The SBK comes back on track this weekend for the ninth round of the World Championship in the Czech Republic. Liberty Racing Team returns to his homeland welcomed by the warmth of the Czech public. Brno, historical circuit for fans of motorcycle racing, is not only a track that can excite riders and spectators with its 5403 meters long and its 14 charming corners, but it represents for Liberty Racing Team the long-awaited homecoming to receive the direct support of the homeland. After the thrilling victory won at Assen, the Team has had to handle with very delicate situations, such as, primarily the injury of young and talented Canadian Brett McCormick, who was forced due to the bad crash of Assen to a long absence from the competitions, in addition to this, race after race, the results on the track were not very exciting, despite the big investment. All this situations have made the Team’s management more complicated, considering also the critical financial situation that is making trouble to the global economy. Nevertheless, the Team has never lost its positive mood that has always characterized the Liberty Racing’s essence. Brno is undoubtedly the best occasion to consolidate and to fortify the team thanks to the sincere support of the Czech Republic. Kuba Smrž, is really awaited by his fans, in Czech Republic he is the most popular rider. The Czech, unfortunately, is still recovering from the ugly incident at the start of race 1 at Aragon, and even if Brno isn’t his favorite track (neither for the Ducati), he is eager to give his best in front of his fans. To make the event even more significant for the Liberty Racing, it is probable the arrive at Brno, directly from Canada, of a very special guest: Brett McCormick, who, with his presence, would give to the team even more motivations. The young Canadian is ending in positive way the rehabilitation getting positive feedback from recent medical check. This means that he is almost ready to get back on track with his team mates . His absence during these long months has left a huge emptiness inside everyone and his return for the Effenbert family is the most awaited day. The three Liberty’s riders: Sylvain Guintoli, Kuba Smrž and Maxime Berger line up their bikes ready to do battle with the Sbk best representatives riders, such as Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri, rulers in Brno last year. In 2011 the Czech racing weekend started in a very positive way thanks to the fastest time achieved by Kuba Smrž, that in the first practice left behind him Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri. In the warm up the Liberty riders arrived respectively second (Smrž) and third (Guintoli), behind Carlos Checa. Everything, therefore, could have left us hope in good results, but unfortunately the races did not end as hoped, in fact, in race 1 Jakub Smrž, who made a good start, wasn’t able to confirm the feeling with the bike of the previous day, ended eleventh. First round to forget for the French Sylvain Guintoli, who is also author of a good start, but then was forced to make a pit stop to replace the tyres, ending his race in twentieth place. The fate of race 2 was equally bitter. Smrž, crashed down at the 12th lap, while Guintoli arrived 9th. The 2012 target is not only to obtain significant results, but now more than ever is to improve enough to repay team and investors also for the significant economical efforts invested to allow riders to have the best chance to win. The team will focus on the emotional impulse of the house Gp to raise its standing targeting the Superpole and podium in the race. More, from a press release issued by Aprilia: MAX BIAGGI ARRIVES AS RANKING LEADER AT BRNO, A CIRCUIT WHERE HE HAS TAKEN 11 CAREER VICTORIES. THE ARAGON TESTS PROVIDED A CONFIDENCE BOOST FOR EUGENE LAVERTY, WHO FEELS READY FOR AN IMPORTANT RESULT. Noale, 18 July 2012 Just two weeks after the fantastic Aragon races, World Superbike heads for the Czech Republic to take on the ninth round of the season. The Brno track will host the factory derivative bikes, with Aprilia Racing standard bearer Max Biaggi leading the rider standings and the Italian brand at the top of the manufacturer rankings. Max’s relationship with the Czech circuit is auspicious: the Corsair has won 11 times at Brno, victories in every category he has ever raced in, which is a unique example of motorcycle racing domination. The current standings, which have him in the lead at a 48 point advantage over his nearest rival, as well as the Corsair’s excellent trend, coming off three wins in the last four races, provide further motivation to correct the statistics. Max Biaggi is well aware of the importance of this round and he is preparing for a weekend where mistakes will be prohibited: “Arriving at Brno as ranking leader certainly adds pressure. This year, more