Round three of the FIM World Superbike Championship, sees the teams and riders, moving on to Europe, for the first time this season, and the Motorland Aragon circuit, in Aragon, Spain.
Race one, is on deck... the 699th race in World Superbike history. In the second race, it will be race number 700. These are the fifth and sixth races, of 2016. Renowned race track architect, Herman Tilke, designed this race course, in Aragon, and it opened, in 2009. The first FIM World Superbike event was run here, in 2011. Five riders, have won races here. Marco Melandri, Max Biaggi, Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes, and Chaz Davies. In last year's race, Chaz Davies took the first ever race win, for the Ducati Panigale motorcycle. Today it is bright, sunny, and warm. Tom Sykes is on pole, for the second time in three races, this year. Both Yamaha's are also on the front row, ridden by Alex Lowes and Sylvain Guintoli.
Chaz Davies, in fourth, on the Ducati, is a favorite. Jonathan Rea, had a vibration on his Kawasaki during practice. He starts in fifth place, alongside Davide Giugliano. A big crowd is here, in Aragon. We're ready for a start, soon. Tom Sykes mother-in-law Chris, passed away before the previous race in Thailand. Tire wear will be an issue in this race, as the track temperature is heating up. It is right on the borderline of running the soft tire for the race. Pirelli will announce the combinations, soon. Again, watch out for the rear tire.
The Yamaha's are running very well, and they are making progress with the bike. Chaz Davies is definitely best, riding in races, and not over qualifying laps. Crescent and Yamaha are really doing well. Sylvain Guintoli has only his second front row start, in the last two years. He has to try his best to overtake, and the Yamaha struggles in overtaking situations, compared to the other motorcycles. The advantage is, the Yamaha does not abuse it's tires as much as the other bikes might. How will tire wear pan out? We have an 18 lap race ahead of us. It's a long race, because this track, is over three miles long. 3.1 miles in total.
Teams in the garage, are prepping the motorcycles, for the race. The wind has died down, but, the breeze is chilly, and cold tires, will be an issue, for sure. Because of the cooling factor, the soft tires wouldn't function as they should have, and riders had no choice, but to switch to the harder tire. The riders set off on their sighting lap, and we prepare for battle, here in Spain. Somehow, some way, the Pirelli tires, act much differently, than those made by other motorcycle tire manufacturers like Michelin, Bridgestone, or Dunlop. As the temperatures cool, riders and teams, have to go with a harder tire.
Ordinarily, with any of the three aforementioned brands besides Pirelli, the opposite is done, where if it's hot, use hard tires. If it's cool, use soft tires. Not the case, with the Pirelli rubber in World Superbike racing. Jordi Torres qualified his Althea BMW BMW S1000RR eighth on the grid. He is right behind the MV Agusta of Leon Camier, and in front of the Barni Ducati, ridden by Xavi Fores. Roman Ramos and Josh Brookes also make their way onto the speedway. Nicky Hayden recently celebrated his dad's birthday, and found a motorcycle, that he, and his motorcycle racing brothers, all rode, in their youth. A Honda Super 90. It was found in California. But, the chap who sold them the bike, was not aware he was selling it to a MotoGP world champion and current FIM World Superbike racer.
Hayden said the seller realized who he was selling the bike to. He just was not totally aware of the success of the three Hayden brothers, including Nicky, and his brothers Tommy and Roger Lee, who have had success in AMA Superbike competition or in the current MotoAmerica championship, over the years. The Hayden's dad, Earl, was also a motorcycle racer, and #69, was his number. Nicky Hayden uses his dad's racing number. But, the rason Earl used it, was because, when Earl was racing, he was crashing motorcycles, and if he crashed, no one knew if his motorcycle was #6 or #9. So, hence, his number, became #69.
We go with the FIM World Superbike championship, to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, California, later this season. Two of Hayden's MotoGP victories, came there, in 2005 and 2006. The WSBK races at Laguna Seca, will take place on the weekend of July 8th-10th. Stay tuned, for that one, (a full race report, as always), later on in the year. Wouldn't it be fabulous, if Nicky Hayden, could get a podium spot, or win, when we get to Laguna Seca? We'll find out. For right now, Hayden will do his best, and try to win, here, in Spain.
