Source: Supplied.

The 2018 Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) grid has been unveiled boasting a crack field of world champions, multiple race winners and lighting fast privateers on machinery across eight different manufacturers.

The 21-rider field will be headlined by three-time world champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki), alongside teammate Tom Sykes, Ducati duo Chaz Davies and Marco Melandr, Pata Yamaha pair Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes, plus the returning Loris Baz.

The flying Frenchman is making a return to the production-based series after three years in MotoGP, but won’t be heading back to his old seat at Kawasaki. Rea’s well and truly made that one his own, but instead replacing Spaniard Jordi Torres at Althea BMW.

After three years of racing in the cauldron that is MotoGP, Baz’s competitive instincts, speed and guile should be red-hot from the opening bounce in the 2018 WorldSBK title and he’s already impressed in early testing on the BMW.

Meanwhile, Torres has replaced Briton Leon Camier at MV Agusta, with Camier switching to Red Bull Honda. Camier’s teammate will be American Jake Gagne, who competed in a number of rounds for the team in 2017, including his home race at Laguna Seca.

At Milwaukee Aprilia, Eugene Laverty remains in the fold, as does Italian Lorenzo Salvador. Aprilia and Honda both had tough 2017 campaigns, but are expected to push much further up the grid in 2018 after solid pre-seasons behind them. Yamaha also started to come on really strong at the end of 2017, and will fancy getting on equal terms with Kawasaki and Ducati on a more regular basis.

Xavi Fores (Barni Ducati) again looks to be the pick of the privateers, while American PJ Jacobsen graduates to WorldSBK with the TripleM satellite Honda team after four years in WorldSSP. Jacobsen, 24, also has previous superbike experience and was Aussie Josh Brookes’ teammate in the 2013 British title where he finished ninth overall.

Meanwhile, former MotoGP and Moto2 rider, Columbian Jonny Hernandez, makes the switch from grand prix racing to join WorldSBK, where he will ride a Pedercini Kawasaki.

Suzuki will also be back in the championship, with the Italian Grillini squad announcing it’s utilising the GSX-R1000R in 2018 – the bike which has won both the American and Australian Superbike titles in 2017. Veteran Italian Robert Rolfo is one of its riders.

Kawasaki will be the most represented manufacturer on the grid with six bikes, followed by Ducati, Yamaha and Honda with three apiece. Aprilia and Suzuki are next with two each, and then MV Agusta and BMW with the single entries.

There will be seven WorldSBK race winners on the Philip Island grid from February 23-25 next year in Rea, Sykes, Davies, Melandri, Laverty, Baz and Torres.

An Aussie presence will remain in the WorldSBK paddock in 2018, with Anthony West and Lachlan Epis competing in WorldSSP, and youngster Tom Edwards in Supersport 300. West will ride a self-funded Kawasaki ZX-6R, while Epis has moved to the Team GoEleven Kawasaki squad alongside Italian Michael Canducci.

There are 31 riders in WorldSSP spread across five marques, including defending champion Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha) and his teammate Federico Caricasulo, multiple champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Team GoEleven Kawasaki), Jules Cluzel (NRT Yamaha) and Swiss rider Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros Yamaha), who returns after a year in WorldSBK.

All fields will make their 2018 season debut at Australia’s Phillip Island, with a three day pass for WorldSBK at the Island just $120. Add camping at the circuit campground for up to four nights and you’ve the perfect location for a summer long weekend away with your mates or family. Opt for a Bar SBK pass at $260 and gain access to three undercover facilities or go for a VIP option in the fully catered suites above pit lane. Kids 15 and under are free, as is your bike.

For further information www.worldsbk.com.au or the Superbike Hotline 1300 728 007. Book your spot for the 2018 World Superbike season-opener at Ticketek.