Munich/Milan. Almost seven weeks have passed since the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team kick-started its 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship campaign with a podium at Phillip Island, Australia. The world championship now returns to Europe for the second round of the season, which takes place next weekend (12th to 14th April) at “Motorland Aragón” in the northeast of Spain. Works rider Marco Melandri (ITA) was, through no fault of his own, involved in a crash in the first race of the season-opener, before finishing third to claim a place on the podium in race two. He currently lies fifth in the Riders’ Championship on 16 points. His new team-mate Chaz Davies (GBR) finished fourth at the first attempt in his maiden race on the BMW S 1000 RR. The Brit then came home 17th after a crash in the second race. He goes into the second race weekend of the year tenth in the overall standings on 13 points. BMW is second in the Manufacturers’ Championship with 29 points. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team used the long break after the opening event of the season to complete further tests. The team travelled to Jerez, Spain, for a series of tests in March and last week. The squad spent a total of four days working on further optimising various aspects of the RR. At the first Jerez test, Chaz was on his own while Marco recovered from an operation on his shoulder, which he underwent after the race at Phillip Island. At the second test, both Chaz and Marco rode. Both riders have fond memories of Aragón: Marco claimed a win and a second place there last year, setting the fastest lap time in both races. Chaz finished third there to make his first appearance on the FIM Superbike World Championship podium. The 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup also gets underway at the “Motorland Aragón” race weekend. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet Team will line up with reigning champion Sylvain Barrier (FRA) and new team member Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) as it looks to defend its title. This season, the team will be equipped with the new BMW HP4 for the first time. Aragón from the rider’s point of view: Marco Melandri: “I am looking forward to be in Aragón. I am very optimistic. For sure it will not be an easy race, but I am confident that I have fixed the shoulder problems I suffered from. I don’t feel hindered anymore when riding, even if I am still lacking resilience. We worked a lot after the Australian round in order to close the gap to Aprilia and we have done a very good job. I like Aragón; it is a great track. It is a very technical and fast circuit. It will be the ideal venue to verify the work we have done. My only wish is that we finally will have good weather.” Chaz Davies: “Aragón is one of the best tracks in the calendar, a great venue and one to look forward to. The circuit offers a good mixture of everything. You have uphill and downhill sections, short corners and fast corners. It is difficult to set the bike up as the circuit varies so much. In addition, it will be different to ride there compared to last year as we are racing there three months earlier. That changes a lot, temperature-wise, which has an effect in some areas like how much grip you have. Aragón is a special place for me because back in 2011 I won there in Supersport which was quite unexpected and last year it was the venue of my first podium finish in the Superbike World Championship. With that in mind, I know Aragón works well for me and I am excited to go there. The positive results from last week’s test in Jerez also make me confident. We will push straight away from Friday morning on and hopefully on Sunday we will see the results.” Aragón from a technical point of view: Andrea Dosoli (Technical Director BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team): “We are looking forward to Aragón with a lot of interest. After the test completed in Jerez last week, we are now eager to see the result of the hard work carried out by the whole race and R&D team in Italy and Germany on this different track – where we have won in the past but where our competitors are very strong. We are still sweating remembering the thrilling races we had there last season. The circuit in Aragón offers a bit of everything. It has tight corners, fast and flowing sections, hard braking and a long straight where we will be able to get the best from our powerful BMW engine. It is a demanding track for the tyres because the asphalt is abrasive, and also a demanding track for the riders because of its unique characteristics. To find the right bike set-up will be an exciting challenge, especially considering that the weather conditions could be cooler than in the past as the race has been moved from summer to the middle of April. After such a long break we are all looking forward to some nice action on the track and we are confident that our riders will be in the