Round 2 - WSBK 2012, Imola

jhansen · 28 Mar 2012, 15:14 (Ref:3050075)

So after a long wait, we are back to racing. Hopkins will be back, but for how long? Chaz Davies is also back. I'm thinking Laverty and Haslam should be feeling better. On paper you gotta assume this is Checa vs. Biaggi. I really hope Sykes can carry his testing form into a podium or more. Classic track, should be fun. Two rounds will be in the books before Moto GP decides to get on with it.

Dani Filth · 31 Mar 2012, 18:45 (Ref:3051359)

kwaka fast again .. with both of them in top 8
Ducati's also strong and should be stronger in race

jhansen · 2 Apr 2012, 17:46 (Ref:3052416)

Checa is just class. The Kawi is looking better, which is nice to see.

But, Lascorz was hurt badly in testing today.

Lots of injuries in this class so far this year...

Schummy · 5 Apr 2012, 04:21 (Ref:3053865)

Terrible news for Lascorz, certainly. I just hope the worst scenery doesn't happen.

Checa looks as sleek and solid as last season (lol, except the huge crash in PI1) but it's difficult to expect a dominant season as last year's. Biaggi of course is there. Sykes is around first positions, he can be a new prospect; he decays a bit in the middle of the race, perhaps he is a bit hard on tyres?

Melandri looks a bit lost, as usual in the last years. He was second last season but, frankly speaking, second belonged to Max on merit. BMW is reaching a competitive status, it is a refreshing thing for bike racing.

Just two rounds but Checa, Biaggi, Sykes and maybe, maybe BMW's Haslam look the contenders just now. I would bet them in that order.

BTW, please, someone awake the lazy Schummy for the FIM game! He is late again!

jhansen · 5 Apr 2012, 17:50 (Ref:3054168)

Goodness! I nearly forgot!

Schummy · 5 Apr 2012, 23:54 (Ref:3054300)

Blame on you!

cg7aa · 6 Apr 2012, 19:45 (Ref:3054601)

Best wishes for a full recovery to Joan.

So, with two race weekends gone, what are people's thoughts so far?

I hope Ten Kate and Honda are not going to repeat their trend of the last couple of seasons where Rea takes a double win somewhere and podiums here and there but they fail to find any sort of consistency and his team mate completely fails to find any sort of pace whatsoever.

What do we make of Suzuki? It's been a tough start for them.

What about Laverty? Is he going to be the team mate who is able to beat Max and do so consistently?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a BMW win this season, it will be just reward for their efforts and for sticking with it all these years. Likewise for Kawasaki - and to think Sykes was almost out of the ride too!

chunder · 6 Apr 2012, 21:01 (Ref:3054627)

cg, I dont think any rider will ever beat Max as a team mate, Camier got fairly close, but I dont think that bike suits Lavertys style, he is corner speed king and that dont suit a missile like that.

Max has learned to ride a bike and remember has years of experience riding GP bikes with 250hp an no TC, so even though he is smooth and corner speed man, he can ride a powerful bike.

The ZX10 is getting better all the time, Sykes is riding superbly, they seem more in control of the electronics to help with tyre life, but in reality you aint ever gonna beat that Duke as it is inherently always going to be easier on the tyres due the nature of its power delivery.

Maybe he and Leon could challenge more at Monza where its straight, but places Assen, Silverstone where its all turns and long corners you may aswell give Checa the pot now.

And when Domenicali is already stopping the Panigale coming out as he says it is too quick then you know the writing is on the wall again for 4 cylinder bikes unless they ban TC

Dani Filth · 7 Apr 2012, 08:10 (Ref:3054721)

grrr . what a shame about Lascorz .. they were doing both so good on kwakies

a two race update .. Checa's season 60%, Biaggi 30% and the rest for BMW riders

**gomick** · 16 Apr 2012, 08:40 (Ref:3060064)

Whats the latest on Lascorz? Terrible to hear of his accident...

Reckon Honda couldve put together a better HRC paintjob than the ones Ten Kate run...

chunder · 16 Apr 2012, 08:44 (Ref:3060067)

Ten Kate dont have a title sponsor, so I guess thats hte best they get, Castrol only lasted a year before doing a runner!

Lascroz is better though still fragile I fear. Lad has had a few bad injuries already, obviously doesnt bounce well

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