There is no track Ayrton Badovini looks forward to more than Imola, as the BMW Motorrad Italia rider heads home for Round 5 of the 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Championship season. The Acerbis Italian Round will be the third of the year for Badovini, who replaced Sylvain Barrier in the team from Aragón onwards.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” says Badovini, who hails from the town of Castel Bolognese which is just ten kilometres from the Imola track. “It’s always special to ride at Imola, as I go shopping in the town every week! I just think the track has so much charm and history. Let’s hope the weather is good for the spectators.”

He also hopes to put Assen behind him, with Badovini having suffered in The Netherlands from an inflamed right shoulder.

“Imola will be the third round of the season for me,” he continues. “The feeling I have with the bike is clearly improving and the shoulder is already in a much better condition. I am strictly following the instructions I have been given by team Doctor Vincenzo Tota. We will try to forget the disappointment of Assen, although it must be said that there were some very good signals there. I know my team is working hard in order to ensure a high level of competitiveness and I think we can enjoy some satisfaction at Imola. For me, the real season begins here.”

It was at Imola when Badovini last won a Superstock 1000 race in 2010; this was his ninth victory in as many races that year, before being beaten in the Magny-Cours finale.