WorldSBK’s Eurocentric calendar has been the topic of controversy lately, however in Alex Legal guidelines’ opinion it shouldn’t be used to undermine the standard of racing.
Whereas MotoGP has eight races exterior Europe in 2026 and a possible 9 in 2027 when Argentina returns, World Superbike solely has one, the opening spherical at Phillip Island. Moreover, half of WorldSBK’s 12 rounds can be cut up between three international locations: Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
Maybe these information are indicative of a sequence struggling to keep up its standing as a real world championship, however within the opinion of Bimota’s Alex Legal guidelines, the geography of the racetrack shouldn’t discredit what’s a official and aggressive championship. He has grow to be one of the skilled riders within the sequence since his debut in 2014 and says he feels that a number of components, presumably exterior of WorldSBK’s management, together with monetary considerations, have contributed to WorldSBK’s shrinking geographic presence. Championship calendar.
“In World Superbike, you’ll be able to solely race on the circuits you wish to race on,” Legal guidelines instructed Crash.web.
“If we have now a top-class MotoGP in our trade, it at all times has been and at all times can be a top-class. After which there are individuals who appear to be in opposition to World Superbike as a result of they love MotoGP. That is mistaken as a result of there’s a spot for an excellent manufacturing class and an excellent prototype class. That is the fact.
“The precise racing in World Superbike, overlook the identify of the sequence, is wonderful.
“You’ll be able to say, ‘Oh, yeah, there are two guys in entrance of you.'” However Marc leads MotoGP week in and week out with aerodynamics, so you’ll be able to’t say MotoGP is a greater race than Superbike by way of passing. That is not true.
“You’ll be able to have an opinion since you love MotoGP. I do too and I like MotoGP. I want I had been quick sufficient to be in MotoGP for the final 10 years, however I am not. However the racing is simply pretty much as good on World Superbike. I do not assume you’ll be able to argue in any other case.”
Lowe’s has returned to its roots.
“However we (WorldSBK) can solely go to circuits the place we wish to maintain races,” he continued. “So my aim as a championship rider is to be constructive in regards to the championship, be constructive in regards to the calendar, promote good races and get extra tracks concerned.
“I like the truth that it is going to be on a special circuit than MotoGP, which is sweet and can give individuals in these areas extra alternatives to observe top-level bike racing.
“So, in actuality, the consequence is identical regardless of the place you race, as a result of even when this yr (MotoGP) held 12 races in Spain, Marc Marquez would nonetheless win the world championship. So I believe we have now to be constructive in regards to the calendar, as a result of there are financial causes for not going to all these international locations.”
“I can sit right here and say, ‘I wish to race at Laguna Seca in Qatar,’ however sadly that is not the world we stay in. But when there are extra worldwide races[outside of Europe]and we will put it up for sale in different international locations sooner or later, clearly that may be higher. For instance, in Asian races, strive racing on extra continents.”
“However the actuality is that I’d be completely satisfied to race wherever, whether or not it is Magny-Cours, Cremona, Phillip Island. The fact is that I nonetheless must go there, work arduous, get on the rostrum and get one of the best consequence.”
“I hope the races are good and I hope extra tracks are prepared for World Superbike, however we’ll see.
“That is definitely an issue that I can not resolve. All I can do is be constructive about it, be constructive in regards to the championship. There is a new class within the World Superbike paddock.
“The extra constructive you’re about every little thing, the higher. I believe generally the destructive media will get extra consideration than the constructive media, however the actuality is that this: The World Superbike Championship is a good championship. There are plenty of good riders there, some British riders, different British riders, so we have now to be constructive in regards to the championship.”
