The 2024 Superbike World Championship season started last weekend at Phillip Island, and the rookie riders in the category performed well – with Nicolò Bulega standing out the most, achieving a victory in his debut.
Nicolò Bulega: 1st Race 1 / 5th Superpole Race and Race 2 – 2nd in the championship
Bulega (Aruba.it Ducati) was undoubtedly the best rookie in Australia. The reigning Supersport world champion from last year secured pole position and won the first race with the fastest lap. The Superpole race and the second main race revealed that there is still a natural learning curve, but Bulega left the impression that he could fight for the title. He is currently second in the championship, nine points behind the leader, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki).
Andrea Iannone: 3rd Race 1 / 14th Superpole Race / 4th Race 2 – 4th in the championship
After a four-year suspension, Andrea Iannone finally returned to the tracks. The Italian rider from Team GoEleven made a good start in WSBK, a category in which he is an absolute rookie: he secured a front row grid position in the Superpole and finished third in the first race, fighting for the podium in the second race until the end – ultimately finishing fourth. The Superpole race was less positive, experiencing setbacks that relegated him to 14th place. He is currently fourth in the championship.
Sam Lowes: 13th Race 1 / 8th Superpole Race / 7th Race 2 – 11th in the championship
Another rookie in WSBK in 2024 is Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS/Ducati). Coming from several seasons in Moto2 with the Belgian team – also a rookie – he showed progress at Phillip Island. In fact, he improved his race result from race to race, culminating in a seventh-place finish in the second main race. A promising start for Lowes, who left Australia in 11th place in the World Championship standings.
Tarran Mackenzie: 19th Race 1 / Superpole Race Retirement / 18th Race 2 – Not classified in the championship
Tarran Mackenzie’s debut in WSBK was far from ideal. The Petronas MIE Racing Honda rider was unable to move away from the battle at the back, was far from the front, and even retired in the Superpole race. Without scoring any points, he is not classified in the championship.
Adam Norrodin: 20th Race 1 and Superpole Race / 19th Race 2 – Not classified in the championship
The other Petronas MIE Racing Honda rider did not have much luck either. Norrodin was unable to fight for points and finished last in all races. It was a tough weekend to forget for the Malaysian rider, who also has no points and classification assigned.
