World Super Bike preview
Ok, I know the season has already started with Britain's Leon Haslam taking the first win of the season at Phillip Island, but I've held back so I can knock out these previews in succession. I don't know about you, but I can barely say 'World Super Bikes' without adopting a 'Northern' English accent. Apologies to those who are reading this in other countries and are wondering what I'm talking about, but most of the British riders who have done well in this category seem to be Yorkshiremen or Lancashire natives (find a Carl Fogerty or James Toseland interview on Youtube and you'll get an idea of the accents). Plus, the Eurosport commentary team that includes former racer Jamie Whitam, is definitely an all 'Eh-oop' affair.
The production based series is a good one for racing, and is often compared more favourably against the blue-riband Grand Prix World Championship. On the plus side, the racing is very good, it is relatively inexpensive and there is a considerable British presence on the grid. On the minus side, the two race format leaves no definitive winner in every round, the bikes aren't full-on racing machines and it is known as the series is known as the place where former Grand Prix winners go to live out their twilight racing years. My brother believes that the best closest car equivalent of WSBK is the German Touring car championship (close racing, pseudo-production based and the place where Grand Prix winners go to live out their final racing years), and I think he could be right.
Anyway we could argue the pro's and con's of what is a very entertaining series all day, so instead I'll focus on some of the stories to look out for this season:
Toseland returns
The British 2004 and 2007 WSBK champ has returned from Yamaha, the manufacturer who eased him out of his Tech 3 seat in MotoGP for last years Superbike title winner, Ben Spies. The Englishman had an awful season last year, after such a promising 2008, leading to his removal from the Yamaha satellite team. I definitely think there is a story to be told there and may be we will find out at some point. Anyway, let's hope he gets back into the swing of things this season and takes a few wins at least.
Aprilia eye the WSBK crown
Aprilia entered the World Superbike Championship for the first time seven years last year without any great fanfare. This year they could be gunning for the title, with Max Biaggi showing good form and the RSV-4 proving to be very quick in 2008. The Italian team appear to have engineered their machine around the four time 250cc World Champion and multiple MotoGP race winner, with World Super Sport champ Leon Camier joining him as number 2. Keep an eye out for the tempestuous Roman.
BMW Motorradmannschaft zu vorsprung?
It means 'BMW motorbike team to lead?' Forgive my basic German, Damen und Herren, I shall refrain from using it again. Anyway, 'Ze Germans' are definitely coming. Having fallen on their arses in F1, the Bavarian Motor Works are looking to succeed on two wheels now. The team took part in last year's Superbike marathon around the world, with steady improvement and they are hoping that the S100RR will do the business for them this year. With former champ Troy Corser and Reuben Xaus on board, they may get a few good results this season.
