The final act of the 2008 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship will be played out this coming weekend at the new Autodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit near Portimao in southern Portugal. Built in less than a year at a projected total investment cost of almost 200 million Euros, the Portimao track is currently having the finishing touches put to it as it prepares for the big inaugural event, but it promises to be one of the most spectacular circuits in Europe and is a fitting climax for this year’s championships.
The Portuguese Round will also be notable for another reason as it will be the swansong for Ducati Xerox rider Troy Bayliss, who takes to the track for the final time before retiring. The 39 year-old Australian was crowned WSBK champion for the third time one month ago at Magny-Cours and will hang up his leathers after a glittering Superbike career that began in 1997 at Phillip Island. Troy has been at the top of his game for the past eleven years, but he will be aiming to bow out with a victory flourish this weekend.
The battle for the runner-up slot is keeping the end of season alive as just nine points separate Yamaha Motor Italia WSB team-mates, Noriyuki Haga (325 points) and Troy Corser (316). Both riders have something to aim for in the final round as they tackle their final races for Yamaha before heading for pastures new nest season; the Japanese rider to finish second for the second year in a row, the Australian to take his maiden win on the R1 machine in two years of trying.
Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki), currently fourth on 298 points, can be satisfied with his debut season after scoring two wins, while Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who also has two wins to his name, will want to finish off the season in style after an end-of year slump in results.
The second half of the season has been much kinder than the first to Max Biaggi (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati), as he has strung together an exceptional sequence of podiums in the last six rounds, demonstrating once again that the Italian is still a top rider and a top attraction in his second year on Superbike. Biaggi still has to hold off the final attacks of Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki Alstare), one point behind in seventh, while the other rider from Rome in the top 10, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) is one slot down in eighth on 203 points.
Ryuichi Kiyonari, winner of three races for the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team, has not figured well in the last four races, the Japanese rider scoring just three points to take his total up to 193, while Ruben Xaus completes the current top 10 in the standings on 171 points in his final race for the Sterilgarda Ducati team.
A word of mention also for the PSG-1 Corse riders Régis Laconi and Makoto Tamada, who will attempt to conclude what has been a difficult and frustrating season for the Kawasaki team in the best possible way.
No Superbike titles therefore will be up for grabs in Portugal after Ducati completed its fifteenth Manufacturers’ triumph to go with Bayliss’s Riders’ victory.
Points (after 13 of 14 rounds): Riders:1. Bayliss (Ducati) 410
2. Haga (Yamaha) 325
3. Corser (Yamaha) 316
4. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 298
5. Checa (Honda) 284
6. Biaggi (Ducati) 235
7. Nieto (Suzuki) 234
8. Fabrizio (Ducati) 203
9. Kiyonari (Honda) 193
10. Xaus (Ducati) 171; etc
Manufacturers :1. Ducati 520
2. Yamaha 461
3. Suzuki 384
4. Honda 379
5. Kawasaki 82
FIM Supersport World Championship The title battle in Supersport appeared to be going down to the final round before Magny-Cours, but in the end it was all too easy for Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) as his team-mate and closest rival Jonathan Rea was taken out by Robbin Harms (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda) in a rash passing manouvre. For Pitt it was his second Supersport title, seven years after taking his first on a Kawasaki, while for Rea, some consolation came with the fact that he will be promoted to Superbike next year in the same team. Rea could still be caught for second place by Josh Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda) or even poleman king Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport), who has been unable to convert his sensational qualifying form into race wins this year.
Spaniard Joan Lascorz (Glaner Motocard.com Honda) has re-emerged as a front-runner in this latter part of the season and is equal on points for fifth place with Frenchman Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport), who returned to the fray at his home round after a recent injury had totally jeopardized his season.
