WSBK preview: Silverstone

A meeting where Carlos Checa knows he has to fire to remain a chance of retaining his world title, while Aussie Dave Johnson will make an appearance

Reigning World Superbike champion Carlos Checa’s hopes of retaining his title with a giant-killing late-season charge begins this weekend at the ‘Home of British motor racing’, Silverstone.

The Ducati-riding Spaniard sits well back in fourth in this year’s WSBK standings, but he’s galvanised by the fact that two of his 15 wins in 2011 came at the 5.902km Silverstone circuit, situated between Northampton to the north and Oxford to the south. And he won with plenty to spare, which gives him confidence ahead of Sunday’s two 18-lappers.

“Last year’s Silverstone races couldn’t have gone any better, I won both and that was the perfect conclusion to what was a great weekend,” said Checa. “I like the track and I think we can do well there again this year.

“The weather conditions are always a total unknown in the UK but after the solid results that we scored in mixed conditions at Brno, I’m feeling confident ahead of Sunday’s races.”

Checa (204.4pts) trails Max Biaggi (271.5), Marco Melandri (250.5) and Tom Sykes (212.5) in the standings, with five rounds – and a maximum of 250pts – still available.

While Sykes (Kawasaki) has been the pole position trailblazer in 2012, Melandri (BMW), Biaggi (Aprilia) and Checa have dominated the race wins. Melandri has five to his credit -- including the last three -- while Biaggi and Checa have four apiece.

Biaggi was a hot favourite to run away with the spoils in the last round at Brno, but instead he stumbled and failed to score a podium finish while Melandri basked in the glory of a clean sweep and trimming Biaggi’s lead to just 21pts.

Biaggi is now determined to turn a page at Silverstone, where he was a winner way back in 2007.

“Brno left a bitter taste in my mouth - I won't deny that,” said Biaggi. “A track which has historically been friendly played a dirty trick on us, but we have been working hard to fix the problems that slowed us down. However, until the first test session we won't have a clear idea of our situation.

“There are a lot of variables at Silverstone, from the weather to the home riders. We'll have to stay focused on our goal and adapt quickly to the situation. It is a hard championship which will probably be decided in the last round. I want to be in it until the end.”

One rider who will be on cloud nine is Honda rider Jonathan Rea, who last Sunday became the first Briton to win the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour world endurance race in Japan.

Rea missed the 2011 Silverstone round with injury, but in his last outing at the circuit in 2010 he finished with a couple of second places – the same event where Cal Crutchlow set the current lap record.

Britons Leon Haslam (BMW), Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) and Chaz Davies (Aprilia) will also enjoy the home crowd support. Laverty was second in last year’s WSBK races at Silverstone.

And for the first time since Mark Aitchison left the championship, there will be an Australian presence at Silverstone, with South Aussie to replace Argentine Leandro Mercardo at Pedercini Kawasaki in a one-off ride.

WORLD SUPERSPORT

Newcastle rider Broc Parkes’ championship aspirations still hang by a thread, but a third place in the last round at Brno showed he was returning to somewhere near his best form.

And Parkes (Honda) has logged plenty of miles at Silverstone over the years, so his battle against the likes of Fabien Foret (Kawasaki), Kenan Sofouglu (Kawasaki) and Sam Lowes (Honda) should be a highlight.

SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP

Perth’s Bryan Staring (Kawasaki) has rejuvenated his season with victory in the last two races, and a third in a row at Silverstone will move him closer to the top of the standings – and in the bigger picture the target of WSBK teams for 2013.

There will be live coverage on SPEED from 8.30pm August 5, and delayed 30-minute highlights package from 2.00pm on August 12 on SBS TV.

CURRENT WORLD SUPERBIKE STANDINGS (AFTER NINE OF 14 ROUNDS):

1 Max Biaggi, Italy, Aprilia 271.5

2 Marco Melandri, Italy, BMW 250.5

3 Tom Sykes, Great Britain, Kawasaki 212.5

4 Carlos Checa, Spain, Ducati 204.5

5 Jonathan Rea, Great Britain, Honda 187

6 Leon Haslam, Great Britain, BMW 160

7 Eugene Laverty, Great Britain, Aprilia 148

8 Sylvain Guintoli, France, Ducati 110

9 Davide Giugliano, Italy, Ducati 99

10 Chaz Davies, Great Britain, Aprilia 93

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WSBK preview: Silverstone

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