Hayden is developing his style and experience, and looks more comfortable on the Honda. His team mate Michael van der Mark, crashed in the second Super Pole session. van der Mark lost it, going onto the curb, the bike going one way, and Michael, going the other. Chaz Davies is fourth, and is the top Ducati. We also look forward, to the round, in Holland, at Assen, coming up, this coming weekend. Yours truly, will cover it, when time permits. We wonder what will happen with the race in Monza, Italy, that is more than likely, dropped, from this year's schedule.
Over the next five rounds of the championship, more than 1/3rd of the points totals for the season, are available. We are racing now, in Spain. We move to Assen, in Holland and "The Cathedral of Speed", which is the most famous motorcycle racing track in the world. Two weeks after that, we will race in Imola, Italy. Two weeks after that, the Sepang circuit in Sepang, Malaysia, and then, to end the month of May, the British round at Donington Park, in the midlands of England, in Leicestershire.
Lots of points will be won or lost, between this race, and the one at Donington, at the end of May. We will be headed back to Germany, to the Lausitzring Eurospeedway for the first time in three years. After that, the French round at Magny Cours, and then Jerez, in Spain, wrapping up the season in Qatar, at the end of October. We are very close to the first race at Aragon, race five of the season itself. If you add together the gaps, of the race finishes, 1.3 seconds. It's been really close this year, so far.
Look out for Leon Camier on the MV Agusta. He's fast, and could play a part, in this race here in Spain. Tom Sykes has his second pole of 2016 for this race, and signs the camera. Sykes has 32 career poles. The record, is 43 poles, set by Australia's Troy Corser. So, could Sykes break another record later on in the season? We'll find out. If you are into numerology, Tom Sykes rides bike #66, and he has 66 poles in his career, and he leads the points championship right now, with 66 points. Jonathan Rea took fastest lap in both of the Thailand races, and Rea, wants his 70th podium position. Jordi Torres, has new braces on his teeth, and he wants to do well for team Althea BMW, in this event.
Both Althea and Milwaukee have support, from BMW Motorrad and their team boss, Bertie Hauser. Chaz Davies starts fourth, Jonathan Rea, fifth, and Davide Giugliano, sixth. Giugliano had a nightmare race in Thailand last time out. In points, Jonathan Rea has a 29 point gap, ahead of his Kawasaki team mate, Tom Sykes. Xavi Fores, full time in WSBK this year, replaced Davide Giugliano, when he was nursing injuries, during the 2015 campaign, right around this time, when the teams and riders, came to Europe. Xavi Fores is starting ninth, in this first race.
We need to see how tires will work out, as we are ten minutes away, from the start of race one. The variance in temperature, strains the track. Right now, it's sunny, and warm. But, during testing before the season, here in Spain, it was cold, and snowy. The track surface is pretty good, considering the weather changes it goes through, and there are not too many blemishes on this speedway. Lorenzo Savadori, on the Aprillia RSV1000 will start in 12th spot on the grid. Also, look out for German Markus Reiterberger. He's won two championships, in IDM German Superbike competition.
He is thirteenth on the grid, and team mate, at Althea BMW, to Jordi Torres. Roman Ramos is next, riding the Go11 Kawasaki. In 15th spot, it's Karel Abraham, on the lead Milwaukee BMW. Alex de Angelis is ready to go, fro 16th, on the second of the two factory Aprilia bikes. Karel Abraham will be another to watch, and he is outperforming team mate Josh Brooks. Brooks returns to World Superbike. We should also keep an eye out for Matteo Biaocco, as he continues in a substitute role, at VFT Racing for Fabio Menghi. He's qualified further down the grid here. He's starting 17th, behind Alex de Angelis.
The safety car, pulls away, meaning that the bikes will be out on the warmup lap, and this race, will begin, very soon indeed. The front straight, is pretty short here at Aragon, at (in Metric measurement), 630 meters. The back straight (again, in metric), is just under a kilometer, at 968 meters. Sylvain Barrier is running his first WSBK race here, for a while, and he is discussing tactics with his team boss, Lucio Pedercini. Pedercini, is a former motorcycle racer, himself. Sylvain Barrier has won two Superstock 1000 world championships. Josh Brookes, is the reigning champion in British Superbike competition, stepping up to World Superbike, in 2016.
Stand by, for drama. We are all set, for race one, here, at Motorland Aragon, ladies and gentlemen. For the first time since their return to WSBK, two Yamaha's are on the front row with Alex Lowes and Sylvain Guintoli. But, the man in pole position, is Tom Sykes, and for poles, he's gone two out of three for this season already. Frenchman Matteo Lussiana is making his World Superbike debut, in this race. Josh Hook, will make his first start of the season. Caboose on the field, is Imre Toth.
