WInter is here, but the WSBK only finished testing last week, deep into winter time using the sun at Portimao. 2011 was something of a demolition, Carlos Checa taking the supposedly 'ancient' 1198 'Non Factory' (cough) Bike to Championship win. 2012 doesnt bring many changes, even the trusty old 1198 remains instead of the new 1199 Panicearly, the most dramatic changes have been in the rider market after Yamahas retirement from WSBK competition. The Brit contingent is, once again, looking healthy, with Laverty, Rea, Sykes, Haslam, Camier & Davies all on Good machinery. Laverty starts as one of the faves for 2012m having been fastest in both his tests on his new Factory Aprilia RSV4, Biaggi, His team mate, will once again be fast, but can he repair his shattered reputation with fans & fellow riders alike after a dissapointing 2011? Haslam & Sykes will show flashes of utter brilliance as they did in 2011, but can BMW & Kawasaki provide bikes good enough to regularly challenge for the podium & race wins? Rea is one of the fastest riders in WSBK, but may struggle again on a fireblade with no factory support, although a new crew chief in Chris Pike (his old HM Plant BSB Crew Chief) and Factory Ohlins suspension and the addition of Fly By Wire throttle system could be the last peices in the jigsaw that Rea & Ten Kate Honda need to go for the championship He deserves. Camier starts the season on an all new bike, in an all new team to WSBK, Crescent Suzuki, who make the switch from BSB, taking Hopkins with them. if the team, and their new Yoshimura engines can get some good testing under there belts, Hopkins & Camier could well provide the shock of the season to the WSBK regulars. 2011 World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies makes the switch to superbikes for 2012 with his title winning Parkingo team, using the Aprilia RSV4 ridden by Nori Haga this season, but with 2012 updates, Chaz has performed well in his 2 tests so far, nearly equalling Factory rider Biaggi. Also certain to challenge for wins all season will be Melandri on his new BMW, and WSBK new boy & MotoGP refugee Hiroshi Aoyama, who has matched team mate Reas times in his first test on the Ten Kate Honda. More than enough to look forward to for 2012! WSBK Confirmed/Unconfirmed Riders WSS Confirmed/Unconfirmed Riders
Trouble in paradise for Max Biaggi before the season even starts. Seems His entire crew, including long time firend and crew chief, have walked out on him, they had finally had enough of the poison dwarf. Couldnt have happened to a nicer bloke if you ask me.
YEEESSSS!!!! cant stand that bald silly bearded whining little excuse of a man.... "The Emperor" my ar*e! made my day that pal!
I don't mind him, although i don't have to work with him ,but he gives the game a bit of spice that some of the followers don't.
I asked Leon Camier at the bike show what was Biaggi like to work with and he said "well........lets just say Max gets what whatever he wants!" Not anymore by the sounds of it!
Just a reminder (not that you should need it) but Qualifing Sat and The races Sunday ps if you have missed it the NW200 is on about 5 on Sat.Yipeeee!
Ben there is a shit load of bike sport on this weekend ,from the World superbikes to the recent broadcast for the Northwest 200 ,Macau, and some irish road racing .Tap in Sky tv channels go t sports and then Eurosport 410 the goodies seem to start at 4am Sat with some Qualifying onwards and into Sunday for the Racing .(It now seems to have come around fast).
