World Superbikes 2012 – rider preview
It’s that time of year again. With World Superbikes switching to a single bike rule and both Corser and Haga leaving, here’s Moto Race Reports’ preview of the remaining riders, the newcomers and the switchers. Comments welcome, as usual.
Max Biaggi returns for one last year.
Max Biaggi
3
ITA
Aprilia Racing Team
Aprilia RSV4 1000 F
The Dick Dastardly of motorcycle racing returns for what could be his last year at the sharp end. If he doesn’t retire at the end of 2012, there will be a lot of surprised faces. Expect a few wins, but not a championship.
Laverty on last year
Eugene Laverty
58
IRL
Aprilia Racing Team
Aprilia RSV4 1000 F
This isn’t the Irishman’s first Aprilia ride, he scored points on a 250cc in 2008, but this could be the year he wins a championship on one. I count him as a serious contender, as long as the factory focusses on supporting him instead of his team-mate. Definitely one to watch.
Checa was unbeatable in 2011
Carlos Checa
7
ESP
Althea Racing
Ducati 1098R
Returning with the number 7 instead of the 1 he has the right to carry as world champion. This is the last year we’ll see the 1098R in the factory team and it’s a bike at the end of its development cycle. Checa will be at the front, surprising everyone again, but a second championship is not as likely. Wait, you don’t still think Althea isn’t the Ducati factory team, do you?
Davide Giugliano on his 2011 Superstock Ducati
Davide Giugliano
34
ITA
Althea Racing
Ducati 1098R
If you’re asking “Who?” then you’re not alone. Giugliano is the current Superstock 1000 champion, having taken the crown for Ducati and being rewarded with a one-off ride last year where he scored a few points. Don’t expect him to set the racing world alight this year, but he’s no muppet.
Guintoli on the Effenbert Ducati again
Sylvain Guintoli
50
FRA
Team Effenbert Liberty Racing
Ducati 1098R
Le plus Anglais des Français, Guintoli took a few podiums and sixth place overall last year. This is pretty much what I’d expect this year, as well. He’s a great rider on a decent enough bike.
Smrz always qualifies well
Jakub Smrz
96
CZE
Team Effenbert Liberty Racing
Ducati 1098R
Great at qualifying and crashing. With a few podiums last year, he’s still to take a win. Will he finally manage that in 2012? Unlikely, with the quality of riders at the sharp end, but the very likeable Kuba would make his rabid fan base very happy if he did.
Runner-up Melandri
Marco Melandri
33
ITA
BMW Motorrad Motorsport
BMW S1000 RR
The BMW is a remarkable road bike but not one that has won a World Superbike race yet. With Troy Corser, arguably the best super bike development rider in the SBK paddock, retiring last year, it’s up to the second place man to finally put the BMW where it deserves to be. 2011 runner-up Melandri is fast and his underwear model girlfriend brings a touch of glamour to the paddock. I believe Melandri will be giving her bouquets again in 2012.
Haslam needs better results in 2012
Leon Haslam
91
GBR
BMW Motorrad Motorsport
BMW S1000 RR
Tough, determined bulldog Leon Haslam is now a father, but having seen how Ron Haslam brought his children up, I don’t expect his son Leon to slow down any. Again, it’s up to his bike more than him as a rider. If he and his team-mate can get the electronics to finally work, there should be two BMWs getting podiums.
Hiroshi Aoyama in MotoGP, 2011
Hiroshi Aoyama
4
JPN
Honda World Superbike Team
Honda CBR1000RR
It’s difficult to predict how ex-MotoGP rider and 2009 250cc World Champion Hiroshi Aoyama will adapt to the World Superbike paddock, but he’s got a good bike to get to grips with. Hopefully, his results will be better than his younger brother’s superbike efforts.
More wins for Rea in 2012? Likely.
Jonathan Rea
65
GBR
Honda World Superbike Team
Honda CBR1000RR
A firm favourite for wins and podiums in 2012. Rea was injured throughout a large portion of 2011 but he’s going into this season injury-free and eager to win. Possible title challenger if he stays injury-free. Wins almost a certainty.
Is Fabrizio happy cashing paycheques instead of racing?
Michel Fabrizio
84
ITA
BMW Motorrad Italia GOLDBET SBK Team
BMW S1000 RR
Just a few years ago, Fabrizio was a race winner and title contender, but he’s now looking like a man in the twilight of his career. As fast as he is, I’d be surprised if he even manages to beat his young team-mate.