thick of the action in this fantastic show we call World Superbikes!” Aragón from a sporting point of view: Serafino Foti (Sport Director BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team): “Aragón is the first European race after a long break and will also be the opening race for the Superstock team. The results from last week’s Superbike test in Jerez and the Superstock test in Aragón were really positive. In addition, Marco has no pain to his shoulder after testing and Chaz’ feeling with the RR is getting better and better with each outing. Both of our works riders got positive results last year in Aragon, and even if Marco will not be one hundred per cent fit, we are still really confident. We’ll do our best from the very beginning of the weekend to get the best possible results.” Aragón from Pirelli’s point of view: The new Pirelli 17 inch tyres return to Spain, to “Motorland Aragón”, where last year they were tested for the first time by the Superbike riders on the Monday following the race weekend. The track has rather demanding asphalt for the tyres because it is quite abrasive. For this reason, a compromise is needed between the stability and rigidity of the compounds and the grip they are able to produce when hot. As the temperature in April will be lower, Pirelli brings a few development solutions which should be an excellent compromise between tyre grip and hardness. For the Superbike class Pirelli will provide three slick solutions for dry on the front and just as many for the rear. These are joined by the rear qualifier, the intermediate solutions as well as the wet solutions. On the front Pirelli has chosen standard slicks with an SC1 solution in a soft blend and the SC2 standard solution in medium blend which are joined by a development solution (S41) in a soft blend as an alternative to the standard SC1 (R426) intended to reduce cold tearing and to provide greater mechanical stability, a good compromise between the SC2 for solidity and the SC1 in terms of grip. For the rear the riders will also be able to choose from three solutions, the standard SC1 (R828) medium compound already used at Phillip Island and the standard SC2 hard compound which is capable of providing greater resistance even in the event of low temperatures. The third option comes in the form of the R829, a development solution that, in terms of compound hardness, falls about halfway between the standard SC1 and SC2 and which was designed to combat the significant wear which is typical on this circuit. Also, for the first time the new intermediate tyre (S44) will be making an entrance on the scene, available only for the rear on this occasion. Pirelli decided to redesign the new Diablo Wet starting from scratch. The new tread design is halfway between the slick solutions and the rain solutions, and was designed to improve performance on a wet/damp track and to make sure riders can finish the race in completely dry track conditions. Background: Located in a sparsely populated region in the north-east of Spain, surrounded by a sweeping and picturesque hilly landscape, is one of the most modern motorsport centres in the world: “Motorland Aragón”. It can be found about three hours’ drive west of Barcelona, near Alcañiz – a town of 16,000 residents in the autonomous region of Aragón. Alcañiz enjoys a long motorsport tradition: between 1965 and 2003, races were regularly held on a street circuit there. “Motorland Aragón” was opened in 2009 and soon became a fixture in international automobile and motorcycle racing. It has welcomed the MotoGP series every year since 2010. The FIM Superbike World Championship made its debut in Aragón in 2011. The circuit is also used all year round for testing by many racing teams. For many riders, Aragón is one of the best circuits on the calendar. The layout is regarded as being extremely technically demanding. Ultra-quick sections lead into very tight corners, with this combination complemented by flowing combinations of turns. This varied layout demands a precise set-up. It features uphill and downhill sections, blind crests and downhill corners, which are reminiscent of the track in Portimão, Portugal. The combination of turns seven and eight is based on the infamous “Corkscrew” at Laguna Seca (USA). The riders can give free rein to their powerful engines in the fast sections, including the main straight, which is almost 1.8 kilometres long. One key point on the circuit is the final turn: here, the riders must get on the gas early in order to take momentum up the hill and onto the start/finish straight, at the end of which is one of the track’s many overtaking opportunities. The asphalt offers plenty of grip and is very rough. More, from a press release issued by PTR Honda: PTR HONDA’S Sheridan Morais is hotly anticipating the second round of the World Supersport Championship at Aragon in Spain on Sunday April 14th, and is determined to be competing for the podium. The likeable South African scored the