NinjaMaster
24th February 2011, 12:29
Well, here we are at the start of a brand new season. And like every season, there is a lot of anticipation as to what may unfold. This year, however, is a particular excitement about what seems one the the most even fields the series has seen for a long time. Following is my round up of the riders involved:
1 Max Biaggi - Alitalia Aprilia: The reigning champion will once again be the man to beat. The bike will still be good but will the hunger still be there?
2 Leon Camier - Alitalia Aprilia: A bit of pressure for Leon this year. On the championship winning bike, he'll be expecting a bit more than just some podiums this season. Good thing he's got the goods to improve.
41 Nori Haga - PATA Aprilia: Has his time passed? Very difficult to win on a privateer bike, Nori seems destined to join the likes of Aaron Slight as the greatest 'neverman'.
4 Jonathan Rea - Castrol Ten Kate Honda: A popular pick for the title, this is the year he and Ten Kate need to deliver. Finally need that bit of luck and no injuries to contend right to the end.
111 Ruben Xaus - Castrol Ten Kate Honda: Ruben will be Ruben - fast, spectacular and expensive on machinery! Expect a podium or two.
11 Troy Corser - BMW Motorrad: Troy talked about 2011 being the title chasing year. Not sure he and the BMW are capable. There was significant improvement last year but this year is a tougher field. Age might start catching up I think.
91 Leon Haslam - BMW Motorrad: Has the BMW developed further enough to be a contender and can Leon wring it's neck to further heights like he did with the Suzuki? The ability is there, not convinced about the machinery.
52 James Toseland - BMW Italia: A swift fall from grace for the dual world champ. He'll be keen to upstage the factory BMW's and I reckon he'll keep 'em honest.
86 Ayrton Badovini - BMW Italia: Dominated WSTK in 2010, he'll find WSB a tougher nut to crack this year but should have some solid results.
33 Marco Melandri - Yamaha: A prodigiously talented rider, the only thing holding Marco back is his head. With the more relaxed WSB atmosphere, I expect him to shine.
58 Eugene Laverty - Yamaha: Eugene's blazing speed on a supersport bike has carried over to the superbike and he'll likely win races this year, sprinkled with a few crashes as well.
7 Carlos Checa - Althea Ducati: Now the number 1 at Ducati, there may not be a factory team anymore, but don't be fooled into thinking they are no longer involved. Checa will have plenty of support from Bologne and this may well be his best chance at taking a world title.
50 Sylvain Guintoli - Liberty Ducati: Was disappointing last year. Has shown plenty of talent in the past, a good Ducati bike might be all it takes to see it again in WSB.
96 Jakub Smrz - Liberty Ducati: Has always shown great pace in qualifying, hopefully this is the team to take him to regular podiums and perhaps that elusive first win.
121 Maxime Berger - Supersonic Ducati: Has some good raw speed but in this deep field, will do well to score a few top 10 finishes.
17 Joan Lascorz - Kawasaki Racing: Joan's step up to the superbike has been surprisingly quick. Seemingly more consistent than blistering fast on the 600, perhaps he is the surprise packet of 2011?
66 Tom Sykes - Kawasaki Racing: Put in a herculean effort in 2010 on the recalitrant ZX10R. His new weapon appears a much sharper tool and Tom is well placed to make the most of it. Expect the green #66 near the pointy end more often than not.
77 Chris Vermeulen - Kawasaki Racing: Kawasaki's big signing, Chris has had a rotten time of injury. He is hugely talented and if he can get himself fit, he should have some strong results in the back half of the season.
8 Mark Aitchison - Pedercini Kawasaki: Showed speed in superstock and supersport but a nasty habit of crashing. A higher finishing strike rate and some top 10's will be a successful year for Aitcho.
44 Roby Rolfo - Pedercini Kawasaki: What to make of Roby? Capable of a race win and tailend finishes in the deep Moto2 field, he is fast on his day but the privateer Kwak may not be enough to see his full talent.
67 Bryan Staring - Pedercini Kawasaki: Bryan is the reigning Aus Superbike champion and has a wildcard ride with the Pedercini team whom he'll race superstock for this year. He's plenty talented and his main goal will be to beat fellow wildcard, Josh Waters.
84 Michel Fabrizio - Alstare Suzuki: A bit like Melandri, Michel has oodles of speed but isn't reknowned as the most mentally strong. With less expectation and pressure on him at Suzuki, perhaps the Gixxer is the bike where we'll see him really shine?
12 Josh Water - Yoshimura Suzuki: The 2009 Aus superbike champ has a wildcard ride this weekend and a big opportunity to impress. At a track he knows well, on a bike he's fairly familiar with, the talented 23 year old should give a good account of himself and be a top 10 chance.
This should be a rippa start to a rippa season at a rippa track. I'll be there all weekend so will speak to y'all when I get back, with a few piccies. :up:
1 Max Biaggi - Alitalia Aprilia: The reigning champion will once again be the man to beat. The bike will still be good but will the hunger still be there?
2 Leon Camier - Alitalia Aprilia: A bit of pressure for Leon this year. On the championship winning bike, he'll be expecting a bit more than just some podiums this season. Good thing he's got the goods to improve.
41 Nori Haga - PATA Aprilia: Has his time passed? Very difficult to win on a privateer bike, Nori seems destined to join the likes of Aaron Slight as the greatest 'neverman'.
4 Jonathan Rea - Castrol Ten Kate Honda: A popular pick for the title, this is the year he and Ten Kate need to deliver. Finally need that bit of luck and no injuries to contend right to the end.
111 Ruben Xaus - Castrol Ten Kate Honda: Ruben will be Ruben - fast, spectacular and expensive on machinery! Expect a podium or two.
11 Troy Corser - BMW Motorrad: Troy talked about 2011 being the title chasing year. Not sure he and the BMW are capable. There was significant improvement last year but this year is a tougher field. Age might start catching up I think.
91 Leon Haslam - BMW Motorrad: Has the BMW developed further enough to be a contender and can Leon wring it's neck to further heights like he did with the Suzuki? The ability is there, not convinced about the machinery.
52 James Toseland - BMW Italia: A swift fall from grace for the dual world champ. He'll be keen to upstage the factory BMW's and I reckon he'll keep 'em honest.
86 Ayrton Badovini - BMW Italia: Dominated WSTK in 2010, he'll find WSB a tougher nut to crack this year but should have some solid results.
33 Marco Melandri - Yamaha: A prodigiously talented rider, the only thing holding Marco back is his head. With the more relaxed WSB atmosphere, I expect him to shine.
58 Eugene Laverty - Yamaha: Eugene's blazing speed on a supersport bike has carried over to the superbike and he'll likely win races this year, sprinkled with a few crashes as well.
7 Carlos Checa - Althea Ducati: Now the number 1 at Ducati, there may not be a factory team anymore, but don't be fooled into thinking they are no longer involved. Checa will have plenty of support from Bologne and this may well be his best chance at taking a world title.
50 Sylvain Guintoli - Liberty Ducati: Was disappointing last year. Has shown plenty of talent in the past, a good Ducati bike might be all it takes to see it again in WSB.
96 Jakub Smrz - Liberty Ducati: Has always shown great pace in qualifying, hopefully this is the team to take him to regular podiums and perhaps that elusive first win.
121 Maxime Berger - Supersonic Ducati: Has some good raw speed but in this deep field, will do well to score a few top 10 finishes.
17 Joan Lascorz - Kawasaki Racing: Joan's step up to the superbike has been surprisingly quick. Seemingly more consistent than blistering fast on the 600, perhaps he is the surprise packet of 2011?
66 Tom Sykes - Kawasaki Racing: Put in a herculean effort in 2010 on the recalitrant ZX10R. His new weapon appears a much sharper tool and Tom is well placed to make the most of it. Expect the green #66 near the pointy end more often than not.
77 Chris Vermeulen - Kawasaki Racing: Kawasaki's big signing, Chris has had a rotten time of injury. He is hugely talented and if he can get himself fit, he should have some strong results in the back half of the season.
8 Mark Aitchison - Pedercini Kawasaki: Showed speed in superstock and supersport but a nasty habit of crashing. A higher finishing strike rate and some top 10's will be a successful year for Aitcho.
44 Roby Rolfo - Pedercini Kawasaki: What to make of Roby? Capable of a race win and tailend finishes in the deep Moto2 field, he is fast on his day but the privateer Kwak may not be enough to see his full talent.
67 Bryan Staring - Pedercini Kawasaki: Bryan is the reigning Aus Superbike champion and has a wildcard ride with the Pedercini team whom he'll race superstock for this year. He's plenty talented and his main goal will be to beat fellow wildcard, Josh Waters.
84 Michel Fabrizio - Alstare Suzuki: A bit like Melandri, Michel has oodles of speed but isn't reknowned as the most mentally strong. With less expectation and pressure on him at Suzuki, perhaps the Gixxer is the bike where we'll see him really shine?
12 Josh Water - Yoshimura Suzuki: The 2009 Aus superbike champ has a wildcard ride this weekend and a big opportunity to impress. At a track he knows well, on a bike he's fairly familiar with, the talented 23 year old should give a good account of himself and be a top 10 chance.
This should be a rippa start to a rippa season at a rippa track. I'll be there all weekend so will speak to y'all when I get back, with a few piccies. :up: