#AUSWorldSBK: «Incredibly happy to return to race mode»

After seemingly endless weeks between hope and fear, the 30-year-old Superbike rider is now looking forward to the season opener this weekend in South Australia.

Last winter months were anything than a break for Sandro Cortese. The healing process after a complicated shoulder operation took longer than originally expected. However, the uncertain future caused more concern. The two-time motorcycle world champion was only able to secure an entry for the 2020 Superbike World Championship at the very last moment. Targeted preparation for the upcoming season was therefore only possible to a limited extent. A two-day test at the beginning of this week at Phillip Island was also the first time he got to know his crew and his new tool, the Kawasaki Superbike of the Italian Pedercini Team.

The 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship kicks off this weekend in Australia at the beautiful Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The championship’s calendar comprises thirteen events this year. The highlight from Sandro Cortese's point of view will be his home race at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben early in August.

#11 Sandro CORTESE (OUTDO Kawasaki Racing, Kawasaki ZX-10RR):

"I am really looking forward to the start of the new season. However, due to our limited testing opportunities, a very big challenge awaits us. At least we were able to use the official test on Monday and Tuesday to our advantage to bring the bike a little bit forward. I also managed to make friends with the Kawasaki immediately. A superbike is nothing new for me in principle, but the difference with last year's bike is huge. There is still a lot of work waiting for us. But as always, I am very positive, and therefore I am going into the first race weekend of the new season full of expectation. After the difficult time in the past months I am incredibly happy that it is finally starting again and that I can therefore return to the usual race mode."

Profil Sandro Cortese:

Age: 30 years (Date of birth January 6th, 1990)

Place of residence: Berkheim (GER)

Racing number: 11

Bike: Kawasaki ZX-10RR

Two-time World Champion: 2012 Moto3™ and 2018 WorldSSP

2019: WorldSBK 12th overall (134 points)

#AUSWorldSBK Time schedule (CET):

Freitag, 28. Februar: 00:30 - 01:20 FP1

Freitag, 28. Februar: 05:00 - 05:50 FP2

Samstag, 29. Februar: 00:00 - 00:20 FP3

Samstag, 29. Februar: 02:15 - 02:40 Superpole

Samstag, 29. Februar: 05:00 Rennen 1 (22 Runden - 97,790 km)

Samstag, 29. Februar: 23:30 - 23:45 Warm Up

Sonntag, 1. März: 03:15 - Superpole-Race (10 Runden - 44,450 km)

Sonntag, 1. März: 05:00 - Rennen 2 (22 Runden - 97,790 km)

2020 WorldSBK Calendar:

1. März - Australien, Phillip Island

15. März - Katar, Losail

29. März - Spanien, Jerez

19. April - Niederlande, Assen

10. Mai - Italien, Imola

24. Mai - Aragon, Alcaniz

14. Juni - Rimini, Misano

5. Juli - Grossbritannien, Donington

2. August - Deutschland, Oschersleben

6. September - Portugal, Portimao

20. September - Katalonien, Barcelona

27. September - Frankreich, Magny-Cours

11. Oktober - Argentinien, San Juan