Points (after 12 of 13 rounds): 1. Pitt (Honda) 194
2. Rea (Honda) 164
3. Brookes (Honda) 157
4. Parkes (Yamaha) 139
5. Lascorz (Honda) 105
6. Foret (Yamaha) 105
7. Jones (Honda) 100
8. Veneman (Suzuki) 92; etc
Superstock 1000 FIM World Cup The final title remaining to be wrapped up this year is for Superstock 1000, continuing a tradition that has nearly always taken the battle down to the wire. There are four riders still in with a shot, separated by just nine points, so the race promises to be no-holds barred. The impetus now appears to lie with Belgium’s Xavier Simeon (Suzuki Alstare), top with 131 points, four ahead of Alex Polita (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati) of Italy, who has come on strong in these later stages. Both Maxime Berger (Hannspree IDS Ten Kate Honda) and Brendan Roberts (Ducati Xerox Junior Team) cannot be counted out yet, the Frenchman and the Australian third and fourth with 124 and 122 points respectively, but their momentum was dashed with two disappointing results in France.
Points (after 9 of 10 rounds): 1. Simeon (Suzuki) 131
2. Polita (Ducati) 127
3. Berger (Honda) 124
4. Roberts (Ducati) 122
5. Pirro (Yamaha) 89
6. Smrz (Honda) 73
7. Giugliano (Suzuki) 72
8. Antonelli (Honda) 57
European 600 Superstock Championship French youngster Loris Baz (Yamaha YZF Junior Team) clinched the European 600 Superstock title at the last round, so will just be looking to add to his season total of three wins in Portugal. His task will be made much easier by the abandonment of the category by his closest adversary throughout the season, Patrick Vostarek (Intermoto Czech Honda), who was promoted to Supersport in the same team for the last two rounds. Second place in the championship therefore could go to Marco Bussolati (Yamaha Motor Italia Junior Team), or to either one of the StoneBaker Yamaha pairing of Dan Linfoot and Gino Rea.
Points (after 9 of 10 rounds):1. Baz (Yamaha) 166
2. Vostarek (Honda) 121
3. Bussolotti (Yamaha) 118
4. Linfoot (Yamaha) 112
5. Rea (Yamaha) 107
6. Beretta (Suzuki) 78
7. Petrucci (Yamaha) 74
8. Lonbois (Suzuki) 58, etc
About Portimao The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is the newest circuit to appear in Europe and it promises to be one of the best, with first-class facilities, a variety of different layouts and an ideal climate for this time of the year. Extending over almost 300 hectares, the complex is the biggest investment ever in the Algarve and is located at Escapadinho in the foothills of the coastal town of Portimão. It lies about one hour’s drive away from Faro airport and an exit road from the A22 motorway is also being built to facilitate access. The track used for Superbike will measure 4.592 kms although 64 different variants of the overall layout will be possible, adapting to the needs of numerous different events, which one day could include Formula 1. Mastermind behind the initiative is local entrepreneur and motorsport fanatic Paulo Pinheiro, for whom it represents a dream come true after seven years of commitment to the project.
Media Events To celebrate the opening of the circuit, the traditional pre-race Media Event will take place during the morning in town and will see the local authorities, circuit representatives and the local population turn out in force. It will consist of a parade of bikes through the town streets, led by champion Troy Bayliss and the Parkalgar Honda Supersport team riders and it will be followed by the inaugural press conference in the circuit during the afternoon.
