SBK Racing About To Take More Spanish Steps The Circuito Ricardo Tormo is a well-established and welcoming stop-off point for the SBK paddock in its global wanderings, with this year’s Spanish race weekend the third in a 13-round season. After two astoundingly close events so far, in Australia and more recently in Portugal, there have been three different race winners in four individual races. Of the seven manufacturers involved in WSB in 2010, three have scored a victory already, and two more have podium finishes to their credit. With the 4.005km circuit Valencia being a different type of challenge to either Phillip Island (venue for round one) or Portimao (round two) there are some new possibilities for all involved this coming weekend. There have been 20 individual points scoring races at Valencia in recent SBK seasons, with winners including current riders Noriyuki Haga, Lorenzo Lanzi, James Toseland, Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser. Haga did the double here in 2009 and Valencia is a circuit that throws up double wins more than most; six in total in ten previous visits. OPENING SALVOES HIT THE SPOT: The 2010 entry list, running to 14 official entrants from seven manufacturers, plus top quality privateers throughout, promised a lot of close competition and variety during the off-season. And even at this early stage of the year that promise has been delivered, over and over again. So far, the margins of victory in the four SBK races have been 0.004 seconds, 0.307 seconds, 0.200 seconds, and 0.191 seconds. A cumulative 0.702 seconds separating all of the first and second place riders, after two hours and 24 minutes of intense racing. Our understanding of close competition has been redefined in the Superbike World Championship of 2010. BIG SEVEN IN ACTION AGAIN: The seven competing manufacturers this year – Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – all have proven winning riders and strong overall efforts to their credit as they approach Valencia. Suzuki, Ducati and most recently Aprilia have won races this year, thanks to Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare), Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia). Appropriately enough, these three riders now lead the championship table, with Haslam on 85, Portimao double winner Biaggi on 69 and Phillip Island race two victor Carlos Checa on 60. Behind the leading bunch, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) hold fourth and fifth respectively, while top Honda rider so far is Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) in sixth place after scoring one podium and one DNF in Portimao last time out. One new WSB sensation Sylvain Guintoli (Alstare Suzuki) leads another Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia), in seventh and eighth places. The top BMW rider in the rankings so far is Troy Corser, ninth, with Ruben Xaus regaining his footing in the championship table last time out. Now 14th overall on his BMW Motorrad Motorsport machine, Xaus is another home favourite. Tenth placed rider Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) took his first podium for Yamaha at Portimao and he shares 25 points with his team-mate James Toseland and another British force to be reckoned with, Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati). TESTING FOR TOM, HOPES FOR OTHERS: Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) has already tested at Valencia recently, and made progress towards the top ten as his team-mate Chris Vermeulen continues his fight for race fitness after a knee injury he picked up in Australia. Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is another rider hoping to get back to his best at round three. Privateers riders are many and varied in 2010, with Roland Resch (Reitwagen BMW) scheduled for a return after breaking his collarbone in Australia, Jakub Smrz (B&G Pata Racing Ducati) looking to get back into the points in Spain, while Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) is searching for some good luck in only his second meeting of 2010. Broc Parkes, injured in pre-season training, will miss this round, meaning that South African hope Sheridan Morais will ride for ECHO CRS Honda once again. Points (after 2 of 13 rounds): 1. Haslam 85; 2. Biaggi 69, 3. Checa 60, 4. Fabrizio 46; 5. Haga 43; 6. Rea 39; 7. Guintoli 33; 8. Camier 32; 9. Corser 29; 10. Crutchlow 25. Manufacturers: 1. Suzuki 85; 2. Ducati 71; 3. Aprilia 69; 4. Honda 40; 5. Yamaha 32; 6. BMW 29; 7. Kawasaki 7 SUPERSPORT: Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) and Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) have taken one win apiece in 2010 but it is double podium finisher Sofuoglu who leads the championship at present, with 41 points. Only one point behind is Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) who has finished second in each race this year. On home territory, Lascorz will be going for even more. After crashing and remounting to finish 11th in Portugal, Laverty is now third on 30 points, while Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki) and his pair of fifths leave him fourth overall. Davide Salom (ParkinGO BE-1 Triumph) is fourth as he enters his home round with an extra sense of expectation. Privateer Honda rider Robbin Harms (Harms Benjan Racing) is a consistent and speedy sixth so far. Points (after 2 of 13 rounds): 1. Sofuoglu 41; 2. Lascorz 40; 3. Laverty 30: 4. Foret 22; 5. Salom 19; 6. Harms 18; 7. Davies 17; 8. Roccoli 17; 9. Pirro 16; 10. Fujiwara 15. