WSBK official 3 Day test Portimao Starts

http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-new...ampionship.html

Online Launch for the 2010 FIM Superbike World Championship

To mark the start of this season's activity, which gets underway at the weekend with three days of official testing at the Algarve Circuit in Portimao (Portugal) from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 January, Infront Motor Sports will be making a worldwide presentation of the 2010 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship with an Online Launch, which can be followed on the championship's official website www.worldsbk.com.


At 18.00 CET (17.00 GMT, 12pm Eastern US, 9am Pacific US) on Saturday 23 January the 2010 season will officially get underway with a welcome and introduction by Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports, followed by a video of the testing action at Portimao, a speech from the Pirelli representative, a Q&A session with journalists and interviews with the main championship contenders.


Join us on www.worldsbk.com for the start of the 2010 FIM Superbike World Championship this coming Saturday!



Tomorrow Cloudy High: 16° Low: 13°
Saturday Rain High: 15° Low: 12°
Sunday Partly Cloudy High: 15° Low: 11°

have to say that i am probably more excited about wsb this year than motogp. there seem to be a lot more riders with a chance of winning here instead of the same old 4 riders a la motogp. i am especially interested in how the 'prilia, bmw and kawas do at this test. roll on PI in feb!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigAl @ Jan 21 2010, 04:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>have to say that i am probably more excited about wsb this year than motogp. there seem to be a lot more riders with a chance of winning here instead of the same old 4 riders a la motogp. i am especially interested in how the 'prilia, bmw and kawas do at this test. roll on PI in feb!


I am stoked for any racing, especially WSB. I would like to see RLH resurrect his career. I want to see if Jonathan Rea can take the next step and be consistent to go along with being fast.Like any other year, i want Biaggi's teammate to beat him. I like Haga but ....... its hard to root for him on a Ducati. Not that i hate Ducati, but over the years, the rules were always slanted in their favor and to me, that tarnishes their racing history.If it comes down to it, i will root for Toseland if i have to, but only if it means beating Ducati for the title. Who wins it all.

#1 Haga in a romp

# 2 Toseland by a hair over Fabrizio

# 3 ^

#4 Rea

#5 Biaggi

Go Max!!...Neukirchner.

I want Biaggi to win the Championship

The first official tests of the new SBK season get underway at Portimao between January 22 to 24 and the entry includes both riders and teams of the highest quality and quantity.



With some privateer teams still to confirm their final plans for 2010 there are already well over 20 top level riders in SBK this year, on machinery from seven different manufacturers, all of whom will be going all out to fight for wins during the 13-round season.



The Aprilia Racing squad of Max Biaggi and Leon Camier will be in Portugal for the January tests, while the Ducati Xerox squad of Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio are now both seasoned campaigners, few more so than last year's runner-up Haga.

Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne are a very high class Althea Ducati duo, with more Ducati runners set to be confirmed soon. It will be the first chance for each of these two proven WSBK race winners to test after their recent team launch in Italy.



Yamaha has two world champions in its line-up, former double Superbike winner James Toseland and last year’s Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow, Both James and Cal will test in Portugal - the same track where each had their first taste of Yamaha Superbike power at the end of last year.



Hannspree Ten Kate Honda riders Jonathan Rea and Max Neukirchner have been confirmed in the entry for some time, and like many of their rivals they will be returning to the scene of one of their recent tests. Broc Parkes is another top-level rider back for more SBK action, this time with Echo CRS Honda.



BMW, so welcome in their rookie year of 2009, will field no less than four machines in 2010, with two official BMW Motorrad bikes in Portugal this weekend, ridden by Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus.



Suzuki has two full-time riders confirmed for 2010, both in the Alstare set-up, with Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli returning to Portimao on the very latest development of the GSX-R1000.



Kawasaki, having redoubled its efforts in the winter months, now has Chris Vermeulen and Tom Sykes on its books, and each will run at the forthcoming tests. The Pedercini Kawasaki team has recently confirmed America’s Roger Lee Hayden as one of its planned two riders for the new season.



In the Supersport World Championship most of the top riders will also be testing in Portugal. Crutchlow’s promotion to the top category and Yamaha’s scaling down of its Supersport effort – the chief protagonists of last season – mean that the title chase is sure to be wide-open once again, as has always been the tradition of the championship. The main men to watch in this early test session will be multiple champions Hannspree Ten Kate Honda with Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro, Parkalgar Honda with Eugene Laverty, Kawasaki Motocard.com with Joan Lascorz and the Triumph ‘super-team’ of Chaz Davies, Jason DiSalvo and the returning Sebastien Charpentier.