Chaz Davies has won three races here. It's about 60 degrees Fahrenheit, air temperature, here in Spain, and that is the operating window, for the soft Pirelli tires. Everyone will use the soft rear tire, and there's some variety, on what the front tire choice will be. Riders on the softest front tire are Hayden, van der Mark, Guintoli, and Davies, are on the softest front. Alex Lowes on the slightly hard tire. The two Kawasaki's are on medium compound tires. 18 laps ahead of us in race one. Watch out for the first corner. It's a tricky one.
Kawasaki has yet to be beaten in WSBK competition, this season. We are ready, for a start, in race one, at Motorland Aragon. Chaz Davies is favorite, based on race pace. The European segment of the 2016 World Superbike season, is underway! Jonathan Rea, makes a good start, after doing a wheelie off the line. Rea sweeps outside one of the Yamaha's. He and Sylvain Guintoli, nearly touched. Davide Giugliano, also gets a good launch. Sylvain Guintoli, will now be able to carry the lines he wants to, on the road. A poor start, though, for Alex Lowes. He's dropped back, to sixth place.
He runs wide, into turn seven. Race one, could be going pear shaped, for one of the Yamaha riders already. The bikes filter down through a corner here at Aragon, called The Reverse Corkscrew. Sykes leads with Guintoli giving chase, while Jonathan Rea, is being hounded by both of the factory Ducati's of Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano right now. Giugliano gets by Davis, and around Sykes! What a bold move by Davies! Jonathan Rea runs wide. Davies is being held up by Rea, and Giugliano. Giugliano passes Tom Sykes, and Davies, plays follow the leader, and follows him through.
Giugliano on the outside, and, here comes Michael van der Mark on the Honda! So, he too, wants a piece of the action. Davies is up to fourth, as Sykes and Guintoli are whistling off into the distance. Turn five is a difficult corner at Aragon. But, the riders, make it through. There's only a one second margin now, between Guintoli, and Rea. Michael van der Mark, has recovered from his crash, that occurred in Super Pole. Jonathan Rea runs wide and Chaz Davies, showing impatience, wants by him, now. Rea holds off Davies' challenge. Into turn twelve, where these two nearly collided, a lap ago.
Davies makes a move around Rea, and Rea realizes he has to sit up, and muscle the Kawasaki into the corner. Davies has the race pace over all the other riders, and in practice and qualifying, was lapping in the 1:51 bracket. Rea and the Kawasaki ZX10R are essentially, a moving chicane, for the other blokes in this field. Sylvain Guintoli on the Yamaha, is catching the sister Kawasaki with Tom Sykes aboard. It's the 2013 World Superbike champ, vs. the 2014 World Superbike champ. Yamaha has been out of the WSBK game for a few years, concentrating on MotoGP and also, motorcycle racing stateside.
Their last win in World Superbike, came in Portimao, Portugal in 2011. Marco Melandri beat Eugene Laverty that day, and those two, have been competing in MotoGP in recent seasons. Running through turn ten, the riders are in third gear, pulling about 160 kilometers per hour, (100 miles an hour), through the corner. Chaz Davies is closing on Sykes and Guintoli. No jumped starts by any riders. Jonathan Rea has Davide Giugliano's Ducati, and Michael van der Mark's Honda, to contend with at the present time.
Completing the top ten, we see Xavi Fores, Leon Camier, and Alex Lowes. Beyond tenth place, through to fifteenth, it's Lorenzo Savadori, Jorge Ramos, Jordi Torres, Markus Reiterberger, and Alex de Angelis. Chaz Davies has cut the gap between he and Guintoli to 4/10ths of a second. Rea, Giugliano, van der Mark, Hayden, Fores, Camier, and Lowes, are all fighting. Now, it looks like Michael van der Mark, has gone off the road someplace. Chaz Davies records fastest lap so far at a 1:50.421.
Davies goes up the inside of Guintoli. But, it sure seems Michael van der Mark has crashed out of this first World Superbike race at Motorland Aragon. Davies passes Guintoli for second. van der Mark is fine, but, he'll lose points. Chaz Davies has the extra speed right now, and can push. He is leading now, at the end of lap four, looking to continue his winning ways here, from a year ago. The Ducati has a lot of speed as Guintoli runs wide. MotoGP and British Superbike veteran Michael Laverty, joins world feed commentators, Gregory Haines and Steve English, in the commentary box.