fastest lap of the race and a podium in 2012 and is expecting better this year now he is with PTR – the team that won at the circuit last year. Shez: “I am really looking forward to Aragon and want to be where we deserve – at the front of the race competing for podiums and victory. I am 100 per cent positive and with the best team behind me I want to show what we really can do. “I have got a CBR600 in South Africa that I am building with Bitubo suspension from PTR and I’ll be riding at my local tracks to keep sharp and get in some practice before Aragon. It’s all good.” Austrian David Linortner will be hoping to capitalise on his raw speed at Aragon on his PTR Honda after a disappointing crash at the opening round when he was clearly capable of a top 10 finish. Italian Luca Marconi equalled his best result in the class on his debut outing with PTR Honda at Phillip Island and is looking to maintain that momentum. Rookies Nacho Calero from Spain and Matt Davies from Australia will be looking for improved finishes. Simon Buckmaster, PTR Honda Team Manager: “We are expecting Shez to challenge at the front in Aragon, he went well last year and we won the race so we have high ambitions. “We are hoping David will be more consistent and if he can stop crashing he is a top 10 finisher. Luca Marconi will be looking to build on his best ever result and with improved qualifying and a better start he has every chance to do so. “Nacho and Matt are continuing their steep learning curve. With some circuit experience we are aiming to improve on their opening round results, both have a lot of potential and are keen to do the best they can. “The big gap between Australia and Aragon is not good for us and I think it needs looking at for next year. If you end the season in November and start in February then you have no time to prepare for the next season. It is the same for everyone but this is something I urge the organisers to think about.” More, from a press release issued by Honda: FIM SUPERBIKE / SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 02 SUNDAY APRIL 14 MOTORLAND ARAGON, SPAIN PREVIEW REA AND HASLAM WELL TESTED AS ROUND TWO APPROACHES Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) head for the second round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship having completed recent tests at Motorland Aragon and at the smaller venue of Alcarras. After the opening round of the championship the Honda duo have worked extensively on their new electronics package with their Dutch-based team to best take on the challenge of the 5.344km circuit in the north of Spain. After finding electronics issues, which took a while to trace and rectify at Aragon, a fall of rain on the final day of the first test halted any further hopes of completing the final checks and making set-up progress. It was then decided to join the riders of the new Honda European Junior Cup at Alcarras to make final pre-race preparations. The long break since the first round has also allowed many other teams to test and some of Pata Honda’s rivals shared track time with Rea and Haslam at Motorland between 2 and 4 April. Others have already tested at Jerez. Rea, Honda’s most potent SBK rider of modern times, is hoping his new electronics package can help him improve on his two eighth place finishes at the first round. The ten-times race winner in this class was fifth on one race at Aragon last year. Haslam, a new signing for 2013, left the previous round in Australia one point behind his team-mate Rea in a overall seventh position, thanks to the combination of a seventh and a tenth place race finish in the individual outings at the classic Phillip Island track. With the long gap between round one and round two now over, a busy 15-round SBK season gets into its stride finally with the third round coming along at Assen, in the Netherlands, on April 28th. ROOKIES WSS RIDERS VAN DER MARK AND ZANETTI READY FOR ARAGON ROUND FIM Supersport World Championship riders Michael van Der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) and Lorenzo Zanetti (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) lead off a strong Honda contingent as the Supersport World Championship heads for its second round of the season at Motorland Aragon in Spain this coming weekend. Van der Mark was a revelation in the opening round, with the reigning Superstock 600 European champion for Honda making a superb full season debut in WSS in third place at Phillip Island, Australia, in late February. The 20-year-old Dutch rider has tested at Motorland last week, along with his team-mate Zanetti, which should help each of them make a good impact in the qualifying and race results. Zanetti, until now a Superbike and Superstock 1000 rider, is learning his way around the Pata Honda CBR600RR and was glad to get some test time in as he heads towards round two. He was the second highest Honda finisher at the first round in Australia, scoring eighth place in his first ever WSS event. A tenth place