By Glenn Le Santo


Round 11 of the World Superbikes has started at Oschersleben in Germany after a one-month summer break in the series. Australian Troy Bayliss goes into the round leading the Championship by 53 points, ahead of the reigning World Champion Colin
Edwards.

Bayliss has been the most consistent rider this season; he’s finished in every race and taken five wins on his Infostrada Ducati.

Meanwhile, Edwards had reliability problems with his Honda VTR/RC51 early in the season but insists he’s still in with a chance to retain his title. “I won both races here last year and the track really seems to suit the VTR Honda,” said Edwards before the weekend, “so I’m hopeful of a repeat of that. As far as the Championship goes, well, there’s little more I can do other than win as many of the last six races as possible, hopefully starting on Sunday.”

Unlike his Ducati-riding competitors, Edwards has spent the last month hard at work–he co-rode to victory in the pretigious Suzuka 8-hours with Valentino Rossi on the VTR/RC51.

Ben Bostrom, winner of the last five World Superbike races, can’t be discounted, even though he hasn’t swung a leg over his bike all month. “I’m gonna be a little rusty,” said the talented American, “but I’ll soon get dialed back in and I am confident I am in with a chance to win the title.” Bostrom’s incredible run of success recently has turned him from an also-ran to a genuine title contender. He’s now 56 points back from Bayliss and only three points behind fellow American Edwards.

British fans have still got something to shout about, despite the retirement of Carl Fogarty. Neil Hodgson’s form has been good all year and recently the World Superbike series has become the Ben and Neil show with Bostrom and Hodgson entertaining the crowds with some classic racing duels at the front of the pack. Hodgson, riding a year-old Ducati 996, stands fifth in the title and is rapidly catching fourth-place man Troy Corser, the Australian whose form has deteriorated recently after tire troubles on his Aprilia.

Hodgson, riding for the British GSE Ducati Team is the highest-placed privateer in the series, and is ahead of many factory riders in the title chase, including veteran Pierfrancesco Chili. Hodgson’s teammate, the young Yorkshireman James Toseland, is the second-highest privateer, back in 13th in the title. The GSE pairing have scored more points between them than the factory Suzuki pairing of Chili and Stephan Chambon, which speaks volumes for Hodgson and Toseland’s talents, as well as the professionalism of the GSE team.