Thread: World Superbikes

Hope you & jan have a great weekend Nige looking foward to the pics cheers mate.

23 - 25 September 2011
Superbike Grand Prix of Imola - Italy
Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola

New Ducati Superbike to be called 1199 Panigale

Ducati has officially announced the naming of its new generation 2012 Superbike as the Ducati 1199 Panigale and confirmed that the unveiling and first public display will be at the EICMA International Motorcycle Show in Milan 10-13 November.
Developed as a true sport bike, the Ducati 1199 Panigale will first see racing action in 2012 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup and, in accordance with the factory's development program, make its debut in World Superbike in 2013.

The two-stage introduction enables Ducati additional development for the Superbike version of the 1199 Panigale, appropriate to the more open regulations of the World Superbike category, and in addition help control costs for World Superbike teams who can continue to compete with a 2012 version of the 1198 with technical support from Ducati Engineers.

Carlos Checa
Ducati
376

Marco Melandri
Yamaha
302

Max Biaggi
Aprilia
281

Eugene Laverty
Yamaha
232

Leon Haslam
BMW
176

Leon Camier
Aprilia
154

Michel Fabrizio
Suzuki
141

Sylvain Guintoli
Ducati
139

Ayrton Badovini
BMW
134

Noriyuki Haga
Aprilia
115

Race win but title has to wait for Checa


Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) won the second dramatic race of the Imola weekend but he was unable to clinch the championship outright as his only remaining rival Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) was sixth, despite running off the track at one stage.
Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) was on course for his second race win before his machine stopped while leading. Noriyuki Haga (Pata Racing Aprilia) took his second runner-up place of the day, while Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) earned a podium in a classic race at this classic track. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) was fourth.

In the championship Checa is all but crowned, with a 97-point lead over Melandri and two rounds left.

30 September - 02 October 2011
Superbike Grand Prix of Magny Cours - France
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny Cours

After a season full of successes, race wins, podiums, fastest laps and pole positions, Carlos Checa and the Althea Racing team received the ultimate prize at the Magny-Cours circuit, as the Spaniard was crowned World Superbike Champion 2011 at the penultimate round. Thanks to Checa's brilliant results throughout the 2011 season, Ducati also celebrated its 17th win in the Manufacturers' championship at the end of Race 2.
Having led the 2011 championship right from the opening round, Checa brought home the 2011 World SBK title ahead of schedule. Highlights and lowlights of the season included double wins at Phillip Island, Salt Lake City, Misano, Silverstone and here at Magny-Cours, a crash at home-track Aragon and the stunning win at Ducati's home track of Imola last week. The season has brought huge success, with the team clocking up 14 race wins and a total of 20 podium finishes over the twelve events held so far. At Silverstone, Carlos also reached the milestone of 100 SBK race starts while simultaneously scoring the 300th race win for Ducati. Carlos has thus far attained 39 podiums from 106 SBK race starts. Having accumulated a total of 467 points over the twelve rounds needed to take the title, Checa is the 14th Ducati rider to take the SBK crown, while Borgo Panigale also scores its 17th manufacturers' title with a total of 491 points earned so far.

"Today has been a perfect day, the best day of my career and probably the best day of my life. I thank everyone, every person that has helped me throughout my career, from the beginning up until today, for helping me reach this point. I especially thank Genesio Bevilacqua, my entire team and Ducati of course. I am experiencing so many emotions and must admit that it was very difficult to keep my concentration in the final stages of race one. Then, in race two, I tried to race as fast as I could, doing what I like to do best, and was able to win once more. Now we can relax and relish in this unforgettable moment."

14 - 16 October 2011
Superbike Grand Prix of Portimao - Portugal
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão

Melandri wins and Laverty second

Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) and Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) gave their squad a 1-2 finish in the final race of the 2011 season, with Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) posting third place after his late attack on Laverty was rebuffed. The top three were separated by only 1.363 seconds.
Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) held off the resurgent charge of Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert Liberty Racing Ducati) to take fourth place in the 22-lap race and finished his championship-winning year with 15 race victories.

Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) went sixth and seventh, Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) eighth.

The final points tally reads Checa on 505, Melandri on 395, Biaggi and Laverty both on 303 points.