fim :
Guintoli Races to Top-10 Finish in Alstare Debut
fim :
Yukio Positive, Despite 5th Row - Front Row for Claudio
fim :
Tough Time for Alstare Brux in Germany
fim :
Frustrating Day for Kagayama at Brno
fim :
Yukio Tenth On Day One - Claudio Unhappy with 10th
wsb :
Superstock Classes Set to Start in Portugal
hannspree :
WSB Rounds 1 & 2 News Release
thebikeinsurer.co.uk :
TheBikeInsurer.co.uk Sponsors British Eurosport's WSB Coverage
shakey shane byrne :
Express backs Shakey for 2010 Superbikes
wsb :
WSB Final Test Results
world superbikes :
World Superbike Official Testing Summary
silverstone :
Silverstone To Host British Round Of World Superbikes
wsb :
World Superbike Official Test Line-up Brimming With Talent
wsb :
Tom Sykes: Determined To Succeed With Kawasaki
wsb :
Davide Tardozzi Is New BMW SBK Team Boss
sbk :
Michele Pirro Joins Hannspree Ten Kate
fim :
Spies Claims the All Time WSB Superpole Record, Crutchlow on Front Row
fim :
Spies Prepares for Big Showdown, Crutchlow Has His Eyes on the Prize
sbk :
Laverty: “Time to knock Crutchlow down a peg”
wsb :
Yamaha Riders Aim for Victory at Favoured Venue
hannspree sbk :
World Superbike Resumes After Summer Break with Donington Classic
wsb :
Yamaha Riders Out to Score Big in Brno
hannspree sbk :
SBK Reaches #500 Mark with Czech Republic Round at Brno
hannspree sbk :
Bayliss Winds up Superbike Career with Double Win in Portugal
hannspree sbk :
Japanese Trio Hit the Front in SBK Qualifying at Brands
motogp :
Testing Concludes Positively For Troy Bayliss And Vittoriano Guareschi At The Mugello Track
motogp :
Troy Bayliss Begins GP9 Testing Alongside Vittoriano Guareschi At Mugello
sbk :
Bayliss in Monza for the WSB and on Board the GP9
products :
The Official GSE Racing Book, Out Now!
bsb :
From Diggers to Ducatis - The Official GSE Racing Book
fim :
The Ducati Xerox Testing Underway at Portimao in Preparation for 2010
fim :
A Courageous Haga Loses the WSB Title by 6 Points; Fabrizio Wins Race 2
fim :
Difficult Qualifying for Haga at Portimao, Solid Third Place for Fabrizio
fim :
Michel Fabrizio Takes His First Superpole, On The 1198 at Ducati Home Track!
fim :
Contract Renewal for Haga and Fabrizio - Live Streaming from Imola
bmw :
Troy Corser's Thoughts On Testing In Valencia This Week
fim :
BMW Motorrad Happy with their First Year and Looking Forward to 2010.
fim :
Best Weekend of the Season for Troy. Ruben Injured
fim :
Troy and Ruben Together on Row Four
fim :
Troy Frustratingly Close to Front Two Rows
fim :
Neukirchner Hurt in Test Comeback
fim :
World Superbike Returns to Imola for Three Days of Testing
fim :
Yukio Defies The Pain Barrier To Qualify 13th!
products :
Best of Both - FORMA GT boots
sbk :
Battling Max Earns Top Ten in Assen
carlos checa :
Carlos Checa: His History in a Helmet
fim :
Double Podium Delight for Rea at Thrilling SBK Finale
fim :
Italian Front Row for Rea - Superpole Disappointment for Kiyonari
fim :
Hannspree Riders in Imola Podium Hunt
fim :
Rea Wins in Nurburgring as Checa Enjoys Double Podium
fim :
WSBK Riders Hit Misano Bullseye with Crossbows
events :
Former & Future Motorcycle World Champions Gather at Goodwood
fim :
Biaggi Powers To The Top In Miller First Qualifying
competitions :
Dainese and AGV Launch the Italian Legendary Tour Contest
hannspree fim superbike world championship :
Miller Motorsports Park Round Kicks Off With Official Welcome at State Capital
fim :
First Practice Lost, but Yukio Takes Top Six Place!
fim :
Little Reward for a Lot of Effort - From 22nd To 2nd - Super Claudio!
