No minimum rider/bike weight rule confirmed for 2023 WorldSBK season

A hot topic of discussion in WorldSBK has been closed for another season after it’s been confirmed that a minimum combined weight for rider and bike was ruled out.
WorldSBK Phillip Island 2022
WorldSBK Phillip Island 2022

It’s fair to say the balance of power regarding this argument has swung in the favour of riders such as WorldSBK champion 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Alvaro Bautista

One of the smallest and lightest riders on the current WorldSBꦺK grid, Bautista is able to use his slim frame to his advantage, particularly on the straights, whilst also possessing one of thജe fastest bikes in a straight line.

But that’s taking away from all the other qualities Bautista has, qualities that he showed throughout 2022 as he managed to out-duel 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Toprak Razgatlioglu and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Jonathan Rea at times when top speed was not a factor, and nor was itღ due to him weighing less than his two rivals from last season.

But for riders such as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Scott Redding, who has openly discussed the topic and is for the idea of imposing a rider/bike weight limit, waiting another year at least will be needed for the BMW rid♔er.

Although it was not completely down to💯 one aspect, Redding had some strong views last seas💖on about why Bautista was producing at the level he did, which he believed was in large part due to his lighter frame.

Talking about the subject in 2022, Redding said: "I think Bautista can win the title𒁃 because he🌱 has a big advantage, especially on the straights. 

"Also because Ducati is fast and he weighs around 53kg, which is not very fair. This gives hi𓄧m an advantage over the others.”

However, riders such as 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Michael Ruben Rinaldi - Bautista’s teammate at Aruba.it Ducati - and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Iker Lecuona have since backed the Spaniard.

"I’m angry about what he says," said Lecuona regarding the comments made by Redding. "What Redding does on Instagram, in the social ꦐmedia with Alvaro, comparing, but I think you cannot compare. Like [my teammate] Xavi [Vierge], he wins in some areas, I lose in some areas or in the oppoജsite.

Iker Lecuona and Scott Redding, WorldSBK superpole race, 22 May
Iker Lecuona and Scott Redding, WorldSBK superpole race, 22 May

"I’m 100 percent that Redding, when he is on the podiu♒m, he doesn't have this comment!

"Or when it is raining and he goes fast or if he needs to fight with Alvaro, he can win, not easier, but he can win because is bigger on the bike. So in general, ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚI don’t know. I’m angry about this comment."

With all that said, what we 𝔍do🌄 know is that a minimum weight limit for 2023 and perhaps the foreseeable future is not happening, and this is the statement provided by WorldSBK officials.

"The WorldSBK Championship is now mature. It is necessary to ensure the continuity of this category and to maintain the technical rules👍 that have made its current success. The question of a minimum combined weight (Rider/Machine) has been ruled out by the “SBK Permanent Bureau."

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