Cremona Circuit
The Cremona Circuit is a 2.14-mile (3.87-km) race track located near the geographic center of northern Italy, in San Martino del Lago, a small village an hour and a half ride away from Milano. There are 13 turns in the circuit, six right-handers and seven left-handers, with varying angles inclinations. Unlike most road courses today, races at the Cremona Circuit start/finish on the short front straight and not in the 900 meters (2952 feet) back straight, the longest in the raceway. The climate in Cremona has cold, cloudy winter and hot, sunny summers, with a significant rainfall even in the driest months.
The track surface of the Cremona Circuit is immaculate in all its trajectory, with ample runoff areas at both sides to provide the highest security standards for racing. The average speed of the circuit is 76 mph (122 km/h), with high-performance single-seaters reaching a breathtaking top speed of 167 mph (270 km/h) in the longest straight. The road course runs counterclockwise over relatively flat terrain, with the sharp angles of its corners adding a challenging edge to racing at Cremona Circuit. The landscaping around the track leverages the open spaces available at the circuit's location to present a stunning venue compatible with high-profile racing competitions.
The 2024 configuration at Cremona Circuit represents the updated layout following extensive modifications completed in March 2024 ahead of the facility's WorldSBK calendar debut, extending the track from 3.702 to 3.768 kilometers while improving the final sector through Turns 11, 12, and 13. Located near San Martino del Lago in Lombardy, Italy, these changes addressed homologation requirements for hosting World Superbike Championship events under a five-year contract running 2024-2028. The resurfacing work with quality materials enhanced track conditions across specific areas, while the capacity expansion to accommodate 20,000 fans and new separate vehicle entrance infrastructure reflected the facility's elevation from regional venue to international championship status.
What distinguishes the 2024 configuration from the previous layout is the deliberate focus on the final sector modifications that improved racing lines and safety margins through the critical Turns 11-13 sequence approaching the main straight. The extension from 3.702 to 3.768 kilometers created additional challenge while maintaining the circuit's 12-meter constant width and 11-curve layout featuring 5 right-handers and 6 left-handers. The high-quality resurfacing completed in early 2024 provides consistent grip levels essential for WorldSBK competition, where motorcycle lap times depend heavily on surface predictability through technical sections. Northern Italy's Po Valley climate creates seasonal racing windows with the facility's WorldSBK debut scheduled during optimal weather periods avoiding winter cold and summer extreme heat. The 2024 modifications transformed Cremona from a regional testing and track day venue into a world-championship-grade facility serving Italy's motorcycle racing heritage.