Laverty has been visiting one of the teams during this race weekend. Meanwhile, it is game over for Michael van der Mark, at least in race one. He crashed in turn five the lap before. Jonathan Rea is fourth with Davide Giugliano, fifth. Rea is struggling to get grip when he accelerates. Davies is the fastest rider on the road at the moment. Guintoli and Rea are definitely going at it. Rea tries in turn 12. He wants by Guintoli. Rea gets through, but runs wide into the turn.
Guintoli cannot fight Rea back for the position, down the back straight. Rea has clear track. But, he also has to be aware of preserving his tires. When the grip level drops, it changes things. Rea is in a comfort zone. Sykes is 1.2 seconds or so, behind Chaz Davies. Nicky Hayden, however, seems to have the fastest lap at the moment. He runs a 1:51.659, while Rea is the second quickest bike, and Guintoli and Davide Giugliano, are in the 1:52 range. Kawasaki is not as strong right now. The Aprilia's are starting to show form as well, with Alex de Angelis and Lorenzo Savadori.
Yamaha seem to be stepping up their game. Lowes and Guintoli are getting there. Alex Lowes is in tenth, after starting third. He ran wide on lap one, and has to claw his way back, fighting with the BMW of Jordi Torres. It's going to be tough for anyone (including the Kawasaki's) to compete with Chaz Davies. The soft option rear tire from Pirelli, seemed to fall off the pace quicker, during the qualifying and practice runs for race one. Eleven laps remain in this first race. The Kawasaki's have gone with medium front tires. Others went with soft front tires. Everyone is on soft rear tires.
Davide Giugliano passes Sylvain Guintoli as we have reached halfway in race one. Guintoli's next target is the Honda of Nicky Hayden. After that, Guintoli will challenge Xavi Fores on the Barni Racing Ducati. Davide Giugliano's pass on Sylvain Guintoli, was textbook. Get more drive, into the corner, have an advantage on placing the motorcycle on the cleaner racing line, and, zing! Another position gained. At Aragon, one corner leads to another until the reverse corkscrew. It's a technical circuit. Lots of late braking corners, and setting up passes, are important. Many 90 degree turns are also on this course.
The setup is a compromise between cornering, and accelerating. Point and squirt, vs. outright power and speed. Chaz Davies, for example, has set his bike, so the front brake grabs on braking into the corner, and he lets the rear tire float smoothly while still having adhesion. Another retirement. Leon Camier and the MV Agusta 1000 F4 are headed for the house. Camier has run well so far this year. MV Agusta will have a new motor coming in. We continue to watch team green as the two Kawasaki's race each other. Tom Sykes has dropped his pace, a half a second or so. Davies is opening a gap on the green bikes.
Guintoli and Hayden seem to also be losing ground to the lead battle. Davies might be out for a Saturday cruise as this one comes to a close, ladies and gentlemen. Jonathan Rea sails through past his team mate. Sylvain Guintoli, is losing speed on the Yamaha, and thus, is down the order. Nothing wrong with the bike. He's probably just not as competitive as his rivals. Amazingly, Rea is outperforming Tom Sykes right now, despite the fact that Sykes was the pole man and Rea only mustered fifth on the grid. Rea does not really need to win this thing. If he stays ahead of Sykes, he'll pad his points lead.
Rea has come leaps and bounds from where he was, just a few short years ago and that's partially due to switching over from Honda, to Kawasaki, having a more competitive motorcycle. If Rea finishes ahead of Sykes, the exact margin he'll have, is 33 points over his team mate. Tension could develop in the team, and these blokes just have to race each other, cleanly, and fairly. Last year, Sykes had a harder time making tires last. Sykes' riding style, is unique. He will slam the brakes into the corner, seem very slow through the corner, and then, on corner exit, mash the throttle and absolutely book it.
On some tracks, this style allows Sykes to open a gap on his rivals. But, on others, like here at Aragon, he is right in among the competition. More fluid circuits, don't suit Sykes' riding style. Jonathan Rea, as an all around rider, is more versatile, in his approach, to riding the bike, on any track. These ideas, are espoused by the way, by Mr. Laverty, who, as mentioned, has run several motorcycle road races, himself. Looking back at Sylvain Guintoli, as of now, he's lost two places, to Nicky Hayden, and Xavi Fores.
