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It ends here, where it all began. The 2024 World Superbike season ended in Jerez, crowning Toprak and BMW the winners. A triumphant ride that of the Turk, who today will celebrate in his homeland that long-awaited and dreamed title, writing a new page of history in the world of the production-derived racing series.
Toprak smiles and along with him so does Nicolò Bulega, a revelation in all respects of this 2024 season. While on the one hand there are those who are rejoicing, on the other hand there are those who are forced to lick their wounds. This is particuluarly the case of Alvaro Bautista, who said goodbye to Jerez with his worst performance ever. Ahead of him is a long winter with the goal of rebuilding and restarting.
THE GOOD - Not one, but four, namely this season's champions: Toprak Razgatlioglu, Adrian Huertas, Aldi Mahendra and Ana Carrasco. Different from each other, but with one common denominator, victory.
THE BAD - Maria Herrera tried until the very end to win the Women's title, hitting Sara Sanchez, but ending up on the ground herself. It was a bitter epilogue for the young Spaniard, who until three laps from the end was dreaming of the world championship title, instead being forced to admire from the bottom step Ana Carrasco. The second place left a bitter taste in her mouth, but she can console herself with the support from the public, who are waiting to find her again next year at the start of the Women's Championship.
THE UGLY - And just think that a week ago he was celebrating the podium in Race 1 at Estoril with Honda. The Jerez round left a bitter taste in the mouth for Iker Lecuona, victim of a fracture in the metatarsal of his left foot. A tough blow to take for the Spaniard, who ended the race weekend early. We will wait for him to be back in action while wishing him a speedy recovery.
DISAPPOINTMENT - This time a year ago he was celebrating the world title topped by three victories, but now he seems to have ended up in a nightmare. It was a horrific round at Jerez for Alvaro Bautista, whose crash count is lost. At the end of the season, he was more than 120 points behind his teammate. Tuesday is already test time with the goal of charting a new path forward.
CONFIRMATION - While on one side of the Aruba box some people are licking their wounds, on the other side Prosecco is being uncorked. Once again Nicolò Bulega proved to be a certainty in his own right. To win the title he needed a miracle and at the same time a debacle from BMW. The world championship dream did not come true, but Nicolò said goodbye to Spain with all-time track records and two wins.
MISTAKE - Andrea Iannone tried his hand, but unfortunately it did not go as he hoped. In the end, the maneuver in Race 2 weighed heavily in the race toward a podium finish that would have ended the season. His 2024 remains well above expectations, however, and we look forward to a 2025 season all-out.
SURPRISE - Together we had never seen them on the podium, but apparently there is always a first time. Michael van der Mark bade farewell to the Jerez round with a third-place finish, giving BMW a double celebration on the weekend that was worth the world title.
OVERTAKE - Bulega on Toprak at Turn 5 in the Superpole Race. Clean, calculated and effective, just enough to secure the win.
CURIOSITY - Toprak has won with BMW and Yamaha, meaning two different brands. Likewise did James Toseland and Troy Corser, the former with Ducati and Honda, the latter with Ducati and Suzuki.
I TOLD YOU SO - Iannone on race weekend: "Racing at Sepang in place of Di Giannantonio? The phone never rang"... in our opinion, however, he will go!
