2011 Superbike World Championship

[Jay Adgie]

WSB Brno: Biaggi takes race two win

By Tom Cambio -MCN
10 July 2011 15:14

Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) fought a close battle throughout race two at Brno with fellow countryman Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) before regaining the lead on the penultimate lap to take victory and deny Melandri a second win at the Czech circuit.
Championship leader Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) rode consistently to secure his second podium finish, taking third place and finishing ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) and Eugene Laverty who took fourth and fifth respectively.
Ayrton Badovini again proved the pace of the satellite BMW Motorrad Italia bike, finishing in sixth ahead of Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) in seventh.
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) finished in fifteenth, whilst Alex Lowes and Leon Camier both crashed out of race two.


1. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 40'21.646
2. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 40'21.868
3. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 40'25.204
4. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 40'29.509
5. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 40'30.180
6. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 40'39.731
7. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 40'43.296
8. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'43.508
9. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 40'46.952
10. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 40'49.012
11. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'55.362
12. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 40'58.195
13. Lorenzo Lanzi (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 40'59.114
14. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 41'08.524
15. Viktor Kispataki (Prop-tech ltd.) Honda CBR1000RR 41'59.720
RT. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 31'26.638
RT. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 29'16.539
RT. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 24'30.276
RT. Matteo Baiocco (Barni Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 18'39.419
RT. Alex Lowes (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 10'19.922
NS. Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'00.058

World Superbike Championship standings
1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) - 293 points
2. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) - 263 points
3. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) - 240 points
4. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) - 168 points
5. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) - 137 points
6. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) - 134 points
7. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) - 134 points
8. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) - 106 points
9. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) - 99 points
10. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) - 94 points

 

[Ross Balfour]

Melandri, Biaggi and Checa are just a whole level ahead of the rest of the field, long gone are the times last year where there was a 7 man dice for the lead as the likes of Haslam, Rea and Haga are in poor bikes compared to the Checa's Ducati and the Aprilla. Leon Camier has been a complete failure in the Aprilla squad and he doesn't deserve a place in the best team in the paddock when he easier falls on finishes around 7th.

 

[Jay Adgie]

World Superbike returns to normal as Checa takes provisional pole

By Austin Lindberg -MCN
World Superbikes

Carlos Checa closed out Friday as the fastest man at Silverstone, clocking the fastest time in the afternoon’s World Superbike qualifying session.
With less than 10 minutes gone from the session, Checa put in the quickest time of the weekend with a 2.06.4 and held that position for much of the session before putting his Althea Ducati at the top of the charts with a 2.05.477.
Supersonic Racing Ducati’s Maxime Berger finished the session in second with a 2.05.870, and would have finished atop the session had Checa not pulled the pin with just minutes remaining in the session.
Tom Sykes finished as the top Brit with a 2.05.899 aboard his Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki, and compatriot Leon Camier brought his Alitalia Aprilia home one place behind him in fourth with a 2.05.947.
Rounding out the top five was John Hopkins, who lies second in the British Superbike championship classification. Hopkins, who led this morning’s free practise session, could only manage a time a half-second off of Checa’s pace with a 2.05.974.
But a mix up with tyre allocation left Hopkins without the World Superbike spec front Pirelli, and was forced to use his BSB spec Pirelli, which doesn’t offer the same level of grip.
Hopkins said: “We got stuck out on the front tyre we’ve used all year, the BSB tyre, because the new tyre wasn’t around. So we had to use the old front with the new rear and the new rear produces so much grip, the front was just pushing everywhere.”

World Superbike Qualifying Practise 1 results

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'05.477
2. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 2'05.870
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'05.899
4. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'05.937
5. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'05.974
6. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'06.023
7. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'06.029
8. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 2'06.037
9. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'06.044
10. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 2'06.116
11. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'06.176
12. James Toseland (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 2'06.316
13. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 2'06.647
14. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 2'06.697
15. Alexander Lowes (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 2'06.740
16. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.752
17. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'06.762
18. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 2'06.890
19. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.952
20. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'07.245
21. Fabrizio Lai (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 2'07.661
22. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'07.889

 

[Jay Adgie]

Hopkins secures maiden Superpole

By Austin Lindberg -MCN
World Superbikes

John Hopkins took pole positions for Sunday’s World Superbike races from Silverstone after the Samsung Crescent Suzuki man put in a 2.04.041 in the third round of Superpole.
Hopkins’ time broke last year’s circuit record set by Cal Crutchlow by 0.05 seconds, and it was enough despite a last-minute push from Yamaha’s Eugene Laverty, who finished second just 0.027 seconds behind Hopkins.
Hopkins said: “I’m over the moon. I’m overwhelmed at the moment. It still hasn’t really sunk in that I’m on pole position in a World Superbike wildcard.
“I just gave it everything I absolutely had in that final qualifying with that tyre.”

