WSBK Cremona Round Wrap: Aussie Tayla Relph on the Podium and Danilo Petrucci makes history!

Tayla Relph’s Breakthrough Weekend in Women’s WRC

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship at Cremona delivered some celebratory moments, with Australian rider Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) emerging as the feel-good story of the weekend. Relph’s journey to her first podium finish in Race 2 was nothing short of impressive, marking a triumphant return after facing significant setbacks in previous races.

Relph, who had endured a series of challenging crashes and injuries earlier in the season, showed great resilience and determination throughout the weekend. Her perseverance paid off in dramatic fashion during Race 2, where she found herself in the right place at the right time. As championship contenders Maria Herrera and Sara Sanchez dramatically crashed out on the final lap, Relph seized the opportunity, showcasing some Aussie grit and composure to secure a hard-fought third place.

World SBK News

Switching gears to the WorldSBK category, the weekend belonged to Italian hero Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who delivered a masterclass in racing on home soil. Petrucci’s performance was nothing short of dominant, as he achieved a remarkable hat-trick of victories at the Cremona circuit.

In Race 1, Petrucci broke through for his maiden and historic WorldSBK win, leading a Ducati podium lockout with Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista completing the top three. This victory was particularly significant as it made Petrucci the first rider in history to win races in MotoGP, WorldSBK, STK1000, STK600, Moto America, and a stage of the Dakar Rally, underlining his versatility and skill across multiple disciplines of motorcycle racing.

Carrying his momentum forward, Petrucci continued his winning ways in the Superpole Race, setting the stage for a thrilling Race 2. In the final race of the weekend, Petrucci once again showcased his dominance, fending off challenges from his Ducati stablemates to complete his perfect weekend trifecta.

Race 2 saw Bautista and Bulega engaged in a fierce battle for the remaining podium positions, with championship implications on the line. Bautista managed to edge out Bulega for second place, achieving his 100th Ducati podium and matching Carl Fogarty’s record in the process.

Despite Petrucci’s heroics and the Ducati domination at Cremona, the championship standings remain intriguingly poised. Toprak Razgatlioglu, despite being absent due to injury, still leads with 365 points. However, his advantage has been cut significantly, with Bulega now just 13 points behind at 352, and Bautista in third with 283 points.

As the WorldSBK season heads into its final three rounds, the battle for the championship remains wide open. Petrucci’s resurgence adds another layer of excitement to what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season, with multiple riders still in contention for the title.