Wsb 2008

[ArmchairBikeFan]

I've actually read somewhere or other that King Kenny Roberts is a serious possibility to run the MV Agustas. MotoGP has kicked him right in the teeth with the change to 800's, and World Supers would welcome Team Roberts with open arms. I hope MV Agusta join the series somehow. It'll mean attracting loads of sponsorship so I'm not holding my breath.

[The Phantom]

Rossi to WSB with MV Agusta, managed by King Kenny with JB as crew chief!

Now that would be fun...

[NinjaMaster]

Here are the latest on next years lineups as I read 'em:

WSB
DUCATI
Xerox Ducati: Troy Bayliss, Michel Fabrizio
Sterilgarda Ducati: Ruben Xaus
Ducati RG: Lorenzo Lanzi
GSE Ducati: Leon Haslam, Niccolo Canepa

HONDA
Ten Kate Honda: Kenan Sofuoglu, Carlos Chuca, Ryuichi Kiyonari
Alto Evolution Honda: Karl Muggeridge, Yoann Tiberio
Althea Honda: Roberto Rolfo

YAMAHA
Yamaha Italia: Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser
GMT 94: Seb Gimbert, Anthony Gobert - nah just kidding (dreaming), David Checa
Yamaha YZF: Shinichi Nakatomi, Shaky Byrne

SUZUKI
Alstare Suzuki: Max Biaggi, Yukio Kagayama, Max Neukirchner, Fonsi Nieto
Celani Suzuki: Steve Martin

KAWASAKI
PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki: Regis Laconi, Gregorio Lavilla or Alex Barros
Pedercini Kawasaki: ?,?

MV AGUSTA
Luca Scassa to race the three Italian rounds. KR has said he isn't running a MV WSB team unless they come to him.


WSS
HONDA
Ten Kate Honda: Andrew Pitt, Jonathon Rea
Althea Honda: Seb Charpentier, Gianluca Nannelli
Stiggy Honda: Robin Harms, Josh Brookes

YAMAHA
Yamaha Deutchland: Broc Parkes, Fabien Foret

SUZUKI
Hoegee Suzuki: Barry Veneman, Vesa Kallio

KAWASAKI
Gil Kawasaki: Katsuaki Fujiwara, Gianluca Vizziello and/or Mark Aitchison

TRIUMPH
SC Caracchi: Mauro Sanchini, Craig Jones
BE1: Ivan Clementi, ?


Some interesting lineups there. WSB looks to be increasing in depth and whilst I'd like Lavilla to get a factory Kwak because he is from Superbike, I think Barros would be more competitive. More Kwaks and Zooks can only be good for the series that is a bit thin on machinery at the moment. That list would make a grid of around 27 starters which is much better than the current 20ish.
I really hope that 2008 really sees the return of the classic tight WSS racing of it's early days as I'm sick of the Ten Kate benefit it has become. More help to Gil Kawasaki, a new Zook (hopefully with more backing from the factory) and a strong Yamaha lineup on a new R6 will hopefully make the Ten Kate boys have to work hard for the title next year. Also, hopefully Trumpy's foray into WSS will be as successful as the 675 has been on the streets.

[Corny]

2008 WSBK champion: Troy Bayliss

[jonny hurlock]

Here are the latest on next years lineups as I read 'em:

WSB
DUCATI
Xerox Ducati: Troy Bayliss, Michel Fabrizio
Sterilgarda Ducati: Ruben Xaus
Ducati RG: Lorenzo Lanzi
GSE Ducati: Leon Haslam, Niccolo Canepa

HONDA
Ten Kate Honda: Kenan Sofuoglu, Carlos Chuca, Ryuichi Kiyonari
Alto Evolution Honda: Karl Muggeridge, Yoann Tiberio
Althea Honda: Roberto Rolfo

YAMAHA
Yamaha Italia: Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser
GMT 94: Seb Gimbert, Anthony Gobert - nah just kidding (dreaming), David Checa
Yamaha YZF: Shinichi Nakatomi, Shaky Byrne

SUZUKI
Alstare Suzuki: Max Biaggi, Yukio Kagayama, Max Neukirchner, Fonsi Nieto
Celani Suzuki: Steve Martin

KAWASAKI
PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki: Regis Laconi, Gregorio Lavilla or Alex Barros

Return of GSE Ducati that will be good, would it be the same deal year old works ducati? also, Shane 'Shaky' Byrne in SBK, IMO he will stay in BSB next year of a good shot of the title.

2008 WSBK champion: Troy Bayliss

don't count out Haga, Corser, Kiyonari, or Biaggi

[The Phantom]

don't count out Haga, Corser, Kiyonari, or Biaggi

I think Bayliss, Kiyo and Biaggi will be the strongest, but Sofuoglo on the TenKate CBR1000RR is sure to be a force.

Yamaha became very strong during 2007, before that they were not quite as fast as the other top teams. I just wonder whether they'll slip again for 2008.

[ChrisS]

Ten Kate confirmed its 5 riders line-up in SBK and SS as mentioned in NinjaMaster 's post

http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5...5589~pid~1.htm

[motorsportfan]

If the mechanics spent a little less time in the Hospitality tent laughing and joking and more time in the garage doing what they are paid to do then perhaps the bikes wouldnt break down all the time. No wonder Neucherchner walked out last year and look what he did last week....podium
Anyone riding their bikes next year....I pity them

[patnicholls]

According to worldsbk.com the Italian Guandalini squad will be running a 1200 Ducati in WSB next year for Jakub Smrz. Good stuff!

[jonny hurlock]

don't count on max being in superbikes next season his quit suzuki

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wsbk...es_suzuki.html