13.12.12. WSBK : 2011 Ten Kate Honda World Superbike rider Ruben Xuas has joined the Italian brand Bimota as team manager, where he is helping to develop a new range of Moto2 and Superbike machines. Bimota has also joined forces with Edo Racing to set-up a new research and development department. Xaus who was the WSBK title runner-up back in 2002, rode both Moto2 and and Superbike at a recent test at Almeria in Spain.

Rubem Xaus said : "I have been part of Bimota for the past few months and i enjoy bringing my experienece as a world-known rider. I decided to create a development project, a joint venture with Edo Racing that could allow more flexibility and a faster service so the company can fully concentrate on the planning and prototyping.

"I really liked the HB4 2012 (Moto2 bike) and its easiness to ride. It really feels the adjustments and the Bitubo suspensions really helped. SBK is at its beginings. We just had to check different solutions about the chassis and from the next step forward we'll get to know better which is our project-competitiveness level."

Regarding the SBK machine, a Bimota statement declared that they are "absolutely open to the possibility that already this year, the bike could compete in one round. However it was not made clear which which championship they were referring to.

30.11.11. WSBK : Eugene Laverty wrapped up the final day of testing by topping the timesheets ahead of new Aprilia team-mate Max Biaggi and BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini in third. Laverty's time of 1min 42. 007secs broke the existing lap record set by Biaggi at Portimao earlier in the year. the factory BMW Motorrad's of Leon Haslam and new team-mate Marco Melandri were satisfied with their performances at the test wrapped things up in fourth and fifth with Chaz Davies making his debut for Aprilia after moving up from as World Supersport Champion was sixth. Brake issues stalled Leon Camier's start with Cresent Suzuki but the former BSB champion overcame the problem to finish seventh. In eighth was Badovini's new team-mate Marco Melandri, while Alastair Seeley put in some good times for Suzuki after standing in for the injured John Hopkins who was back home in California resting after a hand operation. A six week ban will see testing resume mid January for all the teams.

29.11.11. WSBK : The second day of World Superbike testing at Portimao was a productive day for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport's Leon Haslam as the Brit worked towards properly setting up the S1000RR. The BMW rider posted a quickest time of 1min 43. 02secs, which was the top unofficial time. This was four-tenths of a second quicker than the previous day, which was also fastest than all the other testers present in Portimao. Newly signed Alitalia Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty was a close second. The Northern Irishman trailed Haslam by just a tenth of a second. Laverty's best time was not achieved without incident as the RSV4 rider suffered a huge highside after becoming distracted by another rider, but luckily walked away unharmed.

Another S1000RR followed with the third fastest time, this one achieved by Ayrton Badovini. The BMW Motorrad Italia rider posted his best time of 1min 34. 04secs. Following Badovini was the other Alitalia Aprilia of Max Biaggi, who was four-tenths slower than his team-mate. World Superbike reports that Chaz Davies is getting to grips with his ParkinGO Aprilia, while Marco Melandri who's Haslam's new team-mate at BMW did the same along with Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia). It was a testing time for Leon Camier who had a total of three tumbles abaord the Cresent Suzuki, but the tough Englishman was able to walk away unhurt each time.

21.10.11. WSBK. British Superbike Racing Team Samsung Cresent Suzuki will compete in the World Superbike Championship next year. The team which is owned by Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team manager Paul Denning, has made numerous wild-card WSBK appearances, most recently at Silverstone this year where John Hopkins qualified on pole. Hopkins has made it clear that his intentions lie in MotoGP, but would only return if the right packaged was available. Nonetheless, Denning is keen to have two riders on the grid for next year.

18.10.11. WSBK : The Effenbert-Liberty Racing Team has renewed its contract with Sylvain Guintoli for the 2012 season and the Frenchman will now line up again for the Czech Republic based team for a second consectutive year. The decision was made following the great results achieved by Guintoli during the second half of the World Superbike Championship, once he had recovered from the terrible crash during the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia. Despite everything he still managed to finish sixth overall in the final standings. Both team and rider are excited with working together for another season, and are covinced they can improve further next year.

16.10.11. WSBK : Round thirteen, Portimao, Portugal, day three, race two. Yamaha will exit the World Superbike Championship on an ultimate high after Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty gave the manufacturer a fabulous 1-2 finish in the final race of the year. Johanthan Rea (Castrol Honda) managed to hold off the new champion Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) for third with a strong ride from Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) who took fifth. After a race long battle Britiain's Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) got the better of his team-mate Max Biaggi on the final lap to take sixth, with Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) eighth. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Italia) was ninth with Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati) completing the top ten.

16.10.11. WSBK : Round thirteen, Portimao, Portugal, day three, race one. Newly crowned championCarlos Checa won his 15th World Superbike Championship race of the season for the Althea Ducati team after hunting down and passing long-time race leader Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati. Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) put in a stunning performance to take third ahead of Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) who charged up to fourth from 17th on the grid. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) held off Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK) for a well earned fifth, with Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati) having his best result of the season took seventh.Britain's Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) yo-yoed through the order before settling in eighth, ahead of fellow countryman Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) and Jakub Smrz (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati).

15.10.11. WSBK : Round thirteen, Portimao, Portugal, Superpole, day two. Castrol Honda rider Johnathan Rea set a new lap record at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia today. The Northern Ireland racer set a best lap of 1min 41. 712secs to take pole position for the thirteenth and final round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship. Second was new champion Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) with the third and fourth places taken by Yamaha World Superbike team-mates Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri. The second row will feature the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's of Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz in fifth and sixth, with the ever-improving Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing seventh and Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) eighth. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Italia) will head off the third row in ninth with Tom Sykes on his final ride on the Kawasaki Factory machine in tenth. 

14.10.11. WSBK : Round thirteen, Portimao, Portugal, qualifying (1), day one. Newly crowned 2011 World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa showed few signs of backing off in the final round of the championship at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. Checa, set a best time of 1'43. 579sec, a tenth up on second place man Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK Team) and Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati). Johanthan Rea (Castrol Honda) who was fastest in the morning session was fourth ahead of returning Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) and Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing). Having struggled in the morning session, Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK Team) lifted himself up to eighth with Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) and Jakub Smrz (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) completing the top ten.

02.10.11. WSBK : Round twelve, Magny-Cours, France, day three, race two. After wrapping up the title in race one, Carlos Checa stormed to his 14th victory of the season ahead of the factory Yamaha's of Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty. Despite an all-out effort, Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) couldn't repeat his podium finish in race one had to settle for fourth with Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-liberty Ducati getting the better of Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) for fifth. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) put in another solid performance to take seventh after coming under pressure from rookie Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) in the final stages. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad) was ninth with Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) rounding out the top ten.

02.10.11. WSBK : Round twelve, Magny-Cours, France, day three, race one. Carlos Checa took victory in the first 23-lap race of the day to wrap up the title to become World Champion for the first time and for the Althea Ducati Team. Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK Team) who was Checa's closest rival in the latter part of the championship took second with Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) making a return to the podium in third just ahead of fellow countryman Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) fourth. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK Team) overcame problems in the race to lift himself to a solid fifth ahead of local rider Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) and Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) was the fastest of the green machines in eighth withTroy Corser (BMW Motorrad) and Britain's Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) rounding out the top ten .