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 50; 2. Kawasaki 40; 3. Triumph 26. SUPERSTOCK 1000: The first round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup took place at Portimao, and the victor – first time out for BMW – was Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia), from Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior) and Loris Baz (MRS Racing Yamaha). A good first weekend for BMW saw Garnier Junior Racing’s Sylvain Barrier go fourth. At Valencia, anything could happen in this form of racing, which features competing machinery from eight different manufacturers. Points (after 1 of 10 rounds): 1. Badovini 25; 2. Berger 20; 3. Baz 16; 4. Barrier 13; 5. Bussolotti 11; 6. La Marra 10; 7. Giugliano 9; 8. Antonelli 8; 9. Petrucci 7; 10. Savary 6. Manufacturers: 1. BMW 25; 2. Honda 20; 3. Yamaha 16; 4. Suzuki 9; 5. Kawasaki 7; 6. KTM 5; 8. Aprilia 4. SUPERSTOCK 600: Yamaha riders dominated the podium at Portimao in this star-making class, with Frenchmen Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing) and his team-mate Romain Lanusse taking a 1-2, as Fred Karlsen put his MTM Machine third for Norway. With most of the top riders in 2009 now having moved up a class, more new names should shine out at Valencia, as the young guns go for it once again. Points (after 1 of 10 rounds): 1. Guarnoni 25; 2. Lanusse 20; 3. Karlsen 16; 4. Calero Perez 13; 5. Fanelli 11; 6. Cecchini 10; 7. Lombardi 9; 8. Major 8. PARKINGO SERIES BLASTS OFF THIS WEEKEND: Valencia will be the first round of 2010 to feature a full card of races, as the four traditional classes are joined by a new innovation, the ParkinGO Stars series, running identically prepared Triumph Street Triple R machines. High handlebars and high speeds, the new class is eagerly anticipated. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Alstare: LEON AND SYLVAIN LOOKING FORWARD TO VALENCIA Team Suzuki Alstare riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli are both looking forward to this weekend’s third round of this year’s Superbike World Championship in Valencia for different reasons. Championship leader Leon is hoping to maintain his lead in the series and Sylvain is looking to recover from his disappointment in Portugal and get back to the superb form he displayed in the opening round in Phillip Island. The 4.005 kilometre circuit is very technical, is compactly designed and is one of the best tracks for spectators in the championship. For many years, Valencia’s series of second and third gear corners have favoured twins, but Leon did particularly well there in testing in December and is confident of doing well again this weekend. Leon I really like the track and I think I showed that when we tested here in December. It’s a very technical track and it’s important to get a good set-up as early in the weekend as possible and then have a good qualifying. The twins have gone well here before, but I’m sure we can give them more than a run for their money this weekend. It’s going to be another hard fought weekend, but I’m confident that we’re going to be very competitive and will be going all out to make sure I finish the weekend still at the top of the standings. Sylvain Like Leon, I also like the track and, over the years, I’ve done well here, though this will be my first time racing it on a Superbike It’s a technical circuit and a bit like a big go-kart track and you spend a lot of time trying to keep the front wheel down. After Portimao I sat down and thought a lot about what happened during the weekend and tried to work out what had gone wrong and why. I realised that actually I was not that far off, but this championship is so competitive that even if you are just a little bit off, you suffer a lot. It’s so important to do well in practice, do well in qualifying, be on the first two rows of the grid and then put everything together in the races. If you don’t, then it becomes a big battle just to get into any sort of contention. I think Valencia and the next race in Assen should be good for us and I’am looking forward to both tracks and getting back to the kind of form I showed in Australia. 