The World Superbike series heads to Spain this weekend for the 7th round of the 2011 World Superbike season. Aragon marks the halfway point of the 2011 racing season, and Carlos Checa looks to be running away with the WSBK title.
Checa has done the double at the last two World Superbike events. Checa earned both wins at Miller Motorsports Park, then followed that up with another two wins at Misano last weekend. The Althea Ducati rider now returns to his home track, where he’ll look to build on his 72 point lead.
But Checa won’t have much of a home track advantage. The Aragon circuit is brand new for the World Superbike riders. Checa did, however, get a chance to test at the Spanish circuit earlier this year.
"I really liked the track when we tested there last winter and we now travel there in the best possible circumstances,” Checa said. “It is a left-handed track and as you know I prefer those, though I'm also getting to grips with right-handers too. I'm really enthusiastic and happy to race in my home country. I would love to give the Spanish public two great races.”
Checa will have to out race Max Biaggi this weekend if he wants to take home race wins. Biaggi, who is currently second in the standings, took two second place finishes at Misano and is eager to step up to the top of the box. Biaggi will have to find some race wins soon if he wants to challenge Checa for the title.
Marco Melandri should also be challenging for race wins this weekend. Melandri has been toward the top all season, but a crash last weekend at Misano caused him to drop back down to third place behind Biaggi.
Eugene Laverty will be another Yamaha rider looking to turn his fortunes around this weekend at Aragon. Laverty also did some testing at Aragon and is optimistic about the weekend.
“It's a new track most riders haven't raced before so hopefully this will be an advantage for us,” Laverty said. “I had a tough weekend in Misano but I intend to bounce back in Aragon, pushing forward to try and gather more valuable points for the championship."
The World Superbike riders will hit the track for the first time on Friday. Both World Superbike races will be on Sunday.
