schedule after being named as a 'reserve' venue in an attempt to avoid a repeat the fallout from last year's in-season event cancellations.

The Italian venue was part of the World Superbike schedule in 2007 and 2008, with this new deal putting in line for a call up in 2015 and 2016 should an existing event be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances going forward.

The decision to introduce a standby event is in reaction to the cancellation of the Russian and South African rounds last season, which had the effect of creating much criticised month-long gaps between the final three events.

Though Dorna WSBK insists the deal with Vallelunga doesn't signify that any round on the 2015 schedule is under threat, it says it wants to be better prepared than in 2014.

"The 2015, thirteen-round calendar guarantees the stability we were looking for since DWO started managing the series," said WSBK Executive Director Javier Alonso. "Unfortunately, events of force majeure - like last year's situation with the South African round - can still happen and this is why we came up with this solution together with the Vallelunga Circuit Managers.

"Although we hope not to be in the position to act on this procedure in future, this agreement is already offering a positive outcome for both parties."

Located close to the capital city Rome, Vallelunga President Ruggero Campi is proud that the circuit could be about to make its world championship comeback.

"The Autodromo Vallelunga 'Piero Taruffi' is pleased to have been chosen by Dorna WSBK as a back-up circuit for the top production-based motorcycle series and to possibly make its return to world level competition. Vallelunga has always been considered a very technical circuit, loved by fans and riders.

"It is a track used for many development tests and has all of the necessary requirements to host a World Championship round. Located just a few kilometers from the Italian capital, Vallelunga is the 'Circuit of Rome' and would be able to welcome spectators coming from both the centre and the south of Italy to enjoy the experience of pure motorsport."

The original 14-round 2015 WSBK calendar has already been reduced by one after the Russian round was cancelled for a second year in succession. It hasn't been replaced, however.