Laverty said Hopkins deserved the pole because “he put in a hell of a lap”, but is happy with second and thinks he and his R1 have what it takes to run at the front in Sunday’s races.
Laverty said: “The Yamaha was strong here last year with Cal (Crutchlow) so hopefully that’s a good omen for us. The bike works well and I won here last year so it should be a winning combination.”
Alitalia Aprilia’s Leon Camier finished third with a 2.04.303, and said that he’s looking for an improvement before tomorrow’s race if he has a chance of fighting for what he calls a “really, really hard” race.
Camier said: “Everyone seems to be able to do a couple of laps and then sort of drop off a little bit, but I know he’s been consistent.
“I think we need to find a little something more for the race but I think it’s going to be a big fight for the podium and hopefully I can be there to be involved in the fight.”

On the outside of the front row will be Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa. The Spaniard ended up 0.321 seconds adrift of Hopkins, but says that his pace has been better than expected.
With championship rivals Marco Melandri of Yamaha and Max Biaggi of Alitalia Aprilia in sixth and 11th respectively, Checa said he felt like he was in another series interviewing alongside Hopkins, Laverty, and Camier.
Checa said: “We are quite satisfied compared to last year. So far, we are better than we expected.
“It seems like I am racing another championship with these guys up here. I think it’s quite nice to see young riders and I think they have good talent that they’ve shown in the past. Here, there is something else that has enabled them to be competitive.”

Results of Silverstone World Superbike Superpole

1. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'04.041
2. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 2'04.068
3. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'04.303
4. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'04.362
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'05.456
6. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 2'05.639
7. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'05.997
8. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'04.627
9. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 2'05.091
10. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 2'05.115
11. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'05.184
12. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.238
13. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'05.400
14. James Toseland (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 2'05.403
15. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 2'05.709
16. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.304
17. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 2'06.524
18. Alexander Lowes (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 2'06.787
19. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'06.895
20. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'07.482
21. Fabrizio Lai (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 2'07.889
22. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000

 

[Jay Adgie]

Checa cruises to victory in race one

By Austin Lindberg -MCN
World Superbikes


Carlos Checa cruised to a race one victory in today’s World Superbike round from Silverstone, claiming Ducati’s 300th win in the class for the Althea team.

Checa worked his way up from his fourth place on the grid before displacing Yamaha’s Eugene Laverty from the lead and winning by a margin of three seconds. But Checa was surprised with the result, saying that he expected Silverstone to be one of the toughest circuits of the season for him.

Checa said: “We’ve always been competitive but we know there are going to be some tracks that give us trouble and we expected that Silverstone would be difficult to be in front. Honestly, before the race I knew it wouldn’t be easy to win and it wasn’t easy at all. I had a little gap to the others, but I didn’t know this was going to happen.

“With Honda 500 I did their 100th victory, although I don’t remember so well because it was a long time ago. Then with Honda Superbike I did the 100th victory in America and now the 300th victory with Ducati. I didn’t expect it to be here, but it’s great to be apart of the history of Ducati.”

Laverty held onto second place after a late charge from Alitalia Aprilia’s Leon Camier was halted with three laps to go after a problem with his RSV4’s ride-by-wire sensor.

Laverty said: “Second place is enough for me today. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the podium, since I got the double victory at Monza. I didn’t want that to be a flash in the pan, I wanted to back it up with another brilliant finish here and second was all I could do today. Carlos had too much pace.”

Laverty’s Yamaha teammate Marco Melandri took the final place on the podium after Camier’s problem. But Melandri was less pleased with the result after experiencing a tyre problem and losing time fighting with Noriyuki Haga and John Hopkins.