My wishes for 2010:
1.Biaggi for WC !
2.I hope Vermeulen will bring the Green Mean back onto the podium sometimes.
3.Toseland needs his confidence back and give Haga & Biaggi a run for their money...and there is Crutchlow also!
4.Haslam should be good on the Suzuuuk!
and there is Haga, Rea, Fab...Byrne, Laconi, RL Hayden....etc so many guys to cheer to.

May the best win!

awaaay the Brits 6 in the top 9 BMW not bad Sykes up on CV
1ST session
Friday, 22 January 2010 14:41
1 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'43.023
2 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.158
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'43.364
4 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.530
5 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'43.628
6 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.885
7 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'44.028
8 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'44.339
9 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'44.610
10 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'44.630
11 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.756
12 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'44.972
13 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'45.034
14 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.142
15 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.144
16 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.866
17 77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.957
18 12 Fores J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'48.616
19 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'48.848
20 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'49.009

Friday, 22 January 2010 15:54

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The early running this morning was made by Leon Haslam who took his Suzuki to an impressive time of 1'43"023, which was over half a second quicker than the 2009 race time of Michel Fabrizio.


Jonathan Rea was up at the top for much of the session but then crashed towards the end slightly injuring his right little finger, but should be OK for the second session.


Max Biaggi, who was quickest in the last 2009 test at Valencia, also had a crash but finished the session well with third quickest time of 1'43"364.


Cal Crutchlow was the best Yamaha man with the fourth time, ahead of Noriyuki Haga on the Ducati. Roger Lee Hayden settled in to the Superbike rhythm with 20th time on the Kawasaki Pedercini machine.

SUPERSPORT
1ST session
1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'46.630
2 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.756
3 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'47.347
4 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'48.313.....GOOD SHOW
5 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'48.576
6 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.574
7 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.719
8 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'50.697
9 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'51.387
10 16 Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'51.753
11 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Yamaha YZF R6 1'53.707
12 40 Di Salvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'53.897
13 33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'54.066
14 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'57.103

2nd session SUPERSPORT

Portimao Supersport - Friday 2nd
22 January 2010 14:28

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'45.292
2 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.587
3 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.834
4 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.909
5 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'45.988
6 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.610
7 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'47.164
8 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'47.500
9 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.537
10 40 Di Salvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'49.233
11 16 Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'50.498
12 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Yamaha YZF R6 1'50.656
13 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'51.680
14 33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'54.066

Edit:
WSBK 2nds session podium spots Brit lockdown

1 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'42.778
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'42.960
3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.033
4 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'43.364
5 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.378
6 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'43.569
7 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'43.574
8 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.711
9 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'43.870
10 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'43.903
11 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'44.283
12 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'44.365
13 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.376
14 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.453
15 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.570
16 77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'44.576
17 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.751
18 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.444
19 12 Fores J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'47.293
20 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'48.317

this has got to be hagas year.......it's gotta be. go nori!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jan 22 2010, 07:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>this has got to be hagas year.......it's gotta be. go nori!
He will find a way to screw it up...he always does.

Looks bad for RL. Like I said, the fact its a Kwaker is like -10 position off the bat. DiSalvo will struggle as well but will score a few top ten me thinks.

I think it's going to be between the top three names you see here. If Haslam does it on the 'Zook that would be awfully impressive. If Crutchlow does it as a rookie that would be awfully impressive.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jan 22 2010, 12:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think it's going to be between the top three names you see here. If Haslam does it on the 'Zook that would be awfully impressive. If Crutchlow does it as a rookie that would be awfully impressive.
Hell, i was thinking it would be impressive if he just beats his teammate. It would be ultra impressive if he won the title, maybe more so than Spies winning it last year. Has anyone ever won the WSB championship in their rookie year straight from WSS. Never mind that last question,after thinking about it for a second, i know the answer.