01.10.11. WSBK : Round twelve, Magny-Cours, France, Superpole, day two. Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) has put himself in to a prime position of repeating his win last weekend at Imola by taking pole position at the Magny-Cours circuit in France. Rea romped home in a lap record time of 1min 37. 490secs to top the timesheets ahead of Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK Team) and Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) who is well on course for taking the title on Sunday. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) put in an impressive lap to complete the front row in fourth. Local favourite Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) will head off the second row in fifth posting the exactly same time of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) who was frustrated with sixth. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) and Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK Team) completed the second row in seventh and eighth, while Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) and Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) round out the top ten.

30.09.11. WSBK : Round twelve, Magny-Cours, France, qualifying, day one. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) just needs three points from this weekend's penultimate round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Magny-Cours in France to wrap up this years title. The Spaniard got his weekend off to a great start by dominating the first qualifying session with a best time of 1min 38. 652secs ahead of rookie Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK Team) and Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati). Britain's Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) who finished just off the podium last weekend at Imola put in a solid performance to go fourth quickest ahead of the second Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati of Jakub Smrz and race one winner from Imola last weekend Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda). Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) who ran off the track early on in the session fought his way back to finish a credible seventh ahead of Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) and his BMW team-mate Troy Corser, with Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) completing the top ten. 

25.09.11. WSBK : Round eleven, Imola, Italy, day three, race two. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) has firmly got one hand on the World Superbike Championship trophy after a fantastic display of riding which saw the Spaniard take victory in race two at Imola today. Checa didn't have it all his own way early on, as he had to fight hard to keep pace when then race leader Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) who would eventually retire with mechanical problems paving the way for Checa's win. All that the Ducati rider needs is three points to take the title. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) took his second runner-up spot of the day ahead of Britain's Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK) had place himself one position higher than race one took fifth ahead of Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) and Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK). Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati) could only manage seventh this time out with Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing), Mark Aitchison (Pedercini Kawasaki) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) rounding out the top ten.

25.09.11. WSBK : Round eleven, Imola, Italy, day three, race one. Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda)has taken an emotional second World Superbike Championship victory of the season after a faultless performance in race one at Imola helped him soak up immense pressure from Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia). Behind the leading two, by nine seconds, Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) scored an important podium in third but had to wait on the final lap to get the better of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing). Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK) done a great job of holding off the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's of Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz for fifth, while his team-mate Marco Melandri could only finish as high up as eighth. Rookie Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) had a good run in ninth with Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing) completing the top ten.

24.09.11. WSBK : Round eleven, Imola, Italy, Superpole, day two. Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa stormed to his sixth pole position of the 2011 World Superbike Championship season at Imola in Italy today. Checa who needs to finish just 26 points ahead of Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK) to wrap up the title will be joined on the front row by Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda), Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing). Ireland's Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK) will head off the second row in fifth ahead of the BMW's of Leon Haslam and Ayrton Badovini, with Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) in eighth. Marco Melandri knows that he needs a great start from the third row in ninth with Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) rounding out the top ten.

23.09.11. WSBK : Round eleven, Imola, Italy, qualifying (1), day one. Castrol Honda rider Johnathan Rea has taken provisional pole position at the Imola circuit in Italy, it's the first time that Rea has topped the timesheets since Monza back in May. Rea who is coming back from a wrist injury which saw him miss several rounds set a best time of 1min 48. 241secs ahead of Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati), with a strong ride from Britain's Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) in third. Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Suzuki), Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing), who took pole position last year, made it six different manufacturers inside the top six. Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) and and Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati) were seventh and eighth, ahead of Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) and Jakub Smrz (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) completed the top ten.

15.09.11. WSBK : The Supersonic Ducati team will retire from the World Superbike Championship at the end of the 2011 season.

Team owner Danilo Soncini said: "I'm really sorry to announce our withdrawal. To compete in SBK was my desire and dream. A motorcyclist since i was a child, i was pushing until the day to reach this highest level. I can say that i reached one of my goals in life. I gave a chance to two young guys with a similar deram, Luca Scassa and Maxime Berger. They have been with us, stir up the crowds, attracting fans. Some important doors opened for them and i would like to thank them and all the team for their best efforts for the past two years. The last round at Portimao in Portugal will be a sad day for me, but i have had such a great journey and have no regrets as i saw this not as a job or a business, just pure passion for racing".

04.09.11. WSBK : Round ten, Nurburgring, Germany, day three, race two. Britain's Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) secured Kawasaki's first win since Chris Walker won at Assen back in 2006, and his own first WSBK race victory, when he headed up a shortened 13-lap race at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) had led for most of the whole race, which was held in wet conditions that ranged from merely wet to soaked. Haga would fall where Sykes took the lead and when the rain got worse the race director called time. It was a double celebration for the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati team as riders Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz were second and third. Fourth was Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) who despite a high-speed crash remounted to score good points ahead of Yamaha's Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri. Ayrton Badovin (BMW Motorrad Italia) managed to keep his bike upright to secure seventh, Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a solid eighth with Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) and Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati) rounding out the top ten.

04.09.11. WSBK : Round ten, Nurburgring, Germany, day three, race one. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) extended his lead at the top after taking victory in race one at the Nurburgring in Germany. Checa, who made the most of Biaggi's withdrawal from both races came under attack from Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) in the early stages managed to drop off the aggessive Japanese rider who eventually finish third behind Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK). Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty had a lonely race in fourth ahead of Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) who ran off track early on, climbing back to fifth. Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati) was a confident sixth, some seven seconds ahead of top Kawasaki man Joan Lascorz and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). Rookie Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) was ninth with Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) tenth.

03.09.11. WSBK : Round ten, Nurburgring, Germany, Superpole, day two. Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa has taken his first World Superbike pole position since the Miller Motorsports Park in the USA last May after dominating the opposition at the Nurburgring in Germany. The championship leader put in a blistering time of 1min 54. 144secs, which was four tenths quicker than Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) who was second. Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri made it two Yamaha's on the front row in third and fourth. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) who won here last year for Ducati will head off the second row in fifth, where he will be joined by Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) and Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad). Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati) completes the second in eighth. Behind them, Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) will start from the third row in ninth. He will be joined by Jakub Smrz Effenebrt-Liberty Racing Ducati), Mark Aitchison (Pedercini Kawasaki) and Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Suzuki) in twelfth.

02.09.11. WSBK : Round ten, Nurburgring, Germany, qualifying, day one. Reigning World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) hit back in the first qualifying session for the tenth round at the Nurburgring in Germany as he out-paced both Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) and Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK Team). Biaggi, who comes into the weekend 62 points behind Checa in the standings, was an early mover as he swiftly dipped below Checa's best time in free practice one. However, Checa would respond at the half way mark, setting a best time of 1min 55. 673secs that threatened to stand all the way to the chequred flag. Nonetheless, with Checa choosing against re-emerging for the final stages of the session, Biaggi topped the timesheets with three minutes remaining with a best time of 1min 55. 524secs. Marco Melandri was able to improve his best time of 1min 55. 819secs to go third fastest ahead of fellow countryman Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Suzuki) and Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati). Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda) ended his first day back in WSBK action after months out due to an injury was seventh ahead of Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing) with Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) rounding out the top ten.

23.08.11. WSBK : The Castrol Honda World Superbike team regrouped for a two-day test at Assen in the Netherlands this morning after a three-week layoff following the last round at Silverstone in the UK. Johnathan Rea and Alex Lowes, who replaced Rea at Brno and Silverstone, will be joined at the Assen test by Ruben Xaus, who is also recovering from injuries sustained in a race one crash at Brno lat month. Rea who's been out of action since a crash at Misano in Italy in June is excited to be back on the bike again.

08.08.11. WSBK : Johnathan Rea hopes to be back on his Castrol Honda machine after missing the last eight races when he broke his wrist in practice at Misano last May. Rea, aim is to be fit for the next WSBK round at the Nurburgring in Germany next month.

Johnathan Said : "My aim for next month's round in Germany is to be race fit and not to do anything stupid as my season in over right now. I just want to concentrate in getting the wrist back to normal so i can enter next years championship 100% fit."

31.07.11. WSBK : Round nine, Silverstone, UK, day three, race two. In a repeat performance from race one, Carlos Checa made history today by giving Ducati their 300th victory in WSBK after another spectacular race win over the factory Yamaha's of Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri. Checa's closest rival in the championship Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) enjoyed a much improved race this time out took fourth, Checa nonetheless leaves the UK having increased his advantage from 30 to 62 points with four rounds remaining. After a disappointing result from race one, a determinded Leon Camier was able to challenge up at the front, but as the race wore on the Aprilia Alitlia rider slipped back into the clutches of the Yamaha's and his team-mate Biaggi to secure fifth. The battle for sixth went to Sylvain Guintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) who santched the position from wild-card John Hopkins (Samsung Cresent Suzuki) on the final lap. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) hoped to better his fourth place in race one, but unfortunately took eighth a head of the Italian's of Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Suzuk) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad) completing the top ten. James Toseland who was aiming for a better result of twelfth place in race one was pushed out wide on the opening lap, where the former double WSBK champion bravely fought battle from the back of the pack to eventually cross the line in thirteenth.

31.07.11. WSBK : Round nine, Silverstone, UK, day three, race one. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) came from the second row on the grid to take a convincing win over the factory Yamaha's of Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri at Silverstone. Checa, who's twin was meant to struggle against the four cylinder machines crossed the line three seconds clear of the chasing Yamaha's. BMW Motorrad rider Leon Haslam just finished off a podium position took a solid fourth after a race long battle with pole position wild-card rider Samgsung Cresent Suzuki's John Hopkins. With the race order changing repeatedly, it was the Effenbert-Liberty Ducati of Sylvain Guintoli that took a respectable sixth ahead of PBM Kawasaki's Joan Lascorz and Supersonic Ducati's Maxime Berger who scored his best ever WSBK result in eighth. BMW Motorrad's Troy Corser returned to racing by finishing a head of privateer BMW's Ayrton Badovini, who in turn demoted world champion Max Biaggi to eleventh just a head of James Toseland, who's return to racing after a wrist injury scored twelfth. It was a tough pill to swallow for Leon Camier who crashed out of the race on lap ten while chashing down Eugene Laverty for second. The Aprilia Alitalia was able to remount to salvage just one point in fifthteenth.

30.07.11. WSBK : Round nine, Silverstone, UK, Superpole, day two. Wild-card rider John Hopkins broke the lap record which was set by Cal Crutchlow in 2010, to take pole position for Sunday's race's at Silverstone in the UK for the ninth round of the World Superbike Championship. Hokins, who last rode in the series back in 2009 for the Stiggy Honda squad set a blistering time of 2'04. 041secs. Hot on Hopkins heels in second was rookie Yamaha WSBK Team rider Eugene Laverty and Britain's very own Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) in third. The final slot on the front row went to championship points leader Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati). Heading off the second row in fifth will be Frenchman Sylvain Quintoli (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) who will be joined by Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK Team), Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Suzuki) with Noriyuki Haga (PATA Aprilia) in eighth. Britain's Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) will start from the third row in ninth with Aryton Badovini (BMW Italia) completing the top ten.

29.07.11. WSBK : Round nine, Silverstone, UK, qualifying one, day one. Championship leader Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) blasted his way to the top of the timesheets at the end of day one at Silverstone in the UK. The Spaniard set a blistering time of 2'05. 377secs a head of Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati) who was the surprise of the day. Third and fourth went to British duo Tom Sykes (Kawasaki RST) and Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). Wild-Card rider John Hopkins (Samsung Cresent Suzuki) who was the quickest in the morning session was fifth a head of WSBK regular's Michel Fabrizio (Alstare Suzuki) Jakub Smrz (Effenbert-Liberty Ducati) and Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK Team). Reigning world champion Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) was some what off the pace in ninth with Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) completing the top ten. James Toseland made a great return to racing on the opening day after spending the last few months out injured was twelfth.

26.07.11. WSBK : Italian racer Marco Melandri has signed for the Yamaha WSBK Team for 2012, where he will continue his partnership with Eugene Laverty. Melandri's first year in the championship could not have got off to a better start with three race wins already under his belt and numerous visits to the podium in second and third see's the Yamaha rider third overall in the standings behind reigning champion Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa after just nine rounds.

Marco said : "I'm so glad to stay in World Superbikes for a second year as right now this is where i want to be. The racing is as good as ever and i'm having the time of my life after a few tough years in MotoGP. I first came to Superbikes thinking that a good year could see me enter MotoGP in 2012, but to be totally honest i would rather stay here right now as the whole WSBK series has a fantastic fell to it on and off the track. To be in the running for the title in my rookie year is something i never expected, this weekend at Silverstone i will be aiming to close down the gap on Biaggi and Checa some more."

20.07.11. WSBK : The Samsung Cresent Suzuki Racing Team that competes in the British Superbike Championship will race at the ninth round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Silverstone in the UK next weekend.

Jack Valentine, team manager : "This is a kind of busman's holiday. Taking a break from racing by going racing. But seriously, taking a one-off ride in the WSB series is a great way for our riders John Hopkins and Jon Kirkham to further develop thier bikes and practice some race craft without the pressures of the championship they are in - and at the same time giving the fans and sponsors an extra run-out. Both our riders are really excited about mixing it up with the WSBK boys and aim to take some scalps.

10.07.11. WSBK : Round eight, Brno Czech Republic, race two, day three. Reigning world champion Max Biaggi denied fellow Italian Marco Melandri his second win of the day, despite the arch rivals swapping paint work throughout the twenty lap race where the Aprilia Alitalia proved a little to much for Melandri's Yamaha in the final stages of race two. Carlos Checa took his second third place of the day which saw the Althea Ducati star have his championship lead slashed down to thirty points by Biaggi. Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio repeated his placing from race one as did Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty. Aryton Badovini was the first BMW across the line in sixth ahead of the factory BMW of Leon Haslam. Kawasaki Racing's Joan Lascorz got the better of the Effenbert-Liberty Ducati of Sylvain Guintoli in the latter part of the race wth PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga completing the top ten.