finish was a good start to his first full WSS season for Irishman Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda). He had been a fifth place qualifier in Australia, delivering an instant improvement in performance after the Rivamoto team had switched to Honda power in the winter. Potential WSS top rider Gabor Talmacsi (PRORACE Honda) suffered a broken jaw and injured ankle in practice for the previous race in Australia but tested recently at Motorland Aragon, alongside some of his peer group. He is hoping to be fit to ride at Motorland but has to undergo final medical checks before he can be passed fit to ride. Sheridan Morais (PTR Honda) had an incredible run of bad luck first time out on a Honda to miss out on points in race day but the proven WSS podium finisher is well capable of a strong result at the same Motorland circuit he finished third at in the 2012 round of the WSS series. Despite some issues with tyre life in Australia Alex Baldolini (Team Lorini Honda) scored a point first time out and he now looks for even better results in Spain in the second of 14-rounds for the WSS riders in 2013. His team-mate Raffaele De Rosa (Team Lorini Honda) no-scored first time out so it heading to Spain to try and earn some points. Imre Toth (Racing Team Toth Honda), David Linortner (Team Honda PTR) and Eduard Blokhin (Rivamoto Honda) are all looking to Aragon to get their seasons heading in the right direction. Luca Marconi (PTR Honda) is a potentially a rider to watch in this class while Matt Davies (Team Honda PTR) had a solid start to his WSS career at home in round one. The 17-year-old Aussie now looking to consolidate his new status as a WSS rider and get nearer the points scoring positions in what will be only his second race. Nacho Calero Perez (Honda PTR) is another Honda rider out to score for the first time in 2013. HONDA RIDER COMMENTS: Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) “Things are definitely better after this Alcarras test and there were a lot more logical comments given after we tried changes, more feedback like the data guys were expecting to hear. I have more confidence because it is all more predictable and we have definitely made a step with the electronics here. We still have a lot of work to do but being at a test without our rivals there was good because we could just work on set up and were not – in the back of the mind – chasing a lap time. We did not go back to basics with the electronics in this most recent test, it is not a basic system, but we had time and space to make changes.” Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) “At Aragon in testing we had a two days of riding with a problem in the system but they found that on the evening of the second day. So the third day was like the first day as we set it all up again to try out, but it rained and we only got about eight laps done in the dry. We came to this new circuit of Alcarras and had to set-up everything in the electronics again but I feel we managed to do that. It is a lot more stable, working correctly, and the boys in the team have worked really hard. From my point of view it was exactly what we needed. We also put in some pretty good lap times at the end so that is quite positive. We ended up with a new circuit record, a 1’33.0, so from that point of view I have to be happy.” Michael van Der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) “We had quite a good test at Aragon and in Australia we were fast so I hope we can stay in a good position all through the Spanish weekend. I am not saying I will be on the podium but I will hope to be in the top five again. It looks like we are quite consistent and we will be doing all we can to be in front again. Australia was something very special and everything we did was working. The best thing about Australia was that we found a good set-up and a good pace and I hope we can have the same in Motorland.” Lorenzo Zanetti (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) “I am not sure what is possible this weekend but we had a good test at Motorland and it would be good to improve my result from the Australian race. That is not so easy because Supersport demands a different style of riding compared to a Superbike but we tried a new set-up in the test at Aragon and I am happy with that, and the good work of the team. We have some work to do still but I’m confident that we can make another step here next week.” Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda) “I am confident, excited and ready to race at Aragon. It almost feels like the start of the season again because it has been such a long gap between starting the season and the next round coming along this weekend in mid-April. We managed to get a test in at Aragon two or three weeks ago but it was very cold and spitting with rain sometimes but the weather should be a lot better when we go back there to race.” Sheridan Morais (PTR Honda) “This will be pretty much my first round because I did not get to do a lot at the last race. I cannot wait to get started and I have been training pretty hard back home in South Africa. I hope everything runs smoothly. Last year I got on the podium at this event and fortunately when I tested the Honda for the first time it was at Aragon, at the end of last year, so I cannot wait to get going. I hope it all goes smoothly and we can be fighting at the front.” Gabor Talmacsi (PRORACE Honda) “I have a hard month behind me and although my injuries are healing up I’m not on 100% of my form. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to test at Aragon and Alcarras. I’ll do anything to be there in the Aragon grid, but still have to be to be a mandatory check-up exams next Friday, where a final decision is taken by the doctors.” Alex Baldolini (Team Lorini Honda) “In Australia my tyres were finished and it was almost impossible to ride in the last six laps. I was very disappointed to have started the championship this way. We must look forward to Aragon where we will do our best to achieve the best possible result.” More, from a press release issued by SBK Press Office: World Superbike hits Europe for Round 2 at Aragon Rome (Italy), Tuesday 9 April 2013 – Eni FIM Superbike World Championship lands in Europe for the second round of 2013 season, that will take place this weekend at Alcaniz’s Motorland Aragon. The spectacular and challenging track in northern Spain, favourite destination for testing of numerous WSBK teams, entered the calendar in 2011 and, after being halfway through the season for two years, it is now the first round to be held within the European borders. Following the dominant performance of Phillip Island, Aprilia Racing Team is called for a repeat performance on a track that suits well both RSV4 1000 Factory and the current Championship leader Eugene Laverty: the Irishman has always finished within 2nd and 6th place and missed the win last year courtesy of Marco Melandri, who got the better of him at the last lap of Race 2. Sylvain Guintoli, on the other hand, never managed to finish within the top-10 here. The Frenchman, though, has already shown an excellent feeling with the Italian vee-four machine, as he is currently tied up in points on top of the standings with his team mate. The current king of Aragon is without a doubt Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), who has won 2 races out of 4 and was 2nd when not on top of the podium. The only one able to match his performances was Max Biaggi but the current World Superbike Champion, now moved to the commentary box. It won’t be an easy task for the Italian rider, since he is still recovering from a shoulder injury, that was aggravated by the unfortunate crash of Phillip Island Race 1. After a first test carried out only by Welshman Chaz Davies (who scored his maiden WSBK podium finish last year at Aragon) and primarily focused on evaluating the latest electronics installed on the factory BMW S 1000 RR, the team underwent a further two days on track at Jerez last week, this time with both riders. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), whose braking error during the first Australian race lead to the collision with Melandri and resulted in an injury for both, will partake in his home race. With no points under his belt at the moment, the Spaniard is eager to make some ground in the standings. His team mate Ayrton Badovini will attempt to participate despite still recuperating from a fractured bone in his left foot. High expectations for the Kawasaki Racing Team, who has done well over last week’s three-day test at Aragon – as they shared the track with numerous teams, including FIXI Crescent Suzuki and Pata Honda World Superbike. Tom Sykes set the fastest lap of the test and proved to be back near full fitness. Sykes and Baz are now ready to keep the flag flying high for the Barcelona-based team. Leon Camier and Jules Cluzel will show up at Aragon boosted by new engine-spec on their FIXI Crescent Suzuki machines, already evaluated on the Spanish track on April 2-4 with some positive feedback. Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam’s hard work is not over yet, as the British duo did a further two-day test to check out the new electronics developed by Honda for their CBR1000RR at Alcarras. Standings: 1. Laverty 45; 2. Guintoli 45; 3. Fabrizio 29; 4. Sykes 22; 5. Melandri 16; 6. Rea 16; 7. Haslam 15; 8. Cluzel 14; 9. Camier 14; 10. Davies 13; 11. Neukirchner 11; 12. Giugliano 10; 13. Baz 10; 14. Allerton 6; 15. Clementi 4, etc. World Supersport The Supersport World Championship is back at Aragon and it will be once again a chase of the leader and defending Champion Kenan Sofuoglu, who won the Opening Race at Phillip Island. The controversial outcome of last year’s race is all water under the bridge as Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret are now team mates under Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki colours. 