fim :
Tough Qualifying for Alstare Brux
fim :
Kagayama Takes 6th at Misano WSB, Corti 4th in Superstock
bsb :
HM Plant Honda Confirm Kiyonari & Brookes For 2010
fim :
Kiyonari Withdraws from Portimao
wsb :
WSBK Riders Step Into The Lion’s Den At Kyalami
wsb :
WSBK Riders Try Out ‘Solex’ For Size At Assen
hannspree :
The 09 Season Got Underway with SBK and SS Tests at Portimao
hannspree sbk :
Record Numbers of Entries in WSB and WSS
wsb :
Laconi’s Home Round Will be One to Watch
wsb :
Laconi 15th After Superpole Qualifying
fim :
Parkes and Tamada Save the Best for Last...!
fim :
Kawasaki Duo Looking for Portuguese Swansong
fim :
Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team Heads to Imola
fim :
New Dad Parkes Confident as Tamada Returns in Germany
fim :
Kawasaki WSB Team to Contest Brands BSB
sbk :
Sofuoglu Third in Brno Free Practice
fim :
Brno Race a Thrill for Rea and an Opportunity for Laverty
fim :
Haslam’s Podium a High Point for Honda Riders at Donington
sbk :
Sofuoglu Battles to Fourth in Donington Supersport
sbk :
Front Row for Sofuoglu at Donington
fim :
Ten Kate Celebrates First Double SBK Podium
bsb :
HM Plant Honda Ends Season on a High
bsb :
Camier at the Double Increases Title Lead Over Ellison
bsb :
Camier Completes a Hat-Trick of Pole Starts
bsb :
Difficult Donington for HM Plant Honda
bsb :
Camier Hat-Trick Betters Record, Tightens Grip on Title Chase
fim :
Tamada All Set to Race Again - Separate Tests Help Supersport Pairing
fim :
Points for Parkes at Doni - Lascorz 2nd in the Race and 4th in the Points
fim :
Superpole Spots For Broc And Jamie - Katsuaki Takes Front Row Start
fim :
Kawasaki Misano WSB & WSS Preview
fim :
Day Of Dramas Sees Hacking Take Best Finish So Far - Lascorz Just Misses A Podium Spot
sbk :
Bittersweet Victory for Yamaha World Supersport Team in Brno
sbk :
Crutchlow Sets Pole with Blistering Pace in Brno
fim :
Spies and Sykes Get to Grips with Brno - Supersport Riders Send a Clear Message
fim :
Fabrizio Dominates Opening Day of Qualifying at Monza
superstock 600 :
Pirelli Vallelunga race report - Superstock (1000 & 600)
wsb :
Xavi in Superb Control!
wsb :
Byrne Fastest at Portimao with Team Sterilgarda
hannspree sbk :
Bayliss Dominates With Double Victory at Brno
wsb :
Ten Kate Duo Seeks Superstock Success With Gino Rea
pirelli :
Pirelli Brands Hatch Race Review
bsb :
Virgin Cup Revisited
fim :
Brendan Roberts Recovering After Crash
bsb :
Ducati take a break from British Superbike Championship
rob mac :
The Spanish Sunshine Shone on the Motopoint Yamaha duo of Neil Hodgson and Dan Linfoot.
cartagena :
News From Final Day of RobMac Racing BSB Cartagena Testing
bsb :
Rob Mac Racing 2010 Preparation Off To A Good Start
bsb :
Neil Hodgson and Dan Linfoot Team Mates for 2010
bsb :
Hard Days Night
sbk :
Gino Rea, 2009 WSBK Superstock 600 Champion
sbk :
Gino Rea on the Podium in 2nd and Championship Lead at Magny Cours
wsb :
Epsom Racer Gino Rea Wins Thrilling WSBK Superstock 600 Race At Assen
metzeler :
Metzeler Competition Winner Rides Portimao at World Launch!
fim :
Winning Yamaha Team Wrap Up First Test with Crutchlow and Toseland
fim :
Suzuki Alstare Debuts its New Team
motogp :
Rizla Suzuki Concludes 2009 with Constructive Test