Melandri said: “It’s been a very tough weekend for me, to get a podium is an awesome result. But I am a little bit disappointed because from the second lap I had big sliding and spinning on the left side of the tyre.

I spent a little too much time with Hopkins and Haga. Every time I was trying to pass them, they pushed very hard to pass me back so we lost a lot of time.”

Results of Silverstone World Superbike Race 1

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'06.477
2. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'09.781
3. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'11.259
4. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'13.593
5. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 38'17.534
6. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'28.376
7. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'28.785
8. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 38'29.211
9. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'31.968
10. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'32.202
11. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'32.321
12. James Toseland (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'52.055
13. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'58.127
14. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 39'03.787
15. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 39'42.934
RT. Fabrizio Lai (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 25'55.384
RT. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 21'23.662
RT. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 19'05.488
RT. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 13'49.436
RT. Alexander Lowes (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 10'46.507
RT. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'06.045

 

[Jay Adgie]

Checa extends championship lead with double win

By Austin Lindberg - MCN
31 July 2011 17:43

Carlos Checa did the double at today’s round of World Superbike action from Silverstone.

The Althea Ducati rider moved past Yamaha’s Eugene Laverty early in the race and was able to slowly eek out a two-second gap over the Yamaha man. Checa was delighted to take maximum points at a circuit he prepared to struggle at before the World Superbike summer break.

And in addition to winning Ducati’s 300th and 301st World Superbike races, today’s second race was Checa’s 100th in the class.

Checa said: “It’s a perfect weekend for me. For us, honestly, we didn’t expect to win here because we struggled last year. But it didn’t come for free, we worked hard from the beginning.

“I didn’t know that it was my 100th race in World Superbike, but the important thing is that I’m not 100 yet. I’m getting old, but I’m not 100 yet.”

Laverty ended up second after slowly being left by Checa, but managed a two-second gap of his own ahead of the chasing pack of teammate Marco Melandri and Alitalia Aprilia’s Max Biaggi and Leon Camier.

Laverty said: “We were a lot closer in the second one. I was able to stay with Carlos for a few laps but I really used the tyres to try to stay with him.

“I enjoy the circuit, it suits my riding style. I won here last here and have been on the podium twice this year so it’s nice that this can be my home round.”

Melandri won the fight for the final podium position, making it an identical podium to race one. Despite the cooler conditions in the afternoon that resulted in the race’s fastest lap being a second quicker, Melandri opted for a harder rear tyre than in the first race.

But the Italian is looking for race wins, and said that he’s conceded the title to Checa and has his sights set on an assault next season.

Melandri said: “The pace at the front was faster and I made a few mistakes trying to follow them so I lost my way to the front. It’s been a good weekend, but not like I want. I want to be more consistent and stronger.”

“For me, the championship was already over because Carlos has a big lead so I just have to do my best race by race and if Carlos loses some points, it’ll be there for us.”

Camier finished as the second Brit in fifth ahead of BMW’s Leon Haslam in eighth, BMW Italia’s James Toseland in 13th, and Samsung Crescent Suzuki’s Jon Kirkham in 15th,

Polesitter John Hopkins faded to seventh after encountering tyre difficulties in the dying laps of the race after fighting desperately to hold onto the leading group. Fellow wildcard rider Alex Lowes retired from the race.

Results of Silverstone World Superbike Race 2

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'03.361
2. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'05.635
3. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'07.036
4. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'07.321
5. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'07.766
6. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'14.319
7. John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 38'14.748
8. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'14.857
9. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 38'15.608
10. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'23.066
11. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'23.114
12. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 38'24.943
13. James Toseland (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'30.596
14. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'34.063
15. Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing) Suzuki GSX-R1000 38'45.940
16. Fabrizio Lai (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 38'46.781
RT. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36'54.601
RT. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 26'05.082
RT. Alexander Lowes (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 15'16.934
RT. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 12'48.104
RT. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 15'28.127

 

[Jay Adgie]

