The grid of the World Superbike Championship had six rookies in the category in 2023. Despite some well-known and experienced names, the truth is that everyone started from scratch. Here’s a bit more about each one’s season.
Danilo Petrucci: tough start, but strong finish
The Italian was on track with the Barni Spark Racing Team and was one of the standout rookies. After a year in the United States racing in MotoAmerica, the beginning of the season proved to be tough, however the round in Misano made the Italian “change gears”, with a fight for the podium. This was followed by a third place in Donington Park, with Most being another competitive weekend, with two podiums.
Petrux finished seventh in the championship, and had a strong end to the season.
Dominique Aegerter: after the title in WSSP, continued to make history
After the titles in SuperSport, Aegerter deserved the call to Superbikes, with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team. He had an impressive debut in Australia, almost on the podium, but would later suffer accidents and injuries that marked part of his season. The double podium in Jerez was one of the highlights of the year.
The Swiss finished eighth in the championship.
Remy Gardner: good signs, and on the doorstep of podiums in races
Like his teammate Aegerter at the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Gardner had a very positive end to the season but before that, in the middle, he fought for the top ten in Most.
The fourth place, at the end of the season, was the best he did – in race 2 in Jerez – with the Australian, a former MotoGP rider, finishing the year in ninth in the standings.
Stay tuned for the second part, with Lorenzo Baldassarri, Bradley Ray and Eric Granado standing out.