2009 results Race 1: Haga (JPN-Ducati), 2 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati), 3 Neukirchner (GER-Suzuki Alstare), 5 Leon Haslam (GBR-Honda), Sylvain Guintoli DNS, Race 2: 1 Haga, 2 Spies (USA-Yamaha), 3 Fabrizio, 5 Leon Haslam, Sylvain Guintoli DNS, More, from a press release issued by Team Pedercini: The circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo will host the third round of the World Superbike and the second round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup from April 9-11, 2010 with the Spanish track now boasting an unbroken run of eleventh years on the calendar. The Circuit makes up a total area of 1.5 million square meters and it has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and seating for 60,000. It’s located in the Cambrillas area in the Cheste municipal district, just 20 km from Valencia city and 5 km from the Manises airport. The track is named after Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle racer Ricardo Tormo (September 7, 1952 – December 27, 1998). Circuit main characteristics : Length : m.4.005 Pole Position : right Longest straight : m.876 Left turns : 9 Right turns : 5 Superbike best lap : Ben Spies 2009 1’33″270 Superbike super pole record : Ben Spies 2009 1’33″270 Superbike race record : Noriyuki Haga 2009 1’34″618 Superstock 1000 lap record : Brendan Roberts 2008 1’36″681 Having already tested at Valencia circuit only one week ago, few days after Portimao races, team Pedercini now returns to the Spanish track once more, for what will hopefully prove to be a positive race weekend for all the four team’s riders : Hayden and Baiocco in Superbike and Petrucci and Leeson in Superstock 1000. Matteo Baiocco : “In next Valencia race weekend our targets are different compare with our first races of the season. We tested on this circuit only few days ago and our tests here have been very good. I worked very well with my technical staff and I have to do my best here in Valencia because I know we have the opportunity to improve our last results”. Roger Lee Hayden : “I have been in Valencia for the first time one week ago for our private test and I like this track that’s technical and enjoyable. Our tests on this circuit were very good and my team continued to work with dedication in the development of my Kawasaki. I’ll try my best during the races but also during the practices, because it’s very important to reach a good start on the grid. I want to do my best and enter the Saturday’s Superpole”. More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: THE DUCATI XEROX SQUAD TO GET BACK ON TRACK AT VALENCIA Bologna (Italy), Tuesday 6th April: So far the Superbike circus has been half way around the world to Australia and back, to Portimao. Valencia is the third of the thirteen Superbike rounds and Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio will be back on board their 1198 bikes, ready to fight back and regain the ground they lost recently at Portimao. After having successfully scored three podiums in Phillip Island, the Ducati Xerox Team unfortunately experienced a more difficult race weekend at Portimao just over a week ago. Factory riders Noriyuki and Michel had to contend with starting from the fifth row of the grid and although both battled hard throughout the races to recuperate, it was always going to be hard to reach the podium places. The two races panned out in a similar way, with Haga and Fabrizio replicating in Race 2 the eighth and eleventh place finishes they had scored respectively in the first race. Now focus turns to Spain. This is the eleventh consecutive year since its inauguration in 1999 that Valencia, the shortest track on the calendar at just 4005 metres in length, hosts a World Superbike event. Last year the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana on his eighth outing at this track, stormed to victory in both races, smashing the long-standing lap record in the process, followed by team-mate Michel who closed in second and third, his first podium successes at this particular track. Noriyuki has a good history here, having scored 10 podium finishes over 16 races, 5 of which were race wins. Michel Fabrizio (4th in championship, 46 points) Michel’s first Superbike podiums at this track were attained just last year when he picked up a solid second and third place finish on his 1198. “Last year I had to battle hard against Spies and Laconi for the podium places but we were happy with the results, especially as my previous performances here were far from great! We made a strong start at Phillip Island a few weeks ago but then Portimao didn’t go according to plan and I didn’t make the points that I’d hoped to. Having said that, we’re still near the beginning of a long season and Valencia is one of the tracks where I was on the podium twice last year so I’m confident that we’ll be back on top in Spain.” Fabrizio’s Superbike form at Valencia: 2009: Race 1 2nd, Race 2 3rd 2008: Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 13th 2007: Race 1 7th, Race 2 11th 2006: Race 1 13th , Race 2 10th Noriyuki Haga (5th in championship, 43 points) Noriyuki did the double on his Ducati 1198 at the Spanish track last year and has also won races in 2008, 2004 and 2000, success that he hopes can be repeated again this year. “I had a great weekend at Valencia last year and scored the perfect results, it was my first double win at this track and of course I’d love to do that again this season! We need to make up ground that we lost at Portimao so from Valencia onwards we’ll be back on