Rea uses new ride-by-wire to take provisional pole position at Imola

By Michael Guy - MCN
23 September 2011


Jonathan Rea found it hard hide his delight at securing provisional pole position after first qualifying at Imola today. Using the new ride-by-wire electronics system for the first time during a race weekend, Rea overhauled Carlos Checa in the final minutes to re-assert himself as a WSB front runner once again.
Having tested the new electronics system in Misano last week, Rea was positive about its potential but his performance today exceeded both his and his Castrol Honda team’s expectations.
Speaking to MCN, Re said: “I’m really happy. It just feels easier than it did before especially on corner entry. Before I had to work hard to settle the bike on the way into the turn before I could really enter the corner. But now once I’ve done my back shifts the bike is more stable and I can tip into the corner.”
While Rea was clearly positive about the performance of the new electronics he also attributed his pace to the newly laid and higher grip tarmac that covers the majority of the historic Italian circuit:
“The grip is definitely better and with grip it’s easy to mask any set-up of handling problems. But it’s still relative to everybody else because it’s the same for everyone and we’re still at the front.”
Championship leader Carlos Checa made an impressive start to what will potentially be the most important weekend of his distinguished career. Checa leads Italian Marco Melandri by 74 points meaning that it is a genuine possibility that he could be crowned champion on Sunday.
He said: “We did a good job today with the bike and the tyres. I feel strong at this track, especially last year, but with the new surface for this season the track has changed quite a bit – especially for the tyres. I am working on this and as always we have tyres that are fast will struggle for endurance and the longer lasting tyres are not so good for the lap time.”
Leon Haslam put an impressive performance to secure third position onboard his BMW Motorrad S1000RR to finish third ahead of Alstare Suzuki’s Michel Fabrizio and Yamaha man Marco Melandri who hasn’t ridden the Imola circuit for ten years.
Nurburgring race winner Tom Sykes secured sixth with Leon Camier 13th and Eugene Laverty down in 18th spot.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Checa takes sixth pole of the season

By Liam Marsden - MCN
24 September


Championship leader Carlos Checa has taken his sixth pole position of the season at Imola, setting a new lap record on the way.
Checa beat Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea to pole position by a tenth of a second, with Pata Aprilia rider Noriyuki Haga in third. The final rider on the front row is Kawasaki's Tom Sykes, fresh from his Nurburgring win.
Factory Yamaha rider Eugene Laverty heads the second row, ahead of Leon Haslam in sixth. The second row is completed by Effenbert Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli and Ayrton Badovini onboard the Motorrad Italia BMW.
Checa's main challenger for the title, Marco Melandri exited in superpole 2, and starts from ninth on the grid.

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'47.196
2. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 1'47.274
3. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'47.442
4. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'47.468
5. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 1'47.929
6. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1'48.081
7. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 1'48.234
8. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'48.416
9. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 1'47.781
10. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'47.858
11. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'48.126
12. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1'48.334
13. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'48.741
14. Federico Sandi (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'48.812
15. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1'48.894
16. Alessandro Polita (Barni Racing Team S.N.C.) Ducati 1098R 1'49.091
17. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'49.159
18. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'49.185
19. Matteo Baiocco (Barni Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1'49.378
20. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 1'49.595
21. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'49.668
22. Javier Fores (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 1'50.888

 

[Jay Adgie]

Rea takes race one win

By MCN -
25 September 2011

Castrol Honda rider Jonathan Rea has taken his second World Superbike win of the season at Imola this afternoon.
Rea took the lead on lap five, but had to hold off PATA Aprilia rider in the second half of the race, as the Japanese rider looked to take his first win onboard the Aprilia.
Championship leader Carlos Checa finished third, nine seconds behind the leading pair. Checa had to wait until the final lap to steal third from Brit Tom Sykes. Factory Yamaha rider Eugene Laverty completed the top five.
Checa has increased his championship lead to 82 points, after championship rival Marco Melandri finished in a lowly eighth.
Brit Leon Haslam - who recently signed a new contract with the factory BMW squad, crashed out of sixth position early in the race.

1. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 38'03.396
2. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'03.507
3. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'12.845
4. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'13.188
5. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'18.095
6. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'20.216
7. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'27.623
8. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'28.331
9. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'28.620
10. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'28.883
11. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'29.544
12. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'29.840
13. Federico Sandi (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'33.157
14. Alessandro Polita (Barni Racing Team S.N.C.) Ducati 1098R 38'33.479
15. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'38.258
16. Matteo Baiocco (Barni Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 38'43.727
17. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 38'47.943
18. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'53.637
RT. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 14'37.223
RT. Javier Fores (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 11'14.571
RT. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'52.910
RT. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1'54.522

 

[Jay Adgie]

Checa wins race two as Rea retires

By Liam Marsden - MCN


Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa moved to within a whisker of securing his first World Superbike championship with victory in race two at Imola after Jonathan Rea suffered a mechanical problem while leading the race.
Checa leads championship rival Marco Melandri by 97 points going into the final two rounds, as Melandri finished sixth, despite running off track.
Rea again dominated the race, moving to the front right from the start. Rea was leading by three seconds from Checa with five laps to go when he slowed and let Checa passed. Rea looked to then pick up the pace, but it was clear there was a problem with his Castrol Honda Fireblade, forcing the Irishman to retire.
PATA Aprilia rider Noriyuki Haga took second place again after a poor start. Factory Aprilia rider Leon Camier took the final step on the podium - a great result for the Brit after he struggled in race one, finishing 15th.
Eugene Laverty and Leon Haslam made it three Brits in the top five, finishing fourth and fifth respevtively.

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'04.538
2. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'09.169
3. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'19.697
4. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'21.733
5. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'21.926
6. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'23.071
7. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'24.153
8. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'24.601
9. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'28.732
10. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'33.023
11. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 38'33.138
12. Federico Sandi (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'46.340
13. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 38'59.288
14. Javier Fores (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 39'16.819
RT. Alessandro Polita (Barni Racing Team S.N.C.) Ducati 1098R 34'46.265
RT. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 30'54.319
RT. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 18'19.929
RT. Matteo Baiocco (Barni Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 16'36.970
RT. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 16'38.950
RT. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 13'01.813
RT. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 3'48.126
RT. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'56.223

 

[Jay Adgie]

Rea secures pole

By MCN -
01 October 2011 18:54

Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) secured pole at Magny Cours with a new track best of 1'34.490.
Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSB Team) qualified in second place, whilst Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) complete the first row of the grid in third and fourth.
Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati) was the fastest Frenchman leading the second row in fifth, ahead of of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) in sixth.
Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) and Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike) complete the second row in seventh and eighth.


1. Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda 34 1'37.490
2. Eugene Laverty Yamaha World Superbike Team 44 1'37.600
3. Carlos Checa Althea Racing 40 1'37.932
4. Leon Camier Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team 40 1'38.006
5. Sylvain Guintoli Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing 42 1'38.094
6. Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike 39 1'38.094
7. Leon Haslam BMW Motorrad Motorsport 40 1'38.382
8. Marco Melandri Yamaha World Superbike Team 39 1'38.562
9. Noriyuki Haga PATA Racing Team Aprilia 39 1'38.137
10. Joan Lascorz Kawasaki Racing Team 39 1'38.204
11. Maxime Berger Supersonic Racing Team 33 1'38.347
12. Troy Corser BMW Motorrad Motorsport 44 1'38.516
13. Jakub Smrz Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing 39 1'38.524
14. Michel Fabrizio Team Suzuki Alstare 43 1'38.565
15. Mark Aitchison Team Pedercini 44 1'38.623
16. Ayrton Badovini BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 36 1'38.687
17. Javier Fores BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 41 1'39.23
18. Roberto Rolfo Team Pedercini 42 1'39.982

 

[Jay Adgie]

Checa wins first WSB championship with race one victory

By MCN -
02 October 2011

Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) won his first WSB Championship with his thirteenth race win of the season in the opening race at Magny-Cours.
Having passed Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Checa held the lead, crossing the finish line with a 2.2 second gap over pre-race championship rival Marco Melandri in second place.
Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) put in a strong performance to take third at the French circuit, relegating Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) to fourth, whilst Yamaha World Superbike Team rider Laverty dropped back to take fifth.