Jordi Torres is now, right in Guintoli's face! Guintoli will have to do all he can, as Torres' BMW is right on him. Guintoli looks to have grip trouble. He can defend, but, under braking, Torres is more confident. The BMW seems to be more compliant under braking. Michael Laverty ran the BMW S1000RR in the British Superbike Championship. He observes, the riding styles. Guintoli is running a more relaxed pace, while Torres is throwing the motorcycle around and riding very aggressively. The BMW and Kawasaki are a stop/go bike, and the Yamaha and Ducati motorcycles, are more fluid in their performance.
A great three way battle is starting to heat up. Xavi Fores is now between Davide Giugliano, and Nicky Hayden. This is a scrum for fourth, fifth, and sixth. These are almost the same motorcycle, except the Aruba.it team has the full factory bike, whereas Barni Racing is using a privately entered bike, that may or may not be up to 2016 spec. No matter the specification of the motorcycle, Fores, is flying. Another Ducati calls it a day. Game over for Matteo Baiocco. Baiocco, Camier, and van der Mark, are out. Fores is now in fourth position. He's going very well right now. The bike is part of what makes a difference. But, what performance really comes down to, also, is the individual riding style.
Fores retakes the spot from Giugliano who says, "I'm not having the customer bike, pass my factory bike." Sorry, Davide. Fores nipped you that time. Xavi Fores is getting cheered on by his home crowd. He could go one place better than his best result here at Aragon. That is a fifth place, in race two, in 2015. Can Fores hold on for fourth? Keep in mind, Fores, was the stand-in rider, for Davide Giugliano, after he had a massive wreck at Phillip Island and had to recuperate at the beginning of last year. So, one wonders if Giugliano might be shaking his head here. Meanwhile, Tom Sykes is not giving up on trying to best Jonathan Rea. The rivalry at Kawasaki, is intense.
Davies is still cruising. He runs wide, but, the engine braking on the rumbling Ducati V Twin, may have caused that momentary blip. Four laps to go. Davies' tires may be saying, "enough is enough!" But, he's got this race, pretty much, in the bag, folks. Keep pushing. It is harder to keep a big advantage, than being in a position battle. Further back in the field, there's more action. A real ding dong is going on for tenth an eleventh between Markus Reiterberger on the BMW, and the Kawasaki ridden by Roman Ramos. Alex de Angelis, runs 12th, and poor old Luca Savadori, who was a contender earlier, has plummeted to 13th.
Josh Brookes, has also moved ahead of Karel Abraham at this point. Remember, de Angelis, and Abraham, are both riders who used to run in MotoGP. Davies has the advantage, and he's got five seconds in hand, controlling the pace. Interestingly, team bikes, are running together, mostly for the factories. You have the two Kawasaki's, the two Ducati's, the two Yamaha's, both BMW's (although they are for different teams), and both Aprilia's of the aforementioned de Angelis and Savadori. In preseason testing, sure, team mates will work together, to find the good points and weak points, of the motorcycle. But, by the time racing season comes, well, you can throw teamwork out the window.
Never, ever, ever, underestimate Jonathan Rea. Rea, will increase his points lead at the end of race one. Will Chaz Davies do the double in this race? Roman Ramos, is losing ground. Imre Toth, is a lap down, and is the last remaining rider on track. Last time out, in Thailand, Saeed Al-Sulaiti, had burned feet after the race. He was spewing water from the radiator on his Kawasaki, and the hot water, burned his feet. Two laps to go. Al-Sulaiti is out of this race, just before the end. It is now, the last lap of this one. Jonathan Rea has had a tough weekend. Chaz Davies has to claw back points.
Extra points, for wins, will pay dividends. Davies will score his second Aragon win in succession, his fourth overall, and his tenth career win! Kawasaki's string, is at an end.
WSBK Race 1: #7 Chaz Davies GBR. Ducati 1199 Panigale R
Savadori pips de Angelis for the top ten. Davies, Rea, and Sykes, are on the podium. Race two, the Sunday race, is on deck. This is the 700th race in World Superbike history. Can Chaz Davies, score the double? Let's find out. Race six, of the season. 28 years ago today, Davide Tardozzi, won, the first ever race, for what would become, World Superbike. He did so, on an Italian Bimota motorcycle, with a Yamaha sourced engine. That was back in 1988. Back then, Fred Merkel won the championship, and the races, were decided on an overall winner, on aggregate results, from both races... a system that was scrapped, shortly after the first race. We are ready to race. All the eras of the series are amazing, with riders such as Fred Merkel, Raymond Roche, Doug Polen, Scott Russell, Carl Fogarty, and Troy Corser.
