2019 Phillip Island WSBK to feature triple-header

By Bike Review • 6 years ago •

Australian World Superbike fans are in for a massive treat next year over the February 22-24 Pillip Island WorldSBK round, with news the iconic production series will boast an expanded three race-format in 2019, heralding in the new season.

WorldSBK returns to Phillip Island in 2019

The two-race World Superbike (WorldSBK) weekend has been the norm since the series began in 1988, but the 32nd year of competition will see a new ‘triple-treat’ format introduced – one race on Saturday followed by two on Sunday, in a move that’s sure to make for a more exciting weekend for spectators.

The first and third races to be held Saturday and Sunday afternoons will follow the traditional longer WorldSBK format, bookending a no-holds-barred ‘sprint’ shootout on Sunday morning which will see riders like four-time defending world champion Jonathan Rea, Chaz Davies, Michael van der Mark, Eugene Laverty, Leon Haslam, Alex Lowes, Leon Camier, Tom Sykes and MotoGP convert Alvaro Bautista leave nothing on the track.

WorldSBK returns to Phillip Island in 2019

“World Superbikes is always about action, lots and lots of back-to-back racing. This three-race initiative from Dorna and the teams is sensational,” said Fergus Cameron, Phillip Island Circuit Managing Director. “It’s putting the fans first with lap upon lap of unrivalled action and that’s what we love. A third race will escalate the intensity of competition to a level unheard of before in the sport of motorcycle racing.”

Spectators at Phillip Island will not only be the first to enjoy the triple-treat format, but the event will also witness the debut of Ducati’s all-new Panigale V4 – and the intrigue associated with the Italian marque’s factory riders Davies and Bautista taking on the might of Rea’s all-conquering and proven Kawasaki.

WorldSBK returns to Phillip Island in 2019

The February 22-24 event will also host World Supersport Championship competition and national support races, so there will be action aplenty around the classic 4.45km island circuit from Friday to Sunday.

Tickets for the Yamaha Finance round of the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island from February 22-24 will go on sale next Friday, October 19 from Ticketek. For more information go to www.worldsbk.com.au or call the circuit WorldSBK hotline on 1 300 728 007.