ALL ROADS LEAD TO VALLELUNGA FOR KIYONARI AND CHECA It has been a sometime dramatic and often successful rookie season for both Ryuichi Kiyonari (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) and Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) and after 11 rounds each has tasted victory more than once while journeying on their upward learning curves. Checa is the highest placed Honda rider in the standings, in fourth place with six points scoring races left. As one of the few riders to have won both 500cc GP races and world Superbike contests, he is already firmly established in the leading ranks of WSB competitors as he returns to the scene of a mid-season official test session, Vallelunga, near Rome. The form man in the championship right now is, however, Kiyonari, as he has scored three wins from the last four attempts, including a composed race two win in monsoon conditions at the previous Donington round. The double BSB champion is very much on top of his game, and with the knowledge he accrued from his Vallelunga test sessions he can only be considered a threat once again, even at such a particular and individual circuit as Vallelunga. After his latest victory he is eighth in the championship, but only two points from sixth place, with six races left to run. Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR Jr) is the third element of his team’s effort in 2008, and is currently 16th overall, on 47 points. The Turkish rider was the winner of the World Supersport race for Honda at Vallelunga in 2007. Gregorio Lavilla (Vent-Axia VK Honda CBR1000RR) had a season best finish of fourth at Donington, just missing a podium by one place in the opener, and he has now punched his way to 12th in the rankings, already over the 100-point mark on his privateer machine. Karl Muggeridge (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) is on course for a top 15 finish in the championship if he continues to record points scores on his private CBR, while Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR1000RR) has had an occasionally torrid 2008, and slipped to 20th after the Donington round, despite scoring well in race two. Chris Walker (Vent-Axia VK Honda CBR1000RR) joined the team only recently but has already scored points twice, at the Brands Hatch round each time. Shuhei Aoyama (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) is currently 29th proving the transition from 250cc machinery Superbikes is not a straightforward one in the days of engines that put out over 200bhp, fitted to race machines which weight in at 162kg. Checa said: “Although we tested at the circuit in July, it was not such a positive feeling. It’s a bit of a Mickey Mouse circuit, but it’s the same for everyone, I guess. We had one or two tyre problems and found it a little difficult to manage the power in the slower part of the track, but it was very hot during the test. I think it will be cooler this weekend, which will hopefully help the tyres to work a little better as well. But I want to get back towards the top at Vallelunga and get some better results than I have had lately.” Kiyonari said: “At least I know the circuit at Vallelunga, because we tested there in July. I think this will be very important because I do not have to spend time learning the track. The times at the test were not fast enough, but I got a good feeling for how the CBR1000RR works there and we know which areas we need to improve to get another good result. Of course, I am feeling confident at the moment, but I know I must keep focused.” Sofuoglu said: “Vallelunga was good for me last year in World Supersport and I won the race there from the front row. We tested the Superbike earlier this year and, for sure, it’s a very different circuit on a CBR1000RR than on the CBR600RR. The test will be important to try and get a better result, because Donington was certainly not good for me. My shoulder is getting better, though, and I have a few more days before I have to ride the bike, so it should not be a big problem.” Rolfo said: “I’m preparing well for the Vallelunga competition because I want to take the results that I missed out on in Donington. I like the Vallelunga circuit and I’m excited to be racing in front of my fans again. I’m really motivated and ready for another home race, where I hope to take good results for my team and for my sponsors.” Aoyama said: “I think we have a good base setting for Vallelunga. I have more experience because we tested there in January and July. I want to get into Superpole this weekend and I want to get some points on raceday.” The 13th round of the championship will be held at Magny-Cours, on October 5. World Supersport Championship Honda Riders Head For The Eternal City For the first time this season championship leader Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) enters a race weekend with an outside chance of winning the title itself by the end of raceday. Such has been the intensity of competition in this class this season, however, that most expect the overall title fight to go to the wire. Currently, Pitt, who has been out in front since he won the Nürburgring event way back in June, is 32 points ahead of his nearest rival, Donington Park race winner Josh Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR). If Pitt leaves Vallelunga with over 50 points more than Brookes, his own team-mate Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) or fourth ranked Broc Parkes, he will win his second and Honda’s seventh successive World Supersport Championship. With six individual riders having won races so far, the competition for the victory and podium places at Vallelunga will be as intense as ever, however, particularly among the top three Honda riders, who have shared the past five race wins between them. Of the ten races so far, Honda CBR600RR riders have won eight. Robbin Harms (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) is now ninth overall after scoring ten points at the previous Donington round. Having looked capable of scoring a win more than once this year he will be particularly keen to join his team-mate Brookes on the list of race winners before season end. The last of three Italian based races will offer the best chance for Gianluca Nannelli (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) to push himself into the top four for the first time in a year which has been studded with injuries and four no scores. Russell Holland (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) continues his encouraging WSS campaign, which he started at the Misano round. Pitt said: “The test we had at Vallelunga was OK, although there were one or two issues that we still need to get sorted. We’re pretty sure which way we need to go on those, and it was also a good opportunity for me to learn the circuit, so we have that as a positive. It’s fast in the first part and then a bit stop-start in the second half, but there’s still 25 points up for grabs. The plan is the same as every weekend, really try to get it all working right in practice and qualifying and then be at the front for the race.” Rea said: “The test in July went pretty well and Vallelunga actually rides better than it looks on paper or walking around it. It’s got a tight and twisty section, which should provide some overtaking opportunities. I’m looking forward to doing a good job at the weekend, as the championship is hotting-up and there are three riders standing up all on Hondas. I just want to fight for wins now so, with some dry track time, we’ll aim for a good base setting and hopefully be in the mix come Sunday.” Brookes said: “These three last remaining races will be very important for us. We need to continue our good work and make sure we score as many points as we can at every round. I’m convinced we are able to do so as we have a really good package to work with. I’m keen on getting the weekend started and I’m preparing to put my head down and work hard for good results.” Harms said: “Vallelunga is not one of my favourite tracks as I have only ridden there once before, in a test last year. For the race in 2007 I was injured, so I don’t have great knowledge of the circuit. This weekend we have to take it step-by-step, learning and getting comfortable out on the track. It will be hard work but I’m ready.” Nannelli said: “Our last tests here in Vallelunga were very good so I think we’ll be starting with a strong bike set up. I have to do my best here in Vallelunga because it’s my home race and I know we have the opportunity to reach very good results. I’m determined to fight for the podium.” Holland said: “My physical condition is now better compared to Donington, and I’m fully fit and ready for Vallelunga. I’m familiar this circuit from July’s official testing. I know this is my team’s home race and I’ll try my best not only during the race but also during practice, because it’s very important to have starting place on the grid. I want to aim for a top five in Sunday’s race.” After Vallelunga, the penultimate round of the year takes place at Magny-Cours, in France, on October 5. The final round will commence at the new circuit of Parkalgar, near the Algarve coast in Portugal, on November 2.