WorldSBK is back at the Autodrom Most
The greatest motorcycle day in the Czech Republic’s calendar is round the corner. In less than a month (July 19–21, 2024), the fans of fast motorcycles will meet at Most in order to watch a Superbike World Championship (WSBK) round at the local Autodrom for the fourth time already. As many as five Czech riders are allowed to line up for the start.
Last year, more than 50,000 visitors were counted over the race weekend on the spot at Most while some 70 million viewers across the world regularly watch the WorldSBK on TV. This year, the Most event will be this season’s sixth round of the world series moving from Donington, England to Most. “So far, we have recorded some 30 per cent sales increase as compared to the same period last year. I believe the fans will not miss this year’s superbike races either, and we will even reach higher crowd figures,”says Josef Zajíček, the Autodrom Most Chief Executive Officer.
This year, Czech riders will be seen on the track again. However, a question-mark hangs over the most successful one. After having had a fall and injured his leg at Misano, Petr Svoboda’s participation in the event at Most has been under threat. Filip Novotný (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) and wild-card entry Daniel Tureček will start in the WorldSSP300 category. Unfortunately, the second championship regular rider in the WorldSSP300 class, Petr Svoboda (Fusport-RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki), is recovering from injuries suffered in an accident at Misano. “I’m going to be present at the superbike races at Most one hundred per cent throughout the whole weekend. Sadly, however, I seem to be a spectator rather than a rider,” says Petr Svoboda whose realistic chance of winning the title has been spoiled by a leg injury. “During the first race, a Chinese Kove machine broke down in front of me and it was impossible to avoid a collision. It was a bad luck. It's nobody's fault. This can happen at any time and anywhere. I’m still staying in Italy where I’m waiting for the last surgery. Then I will come back to Bohemia where I will immediately start rehabilitating,” said Svoboda who plans to get on his bike as soon as possible.
Weekend Schedule
In the WorldSSP category, we can look forward to Ondřej Vostatek (PTR Triumph) and wild card entry Filip Feigl. Unfortunately, we will not see any Czech rider in the top WorldSBK class this year after Oliver König’s move to the International German Motorcycle Championship. Nevertheless, there will no doubt be a lot of things to watch. We can mostly expect dramatic and very close battle between leader of the championship Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) of Turkey and his main rivals, title defender Álvaro Bautista (Ducati) of Spain and Nicolò Bulega (Ducati) of Italy, who are currently more than twenty points behind the Turk.
The programme of side events
The race weekend will offer not only adrenaline experiences on the track, but also a varied programme of side events. As soon as Friday, when a practice session will be underway, this year’s new event will take place: Ride Like a Pro, or an experience ride with Pepa Sršeň, the Czech Round of the WorldSBK ambassador. In this way, those interested can have a crack at the track under the tutelage of an experienced instructor and have first-hand experience of a day from a WorldSBK rider’s perspective. On both Saturday and Sunday, the fans can look forward to stunt rider Martin Krátký’s show, a rider autograph session, a stage display and more activities specifically related to the WorldSBK. By the way, a close communion with the fans is what this world series is very particular about. This is how the fans get closer to the riders and their machines than anywhere else. A good example is Victory Lane, where the winners pass through the paddock after each race while the fans greet them at close quarters. The Saturday programme will see a special guest, Czech singer Jan Smigmator, who will sing the National Anthem of the Czech Republic before the feature race. On both days, those fans who will arrive on their motorcycles will be offered the chance to ride around the circuit during a joint parade lap at the conclusion of each week-end day. Another programme has been prepared for the adjacent Matylda camp, where some riders will join the fans.
Practical information
Since last year, entrance fees are divided into two main categories. Tickets for the Spectator Hill are more available to those fans who prefer watching the races themselves. A Spectator Hill + Paddock includes admission to the inner parts of the circuit, where the feature of the side events programme will take place. Here, the spectators will be offered to have a look at the racing team facilities, meet the riders, and fully enjoy the world superbike atmosphere. The cheapest tickets are available at prices starting at CZK 450. A single-day ticket booked in advance costs CZK 750 or CZK 1,500 if it includes a paddock pass. A VIP ticket is priced at CZK 5,990 and includes not only a Spectator Hill & paddock pass, but also a parking fee, refreshment, a pit lane walk, a paddock tour and more activities.
This year, for the sake of a bigger comfort, the organisers have increased the number of giant screens, where the spectators can watch the races. In addition to three screens placed on the Spectator Hill, more screens are part of a stage show with live commentary in the paddock area. Alternatively, you can also watch the races on the screen inside the so-called Action Box, which is the box № 1, at one side open straight towards the pit lane.
Biker tickets are available to the fans riding motorcycles and include parking within the grounds, approach to a changing room where they can leave their motorcycle accessories as well as an option to join the common parade lap at the end of each weekend day.
Newly, a car park within the complex will be available to the visitors arriving in their cars. If the entire inside car park is occupied, parking will be coordinated by the Police in the nearby streets.
All those who will be present at Most throughout the whole weekend can arrive for a meeting with riders taking place inside the Matylda camp on Friday and Saturday late afternoon.
Other articles
- WorldSBK is back at the Autodrom Most (26.06.2024)
- Estoril to host penultimate round in 2024, Hungarian Round cancelled (07.06.2024)
- Razgatlioglu and Bautista share honours at the Cathedral (22.04.2024)
- 2024 WorldSBK Championship Standings – Round 2: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (25.03.2024)
- Bike Entry - on a motorbike to Most for WorldSBK (14.02.2024)