The season started on 2 March at Valencia and finished on 19 October at Magny-Cours after 12 rounds.
Rule changes for 2003 allowed 1000cc machines (either twins, triples or four-cylinder) to race.
The rule changes in MotoGP which allowed 4-stroke engines starting from 2002 meant that the Japanese manufacturers had focused their resources there; as a result the Superbike World Championship was left with limited factory involvement,[1] with Ducati, Suzuki and the new-for-2003 Carl Fogarty's Foggy Petronas as the only factory teams.
As a result of most of the field being formed of Ducati motorcycles, the championship was given the derogatory label of the "Ducati Cup" in some quarters.
Bold – Pole positionItalics – Fastest lap