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WSBK: All Set For Down Under Opener
The Superbike World Championship kicks off next weekend at Phillip Island, Australia.
BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team's Marco Melandri (Photo: BMW Motorrad)
The countdown to the 26th edition of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship is almost over, as the upcoming Season Opener weekend will officially start the international motorsport year. The six manufacturers involved in the series (Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki) will once again aim to achieve the ultimate goal of victory.
As on a continuing basis since 2009, the production-based racing championship kicks off at the fascinating Phillip Island GP Circuit, one of the most spectacular and renowned track of the whole motorcycle world scene. The refreshed Australian venue has recently undergone a 3 million dollar resurface.
Many potential title contenders among the nineteen full time entries for the crown left unattended by Max Biaggi, including last season’s runner up Tom Sykes who missed the final achievement last year for a mere half-point gap. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider -- flanked once again by Frenchman Loris Baz -- will try his best to bring back the 20-year long awaited title to the Akashi manufacturer.
BMW realignment effort brings Marco Melandri and BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team a double challenge, with the Italian division led by Andrea Buzzoni now in charge of race operations. The Ravenna-born rider sets his sights on what his and Brand’s first title in the series would be, after marking his name in BMW history thanks to six individual race wins in 2012. Following a positive Superbike debut season, Chaz Davies was selected as the second rider of the team.
The resounding comeback of Alstare Team and its two-year partnership with Ducati goes hand in hand with 1199 Panigale R World Superbike debut. Borgo Panigale’s brand-new bike will be brought on track by former champion Carlos Checa and teammate Ayrton Badovini. A third Ducati will be lined up on the grid by MR-Racing Team and returning Max Neukirchner.
Aprilia launches its two World Title defense campaign with a brand new rider duo, with confirmed Eugene Laverty joined by new signing Sylvain Guintoli. The manufacturer from Noale will have two private teams on its side: Althea Racing Team featuring Italian rising star Davide Giugliano and Andrea Petricca’s Red Devils, with Michel Fabrizio as the team’s sole rider.
Leon Haslam crossed path again with Honda to join fellow Brit Jonathan Rea. The golden wing brand and its WSBK outfit chose to keep the faith on Northern Ireland’s star, the only one rider able to place the CBR1000RR on the top step of the podium over the last four seasons.
FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team takes on its second World Superbike season, following a tough debut year. Jules Cluzel, graduated from Supersport after an impressive rookie season in the series, will be alongside Leon Camier. 2013 is going to be the 16th consecutive year in the series for the Pedercini Team. Sweden’s Alexander Lundh -- already with the team in the last four rounds of 2012 -- and Italy’s Federico Sandi will tackle their first full WSBK campaign.
Two welcome comebacks, both onboard BMW S 1000 RR, end our World Superbike season preview: Vittorio Iannuzzo, new signing for Grillini DENTALMATIC SBK Team and Ivan Clementi, a five-season World Superbike veteran who joined forces with the debutant HTM Racing Team.
Tomorrow and the day after (Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 February) Superbike and Supersport riders will go on track for the first official 2013 tests session.
As on a continuing basis since 2009, the production-based racing championship kicks off at the fascinating Phillip Island GP Circuit, one of the most spectacular and renowned track of the whole motorcycle world scene. The refreshed Australian venue has recently undergone a 3 million dollar resurface.
Many potential title contenders among the nineteen full time entries for the crown left unattended by Max Biaggi, including last season’s runner up Tom Sykes who missed the final achievement last year for a mere half-point gap. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider -- flanked once again by Frenchman Loris Baz -- will try his best to bring back the 20-year long awaited title to the Akashi manufacturer.
BMW realignment effort brings Marco Melandri and BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team a double challenge, with the Italian division led by Andrea Buzzoni now in charge of race operations. The Ravenna-born rider sets his sights on what his and Brand’s first title in the series would be, after marking his name in BMW history thanks to six individual race wins in 2012. Following a positive Superbike debut season, Chaz Davies was selected as the second rider of the team.
The resounding comeback of Alstare Team and its two-year partnership with Ducati goes hand in hand with 1199 Panigale R World Superbike debut. Borgo Panigale’s brand-new bike will be brought on track by former champion Carlos Checa and teammate Ayrton Badovini. A third Ducati will be lined up on the grid by MR-Racing Team and returning Max Neukirchner.
Aprilia launches its two World Title defense campaign with a brand new rider duo, with confirmed Eugene Laverty joined by new signing Sylvain Guintoli. The manufacturer from Noale will have two private teams on its side: Althea Racing Team featuring Italian rising star Davide Giugliano and Andrea Petricca’s Red Devils, with Michel Fabrizio as the team’s sole rider.
Leon Haslam crossed path again with Honda to join fellow Brit Jonathan Rea. The golden wing brand and its WSBK outfit chose to keep the faith on Northern Ireland’s star, the only one rider able to place the CBR1000RR on the top step of the podium over the last four seasons.
FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team takes on its second World Superbike season, following a tough debut year. Jules Cluzel, graduated from Supersport after an impressive rookie season in the series, will be alongside Leon Camier. 2013 is going to be the 16th consecutive year in the series for the Pedercini Team. Sweden’s Alexander Lundh -- already with the team in the last four rounds of 2012 -- and Italy’s Federico Sandi will tackle their first full WSBK campaign.
Two welcome comebacks, both onboard BMW S 1000 RR, end our World Superbike season preview: Vittorio Iannuzzo, new signing for Grillini DENTALMATIC SBK Team and Ivan Clementi, a five-season World Superbike veteran who joined forces with the debutant HTM Racing Team.
Tomorrow and the day after (Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 February) Superbike and Supersport riders will go on track for the first official 2013 tests session.
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