The long awaited return of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off for its opening round of the 2024 season over the weekend at the Phillip Island Circuit.

Prior to the official start to the season on Friday, two-days of testing were held for both World Supersport (Monday) and World Superbikes (Tuesday).

In the blistering summer heat, the respective categories took to the newly resurfaced tarmac to get the feel of their bikes for those making new contract debuts, test new strategies and envision what the new season may bring them.

By the time the first official day of the season got underway, it was a dreary and cold free practice Friday, however that wasn’t enough to stop fans flocking to catch a piece of the action.

From the first revs of the support categories engines on the icy, early morning, race enthusiasts streamed through the gates setting the atmosphere for the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday proved to be no different, with more people than the eye could see lining the fences, keen to see the weekend’s world class racing get going.

WorldSBK

With Friday’s subpar conditions, it left for limited success during the practice sessions as the field exited their respective garages in near gale-force winds.

Taking World Superbike timing honours as Friday wrapped however, would be Brit, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing WorldSBK Team) with a solid 1’29.042 during the latter half of Free Practice 2.

Tailing closely in second on the combined time-sheets, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing Ducati) would close out the sessions with a best time of 1’29.101 (FP2), followed by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) with 1’29.197 (FP1).

Aussie, Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) would proceed to slot into ninth place with a best time of 1’29.249 (FP2).

Following on from Bulega’s strong performance on the testing and free practice time-sheets, by the time Saturday rolled around, he would proceed to qualify on pole for Race 1 of the weekend with a record breaking lap time of a sensational 1’27.916 (the first World Superbike lap time on the island to drop into the 1.27s).

The pole sitter carried his strong performance into his debut World Superbike race later in the afternoon, despite losing several places during the initial laps of the race.

The Italian’s race lead would come after the mandatory flag-to-flag pitstops got underway during Lap 7 up until which, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) had been leading the field for the first time after his four-year racing absence.

Bulega’s position proceeded to be set in stone as a two-second gap would emerge between the factory Ducati rider and the remainder of the pack.

He proceeded to cross the finish line in first, taking victory in what evidently was a historic win for the 24-year-old.

Following on in second was Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), along with Andrea Iannone in third.

As Saturday wrapped, and Sunday and the sea-mist it brought with it rolled in, the final hours of the opening round was that of red flags and race delays.

The Tissot Superpole race would proceed to kick off in the early afternoon, with Kawasaki’s, Alex Lowes taking first place in what only can be described as an exceptional ride after taking his first race win in four years.

As time ticked on - resulting from other track delays - anticipation was building for the final World Superbike Race 2, in which Lowes had clocked pole position.

After what looked like a confident start from the whole field as the lights went out to kick off the final race, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) would suffer engine problems on Turn 9 of Lap 3, rendering his race result DNF.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) would then proceed to attempt to make up for lost ground after only qualifying in 11th - making use of Razgatlioglu’s race exit, however would push too hard leading to a high speed crash which resulted in the red flags being bought out, a race restart, and the removal of the mandatory pitstop.

An un-ideal result for the two riders - whom, alongside their respective teams, were collectively making their season debut on new contracts.

Despite the turbulence, Lowes’ luck would continue during the final lap of the race after losing several places throughout the shortened, restarted 11-lapper.

A dicey overtake at Turn 9 - in which he swept past Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.It Racing Ducati) whom had been leading the race, meant for a fierce battle during the final sectors.

Lowes would proceed to take first place by just 0.048s of a second - leading to his double dose victory.

Bautista would place second, along with Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) in third.

With the weekends combined standings, this currently sets Lowes as championship leader with 50 points, Bulega in second with 41 points and Locatelli in third with 29 points.

To keep up with World Superbikes, World Supersport and their upcoming second round of the season in Catalunya go to: www.worldsbk.com.

To see the week's Australian Superbikes news, go to: www.asbk.com.au.