WorldSBK circuit set for major changes ahead of 2024

WorldSBK will visit the Cremona Circuit in Italy for the first time in 2024, and a raft of changes have been announced for the track ahead of its debut in the World Championship.

Much of these changes regard facilities. As a circuit used mostly for practice by racers, it has not needed particularly extensive spectator facilities. However, the arrival of WorldSBK means (hopefully) the arrival of fans, and therefore new grandstands will be constructed in time for its WorldSBK debut next September.

Additionally, the race direction facilities will be modernised, with a “contemporary structure” being built “to house offices for Race Direction and support staff to manage the entirety of the event effectively,” a WorldSBK press release reads.

Multiple changes addressing three concerns will also be made to the track itself. For example, the aforementioned WorldSBK press release says that layout changes will be made “with a notable focus on turns 11, 12, and 13,” although the nature of these changes are not specified. The track will also be resurfaced, and 90 metres will be added to its length.

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, said: “WorldSBK is thrilled to introduce Cremona Circuit to the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The addition of Cremona to our calendar marks a significant milestone and we're fully committed to delivering top-quality racing experiences to our fans. 

“This five-year agreement stands as a clear testament to that unwavering dedication as we're looking forward propelling this venue onto the global scene.”

 Alessandro Canevarolo, Cremona Circuit CEO, added: “We are really happy, excited and hyped for this new great challenge. It will be an opportunity to take an extra, important step to grow, and with great satisfaction bring back the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship to Lombardy, missing for ten long years. 

“After some negotiations, we immediately got to work to make the necessary changes for hosting this major event. Together with the management, the goal is to create an event that can showcase the area, the region and represent Italy in all its values. 

“The goal has been clear ever since I started this adventure eight years ago. We started from afar, facing every moment with great spirit, passion, and dedication. Only in this way were we able to fulfil the big dream: seeing the Superbike World Championship race on the asphalt of our Cremona Circuit.”

Cremona was built by Studio Dromo, which was responsible for the resurfacing and reprofiling of the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia ahead of the 2016 season; for the preparation of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina for MotoGP’s debut there in 2014; and for the resurfacing of Silverstone after the 2018 MotoGP catastrophe. Dromo is also set to begin working on the Phillip Island circuit in Australia, which will include resurfacing work.

Cremona's debut is set for 20-22 September next year, after a provisional 2024 WorldSBK calendar was published last week.