We will also reminisce about the history of World Superbike, that started, this weekend, in 1988. Jonathan Rea had quite the race on Saturday. He adapted and showed well, why he's world champ. It is an interesting comparison, between Jonathan Rea, and MotoGP rider, Marc Marquez. Rea, took eight seasons, to win his first World Superbike title, whereas, Marc Marquez, jumped into MotoGP in 2012 or so, and then, went out, and won two titles. But, by the time 2014 came around, he was showing what kind of rider he was, and that led him to his second consecutive, of two titles.
Sykes ran in British Superbike, and he also ran in World Super Sport. The new format for World Superbike is really working well for the fans. We will watch Sylvain Guintoli, go from the front row. But, remember, in yesterday's race (read above, for details), Guintoli had lots of tire trouble. He was in a good position for a while, but rapidly lost pace towards the end. Jordi Torres and Roman Ramos did well. Ramos looks to keep a streak of finishing in the points in every race, intact. Ramos indeed, is a solid rider.
Sylvain Barrier needs a boost, even though he's scored points. Alex Lowes is going well, and so did his brother Sam, in the Moto2 race in Argentina. It is interesting to see riders that move from MotoGP to World Superbike, or vice versa. There have been some great battles in World Superbike, featuring riders who have come and gone from the sport, but who's legacies, have lasted, such as Colin Edwards, Troy Bayliss, Carl Fogarty, and Pierfrancesco Chili. Another successful rider in World Superbike, who was on the podium in the very first race, in 1988, was the late, great, Joey Dunlop, who went on to become a true legend, in the Irish motorcycle road racing championship, and on the Isle of Man in the Tourist Trophy races there.
Many wildcard riders, came into the series, and would steal the thunder, from the regular riders. Names like Steve Hislop, Anthony Gobert, and many others. When you look at home many riders have won the centenary races in WSBK, it's amazing. 16-time WSBK race winner Giancarlo Falappa of Italy, is here, at Aragon. The 100th race, was run at Spa Francorchamps, in Belgium, of all places (what a great track), in 1992. Australia's Rob Phillis, won the race, on a Kawasaki. Race 200, was in 1996, and American John Kocinski won that one, aboard a factory Ducati.
Race 300, was in 2000, at Misano Adriatico in Italy, won by Troy Corser. Number 400, was at Silverstone, in 2004, and World Supersport champion, Chris Vermuellen, won that. Number 500 came at Brno in the Czech Republic, (a track no longer raced on by World Superbike), in 2008. Ducati swept the podium, with Troy Bayliss, Michele Fabrizio, and Max Biaggi. The 600th race, happened in the United States, at the old Miller Motorsports Park, in Utah. Spaniard, Carlos Checa, won that one. Now, we are onto the 700th race. American Ben Spies, was also successful in World Superbike.
Will Kawasaki have the pace to stay with, or pass, Chaz Davies? Yesterday, was the first race, since the closing events of last year, in which Jonathan Rea, didn't lead. Davies was fastest in the morning warmup. Jordi Torres crashed in the warmup, which only lasts for 15 minutes. Sykes has pole for this race. Qualifying sets the grid, for both races. The results of the first race, don't have any bearing on the grid for race two. Lorenzo Savadori has been racing, for a decade, and he was the Super Stock 1000 champ, last year. Roman Ramos, does well, and he's represented, by a platypus. Karel Abraham is fifteenth on the grid, and he finished behind Josh Brookes in race one.
Look out for Markus Reiterberger, too. Alex De Angelis had surgery on his arm recently. He had a huge crash in MotoGP, last year. But, he's rehabilitated, and has come back to racing. He is a former Grand Prix winner as well. Aprilia does not have factory support in World Superbike, since they've also branched out into MotoGP again. But, the motorcycle is solid, and fast. Matteo Baiocco had an issue with downshifting the transmission. Josh Brookes was British Superbike champion, and he's still got the potential, to be successful.