than any other, we have battled and earned every result, against strong rivals and seasoned teams. The 11 wins I’ve taken here do not provide any certainties. Even if this is a track where we have always been strong we cannot delude ourselves. The improvements our adversaries have made are quite clear. We will have to give it our all and make no mistakes”. The podium at Aragon has restored confidence and motivation for Eugene Laverty after a few tarnished performances. The tests after the Spanish round allowed Eugene and his Team to continue developing the Aprilia RSV4, with encouraging results. The Northern Irish rider’s ambition for the Czech races is to battle for victory. “A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders with the podium finish last time out in Aragon – said Eugene Laverty – I knew we were capable of finishing top three but after three very tough rounds I put pressure on myself to achieve that goal. The bike is working better than ever with big improvements made at the Monday test following the Aragon race weekend. My crew have done a fantastic job bringing the RSV4 back towards the top of the timesheets. My goal next time out at Brno is a debut victory onboard the Aprilia where I expect Melandri, Rea and my teammate Max to be the toughest opposition”. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: FIXI Crescent Suzuki is on its way to Brno in the Czech Republic for this weekend’s ninth round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship following a hectic break for the whole team. After the last round and test in Aragon, Spain, the FIXI Crescent Suzuki squad has had no time for a holiday, but have all been involved in getting geared-up for Brno. Leon Camier travelled to Japan to take part in the Suzuka 8-hour tests with the Yoshimura Suzuki team and John Hopkins undertook an extensive fitness and training regime back in America, to ensure he is in good shape for this weekend. The rest of the crew has been hard-at-work getting the Suzuki GSX-Rs prepared and servicing the Yoshimura-powered engines in readiness for the trip to the Czech Republic. The Automotodrom Brno is situated in the south-east of the Czech Republic in the area of Kyvalka, about 16kms from Brno city centre. The present 5,403m Brno circuit was built in 1987 and is located in hilly woodland near to the old street layout – which previously staged Grand Prix races. The undulating nature of the track with its steep climbs, wide asphalt and many full-throttle passages, makes Brno a very fast and flowing circuit and the right set-up is important for fast laps, with the bike needing to work well both going into and coming out of corners. The World Superbike Championship first visited in Brno 1993 and it has been a permanent fixture on the World Championship calendar since 2005. Camier and Hopkins will take to the track for the first free practice session on Friday, with the pair aiming to make sure they use the first two qualifying sessions to their full extent so they are both able to compete in Superpole on Saturday afternoon. The first 20-lap race of Sunday’s double-header is scheduled to get underway at 12.00hrs local time (11.00hrs BST). John Hopkins: “I returned to the USA after Aragon and since then I have been very busy with getting myself fit. I’ve done many full days on my motocross bike, plus a lot of time training hard on my mountain bike and my road bike, so I’m feeling pretty fit as I head to Brno. I’ve also had the chance to do a few skydives, which has been really fun and enjoyable. Brno is one of my favourite circuits in the world, so I’m really looking forward to getting on track and hopefully earning our best finish of the year by far in both races.” Leon Camier: “I’ve been to Japan since Aragon, riding the Yoshimura Suzuki bike that will take part in the Suzuka 8-Hour race. The bike was on different tyres to what we use in World Superbikes and so it didn’t feel the same at all. I did pretty well in the tests, but didn’t manage to get completely comfortable on the bike – certainly not as comfortable as I am on my FIXI Crescent Suzuki – so I’m now looking forward to getting back on my own bike at Brno. It is a flowing track and a blast to ride, so I’m ready for a lot of action and good results!” Jack Valentine – Team Manager: “We’ve been pretty much flat-out in the workshop since Aragon and there has been a real buzz about the place. Yoshimura has been a bit busy getting ready for the Suzuka 8-Hour race, so we’ve been servicing the engines and prepping the bikes and it’s been a real hive of exciting activity in the workshop. Both riders are in good spirits and are looking forward to Brno where, once again, our priority is to do well in qualifying and Superpole. Because the competition is so close, we need good qualifying positions in order to a give ourselves a chance.”