10.07.11. WSBK : Round eight, Brno, Czech Republic, race one, day three. Marco Melandri came from second on the grid to win race one at the Brno Circuit today. The Yamaha WSBK Team rider battled arch rival Max Biaggi throughout the twenty lap race. It was a cat and mouse chase as both Italians swapped the lead more than a few times, while Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa kept his eye close on proceeding's in third in hope of the front runners making a mistake. It was not to be, as Melandri kept his cool to take his third win of the year ahead of a disgruntled world champion Biaggi with Checa extending his championship points lead in third. Alstare Suzuki rider Michel Fabrizio had a lonely race in fourth, despite setting the fastest lap on more than one ocassion could not bridge the gap on the front runners. After leading the race on the opening lap Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty eventually crossed the line in fifth ahead of Ayrton Badovini who was the fastest of the BMWs in sixth. There was a four way battle for seventh between British trio Leon Camier, Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes, but the Aprilia of Camier proved to be to much for Haslam's BMW who had to settle for eighth ahead of Kawasaki team-mates Joan Lascorz and Tom Sykes finishing in ninth and tenth. 

09.07.11. WSBK : Round eight, Brno, Czech Republic, Superpole, day two. Max Biaggi will start from pole position for a second time this season at Brno in the Czech Republic for round eight of the FIM 2011 World Superbike Championship. The Aprilia Alitalia world champion will face tough competition from rivals Marco Melandri, Carlos Checa and rookie Eugene Laverty who will line up alongside the Roman on the front row for Sunday's races. Local hero Jakub Smrz will head off the second row in fifth aboard his Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati machine, where he will be joined by Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio and British riders Aprilia Alitalia's Leon Camier and Kawasaki RTS Tom Sykes in seventh and eighth. Missing out on his chance to challenege for pole position, BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini was the highest placed German machine in ninth with Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli completing the top ten. It was a tough for Briton Leon Haslam as he struggled on the factory BMW to qualify down in thirteenth just ahead of PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga.

08.07.11. WSBK : Round eight, Brno, Czech Republic, qualifying, day one. Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa sent out a clear message to his rivals by setting the fastest time of the day at the fast flowing underlating circuit of Brno in the Czech Republic. The Spaniard set a best time of 1'59. 113secs ahead of local hero Effenbert-Liberty Ducati Racing's Jakub Smrz who would love nothing less than a victory on home soil on Sunday. Behind the Ducati's where the two Yamaha WSBK riders Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty with world champion Aprilia Alitalia's Max Biaggi in fifth. British rider Tom Sykes lifted his Kawasaki up to sixth ahead of fellow countryman BMW Motorrad's Leon Haslam, who's riding solo this weekend due to his team-mate Troy Corser having to sit this one out due to a broken collarbone. Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio was eighth with the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati machine of Sylvain Guintoli and BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini completing the top ten.

22.06.11. WSBK : Alex Lowes has landed the job filling in for the injured Johnathan Rea at the Castrol Honda Team, after Rea broke his elbow at Misano two weeks ago. Alex will be joining his twin brother Sam on the world stage, who has already took the World Supersport Championship by storm in his rookie year. Alex who currently rides for the MSS Colchester Kawasaki Team in the British Superbike Championship is thrilled to be getting the chance of racing in World Superbikes. The the Castrol Honda team has been struggling this season, many believe that a good showing at Silverstone could put Alex in line for Ruben Xaus seat next year as the Spanish rider has struggled to adapt from a twin to four cylinder machine.

19.06.11. WSBK : Round seven, Motorland of Aragon, Spain, race two, day three. Aprilia Alitalia rider Max Biaggi scored his first win of the season using his number one plate in the second race of the day at the Motorland of Aragon circuit in Spain. Race one winner Marco Melandri who lost touch with the World Champion towards the end of the race took second, while championship points leader Carlos Checa managed to salvage points in third place after a DNF in race one. Alstare Suzuki rider Michel Fabrizio rewarded himself with fourth ahead of Kawasaki's Joan Lascorz and Yamaha's Euene Laverty who bravely fought his way up from sixteenth. PATA Aprilia's Nori Haga had a quiet run in seventh, leaving the two Brits of Leon Haslam and Leon Camier to fight it out for eighth where the Aprilia rider just got the better of the BMW on the line. Finally rounding out the top ten was satelite BMW Italia rider Ayrton Badovini. 

19.06.11. WSBK : Round seven, Motorland of Aragon, Spain, race one, day three. Pole position starter Marco Melandri took his second win of the season after forcing arch-rival Max Biaggi in to making a mistake, where the Aprilia world champion out-braked himself with four laps remaining. Once out in front the Yamaha of Melandri opened up a 1.2 seconds lead to take victory, Biaggi just managed to hold on to the runner-up spot after a late surge from his Aprilia Alitalia team-mate Britain's Leon Camier who had to settle for third. Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty battled with Kawasaki Racing's Tom Sykes for fourth with PATA Aprilia's Nroiyuki Haga holding off Joan Lascorz on the second Kawasaki and BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini for sixth. The BMW's of Leon Haslam and Troy Corser had a dog fight for ninth, with the Briton eventually getting the better of his team-mate.

18.06.11. WSBK : Round seven, Motorland of Aragon, Spain, Superpole, day two. World Superbike rookie Marco Melandri will start from pole position for the first time in his career at the Motorland of Aragon circuit in Spain for the seventh round of the World Superbike Championship. The Italian who has shown strong pace all weekend praised Effenbert-Liberty Ducati rider Jakub Smrz for holding up rival Max Biaggi, where he was able to cross the line a tenth quicker than the reigning world champion. Biaggi just held onto second after a late surge from his Aprilia Alitalia team-mate Leon Camier while championship leader Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa out-braked himself on the last corner saw the local hero cross the line in fourth. After taking pole position last time out at Misano, Tom Sykes took a strong fifth aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R ahead of Yamaha WSBK rookie Eugene Laverty and Kawasaki team-mate Joan Lascorz with satelite BMW rider Aryton Badovini being the fastest of the S1000RR's was eighth. Crowd favourite PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga was able to get into the mix was ninth ahead of Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli tenth. It was a tough day for the factory BMW's of Leon Haslam and Troy Corser who will start tomorrow's down in fourteenth and sixteenth.