track and aiming for race wins! I’m confident that me and my technicians will come up with a good race set-up that will allow me to fight at the front.” Haga’s Superbike form at Valencia: 2009: Race 1 winner, Race 2 – winner 2008: Race 1 – DNF , Race 2 – winner 2007: Race 1 2nd, Race 2 3rd 2006: Race 1 5th, Race 2 5th 2005: Race 1 5th , Race 2 4th 2004: Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 – winner 2002: Race 1 2nd, Race 2 2nd 2000: Race 1 3rd , Race 2 winner CIRCUIT DATA: Name: Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo Country: Spain Circuit length: 4.005 km Pole position: Right Corners left: 9 Corners right: 5 Length of race: 23 laps / 92.115 km LAP RECORDS: Best lap: Haga (Ducati Xerox), 1’34.618 (2009). Superpole: Spies (Yamaha), 1’33.270 (2009). 2009 RESULTS: RACE 1: 1. Haga (Ducati Xerox); 2. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox); 3. Neukirchner (Suzuki) RACE 2: 1. Haga (Ducati Xerox); 2. Spies (Yamaha); 3. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) More, from a press release issued by Parkalgar Honda: Parkalgar Honda wake-up call PARKALGAR HONDA travels to Valencia in Spain this weekend for the third round of the World Supersport Championship with a steely focus to get back to winning ways. Eugene Laverty is determined to emulate his opening round performance and win while Miguel Praia is smarting from being robbed of a best ever finish by a technical problem at the last round and wanting to put it right in Spain. There are practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday before the race takes place at 1330 on Sunday 11th April. Keep track of Parkalgar Honda’s progress on www.parkalgarhonda.com. Eugene: “I am looking forward to Valencia although it will be a bit of a challenge. In 2009 we struggled there before we found the best set-up for the Honda chassis at the following round. I believe that all race circuits are just corners connected by straights and now we know the set-up of my Parkalgar Honda. I expect Lascorz to be strong as it is his home circuit and the Ten Kate bikes will be good after they tested as well. I have learnt an important lesson from the last round at Parkalgar and I am more focussed. Every weekend we are going for the victory regardless of the circuit.” Miguel: “I am in good form and can’t wait to get racing this weekend. I am disappointed by not finishing at Parkalgar but realistically I was challenging for sixth-seventh and that is my best ever performance. I know I am riding well and the Parkalgar Honda is very strong. I want to continue where I left off and get into the top eight this weekend; we now know it is very possible.” Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager, Parkalgar Honda: “It is time for Parkalgar Honda to hit back after a below par performance at our home circuit last time that was our wake up call for the whole team and we will want a big improvement at Valencia. Lascorz and Sofuoglu got it wrong in Australia and we got it wrong in Portugal, it is that simple. One of the things that doesn’t help is that we qualify late in the afternoon and race in the early afternoon conditions can be dramatically different each day and that doesn’t aid set up. That said it is the same for everyone but it would be nice to factor in some consistency and I have asked the organisers to change the timing for the good of all teams.” Eugene: “I am looking forward to Valencia although it will be a bit of a challenge. In 2009 we struggled there before we found the best set-up for the Honda chassis at the following round. I believe that all race circuits are just corners connected by straights and now we know the set-up of my Parkalgar Honda. I expect Lascorz to be strong as it is his home circuit and the Ten Kate bikes will be good after they tested as well. I have learnt an important lesson from the last round at Parkalgar and I am more focussed. Every weekend we are going for the victory regardless of the circuit.” Miguel: “I am in good form and can’t wait to get racing this weekend. I am disappointed by not finishing at Parkalgar but realistically I was challenging for sixth-seventh and that is my best ever performance. I know I am riding well and the Parkalgar Honda is very strong. I want to continue where I left off and get into the top eight this weekend; we now know it is very possible.” Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager, Parkalgar Honda: “It is time for Parkalgar Honda to hit back after a below par performance at our home circuit last time that was our wake up call for the whole team and we will want a big improvement at Valencia. Lascorz and Sofuoglu got it wrong in Australia and we got it wrong in Portugal, it is that simple. One of the things that doesn’t help is that we qualify late in the afternoon and race in the early afternoon conditions can be dramatically different each day and that doesn’t aid set up. That said it is the same for everyone but it would be nice to factor in some consistency and I have asked the organisers to change the timing for the good of all teams.”