- Jan 9, 2004
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- Kawasaki Racing, Falcons, Pelicans
Possibly the best kept secret in motor racing (through non-existent promotion), the 2016 season of the World Superbikes fires up at Phillip Island this weekend. There are a few significant changes from last year:
- Yamaha have returned with a factory backed team with Alex Lowes and Sylvain Guintoli.
- an influx of new riders including Nicky Hayden, Alex de Angelis and Karel Abraham from MotoGP.
- two Australians with permanent rides in youngster Josh Hook and reigning British champ Josh Brookes. Unfortunately Hooky won't be racing this weekend after dislocating his shoulder in a crash during testing earlier this week.
- current number one, Kawasaki have a new ZX-10R and two riders who increasingly don't like each other.
- there are four full time Australian riders in the Supersport class. Aiden Wagner (MV Agusta), Glenn Scott (Honda), Alex Phillis (Honda) and Lachlan Epis (Kawasaki). Wagner in particular is a good thing.
- the biggest change of all - no more two race Sunday. There will now be one race of Saturday and one on Sunday. I think this is a big mistake.
This year really looks to be a cracker. Tom Sykes has been the standout in testing but margins are tight. Johnny Rea is right there and as the reigning champ should start as favourite. And there is a beautifully simmering feud developing between them.
Chaz Davies will want to go one better than his runner up position last year. His Ducati is further developed and he'll be right up there. Guigliano should finally get on the winners list if he doesn't smash himself to bits.
The Yamahas have been solid in testing, benefiting from a year of development in the hands of Josh Brookes. Lowes in particular will be fast but has a shoulder injury to overcome first.
Hayden and Michael van der Mark will get podiums this year but are fighting an uphill battle on their ancient Honda Fireblades. They'll be hanging out for the new Honda Superbike next year.
BMW have the very fast Jordi Torres who will be a serial podium threat. His teammate Marcus Reiterberger has been a surprise packet in testing. Brookes has been solid in testing whilst his teammate Abraham has a lot of adapting to do after testing at the tail end of the field.
Aprilia are once again a late inclusion, this time being run by the Ioda team running de Angelis a Lorenzo Savadori.
Leon Camier is again piloting an MV Agusta, hopefully able to run at the pointy end more often.
This year looks pretty unpredictable. Rea and Sykes are undoubtedly the favourites but the list of potential podium getters and race winners is long. This should be fun - if you get a chance to watch it...
- Yamaha have returned with a factory backed team with Alex Lowes and Sylvain Guintoli.
- an influx of new riders including Nicky Hayden, Alex de Angelis and Karel Abraham from MotoGP.
- two Australians with permanent rides in youngster Josh Hook and reigning British champ Josh Brookes. Unfortunately Hooky won't be racing this weekend after dislocating his shoulder in a crash during testing earlier this week.
- current number one, Kawasaki have a new ZX-10R and two riders who increasingly don't like each other.
- there are four full time Australian riders in the Supersport class. Aiden Wagner (MV Agusta), Glenn Scott (Honda), Alex Phillis (Honda) and Lachlan Epis (Kawasaki). Wagner in particular is a good thing.
- the biggest change of all - no more two race Sunday. There will now be one race of Saturday and one on Sunday. I think this is a big mistake.
This year really looks to be a cracker. Tom Sykes has been the standout in testing but margins are tight. Johnny Rea is right there and as the reigning champ should start as favourite. And there is a beautifully simmering feud developing between them.
Chaz Davies will want to go one better than his runner up position last year. His Ducati is further developed and he'll be right up there. Guigliano should finally get on the winners list if he doesn't smash himself to bits.
The Yamahas have been solid in testing, benefiting from a year of development in the hands of Josh Brookes. Lowes in particular will be fast but has a shoulder injury to overcome first.
Hayden and Michael van der Mark will get podiums this year but are fighting an uphill battle on their ancient Honda Fireblades. They'll be hanging out for the new Honda Superbike next year.
BMW have the very fast Jordi Torres who will be a serial podium threat. His teammate Marcus Reiterberger has been a surprise packet in testing. Brookes has been solid in testing whilst his teammate Abraham has a lot of adapting to do after testing at the tail end of the field.
Aprilia are once again a late inclusion, this time being run by the Ioda team running de Angelis a Lorenzo Savadori.
Leon Camier is again piloting an MV Agusta, hopefully able to run at the pointy end more often.
This year looks pretty unpredictable. Rea and Sykes are undoubtedly the favourites but the list of potential podium getters and race winners is long. This should be fun - if you get a chance to watch it...