17.06.11. WSBK : Round seven, Motorland of Aragon, Spain, free practice, day one. Italian rider Marco Melandri took provisional pole in the first qualifying session at the Spainish circuit of Motorland of Aragon today. The Yamaha WSBK Team rider fended off a late challenge from championship points leader Carlos Checa to emerge top of the timesheets, and the only rider to dip under the 2 minute barrier. PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga managed to shrug off an earlier spill took third ahead of the factory Aprilia Alitalia of Britain's Leon Camier and fellow countryman Kawasaki's Tom Sykes who qualifyed in fifth. Reigning World Champion Max Biaggi was sixth, ahead of fellow countrymen Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio and BMW Italia satelite rider Ayrton Badovini who was one again fastest of the four S1000RR's in eighth. Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty was ninth with Supersonic Ducati's Maxime Berger tenth. It was a tough start for the factory BMW Motorrad's of Troy Corser and Leon Haslam who ended their opening day in twelfth and fourteenth. 

13.06.11. WSBK : Castrol Honda rider Johnathan Rea will now miss the Motorland of Aragon round of the World Superbike Championship after breaking his arm in a high-speed crash at Misano in Italy. The accident happened yesterday in Sunday morning warm-up ahead of the races at the Adriatic circuit. Rea hit the ground at 175mph resulting in him being diagnosed with a fractured right arm and broken left collarbone.

Johnathan Rea said : "The weekend went from bad to worse really - i had a tumble in practice on Friday which needed some stitches in my arm, then the high speed crash this morning at one of the fastest corners on the circuit. I'm really frustrated right now and having to miss Aragon next weekend is even more of a bitter pill to swallow as i won my first race there last year. I aim to be back for Brno in five weeks time, which gives me plenty of time to heal."

12.06.11. WSBK : Round six, Misano, San Marino, race two, day three. Carlos Checa has taken his fourth World Superbike win in a row and his eighth of the season, after winning a shortened race two at Misano. With the race reduced to just 14 laps following a red flag, Checa who had been leading at the time, looked to have the competition on hand after Biaggi burst into the lead from the restart and established an early lead. Checa was beginning to pressure Biaggi for the lead, the Italian ran wide on the eighth lap which allowed Checa through to take the lead to eventually take his second win of the day. Biaggi was comfortable in second, while the battle for third came down between the PATA Aprilia of Nori Haga and rookie BMW Italia Ayrton Badovini who pressured the Japanese rider into running wide, but Haga fought back out of the final turn to take his first podium of the season for Aprilia in third. Leon Haslam was rewarded with fifth after fending off a hard charging Alstare Suzuki of Michel Fabrizio, who himself is nursing an arm injury after crashing in race one. Sylvain Guintoli took seventh for the Effenbert-Liberty Racing team, while Castrol Honda's Ruben Xaus had a good run to take eighth. Joan Lascorz assumed the honours for Kawasaki in ninth after Tom Sykes crashed out, while Chris Vermeulen made the most of his comeback by completing his full race in over a year secured tenth.

12.06.11. WSBK : Round six, Misano, San Marino, race one, day three. Carlos Checa has stretched his lead at the top of the World Superbike Championship standings after taking victory ahead of local favourite Max Biaggi at Misano in San Marino today. Having started from second on the grid, the Althea Ducati rider was shuffled down the order during the opening turns, Checa completing a lap in fourth place behind the fast-charging Leon Haslam, Biaggi and pole man Tom Sykes. Biaggi who was nursing an ankle injury which he picked up during practice, was making huge gains early on, passing Haslam on the second lap. Checa took sometime to pass Sykes and Haslam and though the Althea Ducati rider was upto second by lap four, he was already a second down of race leader Biaggi. Nonetheless it was not long before Checa clawed his way into the lead to fight Biaggi, where he pounced on the Aprilia rider on lap twelve after Biaggi ran wide, giving Checa the space he needed to complete a comfortable seventh win in eleven races. Biaggi crossed the line some 17 seconds of Yamaha WSBK rider Marco Melandri with pole man Tom Sykes taking his best finish of the season in fourth. Melandri's team-mate Eugene Laverty took fifth with Aprilia Alitalia's Leon Camier who came through from fifthteenth place on the grid was a solid sixth. Effenbert-Liberty Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli got the better of BMW Italia's Aryton Badovini for seventh, with Kawasaki Racing's Joan Lascorz and Supersonic Ducati's Maxime Berger rounding out the top ten.

11.06.11. WSBK : Round six, Misano, San Marino, Superpole, day two. British racer Tom Sykes has taken his second career World Superbike pole position for Kawasaki after getting to grips with the wet conditions at Misano. Sykes, who scored a shock pole for Kawasaki at a damp Imola in 2010. With several of his rivals suffering problems in the wet slippery conditions, Sykes adapted his style to go top of the leaderboard. Carlos Checa sneaked into second ahead of Czech rider Jakub Smrz with home hero Marco Melandri taking the final slot on the front row in fourth. It was a good session for the BMW duo, with a battered and bruised Troy Corser taking fifth ahead of team-mate Leon Haslam. World Champion Max Biaggi was apparently struggling with an ankle injury sustained earlier in the day was seventh with Sylvain Guintoli eighth. Rookie Aryton Badovini was ninth with Eugene Laverty just edging out fellow Irishman Johanthan Rea for tenth.

10.06.11. WSBK : Italian Lorenzo Lanzi has been called up at the last minute to replace James Toseland at BMW Italia ahead of the Misano and Motorland Aragon rounds of the World Superbike Championship. Toseland declared on the eve of the sixth round the he will be unable to race after having further problems with his wrist. After having an operation on his injury earlier in the year, the former double world superbike champion has just completed one race this season.

10.06.2011. WSBK : Round six, Misano, San Marino, qualifying, day one. Althea Ducati riders Carlos Checa continued to set the pace during the first World Superbike Championship qualifying session at Misano today. Reigning world champion Max Biaggi was a close second, as Checa managed to gap the Aprilia Alitalia rider by just a tenth of a second in the dying moments of the session. Italian's Marco Melandri and Michel Fabrizio had a strong day in third and fourth, ahead of BMW Motorrad's Troy Corser who crashed heavily at turn eight might miss this weekends racing time was good enough for fifth. Eugene Laverty bounced back from a slow start this morning in free practice managed to put his Yamaha into sixth, with PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga splitting the two Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's of Jakub Smrz and Sylvain Guintoli in eighth. Kawasaki RTS rider Tom Sykes was the fastest of the British quartet was tenth with fellow countryman Leon Haslam, Johnathan Rea and Leon Camier finshing down in eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth.

06.06.11. WSBK : James Toseland believes he is still two rounds away from declaring himself fully fit after completing only his third race of the 2011 World Superbike season at Miller Motorsports Park in Salt Lake City, USA. The former champion has not raced since the Phillip Island season opener after breaking his wrist during testing, the Briton's tentative return to WSBK competition at Monza having been halted after the first day of practice. Nonetheless dispite missing out on a superpole slot, Toseland battled hard in the opening race to prevail in a battle with Mark Aitchison and across the line in 15th position, scoring a solitary point in the process.

James Toseland said "I wanted to win the point for the team to thank them for what they are doing. I am improving day by day, but my hand still hurts and i elected not to ride in race two. I think i'm going to be ok for Aragon or at worst for Brno. I want to congratulate the team who did a great job and i am very pleased for the two top ten results."

