WSBK – Small transfers between friends of the World Superbike 2009 –

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Small transfers between friends of the World Superbike 2009

WSBK - Small transfers between friends of the World Superbike 2009 -

While the Superbike has just completed its ninth meeting of the season in Brno, discreetly celebrating the 500th start of a story that began on a Sunday in April 1988, the paddock is already looking to 2009. Update on transfers.

Obviously, transfer rumors are rife and everyone is speculating with more or less happiness on the future of such a team or such driver … But the certainties are not numerous: Ruben Xaus has signed with BMW and Max Neukirchner has a two-year contract with Suzuki Alstare starting next year.

For the rest, the least we can say is that there is a certain vagueness … At Honda Ten Kate, in view of Kenan Sofuoglu’s results, the 2007 Supersport world champion should leave the team and give way to Andrew Pitt … on condition that the latter is titled in Supersport at the end of the season.

Carlos Checa and Kiyonari would remain in place, and on the Suzuki side no change was announced either: Neukirchner and Nieto would be renewed. The only uncertainty concerns Kagayama, whose physical condition is not at best. Not to mention that the team manager Francis Batta and the promoter of the Superbike, FGSport, would like to recover a certain Ben Spies … Except that if the American has the opportunity to go to MotoGP (read in particular), he will not hesitate not a second !

On the Yamaha side, however, it is the total unknown … Corser is in advanced discussions with BMW to team up with Xaus, and very smart who can say what Haga will do next year! Especially since a new R1 is expected in early 2009, which will result in a substantial development program. However, we know the Japanese pilot’s very limited affection for testing and tuning sessions….

At Ducati, it is the rat race triggered by the announced retirement of Bayliss. The young Niccolo Canepa has all the favors of the official team which offers him three wild cards at the end of the season (never seen at Ducati).

Fabrizio, the other Ducati hopeful, is doing everything to stay in the race and he is doing it very well. And Biaggi is knocking on the door of the official structure with the support of Flammini, who would see the Roman Emperor crowned in 2009 on an Italian motorcycle fitted with Italian tires … Max Biaggi is indeed still popular in Italy … and he sells: an unstoppable argument in the sports business landscape !

No less than three other Ducati teams remain to be fitted. Sterilgarda who sees Xaus leave and who does not intend to continue the adventure with Biaggi – who knows why? -, the Americans Ducati Boulder who could recover Lanzi and run an American rider, and the English GSE who would land in the World with Shane Byrnes, who sparks in the English championship this year.

On the French side, Christophe Guyot and his GMT 94 are assured by the championship promoter of having their place in SBK next year. David Checa could continue the adventure, but not Sebastien Gimbert.

As for Regis Laconi, he could be replaced at Kawasaki by a certain Ayrton Badovini, who is now playing at Pedercini, Kawasaki PSG-1 satellite team. For once, the French drivers are a little forgotten by the party within a grid which could be made up of 34 permanent drivers in 2009.

Finally, the 2009 Superbike World Championship, which will stop next year in South Africa at Kyalami, will feature fifteen two-round races (against fourteen this year and thirteen last year), for a total of 30 starts announced! Stay connected !

A. LAFFUT – Photos DR

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