I think im going to root for Rea or Haslam. They both seem like humble kids and carry themselves the way i like to see. I dont know much about Crutchlow, except that he is obviously faster than hell. Is he a good kid? Toseland just comes across as a Primma Donna, as does Biaggi, and Fabrizio is an attention whore,plus he is on a Ducati.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jan 22 2010, 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I think im going to root for Rea or Haslam. They both seem like humble kids and carry themselves the way i like to see. I dont know much about Crutchlow, except that he is obviously faster than hell. Is he a good kid? Toseland just comes across as a Primma Donna, as does Biaggi, and Fabrizio is an attention whore,plus he is on a Ducati.


You are aware of the Ducati in your avatar?? yes/no?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jan 22 2010, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Hell, i was thinking it would be impressive if he just beats his teammate. It would be ultra impressive if he won the title, maybe more so than Spies winning it last year. Has anyone ever won the WSB championship in their rookie year straight from WSS. Never mind that last question,after thinking about it for a second, i know the answer.
I rate Crutchlow higher than Toseland coming into this season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (levigarrett @ Jan 22 2010, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You are aware of the Ducati in your avatar?? yes/no?
Yes, i know,but that is a GP bike and they have not been catered to like they have in WSB. Like i said, i dont hate Ducati, i just hate the fact that they have been handed championships thru the years by threatening to pull out if they cant have their performance advantage.I still believe they have the best bike but were beaten by a superior rider last year. The acceleration and massive torque advantage more than overcomes the few mph they are down to the I4. they can get the mph but they aint stupid,there is a hell of a lot more corners than straights. And as we all know,its not the fastest bike that wins road races,its the fastest rider.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Jan 22 2010, 01:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I rate Crutchlow higher than Toseland coming into this season.

Thats heady stuff. Either i am giving Toseland way to much credit for being a 2 time champ, or im totally missing how good this kid is. I have Toseland top 3, you have him ahead of Toseland. Just curious,where to you pick JT to finish.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jan 22 2010, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I dont know much about Crutchlow, except that he is obviously faster than hell. Is he a good kid?
You will. Yeah, he's a diamond. Comes from just up the road from me - same Town as Drill matter of fact. Very focussed, no bull, and very, very quick. His dad Dec renovates and flies old aircraft, and looks like a WWII fighter pilot. I've liked him since he first appeared in the R6 Cup. Last years WSS campaign told you all you need to know about the guy. He isn't intimidated by anyone, and won't take any of Biaggi's on track ......... I can envisage some great fights coming this up this season between him and JT. I don't think Meregali's anticipated how fraught this could be between them as teammates. It's going to be like Haslam and Lavilla were at Airwaves Ducati in BSB a few years ago.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Jan 22 2010, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Thats heady stuff. Either i am giving Toseland way to much credit for being a 2 time champ, or im totally missing how good this kid is. I have Toseland top 3, you have him ahead of Toseland. Just curious,where to you pick JT to finish.
Probably a combination, IMO. I've never been terribly impressed with Toseland, although I have to say his title in 2007 was rather impressive (I've managed to contradict myself in less than a sentence, that's gotta be a record). But he looked average for so long in WSB and then had a magic year in 2007. And Crutchlow, I didn't get a chance to see him until he came to WSS but I've been very impressed with him. He wasn't terribly bothered by Laverty, who I also rate quite highly. He made Sofuoglu look pedestrian at best, same for Lascorsz, same for Foret, same for Westy. He ran away with the title in what I felt was a very deep WSS field.

As far as where Toes will finish, it's difficult to predict that field. But if I had to guess I think he finishes somewhere in between fourth and sixth. Just a guess. I'm just very impressed with Crutchlow, Rea and Haslam and I think Haga and Fab will be strong and then you have guys like Biaggi, Vermeulen and Neukirchner who should run up there as well. And Guintoli and Camier could podium on occasion as well. It's a deep field this year and I think Toes fits in somewhere in the mid-pack of the favorites.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Jan 22 2010, 05:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You will. Yeah, he's a diamond. Comes from just up the road from me - same Town as Drill matter of fact. Very focussed, no bull, and very, very quick. His dad Dec renovates and flies old aircraft, and looks like a WWII fighter pilot. I've liked him since he first appeared in the R6 Cup. Last years WSS campaign told you all you need to know about the guy. He isn't intimidated by anyone, and won't take any of Biaggi's on track ......... I can some great fights coming this up this season between him and JT. I don't think Meregali's anticipated how fraught this could be between them as teammates. It's going to be like Haslam and Lavilla were at Airwaves Ducati in BSB a few years ago.
That's awesome. I like this kid more and more.