WSBK Misano 2026 is published!
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Event review - WSBK Misano 2025
The 'Italian Dream' tour!
Our visit to the Misano SBK was the start of almost two weeks of fun under the Italian sun, with the following weekend being the Mugello MotoGP!
Thursday we had a late welcome drink for our small group. The weather was - as it would remain - perfect for an outdoor table along the famous Via Dante as the vacationing Italians strut the passagiata through the beach side resort of Riccione.
Friday was a hot day at the track (they all will be) however most of our group were guests of Team Bimota and their lovely hospitality. We had a 'behind the scenes' garage and facilities tour from the expert (and former racer herself!) Eva. Friday night we had our welcome dinner in our charming Hotel Sole, followed by the inevitable gelato!
Saturday the SBK VIP was open - and we were treated to an amazing terrace over the main street with panoramic views. The racing got underway, and we were treated to a sensational SSP300 race with our sponsored rider Carter Thompson from Australia entering the final lap in 9th place, and pushing through the pack to take a monumental victory!
Saturday after the racing, we made our traditional pilgrimage to the Nicky Hayden memorial - at the location of his tragic accident.
Sunday saw Toprak complete his sweep of the weekend with his 3rd win. However the highlight for us was the Superpole race where Alex Lowes gave Bimota their first modern podium! We were right there in parc ferme with the team celebrating!
On Sunday evening we took another pilgrimage: this time to Coriano - the home town of Marco Simoncelli. We visited his memorial, a jet engine which fires at dusk every Sunday. We took dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant overlooking the memorial and we were honoured to witness the 58 second firing. Moving.
Monday was our famous Ducati factory tour. We started the day with our first ever visit to the world HQ of Team Gresini Racing. Gresini #2 Carlo - on his birthday! - gave us a tour of the facilities, including their museum honouring another lost superstar - Fausto Gresini. There is also a tribute to another lost rider of Gresini - Daijiro Kato.
This was turning into a real 'fallen heroes' tour of Italy, and we were proud to pay our respects to all.
From Gresini we headed for lunch in lovely medieval Bologna city centre at a very traditional Bolognese restaurant. Then it was off to Ducati, where we stopped first at the huge Ducati store, then spend nearly an hour in the fascinating Ducati museum. Finally we got the tour of the factory floor to see the bike assembly in action (we are not permitted any photographs)
In the late afternoon we made our way to the mountain top micro state of San Marino. Owing partly to the drizzly weather and our early evening arrival, we felt like we had the city to ourselves. The views were spectacular, especially with the partial clouds and the setting sun. We took dinner at a beautiful terrace restaurant with stunning vistas and equally brilliant food. Perfection!
Tuesday was a day off and Wednesday we moved on to Mugello via Tavullia and a spectacular drive, but that is a story for Mugello...
Let's hope they do the Italian back-to-back again next year; what a way to see Italy!
Picture gallery - WSBK Misano 2025
See our photos of the event on Flickr here
Or check out ALL of our past event galleries here
