WSBK – WSBK 2011 in Donington: Toseland out, Vermeulen in –

WSBK 2011 in Donington: Toseland out, Vermeulen in

WSBK - WSBK 2011 in Donington: Toseland out, Vermeulen in -

This weekend at Donington Park will be the second round of the Superbike World Championship. This ‘European’ round will see – finally! – the return of Chris Vermeulen. James Toseland on the contrary, has already had to withdraw. Explanations.

The pilots of the World Superbike – Supersport and Superstock 600 and 1000 also! – have an appointment this weekend at Donington Park to participate in the "European" round of the WSBK championship. That of Great Britain will take place very officially at Silverstone on July 31, but in the meantime, the British will already be at home on Sunday…

Also, Leon Haslam, Jonathan Rea, Eugene Laverty and Leon Camier await this second round with excitement: we can imagine them all listening to the "God Save The Queen" – performed by Brian May of Queen, of course – in view of the podiums of Sunday, 100% British like last year at Silverstone (read) ?

Toseland "out" for six weeks

Only James Toseland, however renowned for his talents as a pianist and singer, does not have the heart to revise the "Send her victorious, Happy and glorious" of the British anthem: the pilot n ° 52 broke his wrist right last Friday during the private tests he carried out with his team BMW Italia.

"Unfortunately, early in the afternoon of the second day of testing (Friday, Editor’s note), James suffered a highside at the exit of turn 10 and found himself lying on the track after violently tapping his head and right wrist", reported his team on Sunday evening…

Immediately evacuated to Alcaniz hospital, Toseland undergoes a battery of tests which rule out any concern at the cranial level and only detects one "small wrist fracture". Initially therefore, the doctors are reassuring, believing that" Dji-Ti "will be able to participate in the test the following Sunday." Cool! "

"My priority was to be able to run in Donington", recalls the double world champion on his official website,"but when I got back to the Hotel the pain in my right hand was incredible and given the deadline I sent the scan to a specialist I know in Manchester".

At the mere sight of the draw, the specialist agrees with the advice of his Spanish colleagues but still leaves the wedding anniversary – which he was attending – to auscultate his injured friend. Wise decision : "they took x-rays from another angle and found out that I had badly displaced bones", still relates James." Not Cool … "

Forced to pass on the operating table, James will not be able to remove his sons for at least six weeks. Contrary to what Serafino Foti announced on Sunday evening, BMW Motorrad WSBK Italia sporting director, James Toseland will therefore not be back in Assen but in Monza at the beginning of May, perhaps … "Wait and see" say the English..

On the contrary, Chris Vermeulen who has already waited a long time and was even deprived of "his" shopping at Phillip Island last month (read then), could make his big "Come Back" Friday in England !

Vermeulen "in" after eight months

The reconstruction of his knee – this is the exact and appropriate term … – started in July 2010 would have finally entered its final phase, which allows the n ° 77 to resume the track. And not just any: that of Donington Park, which he knows by heart for having ridden there in British Superbike – it was a brilliant idea of ​​Barry Sheene – then in MotoGP !

"It’s wonderful to have Chris back on the team and we hope he will do well now that he’s practically in great shape.", rejoices the owner of the official Kawasaki Team, Paul Bird, before announcing that"it’s an important race for the team and I expect our three pilots (Vermeulen, Lascorz and Sykes, NDLR) be strong this weekend, there should be no more excuses" !

Sunday is certain, the English, Irish and Australian pilots will be keen to represent their Majesty Queen Kate Middleton Elizabeth II with dignity. Leon Haslam in particular, third in the provisional tied on points with Melandri, will be a close watch at Donington Park.

"I have completed countless laps on this circuit in the past", warns the" reigning "vice-world champion,"including on production motorcycles". Indeed, the n ° 91 of the official BMW team lives only 20 minutes from the English track..

However, our adored Frenchie Sylvain Guintoli does not nursery far, him either, from Donington and will therefore drive a little at home! So let’s hope that his Australian ailments will not prevent him from shining on "his" land. To follow on the Site: stay connected !

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *