WSBK Round 1 - Phillip Island

jhansen · 24 Feb 2010, 16:40 (Ref:2639810)

The off season is finally over! Thankfully!

The World Superbike circus starts up in earnest this weekend at Phillip Island. This could prove to be a very competitive season. We have 14 factory supported bikes on the grid along with a number of solid privateer entries. Making it to the podium will be hard work indeed. We could also see a number of race winners this season.

Judging by testing, I'd say we haven't seen the full picture yet. My hunch says the Ducati boys will be at the top along with Yamaha, Aprilia and Honda. However, maybe we're in store for a surprise or two.

World Supersport has made a bit less news on the run up to Round 1. Perhaps because it also features less manufacturers this year with Yamaha pulling out. Laverty and Sofuoglu must be the favorites along with Lascorz. And Triumph have jumped in with four bikes this year, which will be nice.

So, who's ready!?

Dani Filth · 24 Feb 2010, 16:56 (Ref:2639821)

should be a nice close year in both classes .. i'm hoping for Aprilia and Lascorz to win though

jhansen · 26 Feb 2010, 05:45 (Ref:2640714)

First blood to Leon Haslam in FP1. Man he's been hustlin that Suzuki.

**gomick** · 26 Feb 2010, 08:42 (Ref:2640771)

Suzuki was rockin in free practice for ASBK too in the hands of Josh Waters...

rich_cooper · 26 Feb 2010, 09:13 (Ref:2640787)

good to see the brits doing well, but its still early in the weekend.

Toseland 13th! Didnt think he would be so far down, Maybe he will pick up during the weekend!

Dani Filth · 26 Feb 2010, 10:07 (Ref:2640811)

only 16 bikes in WSS ... might Moto2 have something to do with it ??

marcus · 26 Feb 2010, 12:37 (Ref:2640870)

very dissapointed with only 16 bikes in WSS.

simply one of my favorite classes ever , just a shame to see it not bring many entries for 2010

**ghinzani** · 26 Feb 2010, 13:34 (Ref:2640917)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

only 16 bikes in WSS ... might Moto2 have something to do with it ??

Got to be, has'nt it? Expect to see some cost cutting measures toentice European Superstocks runners and the like in very soon.

Mr english · 26 Feb 2010, 14:36 (Ref:2640959)

I think this week end going to be a ducati winner as track is more for the v twins, but i want to see Haslam up there for the double.

jhansen · 26 Feb 2010, 15:45 (Ref:2640985)

Shame about supersport. Surly the European rounds will bring more entries?

Dani Filth · 26 Feb 2010, 16:53 (Ref:2641017)

even 20-24 is low numbers for WSS ..
Lascorz in the mean time looks set for glory

jhansen · 26 Feb 2010, 18:34 (Ref:2641070)

I'm pleased about that as well. I hope he's at the front often this year. Still can't believe that not one privateer is running an R6. It's such a great supersport bike and could win races this year.

frostie · 26 Feb 2010, 18:53 (Ref:2641078)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

I'm pleased about that as well. I hope he's at the front often this year. Still can't believe that not one privateer is running an R6. It's such a great supersport bike and could win races this year.

Was the issue with the R6 not that Yamaha decided to discontinue leasing the bike to teams and to pull out of the class for this season? Last year it was the class of the field so I'd take it that teams would still want if given the choice

jhansen · 26 Feb 2010, 19:12 (Ref:2641087)

Anyone can run a Yamaha if they want to. Now, perhaps Yamaha wasn't willing to give out last year's factory bikes (sell or lease), or offer any support of any kind, which might discourage someone from running an R6.

jhansen · 27 Feb 2010, 01:07 (Ref:2641253)

Dang, 17 riders within 1 second in Q2!

If they do that all year I wont complain.

rich_cooper · 27 Feb 2010, 10:53 (Ref:2641382)

Leon looking good on the Suzuki. Cal also looking good after superpole

Come on the BRITS !

BootsOntheSide · 27 Feb 2010, 16:19 (Ref:2641572)

Plenty to look forward to in Superbikes this year, I didnt' even have Haslam among my half-dozen favourites for the title but there he is. Suzuki have an especially good record at Philip Island though, so it might be a flash in the pan. Haga, Byrne and Neukirchner down the grid augurs well for some good battles through the whole field.

Hopefully there will be more Supersport entries once we get to Europe. The lack of any private Yamahas is the most frustrating thing. Lascorz is my tip for the title - he and the Motocard team have improved immeasurably since they began in 2007, and the Kawasaki was a match for anyone by the end of the season.

**gomick** · 28 Feb 2010, 01:28 (Ref:2641774)

Big t-bone by Xaus on Haga in morning warm-up.... Xaus out of the race!

Both Yamaha's out within 5 laps

- Vermeulen aswell

Can Haslam hang on for the win

Dani Filth · 28 Feb 2010, 02:18 (Ref:2641780)

no .. not this time

**gomick** · 28 Feb 2010, 04:48 (Ref:2641802)

Race 2 is looking good - hope Guintoli gets the win...

Big crash again by Vermeulen on the Kwaka who was running well...

Dani Filth · 28 Feb 2010, 11:07 (Ref:2641887)

it was not to be Guinter .. but neither was Haslam .. lost the race in the final lap again
to Checa

Axelfoley · 28 Feb 2010, 14:47 (Ref:2641968)

Congrats to Eugene Laverty! He rode a brilliantly controlled race and had it in the bag very early. Hell of a performance considering he struggled somewhat in practice and qualifying.

rich_cooper · 28 Feb 2010, 15:38 (Ref:2641982)

Well done to all the brits in the superbikes. Massive well done to Haslam. crutchlow impressed me and so did leon camier.

Big well done to Eugene Laverty for the peformance in the supersport, he is gonna take some beating in 2010.

Roll on the next round

**gomick** · 28 Feb 2010, 20:42 (Ref:2642161)

Should say that it was great to see Carlos Checa in victory lane

- he can go back to crashing now

chunder · 1 Mar 2010, 11:08 (Ref:2642564)

Gotts say I really enjoyed the racing today.

The Yamaha seems to be very lacklustre, both riders really struggling and obviously some sort of issue with that bike as they both did exactly the same falling through the pack.

Checa was superb and dont be hard on Shakey, he crashed big time in pracy and would have been there.

Idiot of day goes to Camier and Rea, both throwing away great points with impetuous mistakes, Camier especially looked quicker than Max in both races.

Haslam pure class, as was Checa, superb setup in second race and great racecraft.
Guinters showed class too, and is obviouly an honorary Brit

Also impressed briefly with Vermin on the Kwak and Corser was superb in race two.

Biggest dis? Neukirchner, the Yams and the utter rot of a 600 race.

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