30.05.11. WSBK : Round five, Miller Motorsports Park, Utah, USA, day three, race two. After seeing his double victories slip away from him last year, Carlos Checa was able to lay his past to rest by taking his second win of the day at the Miller Motorsports Park in the USA at the fifth round of the World Superbike Championship. The Althea Ducati rider quickly hit the front from pole and from there on he left the rest of the riders to fight for the remaing podium positions. Leon Camier was the only rider to match Checa's pace but could not close the gap but managed to hold on to take second for the much needed points. Camier's team-mate world champion Max Biaggi just clung onto third after crashing out of the first race. Yamaha WSBK Team rider Eugene Laverty cemented fourth place in the standing with fourth after holding off the hard charging Alstare Suzuki of Michel Fabrizio who came from fifthteenth on the grid. Marco Melandri was sixth ahead of the two Effenbert-Liberty Ducati's of Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz with rookie BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini and Kawasaki's Tom Sykes rounding out the top ten.

30.05.11. WSBK : Round five, Miller Motorsports Park, Utah, USA, day three, race one. Carlos Checa won the first superbike race of the day at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah, USA. The Althea Ducati rider was able to maintain his four second advantage throughout the 21-lap race while the rest of the field battled for positions. World Champion Max Biaggi put a dangerous move on Castrol Honda's Johnathan Rea resulting in both riders crashing out. There was a hard fought battle for second as the two Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's of Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz pushed each other to the limit, but it was Smrz who was the better rider on this ocassion took the runner-up spot. Britain's Leon Camier took his Aprilia Alitalia machine to a solid fourth ahead of Yamaha rookie Eugene Laverty and fellow Brit Kawasaki's Tom Sykes, while factory BMW rider Leon Haslam lost out to privateer BMW rider Ayrton Badovini for seventh. PATA Aprilia's Nori Haga eventually finished ninth after challenging at the front in the early part of the race while Yamaha's Marco Melandri was clearly disappointed by finishing down in tenth.

29.05.11. WSBK : Round five, Miller Motorsports Park, Utah, USA, day two, Superpole. In cold wet conditions Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa held off a late challenge from Effenbert-Liberty Ducati's Jakub Smrz to take his fourth pole position of the season at the Miller Motorsports Park at Salt Lake City in the USA.The Spaniard who has been the favourite rider all weekend took pole by the narrowist of margins set a best time of 1min 58.315secs ahead of the Czech rider. Joining Checa and Smrz on the front row will be the two Yamaha WSBK Team riders Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty. Smrz's Effenbert-Liberty Ducati team-mate Sylvain Guintoli put in a solid performance to head off the second row in fifth, BMW Motorrad rider Troy Corser was sixth ahead of world champion Max Biaggi and BMW Italia rookie Ayrton Badovini. Heading of the third row in ninth will be PATA Aprilia's Nori Haga who will be joined by the three Brits of Tom Sykes, Leon Camier and Leon Haslam.

28.05.11. WSBK : Round five, Miller Motorsports Park, Utah, USA, day one, qualifying one. Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa headed the proceedings in qualifying (1) at the Miller Motorsports Park in the USA. The Spaniard who has had great success at the Salt Lake City circuit in the past was a whole second clear of the rest of the field, by setting a best lap of 1min 38.260secs. The Aprilia Alitalia duo of Britain's Leon Camier and world champion Max Biaggi were second and third, while fellow Brit Tom Sykes was a solid fourth for the Kawasaki team. Troy Corser was able to mix it up at the front in fifth, while his BMW team-mate Leon Haslam launguishing down in sixteenth. Another Brit making it to the front was Castrol Honda's Johanthan Rea in sixth just ahead of Effenbert-Liberty Ducati's Jakub Smrz and rookie Yamaha WSBK Team rider Eugene Laverty who took the double win at Monza last time out. The final two positons rounding out the top ten went to Italian's Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio and BMW Italia rookie Ayrton Badovini. Britain's former two-times world superbike champion James Toseland was making his return to racing after breaking his wrist earlier in the year while testing in Portugal was ended his opening day down in eighteenth.

23.05.11. Australian racer Chris Vermeulen has been forced to sit out this weekends World Superbike round at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah U.S.A. The Kawasaki SRT rider who's recovering from an operation on his knee had to retire from race one at Monza last time out after injuring his elbow. Vermeulen will now have to watch his team-mate Tom Sykes race from his home in Europe, but he will be back testing at the Aragon circuit in Spain in June where he hopes to be 100% fit for round six at Misano on June 10th.

08.05.11. WSBK : Round four, Monza, Italy, day three, race two. After a stunning performance in race one where Eugene Laverty took his maiden win of the season the Yamaha World Superbike Team rider went one better by taking victory for a second time at the high speed circuit of Monza. In an action pack filled race Laverty done well to avoid a three bike pile-up on the opening lap where he saw himself drop back into the pack. As the race panned out world champion Max Biaggi had a healthy lead ahead of his Aprilia Alitalia team-mate Leon Camier who would later crash out at the half way point. Biaggi would make a stupid mistake resulting in him taking a ride through penalty where he went from first to eighth in under 30 seconds. With Biaggi chances of a podium blown the two Yamaha team-mates battled for the remainder of the race which would eventually see race leader Marco Melandri run wide on the last lap allowing Laverty to dive under neath him to take his second win of the day. The battle for the final place on the podium went to Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio after a race long battle with PATA Aprilia's Nori Haga. BMW Motorrad's Troy Corser rode a strong race to take fifth ahead of rookie BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini and Effenbert-Liberty Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli with an unhappy Max Biaggi crossing the finish line in eighth. Championship points leader Carlos Checa lost ninth to Kawasaki Racing Joan Lascorz after his Althea Ducati ran out of fuel just before the finish line.

08.05.11 WSBK : Round four, Monza, Italy, day three, race one. Eugene Laverty took his maiden win in World Superbikes after just seven races in race one at Monza in Italy. The Yamaha World Superbike Team rider was able to control the race from the front while world champion Max Biaggi battled for second against BMW Motorrad's Leon Haslam and Laverty's team-mate Marco Melandri. In the end it was Laverty who crossed the finish line nearly two seconds clear of Aprilia Alitalia's Max Biaggi with Leon Haslam just holding off Marco Melandri for third. Some way back in fifth was Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio who done a fantastic job of in beating Castrol Honda's Johnathan Rea and BMW Motorrad's Troy Corser. Biaggi's team-mate Leon Camier just managed to hold off championship points leader Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa for eighth with the Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati of Jakub Smrz rounding out the top ten.

