An event with a summer flavor is coming: Misano SBK! The 'Marco Simoncelli' circuit is the home of Superbike in Italy. The Emilia-Romagna Round promises excitement, heat and beach for its visitors, always with the love of the fantastic Italian fans supporting Ducati and their plethora of riders: Nicolò Bulega, Danilo Petrucci, Andrea Ianonne, Andrea Locatelli, Axel Bassani, Michael Rinaldi...
Misano and WorldSBK
Misano is one of the circuits that has hosted WorldSBK the most times. As of 2023, up to 30 Rounds have been held in Misano under various names: San Marino Round, Italian Round or the current Emilia-Romagna Round. But what has not changed is that Misano SBK is one of the most beloved events among Italian fans.
This idyll began in 1991, when the first San Marino Round was held on August 4. On that occasion, the American Doug Polen won the double for Ducati in Team Fast by Ferracci, in a season where he would establish a historical record of victories. That Misano route was only 3,488 kilometres long and, although the asphalt strip followed a similar shape to the current one, it ran in the opposite direction to the current one.
World Superbike would return to Misano after the major remodelling of the circuit in 1993, expanded to 4,060 kilometres. Since then, Misano has been a fixture on the calendar with the exception of 2013 and 2020, in the latter case the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the Italian circuit that has hosted a WorldSBK Round the most times.
In 2007 the circuit underwent its second major remodelling, with a notable change by changing the direction of the turn and with the expansion of the escapes and modification of the curves. In this way it began to measure 4,180 kilometres. The following year it gained a few more meters, growing to 4.226 kilometres when the second curve was modified. In 2012, it abandoned its historic name Circuito Internazionale Santa Monica for Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in tribute to the Italian driver.
Misano SBK: racing on the beach
The Misano circuit is located just 2 kilometres inland from the beaches of the northern Adriatic coast. There is no more 'beachy' circuit than Misano on the WorldSBK calendar: Phillip Island is next to the sea, but its waters do not invite you to swim! On the other hand, the MWC Marco Simoncelli is located in the town of Misano Adriatico, which has long beaches and resorts along several kilometres of coastline.
That is why, since it is an appointment at the beginning of June, those who decide to go to Misano can pack a swimsuit in their suitcase. This part of the Adriatic coast offers sun and beach tourism from the town of Cervia, south of Ravenna, to Cattolica: a total of almost 50 kilometres of sand to relax... but also with a wide range of entertainment, both daytime and night.
Visiting Rimini, Ravenna, Cesena and San Marino during Misano SBK
Beyond the sea, Misano offers us the possibility of getting to know three well-known towns throughout Italy: Rimini, Ravenna, Cesena and San Marino.
Rimini acts as the 'capital' of this coastal leisure area, but it also offers more things: if we enter Rimini we will find Piazza Cavour, full of terraces, and the Palazzo de Podesta. For the most cinephiles, Rimini is the birthplace of Federico Fellini; The celluloid genius even has his own museum. And you shouldn't leave without trying the piadinas, typical of the area.
Further north, about 60 kilometres from Misano, we find the city of Ravenna. The excursion is worth it because Ravenna has numerous buildings protected by UNESCO. Culturally, there is a lot to see in this city: it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire in its final years and an important enclave in the late Middle Ages for the Byzantine Empire. The number of preserved monuments makes it called 'the capital of mosaics'.
Cesena is located 40 kilometres from Misano. This is another city with buildings of cultural interest, where the Malatestiana Library stands out. Entering this magnificently preserved building, including its interior, is like traveling back in time. As if it were the scenery of 'The Name of the Rose', we will find rooms dedicated to the reproduction of medieval codices preserved exactly as they were. This is a must if you pass through Cesena.
Much closer to the Misano circuit is the Republic of San Marino. The route from the circuit to the small state passes through mountain roads, so it will be especially pleasant if you go by motorcycle. San Marino is located at the top of Monte Titano, 700 meters from the sea. The Guaita fortress offers magnificent views over the entire Po Valley that is worth the trip in itself.
Tavullia: the town of Valentino Rossi
The Misano circuit is located just 5 kilometers from Tavullia, Valentino Rossi's town. The visit is worth it for every biker and it is so close to the route that even staying here can be a viable option; The town has several bed & breakfasts.
With a total population of less than eight thousand inhabitants, Valentino Rossi's weight is so great that everything around this town revolves around 46. We will find a sign at the entrance of the town that is a mandatory photo, murals dedicated to Rossi, the fan official shop and many businesses with photos and tributes to the Italian champion. There is also a small museum in the store. A must visit to the town of the pilot who, perhaps, has left the greatest mark on motorcycling.
Routes in the Po Delta
Italy is a country full of mountains, but the great Po Valley offers totally different landscapes. The mouth of the Po, north of Ravenna, is a beautiful and ideal space to enjoy routes on two wheels.
The Po Delta Park This is the second largest delta in the Mediterranean. It is a place of pilgrimage for lovers of ornithology due to its large number of different species. But it also offers lakes, forests, small islands and landscapes that will give us calm and relaxation before or after enjoying WorldSBK in Misano.
