Current German Superbike champion, Martin Bauer, will replace Ryuichi Kiyonari on the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR at this weekend’s 13th round of the World Superbike championship in Magny-Cours, France (3-5 October). Kiyonari broke his collarbone in a testing crash at the French circuit last week and has flown home to Japan for surgery and to recuperate for the final round of the championship at Portimao, Portugal on 2 November. Bauer, 32 and from Eggendorf in Austria, has ridden a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade to victory in the last two IDM Superbike championships and is relishing the prospect of a ride with the biggest team in the World Superbike paddock. Carlos Checa is looking forward to his first competitive outing at Magny-Cours after testing with the team last week, alongside seven-time F1 drivers’ champion, Michael Schumacher Martin Bauer’s team-mate in this year’s IDM German championship. Checa’s own HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Kenan Sofuoglu, was unable to take part in the test following his heavy crash in race two of the last WSBK round at Vallelunga, Italy. In the World Supersport championship, just 11 points separate HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s two CBR600RR-mounted riders, Andrew Pitt and Jonathan Rea, at the top of the points table. Series leader Pitt crashed out of the last round, while Rea took his third win of the season. Carlos Checa CBR1000RR Fireblade: The test last week was very positive and the most important thing it provided was an opportunity for me to learn the track. Magny-Cours is a very nice circuit and I liked it a lot. We had some good weather, which makes it much more enjoyable. We found a good set-up, even though we were on base level Pirelli tyres, but there are still some areas to improve. We were also able to test some new parts. Because the CBR1000RR is new this year, there was no data from last season’s race, so it’s important that we have a good base to start from on Friday. I only hope we have similar weather conditions for the weekend. Kenan Sofuoglu CBR1000RR Fireblade: My crash in Vallelunga was very big and I was quite sore afterwards. I did some laps at the test last week but I could not get comfortable on the bike so it was best that I didn’t continue. I felt that we made a step forward at the last round and I was very confident for the races, but two crashes were not the results I was hoping for. I will try my best to make more progress this weekend. Martin Bauer CBR1000RR Fireblade: As you can imagine, I am very happy right now! I have a lot of work to do for this weekend but I am really excited about this opportunity. I was able to do about 15 laps during the Magny-Cours test last week, but this was my first visit to the circuit. In the IDM championship, we run 16.5 inch wheels and Superstock engine regulations, so I was very impressed with the Ten Kate Honda’s horsepower. This is probably the best team in the whole paddock, so I cannot wait for the weekend and I hope to make the most of this chance. Andrew Pitt CBR600RR: I’ve had a good few days rest since the test last week. I’ve been staying in France with Sébastien Charpentier and keeping loose by cycling with him. I was a little sore after the crash in Vallelunga in both senses of the word. I looked at the crash again on TV and can only look at it as lost points, but I guess I’d rather be 11 points in front than 11 behind with two races to go. The test was good and I think we’ve done everything we can to get ready for the fight to start again on Friday. I’m happy with the bike and looking forward to the weekend. Jonathan Rea CBR600RR: I’m really looking forward to Magny-Cours. We did a lot of laps during the test and I was able to put together a pretty good race simulation, so I think we’ll be strong from the start. We’ll work, as ever, on putting a good set-up together and hopefully be right up there on Sunday. I’m happy chasing the championship and I really want the last round in Portugal to be exciting, so I need a good result in Magny-Cours to make that happen. Ronald ten Kate team manager: Magny-Cours holds some very good memories for us, since we were able to crown two world champions James Toseland and Kenan Sofuoglu here last year. Hopefully, as we approach the final stages of the World Supersport championship, we can repeat at least one of those victories. Our preparation for this weekend has been good, with a very positive test last week. Unfortunately, it had its downside with Kiyo-san’s injury, and we’ll miss him this weekend. However, he’ll be back for the final round and it’s a chance for us to offer a special welcome to Martin Bauer. We hope he can use this opportunity to establish himself well on the World Superbike stage.