07.05.11. WSBK : Round four, Monza, Italy, day two, Superpole. Reigning world champion Max Biaggi gave his home fans cause for celebration by smashing the lap record at Monza in Italy for the fourth round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship. The Aprilia Alitalia rider put in a blistering time of 1min 41.75secs to take his first pole position of the season and only the third of his career. Rookie Irish racer Eugene Laverty produced a stunning time to go second quickest ahead of Castrol Honda's Johnathan Rea with BMW Motorrad's Troy Corser fourth. Heading of row two in fifth will be former MotoGP star and team-mate to Laverty Marco Melandri who will be joined by BMW Motorrad's Leon Haslam, Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio with PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga eighth. BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini who won here last year in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup will start from from the third row in ninth with Biaggi's team-mate Leon Camier tenth, with current championship points leader Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa having his worst qualifying position this season will start from eleventh with Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli twelfth.

06.05.11. WSBK : Round four, Monza, Italy, day one, qualifying one. BMW Motorrad rider Leon Haslam flew the flag for Great Britain by edging out Aprilia Alitalia world champion Max Biaggi in the dying moments of qualifying one on the opening day of round four of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at the high speed circuit of Monza in Italy. Haslam's best ime of 1m 42.923secs was a mere 19 thousandths of a second clear of Biaggi with rookie Yamaha WSBK Team rider Eugene Laverty third. BMW Motorrad Italia rider Ayrton Badovini who won here in the Superstock 1000 class in 2010 quickly got to grips with the circuit was fourth ahead of Castrol Honda's Johanthan Rea and PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga. Another Italian who rookie season has got off to a great start is former MotoGP star Marco Melandri who was a strong seventh, eighth veteran BMW Motorrad rider Troy Corser with Supersonic Ducati's Maxime Berger and Aprilia Alitalia's Leon Camier rounding out the top ten.

02.05.11. WSBK : Remember this weekend the fourth round of the FIM World Superbike Championship heads to one of the most exciting circuits on the calender. The super fast Italian circuit of Monza will see the likes of Italian hero and world champion Alitalia Aprilia's Max Biaggi and his fellow countryman Marco Melandri (Yamaha WSBK Team) and Michel Fabrizio (Viru Alstare Suzuki) go in hot pursuit of current championship points leader Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa. There will also be a strong threat from British contingent Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad), Leon Camier (Alitalia Aprilia), Johnathan Rea (Castrol Honda), Eugene Laverty (Yamaha WSBK Team) Tom Sykes (Kawasaki SRT) and making his comeback from injury will be former two-times world champion BMW Italia's James Toseland. All in all, Monza will throw up some great racing and battles in front of an estimated 100,000 strong crowd before the next round heads out to the second of the long haul trips to the Miller Motorsport Park at Salt Lake City in the U.S.A.

17.04.11. WSBK : Round three, Assen, Holland, day three, race two. Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa took a stunning win over world champion Max Biaggi today in race two after passing the Alitalia Aprilia rider on the penultimate lap to record his ninth win out of eighty eight world superbike race starts. Race one winner Johnathan Rea could not match the sheer pace of Checa and Biaggi this time out and had to settle for third for the Castrol Honda team, while fellow Brit Leon Camier's fortune was turned around this time out after taking fourth where he encountered a DNF in race one. Another Brit who had better luck this time out was BMW Motorrad rider Leon Haslam who secured a well deserved fifth after crashing in the opening race. Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio just lost out to sixth place to rookie Yamaha WSBK Team's Eugene Laverty while PATA Aprilia rider Noriyuki Haga just managed to hold off the two Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's of Jakub Smrz and Sylvain Guintoli for eighth. Kawasaki Racing's Tom Sykes managed to salvage a few extra points by finishing eleventh after a wrong tyre choice in race one ended in the Brit finishing fourteenth.

17.04.11. WSBK : Round three, Assen, Holland, day three, race one. In an action packed race Ulsterman Johnathan Rea took his third straight win at the Assen circuit in Holland for the Castrol Honda Team in race one ahead of Alitalia Aprilia world champion Max Biaggi and Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa. the battle for fourth fell between the two Italian's of Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio and Yamaha World Superbike Team's Marco Melandri, with the Yamaha rider just getting the better of his fellow countryman. BMW Motorrad rider Troy Corser was consistant as ever throughout the 22 lap race crossed the finish line in sixth ahead of rookie Yamaha World Superbike's Eugene Laverty who at one point was on for a podium had to settle for seventh due to lack of grip. Rea's team-mate Ruben Xaus had a quiet race was eighth with BMW Italia's Ayrton Badovini and Pedercini Kawasaki's Mark Aitchison rounding out the top ten. Britain's Leon Haslam managed to salvage a couple of points after crashing out in the opening laps where he was able to rejoin the race to finish twelfth ahead of fellow countryman Tom Sykes who's tyre choice of a soft compound cost him a top five finish as the Kawasaki rider got off to a great start to mix it up at the front with the likes of Biaggi and Checa started to drop back at the mid distance point to eventually finish in fourteenth. The final Brit Leon Camier retired from a loely seventeenth after his Alitalia Aprilia machine developed a problem. Another Aprilia to succumb to mechanical problems was Nori Haga's PATA machine which forced the Japanese rider out on lap four.

16.04.11. WSBK : Round three, Assen, Holland, day two, Superpole. Championship points leader Carlos Checa will start Sunday's races from pole position for the third round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Assen in Holland. The Althea Ducati rider set a best time of 1min 35. 292 seconds which denied Effenbert-liberty Racing Ducati's Jakub Smrz his first pole of the season. Joining the Ducati's on the front row will be rookie Yamaha World Superbike Team rider Eugene Laverty and the vastly experienced PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga. Last years double race winner Johnathan Rea struggled in the final sector of the Dutch circuit and will start from the second row on the grid in fifth. Lining up alongside Rea will be world champion Alitalia Aprilia's Max Biaggi and fellow Brit Kawasaki SRT Tom Sykes with Yamaha WSBK Team's Marco Melandri in eighth. Not making through to the final stages of the Superpole session was Britain's Leon Camier who last year made it onto the podium twice will start from the third row in ninth, tenth BMW Motorrad's Troy Corser with rookie Kawasaki rider Joan Lascorz eleventh ahead of the final BMW Motorrad ridden by Leon Haslam in twelfth.

15.04.11. WSBK : Round three, Assen, Holland, day one, Q1. Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati rider Jakub Smrz stamped his authority on the World Superbike proceedings on the opening day for round three at Assen in Holland. The Czech rider left it late in the first qualifying session with just ten minutes remaining put in a time of 1min 36.053 seconds to go top of the timesheets. Heading a trio of Italian's was world champion Max Biaggi with Marco Melandri and Michel Fbarizio in third and fourth. Britain's Tom Sykes produced a stunning ride for the Kawasaki SRT Team to go fifth quickest ahead of the two factory BMW Motorrad's of Troy Corser and Leon Haslam. Rookie Yamaha WSBK rider Eugene Laverty was eighth with Castrol Honda's Johnathan Rea and PATA Aprilia's Noriyuki Haga rounding out the top ten.

