SBK | Pedercini denies retirement, but starts 2024 from Misano

The economic crisis that is affecting the entire world does not leave motorsport unscathed and, with expenses becoming increasingly demanding, racing in a world championship is starting to become tiring. The Pedercini team knows something about it, having issued a press release announcing that it will begin its Superbike season starting from the Misano round.

The note released by Lucio Pedercini's team confirms the rumors that were circulating in Australia a few weeks ago, according to which the Kawasaki satellite team would have missed the first two European events, scheduled for Barcelona and Assen. However, at Phillip Island there was talk of a possible withdrawal of the team from the entire championship, a situation denied with the press release, also aimed at putting to rest the rumors of a definitive withdrawal.

“TPR Team Pedercini Racing is forced to modify its programs for the 2024 racing season. In a difficult situation for the entire world economy, some sponsors have recently had to review their support for Lucio Pedercini's team. This led to a change to the initially established program which in any case did not include participation in the first round of WorldSBK which took place in Australia”, reads the press release.

The Australian round is always demanding in economic terms and from the beginning it was planned to start from Barcelona, ​​the next event scheduled in two weeks. However, here too Pedercini will be a spectator: “The level of the premier class of the derivatives world championship is increasingly higher and requires a very important economic and technical commitment, for this reason, in light of the recent changes in its budget, TPR has decided to give up the next two rounds in Barcelona and Assen and then start their season in Misano Adriatico, and then take part in all the scheduled events on the calendar, with the confirmed Spanish rider Isaac Vinales”, continues the note.

Lucio Pedercini, Team Principal of the team of the same name, declares: “I am very sorry not to be able to participate in the next two rounds in Barcelona and Assen, but unfortunately our budget changed only a few weeks before the second round of Catalunya. This does not preclude our participation in the 2024 World Superbike Championship, but I thought it was right to take the time necessary to strengthen our team not only from a technical point of view, but also with regards to our structure. There is no point in tackling one of the most difficult and competitive championships in the world without having the adequate means and preparation. We will use the time that separates us from the Misano round to carry out some tests and work on a general strengthening of our team, in order to present ourselves at our best at the first Italian round of WorldSBK 2024.”