World Superbike News

This weekend is round nine of the World Superbike Championship and it takes place at the Czech Automotodrom in Brno.

The circuit has recently been resurfaced to improve grip on the demanding 5.503 kilometre track, so at least all the riders will be in the same situation.

Carlos Checa on the Hanspree Ten Kate Honda will be looking for a podium finish after losing his second place in the Championship to Max Neukirchner at the last round.

Checa has been struggling with grip on his bike, but after the recent testing at Vallelunga the team are confident they have overcome the problem.

Ryuichi Kiyonari has had problems with the set up of his machine but at Vallelunga, he had the fastest Honda on the track and said that he could feel the improvements after testing.

Kenan Sofuoglu has struggled for most of the season to find his riding style on his Honda but managed to close the gap considerably on his team-mates at the testing session.

The Team Alstare Suzuki riders will also be aiming for that podium position this weekend on one of the best loved circuits by many of the riders.

Yukio Kagayama is hoping to be back to full fitness at this weekends race after crashing out in the afternoon free practice session of the Nurburgring in round seven of the championship, and breaking the fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand.

For Fonsi Nieto it will he his first ride on the track for the Suzuki team and he is hoping to have a good qualifying and Superpole which has been a bit of a problem for the rider so far this season.

Max Neukirchner said that the Brno circuit is like a second “home race” for him and he expects a lot of German fans to be at the track, and after his win at Misano he is biting at the bit to get back on that podium.

Troy Bayliss is leading the World Superbike Championship although the 39-year-old Ducati Xerox rider has not won a race since round four at Assen.

Here are the Championship standings so far;

1. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) 259

2. Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) 210

3. Carlos Checa (Honda) 207

4. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) 191

5. Troy Corser (Yamaha) 185

6. Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki) 151

7. Ruben Xaus (Ducati) 148

8. Max Biaggi (Ducati) 117

9. Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) 111

10. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 94