2012 race winner Sam Lowes is the number 1 candidate to challenge Sofuoglu’s leadership, but the young Brit landed badly on his left hand during a three-day test at Aragon last week and won’t be 100% for the upcoming round. Lowes and Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) were joined on track by Pata Honda World Supersport duo of Michael van der Mark and Lorenzo Zanetti, Luca Scassa (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki), Kev Coghlan and Vladimir Ivanov (DMC Lorenzini Kawasaki) and Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda). PTR are looking for redemption after a nightmare Season Opener, that saw Sheridan Morais held back by technical issues on his CBR600RR. Last year’s STK600 runner-up Riccardo Russo will make his World Supersport debut this weekend with the San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki. Standings: 1. Sofuoglu 25; 2. Lowes 20; 3. vd Mark 16; 4. Foret 13 5. Salom 11; 6. Scassa 10; 7. Antonelli 9; 8. Zanetti 8; 9. Roccoli 7;10. Kennedy 6, etc. Superstock 1000 The top-3 riders from last year will be back contesting the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup. Defending Champion Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) will have to deal once again with Eddi La Marra (Barni Racing Team Ducati) and Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki), who are willing to do their best to take his crown. It’s going to be a trip down to memory lane for Niccolò Canepa, after one year racing in the Superbike class, who will jump on the Barni Racing Team 1199 Panigale. Following the brilliant performance at Magny-Cours last year, South Africa’s Greg Gildenhuys will be alongside Barrier as full-time rider for the BMW Motorrad GoldBet Team. Italy is again the most represented Country of the 12 in the series, with 9 riders out of the overall 26 entries. Superstock 600 As several protagonists of the past season stepped up to Supersport class and numerous young talents from European Junior Cup (including 2012 Champion Lukas Wimmer) and national championships arrived, the European Superstock 600 Championship gets underway with a new mix of riders ready to fight over the 9 rounds in calendar. MTM Racing Yamaha riders Gauthier Duwelz and Adrian Nestorovic are likely to play a major role this year, as well as Franco Morbidelli and Alessandro Nocco, selected by the Italian Federation (FMI) to race the Puccetti Racing ZX-6R. After the promotion of last year’s winner Michael van der Mark, the EAB Ten Kate Junior Team confirmed Swiss Bastien Chesaux for another season. The total of 31 riders representing 14 countries, gives an idea of the continuing appeal of the series. European Junior Cup For its third consecutive season, the European Junior Cup now goes under Honda’s wing to provide its 36 entries from all over the world the brand new CBR500R. The new naming of the series “Pata European Junior Cup, powered by Honda” underlines the prestige and importance of the one-make entry-level championship designed for the young talents of motorcycle racing. This year’s EJC will see the participation of two young female riders, respectively from France and Brasil. More, from a press release issued by Aprilia: WORLD SUPERBIKE MAKES ITS EUROPEAN DÉBUT WITH THE MOTORLAND ARAGÒN WEEKEND. THE APRILIA RACING RIDES ARRIVE AT THE SPANISH ROUND TIED FOR THE LEAD IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS. APRILIA IS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MANUFACTURER LEADER. Noale, 10 April 2013 – World Superbike embarks on Europe with the first continental race at the Spanish Motorland Aragòn circuit. In the first round of the season, held at Phillip Island more than a month ago, the Aprilia RSV4 dominated with one win each for the official standard bearers Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli, who therefore arrive in Spain tied at the top of the standings. The beautiful circuit just a few miles from Alcaniz has always proven to be favourable to the RSV4 because of its conformation. However, Eugene and Sylvain will not be able to rest on their laurels. The perpetually mild climate that distinguishes the Spanish circuit makes it the perfect place for testing during the cold season, and this has made it the favourite test track for many World SBK Teams, giving the rivals an advantage in terms of experience and set-up. When we add the desire for a rematch that many of the World Championship top players have, the cocktail for a heated weekend is complete. Irishman Eugene Laverty remembers Aragòn as the positive turning point for his 2012 season: “Aragon was our breakthrough race last year. We fought for the race win and so I have fond memories of the track. Some teams have been testing at Aragon during the break so they will have the upper hand to start. However, the RSV4 is working so well at the moment that I believe we can catch up with them and fight for race wins”. The first race winner of the 2013 season, Sylvain Guintoli, took advantage of the