The World Superbike series is heading to South Africa this weekend for round 6 in Kyalami. The counter clockwise track is a fan favorite and will be sure to challenge the World SBK riders.
Leon Haslam still holds onto the lead going into round six, but Max Biaggi is making up ground fast. Biaggi is coming off of his second double of the season, and has climbed to within three points of the season leader Haslam.
Haslam had a good weekend in Monza as well, with a second and fourth place finish. But Haslam will need race wins at Kyalami if he wants to keep Biaggi at bay. Haslam aggravated an old injury during the event at Monza, and will be entering round six with a sprained wrist.
“Kyalami is a physically demanding track and it is going to give my left wrist a good workout, but I don't think it's going to be too much of a problem,” said Haslam. “It was well strapped up in the afternoon and I didn't feel much pain. Of course, it would've been good to have a bit more of a gap between Monza and Kyalami, but I shall just have to put up with it.”
Jonathan Rea is third in the standings, tied with Carlos Checa, despite a less than perfect round at Monza. Rea failed to score any points at the Monza track, growing the seperation between the top two riders and the rest of the pack.
"I am really looking forward to racing in South Africa as last year I had my first podium there. Our bike is working really well and I can say I'm excited to be riding it again. I guess I was top of the world one minute after two wins at Assen then had two non-finishes last weekend. But we are still third in the championship, which is some consolation.”
2010 World Superbike Standings
Leon Haslam - Suzuki - 181
Max Biaggi - Aprilia -178
Jonathan Rea - Honda - 110
Carlos Checa - Ducati - 110
James Toseland - Yamaha - 106
Noriyuki Haga - Ducati - 100
Troy Corser - BMW - 92
Leon Camier - Aprilia - 72
Sylvain Guintoli - Suzuki - 70
Cal Crutchlow - Yamaha - 65
Michel Fabrizio - Ducati - 62
Shane Byrne - Ducati - 58
Jakub Smrz - Ducati - 47
Tom Sykes - Kawasaki - 35
Ruben Xaus - BMW - 35
Lorenzo Lanzi - Ducati - 26
Max Neunkirchen - Honda - 23
Luca Scassa - Ducati - 16
Chris Vermeulen - Kawasaki - 5
Andrew Pitt - BMW - 3
Roger Lee Hayden - Kawasaki - 2
Joshua Brookes - Honda - 2
Broc Parkes - Honda - 1
Matteo Baiocco - Kawasaki - 1
