WSBK News

Ten Kate Racing has declared bankruptcy and started legal proceedings following the last-minute split from Honda in the World Superbike championship.

The timesheets may suggest otherwise, but Jonathan Rea believes he still has to rekindle his “love with my bike again” as he got to grips with Kawasaki’s newly homologated 2019 ZX10RR at a two-day World Superbike test at Jerez.

Chaz Davies feels the potential from his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R is vast but has a “mountain” of development work due to change in Ducati method from its outgoing V-twin.

Eugene Laverty will start testing the new Ducati Panigale V4 R in January with the Go Eleven World Superbike squad, as Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall’Igna confirms the details of the deal are being finalised.

Alvaro Bautista says he’s pleasantly surprised at his debut day on the Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 adapting to life in World Superbikes for 2019 having ended his first day just three-tenths of a second off pace-setter Jonathan Rea.

Eugene Laverty will remain in the World Superbike championship after securing a new Ducati Panigale V4 seat with the Go Eleven team.

Alessandro Delbianco will make his World Superbike debut in 2019 with an Althea MIE Honda entry separate to the factory squad revealed earlier this month.

Heavy rain at Aragon restrained the track activity on the concluding day of the first World Superbike test ahead of 2019 with just two riders setting representative lap times.

Chaz Davies says his opening test day on the Aruba.it Racing Ducati V4 R “felt like Christmas” as winter preparations got underway for 2019 at Aragon.

The 2019 World Superbike provisional race calendar has been officially released with Laguna Seca set to be replaced by an unconfirmed event in mid-July.

Michel Ruben Rinaldi will contest his first full World Superbike campaign after securing a move to Barni Ducati for next season.

Marco Melandri will remain in the World Superbike championship next year after signing a deal with GRT Yamaha alongside Sandro Cortese who steps up to the premier class as World Supersport champion.

Honda Racing Corporation will step up its efforts with a factory squad in partnership with Althea and Moriwaki for the 2019 World Superbike championship with riders Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

BMW Motorrad has confirmed its official return to the World Superbike championship in 2019 with factory backing for Shaun Muir Racing who has signed Tom Sykes and Markus Reiterberger to form an all-new rider line-up.

1. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR 545 points 2. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R 356 points 3. Michael van der Mark NED PATA Yamaha YZF-R1 333 points

The final race of the 2018 World Superbike season has been cancelled at Qatar due to track conditions. A rain storm delayed Saturday's schedule, with the shortened World Supersport title showdown getting underway despite numerous streams of water crossing the otherwise dry track.

UPDATE 2:

Chaz Davies lost 'a point and a position' when he was misled by a message displayed on the main straight near the end of race one at the Qatar World Superbike season finale.

Jonathan Rea matched another all-time World Superbike record with his 17th victory of the season, in Qatar on Friday.

Alex Lowes snatched a podium finish on the final lap of Friday's opening WorldSBK race in Qatar.

Eugene Laverty and Alex Lowes fought 'bar-to-'bar for the final podium place on the last lap of Friday's opening WorldSBK race at the Qatar season finale.

Tom Sykes has taken pole position for his Kawasaki farewell at the Qatar World Superbike season finale.

Tom Sykes got off to a slow start at the final round of the World Superbike Championship before improving to finish third on combined times after the final session at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

Jonathan Rea may have already secured the 2018 World Superbike crown, but with several records up for grabs to finish off his season with a flourish, there’s still all to play for as the final round of the championship gets under way in Qatar.