Spanish weather to continue training and he is eagerly looking forward to getting out on the track. “I’m very happy to be back on my Aprilia RSV4 after such a long gap since the Australian race. It felt like another winter break! Weather in UK has not been the best, so I went to Spain to step up my physical training. Now I’m ready for the fight and looking forward to the action”. More, from a press release issued by San Carlo Team Italia: WSBK Stk600 – San Carlo Team Italia ready for the European championship debut in Aragon Superstock600 kicks off in Aragon, Spain. Alessandro Nocco and Franco Morbidelli and their Kawasakis are ready to make their season debut after a positive test on the Spanish track three weeks ago. The riders’ feeling on the bikes, the crew work, and the atmosphere in the team leave the team hopeful. Nocco, fifth at the 2012 CIV, knows the bike, while Morbidelli, has experience in the European championship (last year closed in sixth place): an important combination for a championship fight as the Continental. This year the Stk600 championship will be aired on TV on Italia2 throughout its nine races, all scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 6 pm. Cristiano Migliorati (FMI Technical Coordinator) ?”We worked well this winter to be ready physically, psychologically and technically. Team Italia’s project put Doriano Romboni next to me this year to develop emerging talents. If the results come too, it is all for the best. We head to Spain to do well, but it’s the first race of the year so we don’t have any specific objectives. It’ll be a long season and we’ll try to grow race after race and still have a chance for the title at the end of the season”. More, from a press release issued by Althea Racing: Team Althea Racing – Aragon Superbike preview Ceramiche Althea back in World Championship Superbike Ceramiche Althea, leading company in the field of sanitary tools alongside Unibat on Davide Giugliano’s Aprilia RSV4 in World Superbike. The return to motorcycle racing competition, in which Althea has been present since 2008 and has collected the most ambitious goals up until 2011 World Superbike Championship is the final part of a path that has seen Genesio Bevilacqua’s company obtain a “100 % Made in Italy” certification, the only Italian brand to have received a prestigious award from the Homologation Dept. involved with the Ministry of Productive Activities. Ceramiche Althea not only increased its production in Italy (located in the modern production plant in Civita Castellana) but uses raw materials and semi processed which are exclusively Italian. A great effort, a strong message of hope for the Italian economy. Genesio Bevilacqua : “I am happy and proud to have brought the brand Althea Ceramiche in the world of motorcycle racing. This is the last step of a path that has seen my company fully sink their roots in Italy, until obtaining the prestigious certificate “100% Made in Italy”. Our commitment could not but interact with the Superbike World Championship, a league that not only is part of our history, but that is has visibly increased thanks to Dorna and the worldwide media. Starting from next weekend at the Aragon Motorland, the brand Althea Ceramiche will appear on Davide Giugliano’s bike, together with other prestigious brands, completing a team “100% Made in Italy” with Althea, Aprilia and Unibat, as well as Italian technicians and rider. We are in Aragon anxious to be able to improve the difficult weekend at Phillip Island. We are ready and determined to achieve the results that we always compete. Davide Giugliano : “After my recent experience in Australia, I will be facing this second round of the World Superbike with a lot of optimism. At Phillip Island, I was able to get to better know my team, I became more familiar with the Aprilia RSV4 and I have learned to put it in place. Aragon is a track that I like and where I’ve always been very strong, even though I did not achieve the results I had expected. The long straight part of the track penalized me last year but this year it shouldn’t be a problem; therefore, we can tackle Spain with confidence and fight for the positions that count.” The second round of the Superbike World Championship will take place over the weekend of April 12-13-14 at Motorland Aragón circuit. The Ciudad del Motor de Aragón is a 5.344 km race circuit located near Alcañiz, Spain. The circuit has been designed by well-known German architect Hermann Tilke and McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa was a technical and sporting consultant on the project. The facility has been designed to incorporate three main zones – a technology park, a sports area and a leisure and culture area. The sports area will include the racing circuit with multiple layouts, a karting track and various gravel circuits. On 19th May 2010, it was announced that the circuit would hold a round of the Superbike World Championship from 2011, with a three-year deal being agreed.