1. Carlos Checa Althea Racing 23 38'16.465
2. Marco Melandri Yamaha World Superbike Team 23 38'18.666
3 Leon Haslam BMW Motorrad Motorsport 23 38'19.683
4 Leon Camier Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team 23 38'20.261
5 Eugene Laverty Yamaha World Superbike Team 23 38'22.067
6 Sylvain Guintoli Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing 23 38'26.099
7 Noriyuki Haga PATA Racing Team Aprilia 23 38'26.279
8 Joan Lascorz Kawasaki Racing Team 23 38'27.852
9 Troy Corser BMW Motorrad Motorsport 23 38'33.608
10 Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike 23 38'40.988
11 Javier Fores BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 23 38'50.997
12 Michel Fabrizio Team Suzuki Alstare 23 39'36.207
13 Roberto Rolfo Team Pedercini 22 39'30.062
RT Maxime Berger Supersonic Racing Team 10 16'55.986
RT Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda 46'43.296
RT Ayrton Badovini BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 46'43.693
RT Jakub Smrz Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing 23'22.430
RT Mark Aitchison Team Pedercini 1'38.643

 

[Jay Adgie]

Checa takes race two win at Magny-Cours

By MCN -
02 October 2011

Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) continued his dominant form at Magny-Cours to take his fourteenth race win of the season in the second race at the French circuit and round off his championship winning weekend in style.
Checa held off pressure from Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) who made a last minute bid for the lead. Eugene Laverty took third, having led the race before dropping off the pace and being passed by team mate Melandri in the final minutes of the race.
Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) just missed out on a second podium finish, taking fourth place, whilst Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Camier took fifth and sixth respectively.
Checa will go into the final round of the season with 467 points, 107 ahead of Marco Melandri in second overall with 360. Eugene Laverty moved up to third in the championship with a total of 283 points.

1. Carlos Checa Althea Racing 23 38'17.851
2. Marco Melandri Yamaha World Superbike Team 23 38'19.118
3. Eugene Laverty Yamaha World Superbike Team 23 38'19.894
4. Leon Haslam BMW Motorrad Motorsport 23 38'24.357
5. Sylvain Guintoli Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing 23 38'25.694
6. Leon Camier Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team 23 38'26.211
7. Joan Lascorz Kawasaki Racing Team 23 38'33.136
8. Ayrton Badovini BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 23 38'33.400
9. Troy Corser BMW Motorrad Motorsport 23 38'34.129
10. Noriyuki Haga PATA Racing Team Aprilia 23 38'40.847
11. Javier Fores BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team 23 39'00.983
12. Maxime Berger Supersonic Racing Team 23 39'05.697
RT Roberto Rolfo Team Pedercini 19 32'02.403
RT Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda 13 21'36.461
RT Mark Aitchison Team Pedercini 4 20'27.804
RT Michel Fabrizio Team Suzuki Alstare 23'21.492
RT Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike 1'39.136

 

[Jay Adgie]

British Superbikes Final round : Phenomenal last lap...

The final round of the British Superbikes was at Brands Hatch at the weekend, and the championship went down to the last race with only two points between Tommy Hill on the Yamaha and John Hopkins on the Suzuki. So who ever finished in front of the other would be champion, and what an awesome last lap it was.......

 

[Nigel Atkins]

the whole season has been awsome, words can`t describe that final race

also the Super sport was a epic fight :thumb:

 

[Gary Lennon]

This finale' along with Bathurst had me literally standing up whooping at my screen watching!.

Rock On Tommy!!!.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Rea secures pole position at Portimao

By MCN -
15 October 2011 16:02

Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) secured a pole position start for tomorrow's race at Portimao with a storming first lap in the final super pole session, going straight out to set the fastest lap and convincingly break the 1'42 barrier.
Championship winner Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) rode consistently to secure second on the grid, whilst Yamaha World Superbike team mates Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri complete the front row.
Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) stormed through to third in SP2, but was unable to maintain his pace and qualfied at the front of the second row in fifth, ahead of team mate Jakub Smrz in sixth.
Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and PATA Aprilia rider Noriyuki Haga complete the second row in seventh and eighth.
Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) qualified in ninth, whilst three Brits fill the third row with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) taking tenth, ahead of Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) in eleventh and twelfth respectively.
Camier's team mate and former WSB champion Max Biaggi, still recovering from a broken bone in his foot, qualified in seventeenth.

1. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.712
2. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'41.951
3. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 1'42.173
4. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 1'42.259
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'42.627
6. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'42.710
7. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'43.282
8. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'43.307
9. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 1'42.645
10. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'42.740
11. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1'42.879
12. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'43.012
13. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1'43.306
14. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'43.661
15. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 1'43.683
16. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'44.078
17. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'43.907
18. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.131
19. Karl Muggeridge (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.268
20. Javier Fores (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 1'45.274
21. Joshua Waters (Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'45.311
22. Santiago Barragan (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'45.495

 

[Travis]

Lots of off track interest at this round: Double world champion Troy Corser is retiring, Checa has been offered a huge sum of money to ride for BMW (Ducati state they cannot match the offer) and many riders without contracts for next season.

 

[Jay Adgie]

[h=1]Checa wins fifteenth race of season [/h]By Tom Cambio - MCN
16 October 2011

2011 WSB champion Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) took his fifteenth race win of the season at Portimao, passing Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) with three laps remaining to take victory.
Guintoli, who finished second, rode consistently throughout the race leading from the second lap where the Frenchman managed to pass Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) at turn one.
Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) had been running in fourth behind team mate Marco Melandri until he suffered a big tank slapper, managing to just hold on, but running off track and gifting Checa fourth. Laverty returned to the pits where his bike was examined for problems before returning to the track and finishing the race in nineteenth.
At the mid-point in the race Checa upped his pace and passed Melandri to take third, before closing in on Rea, taking a tight line and moving into second. The Spaniard then closed in on Guintoli, taking the lead with three laps remaining.
Jonathan Rea took the last step on the podium in third, whilst a resurgent ride from Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) saw the Italian move up from seventeenth on the grid to take fourth, passing Melandri who ran wide with four laps remaining and then Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team), who took fifth, on the final lap.
Melandri finished in sixth place, ahead of Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) who put in a strong performance to finish seventh and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) in eighth. BMW Motorrad Motorsport rider Leon Haslam and Jakub Smrz (Team Effebert-Liberty Racing) complete the top ten at the Portugese circuit.

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'13.293
2. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'16.153
3. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 38'21.774
4. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'25.256
5. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'26.626
6. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'32.253
7. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 38'33.782
8. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'38.613
9. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'39.988
10. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'40.094
11. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 38'40.408
12. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'41.856
13. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'45.058
14. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'45.115
15. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'45.159
16. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 39'00.987
17. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 39'01.030
18. Karl Muggeridge (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 39'19.506
19. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 39'39.938
20. Santiago Barragan (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 39'01.164
21. Joshua Waters (Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team) Suzuki GSX-R1000 39'33.167
RT. Javier Fores (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 26'33.068

 

[Jay Adgie]

[h=1]Melandri and Laverty secure final Yamaha 1-2 [/h]By MCN -
16 October 2011 16:12


Yamaha end their official participation in the World Superbikes championship with a 1-2, thanks to Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty securing the top steps of the podium at Portimao. The team mates passed Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) early on, with Laverty leading the majority of the race before trading places with three laps remaining, when Melandri denied Laverty the race win.
Rea defended third throughout, challenging and passing Laverty in the penultimate lap before the Yamaha rider reclaimed second.
Championship winner Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) rode and Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing rider Sylvain Guintoli rode consistently, maintaining their respective fourth and fifth positions throughout the race.
Aprilia Alitalia team mates Leon Camier and Max Biaggi finished the final race of the season in sixth and seventh ahead of Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) in eighth and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) in ninth. Noriyuki Haga completes the top ten for the PATA Aprilia Racing Team.
Leon Haslam took fifteenth, whilst BMW Motorrad Motorsport team mate Troy Corser completed his last race in sixteenth place.

1. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'11.326
2. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 38'12.401
3. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 38'12.689
4. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'13.974
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'14.681
6. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'16.035
7. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'17.840
8. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 38'25.767
9. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 38'30.454
10. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 38'36.853
11. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'37.726
12. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'37.972
13. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 38'38.289
14. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 38'41.535
15. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'42.277
16. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 38'42.383
17. Karl Muggeridge (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 39'09.267
18. Joshua Waters (Yoshimura Suzuki Racing Team) Suzuki GSX-R1000 39'09.903
19. Javier Fores (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 39'15.337
20. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 39'15.723
RT. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 30'14.414
RT. Santiago Barragan (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 16'23.513