Matteo Luissiana of France, is running well. He ran in Superstock 1000 last year, and is on a wildcard BMW S1000RR. Dominic Schmitter has graduated from World Supersport, to World Superbike. Saeed Al Sulaiti, burned his feet on a hot radiator. But, he has not been too confident lately either. He had engine sensor and fuel pump problems. But, we're ready for the 700th race. Two Yamaha's and a Kawasaki, on the front row. Stand by, for race 700 in World Superbike history! 28 years ago today, on Sunday April 3rd, 1988, World Superbike began at Donington Park, in England. Well, now, 28 years later, it/'s the 700th race, at Motorland Aragon.
The bikes are off on their warmup lap. The track temp is pretty much the same, as the first race. The same time of day, and the same temperature. Wind speed, affects the 600 Supersport bikes, more than the 1000cc World Superbikes. You will read about the Supersport race, soon. Stay tuned. There will be intense competition, between the Kawasaki team mates, and at the next race, which actually, will be this weekend, in Assen, Holland, at The Cathedral. Details, coming at the end of the race report.
No tire surprises. We are ready, for race two of World Superbike. Here we go. Red lights on. Red lights, out! We're off and racing at Aragon! Tom Sykes leads, as Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes tussle for second, and Sylvain Guintoli appears to be dropping back already. Chaz Davies is also coming in a hurry, the winner of race one on Saturday. Alex Lowes, says, "oh no you don't, Sylvain" to his team mate, and makes a move around Guintoli. Davide Giugliano passes Lowes. Michael van der Mark takes both of them! He's passed Lowes, and working on Giugliano.
Davies slices past Rea, like a hot knife through butter. Tom Sykes is trying to pull away. But, Davies is coming. He absolutely creamed Rea, getting around him for second. After this race, Jonathan Rea, will retain the lead in points, and have the third longest streak of leading the points table in WSBK history. Rea does not have the pace to get by the Ducati. Oh deary me. Alex Lowes is under investigation by the stewards. Did he jump the start? That's a no no. Michael van der Mark, and Sylvain Guintoli, battle. These two, were team mates, last year, for Honda.
Van der Mark, passed Guintoli, and it's a scrap for fifth and sixth place. Lowes likely jumped the start as race direction investigation. Chaz Davies is going for it. But, he almost crashes into Tom Sykes! Turn 13 is so narrow, you can't pass there, boys! You hardly ever see a pass through that corner! They almost swapped graphics! Yikes! Tom Sykes wants to get past Davies, but again, Davies slams the door in his face! There has also been a wreck. Sylvain Barrier has fallen. Two French riders, including a wildcard, have wrecked, as Davies sets fast lap at 1:51.240.
Barrier crashed, and to avoid him, Matteo Luissiana also crashed. Sykes blocks under braking, but Chaz Davies, rolls through the corner, and can carry more corner speed. Davies might just pull away from everyone else. Race over? Maybe. Has Kawasaki found a speed secret to try and beat the Ducati? We'll see. Kawasaki's are climbing a mountain here. Davies, Sykes, Rea, the top three. No jump start. But, Alex Lowes has dropped to 12th. Chaz Davies runs a 1:51 flat. 1:51.053. Davies leads Sykes by under a second. Sykes and Rea will battle. Speaking of battles, we watch Xavi Fores, Davide Giugliano, and Michael van der Mark.
Davies is very comfortable, opening a gap, letting the Kawasaki's fight with each other. Jonathan Rea had many podiums and race wins last year, and knew when to settle for a podium. Jonathan Rea closes on Tom Sykes. Brake into the corner, shift up, and then, hold the power, down the 630 meter long straightaway. Tip it right, and then, go up a 50 meter hill. Now, this is equivalent of a 15 story building! Yikes! Brake and turn at the same time. 95 kilometers an hour (59 miles per hour). Hit fourth gear between turns five and six, and into turn seven, and come into the dip approaching the reverse corkscrew.
Right, left, drop down, and then, around a long, long right hand bend. This is turn ten, taken in third gear. Rea is sizing up his team mate. There's still 12 laps to go. Nicky Hayden and Alex Lowes are dropping like stones, after fighting for the top ten. Carlos Checa, 2011 World Superbike champion, looks on. Turn three, is the Carlos Checa corner, the only corner on this track, with a name. Davies has checked out. He should have this race in the bag. Xavi Fores is battling Davide Giugliano again. Deja vu. The Yamaha's are struggling. Lorenzo Savadori and Roman Ramos, round out the top ten.
