WSBK – The 2013 World Superbike field takes shape –

Posted on by admin

The 2013 World Superbike field takes shape

WSBK - The 2013 World Superbike field takes shape -

At the same time as the grand final of the WSBK 2012 at Magny-Cours is also looming the 2013 season: the big teams are gradually delivering the names of their next drivers … Baz will remain at Kawasaki while Rea will be joined at Honda by Haslam.

In a little less than two weeks, the 2012 Superbike world championship will be contested in France. Mathematically, the title remains within the reach of three pilots: Biaggi, Melandri and Sykes (read our). But Max, with his lead of around thirty points, is clearly a favorite.

The other pilots already have their eyes on 2013! This is the case, for example, of Loris Baz who, if he will be keen to shine in front of his audience at Magny-Cours on October 7, is delighted to be renewed in the official Kawasaki team next year, always alongside by Tom Sykes.

Kawasaki: phew, Baz redoubles !

"I am really happy you can imagine it", indicates the" Green Giant "(Loris measures 1.92 m, read our!):"from my beginnings within the Kawasaki Racing team I did everything to stay with them. I think this is one of the best bikes and one of the best teams so I didn’t want to go anywhere else".

By scrupulously respecting the instructions of his boss – no fall or sore in order to progress – "Bazooka" has gained his trust. Then, even if it meant breaking some fairings, Joan Lascorz’s replacement began to unlock his World Superbike counters with three podiums including one victory. !

His accumulation of 126 points currently puts him just behind Davide Giugliano (125), the championship’s first rookie while the Italian has competed eight more races than the French. The signing of the 2013 contract is therefore a fair reward for our young "Bazooka".

"I must first of all thank Guim Roda, my team manager, for placing a young driver (Loris is not 20 years old, Editor’s note!) on an official motorcycle, as well as Kawasaki who also believed in me"… and is pleased today to have entrusted the handlebars of the second Ninja to this" beginner "like no other !

"When we took Loris from Superstock to Superbike, it was because we had faith in his potential. It wasn’t just about ending the year", insists the famous Guim Roda, delighted with the results of his young foal.

Kawasaki Racing Director Ichiro Yoda adds that he "would like to help him progress and maybe in the future he will become a top Superbike rider (…). Also a pilot must be lucky and it looks like he is. !", probably in reference to his despite a fall that occurred a few seconds before the raising of the red flags !

"Winning a race at the age of 19 in his first season in the World Championship requires luck and intelligence", summarizes the big Japanese boss. Letting go such a nugget would be a mistake that Kawa is careful not to make, despite an attractive offer in terms of pilots…

Replaced by Chaz Davies in the "semi-official" BMW team next year, Leon Haslam will return to the CBR1000RR with which he made his WSBK debut with the private Stiggy Motorsport team in .

Honda: Rea backs up with Haslam

"We would like to send a "big thank you" to Leon", declared Bernhard Gobmeier, director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, because"BMW Motorrad wouldn’t be here – fighting for the championship – without his contribution".

In addition to being fast, talented and tough, Leon has, according to his future ex-employer "a great personality and a true friend to all of us. We are very happy to have been able to work with him these two years".

"We will obviously give him all our support for the last races to run.", continues the German official,"so that he gets the result he deservesThis is a victory that has escaped him since, when he was driving towards his "title" of vice-world champion on Suzuki !

In 2013, the "Pocket Rocket" # 91 will team up with Jonathan Rea. The latter, who on the occasion of the GP of Aragon, did not win his ticket for MotoGP but shows himself to be a philosopher…

"I have been loyal to Honda my entire career because I believe in this company and believe we can do great things together", says # 65."They have some enticing plans for 2013 and beyond, and I’m sure that with a strong teammate like Leon we can make next season a memorable one for good reasons.".

"We’re excited to see a new Haslam represent Honda (nod to "Rocket" Ron, Leon’s father, editor’s note) and I am sure that with these two pilots we will be able to continue to obtain good results in coherence with their individual potentials and that of the CBR10000RR Fireblade", believes Carlo Fiorani, director of the racing department at Honda Motor Europe..

Not a word, however, about poor Hiroshi Aoyama, who has failed to adapt to the Honda Superbike … The Honda Ten Kate team is rather delighted with the arrival of a new title sponsor for the next season: the Italian snack specialist "PATA", which this year sponsored the Ducati team in which Sylvain Guintoli had found refuge !

Bad news therefore for the Frenchie n ° 50, several weeks ago … just like Maxime Berger has just been! Absent in Portimao, our national "Mad Max" will undoubtedly not be at the start at Magny-Cours and is also looking for a handlebar for 2013…

In summary, are therefore formalized for next season: Melandri and Davies at BMW, Rea and Haslam at Honda, Sykes and Baz at Kawasaki and Laverty at Aprilia. Will Biaggi run an additional year on the RSV4? Will Checa stay at Ducati for the baptism of the Panigale? At Suzuki for sure, the Crescent team will be back, but with which riders? You will find out by watching the next season of the WSBK to follow on Site: stay tuned !

Related articles

Leave a Reply

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