2022 World Superbike Misano: Everything you need to know
With four wins out of nine races, pace and consistency has been the biggest reason why Alvaro Bautista heads the World Superbike standings.
The Ducati rider has not been off the podium in any race so far this season, something even Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu have failed to achieve.
On his last visit to Misano with Ducati (2019), Bautista took one victory, while team-mate Michael Rinaldi won two races at the Emilia-Romagna round in 2021.
A happy hunting ground for Ducati, Misano has also been a favourite venue for Rea who has won seven of the last 13 races held at Misano.
The Kawasaki rider, although second in the championship, has the most wins of any rider so far in 2022 (5), while reigning world champion Razgatlioglu is still searching for win #1.
Should Kawasaki achieve three podiums this weekend, then it will become the second manufacturer behind Ducati to break the 500 barrier. The Italian marque holds the record with a staggering 993.
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The Turkish rider could and perhaps should have won twice in Estoril - lost the lead on the final lap on two occasions - but Misano should present another opportunity to do so as it’s the circuit where he took the first of his 13 wins last season.
Where to watch World Superbike Misano in the UK
For those who are subscribed to the WorldSBK videopass, every session will be available live and uninterrupted. Eurosport will also be showing qualifying and all three races live.
Full schedule (UK times)
Friday
09:30-10:15 Free Practice 1
14:00-14:45 Free Practice 2
Saturday
08:00-08:30 Free Practice 3
10:10-10;25 Superpole
13:00 Race 1
Sunday
08:00-08:15 Warm-up
10:00 Superpole Race
14:15 Race 2
After missing all three Estoril races due to crashes in free practice, both Garrett Gerloff and Philipp Oettl have been passed fit for this weekend.
That’s not the case for Lucas Mahias who will be replaced by Tito Rabat at Puccetti Kawasaki.
Another rider making his return to the series is Alessandro Delbianco, with the Italian replacing Leon Haslam who was scheduled to compete in his second round of the season with Pedercini Kawasaki.
But with Haslam taking part in preparations for the Suzuka 8 hours event which takes place in August, it means Pedericini Kawasaki has its fourth different rider in as many rounds.