EICMA Italian Round

The EICMA Italian Round brings WorldSBK action to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy. This race weekend features the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship along with supporting categories including WorldSSP and WorldWCR. Fans can watch top riders compete on one of the championship's most established circuits.

Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli

The Misano World Circuit sits in Misano Adriatico, within the Province of Rimini. The facility is close to the seaside towns of Rimini, Riccione, and Cattolica. The circuit measures 4.226 kilometers in length and features 16 corners with 10 right-handers and 6 left-handers. The track runs in a clockwise direction and has a width of 12 meters. The longest straight extends 530 meters.

Originally designed in 1969 and opened in 1972, the circuit underwent major modifications in 2006. These changes included reversing the direction of the track. The circuit received its current name in honor of Italian motorcyclist Marco Simoncelli. Further improvements to kerbing and a complete resurfacing took place in 2015. The venue can accommodate up to 60,000 spectators.

Race Format and Categories

The EICMA Italian Round spans three days of competition. The schedule includes free practice sessions, Tissot Superpole qualifying, and multiple races across different categories. WorldSBK riders compete in Race 1, the Superpole Race, and Race 2. The WorldSSP category and WorldWCR class also feature races throughout the weekend.

Each session provides opportunities for riders to demonstrate their skills on this technical circuit. The combination of fast sections and technical corners tests both rider ability and machine setup. Close racing has become a hallmark of events at Misano.

2026 Season Participants

The 2026 WorldSBK season features strong lineups across multiple teams. Aruba.it Racing Ducati fields Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona. Barni Spark Racing runs Yari Montella and Alvaro Bautista on Ducati machinery. Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team includes Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes.

Other notable entries include the Marc VDS Racing Team with Sam Lowes on a Ducati, Pata Maxus Yamaha with Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge, and ROKiT BMW Motorrad with Miguel Oliveira. GYTR GRT Yamaha features Remy Gardner and Stefano Manzi. The Kawasaki WorldSBK Team runs Garrett Gerloff. Motocorsa Racing fields Alberto Surra, while MGM Optical Express Racing has Tarran Mackenzie on Ducati equipment.

Technical Regulations for 2026

WorldSPB Class Introduction

The 2026 season introduced the World Sportbike Championship, which replaced the WorldSSP300 category. This new class uses a performance balancing system with engine concession parts, torque-limited mapping with rev limits, and minimum weight requirements. The regulations aim to create parity among different manufacturers. Eligible bikes produce approximately 90 horsepower and include the Yamaha R7, Aprilia RS 660, Honda CBR600RR, Kove 450RR, Suzuki GSX-8R, Triumph Daytona 660, Kawasaki ZX-6R 636, and CFMoto 675 SR-R.

The minimum rider age for WorldSPB is 16 years. New contracted riders must be 25 years or younger, while experienced riders who have competed in WorldSSP300 or WorldWCR can be up to 28 years old.

WorldSBK Fuel Flow and Other Updates

Fuel flow regulations for 2026 clarify how data carries over between seasons. Manufacturers with a maximum reduction limit of -1 kg/h from the previous season may face an additional penalty of up to 0.5 kg/h. These fuel flow limits apply during Superpole, Superpole Race, Race 1, and Race 2. The limits can change during the season based on an MSMA algorithm, with a total maximum reduction capped at -1.5 kg/h.

Additional regulation changes include revised "Start Delayed" procedures where the countdown to the warm-up lap resumes at the 5-minute board. Pit lane speed limit violations now result in fines with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Riders who are one full lap down in the first race must start a restarted race from the pit lane. Riders two or more laps down cannot restart. Riders who enter the pit lane twice for adjustments, excluding tire changes due to weather, cannot rejoin the race.

Aerodynamic aids such as wings remain legal only if they were originally equipped on the homologated road-going machine. These components must strictly follow the dimensions, profile, and position of the production model.

Misano's WorldSBK History

Misano first hosted a WorldSBK round in 1991. The circuit has now hosted 33 WorldSBK rounds, making it one of the championship's longest-serving venues. An agreement extension announced in 2026 ensures the circuit will remain on the calendar until at least 2031. This commitment makes Misano one of the few circuits from the original 1988 WorldSBK calendar that continues to host races nearly 40 years later.

Troy Bayliss holds the record for the most WorldSBK wins at Misano with six victories. The circuit has seen numerous "doubles" where a single rider wins both races in a weekend, occurring 15 times across 22 race weekends. For Italian riders, Misano represents a home circuit, adding special significance to their performances.

Event Significance and Impact

WorldSBK events at Misano World Circuit play an important role for the local economy. Studies have shown that the races generate over 154,000 tourist overnight stays and create an economic impact exceeding €28 million. The events draw large crowds, with past editions welcoming more than 76,000 spectators and reaching television audiences of around 10 million viewers.

The EICMA Italian Round continues Misano's tradition of hosting world-class motorcycle racing in Italy. The circuit's technical layout combined with the passionate Italian fanbase creates a unique atmosphere for riders and teams. The event showcases the best of WorldSBK competition on one of the series' most historic circuits.