Badovini tames the BMW for another year
Ayrton Badovini
86
ITA
BMW Motorrad Italia GOLDBET SBK Team
BMW S1000 RR
In 2010, Badovini took the Superstock series by storm, winning all but one of the races. Last year, he was rewarded with a Superbike ride. He’s a solid mid-pack rider that could break into the front pack with a bit of luck.
Lorenzo Zanetti, Superstock 2011
Lorenzo Zanetti
78
ITA
PATA Racing Team
Ducati 1098R
PATA last year ran an Aprilia with the now-absent Noriyuki Haga. The year before that, they ran a Ducati for a while then replaced it with an Aprilia. This year, they’re starting with a Ducati. Ex-125 rider Zanetti has just come from Superstock and who knows how he’ll do on an Apr… um, a Ducati.
Juan Lascorz on the 2011 ZX-10R
Joan Lascorz
17
ESP
Kawasaki Racing Team
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Lascorz on a Kawasaki. In Supersport, this meant potential champion. Last year, it meant mid-pack results and an overall 11th place. Expect the same.
Sykes goes green
Tom Sykes
66
GBR
Kawasaki Racing Team
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Last year’s Kawasaki was meant to turn a corner for the frog-coloured bike, but even in the hands of the massively talented Sykes, it only took a win in the wet. Still, that’s more wins than BMW.
Leandro Mercado
36
ARG
Team Pedercini
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Who? Oh, some ex-AMA rider who hopes to make a name for himself on the international stage. Good luck to him, he’s on a Kawasaki.
Salom in the paddock
David Salom
44
ESP
Team Pedercini
Kawasaki ZX-10R
Salom looks to be following the Lascorz route of “do really well in Supersport on a Kawasaki, get stuck on a green bike in the big class.” Shame as he’s a better rider than that. Ever get the impression I’m down on the WSBK ZX-10R?
Spectacular and fast. Hopkins is a welcome addition.
John Hopkins
21
USA
Crescent Suzuki
Suzuki GSX-R1000
Hopper has raced in MotoGP, WSBK and BSB. All at the same time. 2011 was a wild year for Hopkins, with his loyalty to Suzuki nearly earning him a MotoGP ride alongside Bautista until Suzuki pulled out of the series entirely. He was runner up in BSB and took pole position in WSBK. Oh and took a few points in MotoGP. Yes, all in the same year. He’s part of a little finger down, but nobody expects this to make a difference. Possible title contender? I think so, and the Crescent Suzuki sounds like one of the best bikes in the paddock, burbling and popping down pit lane, sounding like it’s trying to murder a bag of spanners.
Camier needs the switch to Suzuki to pay off.
Leon Camier
GBR
Crescent Suzuki
Suzuki GSX-R1000
If you saw the 2009 BSB championship, you’d wonder why Camier wasn’t WSBK champion already. A tall lad on a bike made for Max Biaggi was never going to do well, especially when his team-mate allegedly went out of his way to hamper him. This year, though, he’s in a team that likes him and speaks the same language. He will keep his team-mate on his toes and could continue to be a regular visitor to the podium.
"Atcho" as he's known - farewell, green thing
Mark Aitchison
AUS
Grillini Progea Superbike Team
BMW S1000 RR
Finally off a Kawasaki, it’d be nice if Aitchison could have a year in which he wasn’t invisible.
Berger switches to Effenbert for 2012
Maxime Berger
121
FRA
Liberty Racing – Team Effenbert
Ducati 1098R
Effenbert were planning on bringing three or four bikes to the paddock in 2012 and so far, three have been confirmed. Berger is another rider to come up through Superstock racing. As the only man to beat Badovini in 2010, it’ll be interesting to see how his second year on a Ducati goes. Hopefully, his rear wheel won’t explode this time.
Davies on his Supersport title winning Yamaha last year
Chaz Davies
19
GBR
ParkinGO Aprilia Racing Team
Aprilia RSV4 1000 F
Current World Supersport champion Chaz Davies levels-up to the big class. Another rider to come from 250cc racing, only this time via AMA and WSS, we know he’s fast. There’s a question mark about the bike, but this will be answered very quickly.
Raffaele De Rosa
35
ITA
Pro Ride Motorsports
Honda CBR1000RR
After a disappointing transition from 250cc to Moto2, De Rosa ended up in WSBK. It’s up to him to remind us who he is.
Niccolò Canepa
59
ITA
Team Ducati Roma
Ducati 1098R
You may remember Canepa from MotoGP, but then again, you may not. He rode a Ducati to 16th in the championship. Out of 16, basically. Another one who has to show us who he is.
Words and Pictures, Jared Earle/MotoRaceReports