Nicky Hayden is down to 15th, and Davide Giugliano is down to eighth. Xavi Fores, Michael van der Mark, Jordi Torres, and Sylvain Guintoli, have all passed him. Giugliano and Fores almost hit each other. Has Davide Giugliano got a problem? Hopefully no issues will arise on the Ducati of Davies, leading. Jonathan Rea can bide his time, as Xavi Fores is four seconds in arrears. Chaz Davies, is dominating, again. He is 2.5 seconds to the good over Tom Sykes and the rest of the field.
Meanwhile, Alex Lowes, has gone off the road.
Lowes is losing spots, and is 16th, as we are going to be halfway home in race two after lap nine is complete. Lorenzo Savadori and Alex de Angelis, are ninth and tenth. Good effort, for Aprilia! Josh Brookes is ahead of Markus Reiterberger, in terms of positions for some of the BMW riders. Xavi Fores is fourth, with van der Mark behind, and then, Giugliano and Savadori a bit farther down. Another one to watch is between Lorenzo Savadori, Alex de Angelis, and Roman Ramos. Matteo Baiocco is struggling in 18th place.
Other riders, are down the order, but still in the race. Matteo Luissiana, Josh Hook, Dominic Schmitter, Saeed Al-Sulaiti, and Peter Sebestyen. Hook, is actually 23rd, along with Imre Toth. Rea passes Sykes, with eight laps left. Rea passes Sykes. We are looking at the same top three as on Saturday. Chaz Davies has checked out, and is leading by four seconds. Does Sykes have potential to pass Jonathan Rea? Xavi Fores is fourth, but Sylvain Guintoli, still has issues. Jordi Torres is closing on Michael van der Mark. Michael van der Mark cannot afford another non finish.
Michael van der Mark will just have to settle for points. Tom Sykes is not letting Rea get away. Sykes has to attack. He did not have the pace in race one. Turn 15 is crucial for an overtaking maneuver. Aragon is very popular. It's very difficult to overtake here, though. Lorenzo Savadori has had some issues. He is fighting back, splitting Ramos and De Angelis. Chaz Davies can move to second in the championship. Rea might increase his lead, by one point, but, Davies, will take ten points out of Jonathan Rea.
Tom Sykes stays with Rea this time. Jordi Torres, passes Michael van der Mark. Torres drafts past van der Mark. Chaz Davies leads by a massive 6.3 seconds. Rea and Sykes continue fighting. Four laps to go. Sykes was 1/10th quicker than Rea on the previous lap. Rea loses time, and loses second place. He went off the road, slightly. He was pushed into that error by Sykes. Rea will have a 26 point lead ahead of Chaz Davies. Nicky Hayden, is slowing. He's way down in 18th spot. Has he gone off the road? Ah. It's game over for Hayden and the Honda Fireblade. Did he miss a shift? Maybe.
Chaz Davies excels at Aragon. Davide Giugliano, his team mate, has struggled, at this circuit. Xavi Fores, is comfortable, in fourth. Giugliano, will be scratching his head, and the morale balloon, for Giugliano, has been deflated, for this race. Leandro Mercado, of Argentina, ran for the same team as Xavi Fores, last year. He is now back in Superstock 1000 where he's won a championship before. Stay tuned. You will eventually read a race report, on the Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 season opening races, from Spain, as well.
Two laps now remain as Tom Sykes has Imre Toth as a lapped rider, to contend with. But, that's easy. Jonathan Rea, will finish fourth. Davies has put on a clinic. A sublime performance. He's won here four times. He's going to win a fifth race, and will win the 700th FIM World Superbike race. His 11th win, and the 320th for Ducati. Eight different makes, have won in World Superbike. Bimota, BMW, Suzuki, Aprilia, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, have won. But no brand has won more WSBK races, than Ducati. Carl Fogarty, Neil Hodgson, Troy Bayliss, and now, Chaz Davies. It's the final lap.
Just a couple corners left. Chaz Davies has cleaned everyone's clocks here in Aragon. Chaz Davies wins it! He wins the 700th World Superbike race, in April 2016!
WSBK Race 2: #7 Chaz Davies GBR. Ducati 1199 Panigale R
Ducati beats Kawasaki, on their home testing turf. That's a wrap, from Aragon. The next race for FIM World Superbike, is this weekend, in Holland, at "The Cathedral". Assen, in Holland, is the most legendary motorcycle racing track in the world. A true speed palace. So, stay tuned, for the action, from Holland, when there is time, to cover it. So long for now, everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment