Situated in the Lombardy countryside near Cremona, Cremona Circuit is one of Italy’s newest international racing venues. Opened in 2011 and substantially modernised during the following decade, the circuit has quickly established itself as an important destination for motorcycle racing, driver development and manufacturer testing.
Its compact yet demanding layout combines technical corner sequences, heavy braking zones and flowing acceleration sections that reward precision rather than outright power. Following extensive upgrades to meet international standards, Cremona joined the World Superbike Championship calendar in 2024, marking a major milestone in the circuit’s development.
Today, Cremona represents the next chapter of Italian motorsport infrastructure, complementing legendary venues such as Monza, Mugello, Misano and Imola.
In Brief
- Cremona Circuit officially opened in 2011.
- The venue joined the World Superbike Championship calendar in 2024.
- Its compact technical layout places greater emphasis on chassis balance than engine power.
- The circuit is increasingly used for motorcycle development and rider training.
- It complements Italy’s historic circuits by representing a new generation of international racing venues.
- Cremona lies within one of Europe’s richest regions for automotive and motorcycle engineering.
History
Cremona Circuit officially opened in 2011 near the municipality of San Martino del Lago with the ambition of providing northern Italy with a modern facility dedicated to both competition and driver education.
Initially serving national championships, club racing and track-day activities, the circuit steadily expanded its facilities while attracting increasing interest from motorcycle manufacturers and racing teams. Continuous investment in safety infrastructure, paddock facilities and circuit design allowed the venue to pursue international homologation.
The defining moment arrived when the circuit achieved FIM standards required to host the Cremona Round from 2024. That achievement placed Cremona alongside Italy’s most prestigious racing venues while introducing World Superbike to a completely new audience.
Its rapid rise illustrates how contemporary circuit design and sustained investment can create an internationally respected motorsport destination within little more than a decade.
Circuit Design
The international layout measures 3.768 kilometres and consists of thirteen corners that create an uninterrupted technical challenge.
Unlike circuits built around long straights, Cremona places emphasis on rhythm, braking precision and corner exits. The relatively compact lap ensures that drivers and riders are constantly engaged, with little opportunity to recover from mistakes.
The layout alternates between medium-speed flowing corners and slower technical complexes where clean positioning is essential for maintaining momentum. Modern run-off areas, high-quality asphalt and contemporary safety systems reflect the circuit’s recent development while preserving an enjoyable and demanding character.
Its compact dimensions also make it particularly attractive for testing, rider coaching and national championships.
LENGTH
3.768
kilometres
WIDTH
12–14
metres
DIRECTION
CCW
counter-clockwise
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
2
metres
OPENED
2011
15 years ago
Cremona Circuit is defined by a technical layout that combines heavy braking zones, slower traction-dependent corners and faster changes of direction within a relatively compact lap. Its predominantly flat terrain places the emphasis on accurate positioning and mechanical grip rather than elevation, while the mixture of corner speeds requires competitors to continually adapt their approach between braking, rotation and acceleration.
The opening section establishes this character with strong braking after the main straight before the circuit develops through a succession of technical corners where clean exits are particularly important. Through the middle of the lap, more flowing direction changes reward chassis balance and smooth inputs, while tighter sections return the emphasis to braking accuracy and traction. The closing part of the circuit again requires competitors to prioritise positioning and exit speed before accelerating back towards the start-finish line.
Rather than being dominated by a single internationally recognised corner, Cremona creates its challenge through the frequency and variety of technical demands across the complete lap. Drivers and riders who remain precise under braking, preserve momentum through the faster transitions and maximise traction from the slower corners are generally rewarded most strongly.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | T1 |
| 2 | T2 |
| 3 | T3 |
| 4 | T4 |
| 5 | T5 |
| 6 | T6 |
| 7 | T7 |
| 8 | T8 |
| 9 | T9 |
| 10 | T10 |
| 11 | T11 |
| 12 | T12 |
| 13 | T13 |
Cremona Circuit represents one of the newer additions to Italy’s network of internationally recognised racing venues. Located in Lombardy, the circuit initially developed its reputation through national competition, motorcycle racing, track days, testing and enthusiast activities, providing another permanent facility within one of Europe’s most important automotive and motorcycle markets.
Its international profile changed significantly with the arrival of the FIM Superbike World Championship, bringing one of the world’s leading production-based motorcycle racing series to Cremona. The event placed the circuit alongside established Italian motorcycle venues on the international calendar and prompted substantial investment in safety, infrastructure and spectator facilities required for competition at world championship level.
Beyond WorldSBK, Cremona supports automobile and motorcycle championships, testing, training and extensive track activity. Its development illustrates how a relatively young regional circuit can progressively evolve into a venue capable of accommodating major international competition without losing its role within the national and grassroots motorsport community.
Cremona’s significance is therefore still developing. Unlike Monza, Mugello or Imola, its identity is not based on decades of Grand Prix history, but on the continuing expansion of Italy’s contemporary motorsport infrastructure. Its emergence as a World Superbike venue gives northern Italy another important centre for international motorcycle competition while strengthening the country’s already exceptional network of permanent racing circuits.
Visitor Experience
Cremona offers a more intimate motorsport experience than Italy’s larger historic circuits.
Its compact layout allows spectators to follow much of the racing from several grandstands, while the modern paddock provides close access to teams and competitors. During World Superbike weekends, the venue combines international competition with the relaxed atmosphere characteristic of Italian motorcycle culture.
Outside race events, the circuit regularly hosts track days, riding academies, driver coaching programmes and manufacturer experiences, making it active throughout the year.
Visitors can also explore the rich culinary traditions of Lombardy, the historic city of Cremona—renowned as the birthplace of the violin—and the surrounding Po Valley.
Location
Cremona Circuit is located near San Martino del Lago, approximately 30 kilometres east of Cremona.
The circuit lies within convenient reach of Brescia, Parma and Milan, placing it firmly within northern Italy’s renowned automotive and industrial region.
Address
3 SP70
26040 Ca' De' Soresini
Provincia di Cremona, Lombardia
Italy
Website