11.04.11. This weekend Kawasaki Racing rider Chris Vermeulen hopes to be able to race at the third round of the World Superbike Championship at Assen in Holland after failing to race in the first two rounds. After a lengthy recuperation from knee surgery which saw the Aussie rider miss most of the 2010 season, Chris was hopeful to race at the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia but further pain put a hold on the home favourite return. Round two at Donington Park in the UK saw Chris venture out in Friday's free practice sessions but the knee was still giving him problems and he then had the tough decision to withdraw. Three weeks on the knee is a lot stronger and Chris is confident that will be able to line-up on the grid for Sunday's races.

31.03.11. WSBK : Will Marco Melandri take the title this year?. Well after his performances at Donington Park last weekend where he took his first win in race one followed by the runner-up spot to Carlos Checa in race two makes me think that this quietly spoken Italian could just surprise us all by following in the foot steps of Ben Spies who also won the championship for Yamaha in his rookie year back in 2009. Melandri who has made it onto the podium no less than three times out of four races certainly has the package to do so as the Italian rarely puts a foot wrong. Although Max Biaggi won the title last year for Aprilia it took his four season's to do so, and after his antics last Saturday where he stormed into the Yamaha garage after to superpole where he comfronted Melandri and slapped him round the face makes me feel that Max feels threatened by his countryman presence at this early part of the season. I do think Biaggi has got his work cut out this year, not only from Melandri but from Carlos Checa who now leads the championship on 91 points to Melandri in second on 72 while Biaggi is down in fourth behind last years runner-up Leon Haslam in fourth on 49 points. One thing is for sure, who would have thought that nearly a decade on from MotoGP that Biaggi, Checa and Melandri would be battling it out in World Superbikes.

27.03.11. WSBK : Round two, Donington Park, UK, day three, race two. Althea Ducati rider Carlos Checa won the second race at Donington Park today after a convincing win from pole. The Spanish rider led from lights to the chequred flag leaving race one winner Marco Melandri and Leon Camier to fight it out for the runner-up spot, where the Yamaha rider finally broke away from the Alitalia Aprilia of Camier on the last lap to take second. Local hero Leon Haslam bravely fought back to take fourth after the BMW Motorrad rider ran onto the grass at Coppice where he rejoined the race in eighth and went in pursuit of the rest of the field. Rookie Joan Lascorz who moved up from the world supersport championship had his best result to date by finishing in fifth for the Kawasaki Racing Team just a head of Castrol Honda rider Johnathan Rea. Another young rider in his rookie season saw BMW italia rider Aryton Badovini hold off the vastly experienced Effenbert Liberty Racing Jakub Smrz for seventh, ninth was Viru Alstare Suzuki's Michele Fabrizio with Castrol Honda rider Ruben Xaus in tenth. British riders Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty were still clearly feeling the effects from their race one crash as the Kawasaki and Yamaha rider bravely battled through the pain to finish in eleventh and thirteenth.

27.01.11. WSBK : Round two, Donington Park, UK, day three, race one. Marco Melandri has taken his first ever World Superbike victory after just three races at Donington Park in the UK. The Yamaha WSBK Team rider came from ninth on the grid where he fought his way through the field to take the lead from Effenbert-Liberty Racing Ducati's Jakub Smrz on lap 17 of 23. Once out in front Melandri was able to stretch out a 2.5 second advantage to record his first win of the year. Jakub Smrz managed to hold off pole position starter Althea Ducati's Carlos Checa for second with home favourite BMW Motorrad's Leon Haslam in fourth. Johnathan Rea took his Castrol Honda to fifth to the delight of the British crowd a head of PATA Aprilia rider Nori Haga who just held off a late challenge from the two Alitalia Aprilia's off Max Biaggi and Leon Camier. BMW Motorad rider Troy Corser was ninth with Kawasaki Racing's Joan Lascorz tenth. It was a tough day for the British riders Tom Sykes and rookie Eugene Laverty who both crashed out of the race in separate incidents.

25.03.11. WSBK : Round two, Donington Park, UK, day two Superpole. Spain's Carlos Checa has taken his second consectutive World Superbike Championship pole position at Donington Park in the UK after fending off a late challenge from home favourites Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes, with Czech rider Jakub Smrz fourth. Despite feeling the effects from the bitterly cold weather Nori Haga took his PATA Aprilia to fifth where he will be joined on the second row by world champion Alitalia Aprilia's Max Biaggi and team-mate Leon Camier, with Castrol Honda's Johnathan Rea in eighth. Yamaha WSBK Team rider Marco Melandri was furious with Biaggi's out on track antics will have to start from ninth with the BMW Motorrad of Troy Corser rounding out the top ten.

25.03.11. WSBK : Round two, Donington Park, UK, day one, Q1. World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi topped the timesheets in the first qualifying session a head of fellow countryman Marco Melandri at Donington Park today. The Alitalia Aprilia rider lapped the British circuit in 1min 28 .794 seconds while double race winner last time out at Phillip Island Carlos Checa was close behind in third. Northern Ireland's rookie Eugene Laverty finished in a solid fourth for the Yamaha WSBK Team just a head of Effenbert-liberty Racing Ducat's Jakub Smrz. Next up was the two BMW Motorrad riders of Leon Haslam and Troy Corser who both put in a solid performance to finish in sixth and seventh. Eighth was Castrol Honda's Ruben Xaus with Kawasaki's Joan Lascorz and Alitalia Aprilia's Leon Camier rounding out the top ten.

22.03.11. Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team rider Chris Vermeulen is planning on returning to action this weekend for round two of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park in the UK. The 28-year-old former World Supersport Champion last raced raced at Brno in the Czech Republic last season. The Australian had an operation to rebuild his knee last July and is now in the final phases of rehabilitation after such complex surgery, but was forced out of his home round last month due to still not being 100%. However he aims to be back in action this weekend for the Paul Bird Motosport Kawasaki Team's home round and at a circuit he knows very well.

17.03.11. Through WorldSBK.com PATA Racing Aprilia rider Nori Haga spoke about the recent disaster in Japan which devasted his country leaving thousands dead.

After the first round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island in Australia, i went back to my hometown of Nagoya in Japan to visit my relatives. Of course now i am trying to get back to Europe for the second round at Donington in the UK next weekend.

First of all i would like to say thank you so much to everyone who has texted and called me, concerned about my family and friends in Japan. I just wanted everyone to know how much it meant to me and i appreciate it very much. Thank you so much for all the kindness that you have shown me. All my family (Yurie, Akito, Ryota and Kanon) are ok and our relatives who live in the suffering area are safe too.

We are very shocked about what is happening in Japan. Earthquake, Tsunami and now trouble from the Nuclear power plant. It's just like a nightmare! It is very bad and ugly, especially the Sendia area. I used to race there and i have good memories of it too but just unbelievable... sad! sad! sad!

My home is ok, it just has some small damage and the aftershocks are still continuing but at the moment they are not as bad as the others. I am very sad for all those people who have lost family and friends in the tragedy and i am going to try my best at Donington Park to show you the spirit of "Don't give up Japan, Don't give up Tohoku! I also have good news that our friends Yukio Kagayama and his family, Katsuaki family are all OK!