With his third pole position of his rookie career at Kyalami, Cal Crutchlow had an 8-4 score for the weekend in South Africa.

Aprilia’s Max Biaggi chats with fans prior the U.S. World Superbike round at Dainese’s Orange County D-Store.

Aprilia’s Max Biaggi signs autographs for fans prior the U.S. World Superbike round at Dainese’s Orange County D-Store.

Motorcycle USA chats with Aprilia’s Max Biaggi prior to the U.S. round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

James Toseland gets up to speed on the Yamaha R1, the British pilot having been demoted to SBK from the MotoGP Tech 3 Yamaha team.

James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow will lead the factory Yamaha effort for 2010.

Luca Scassa

Tom Sykes moves from Yamaha to the Kawasaki SBK team ran by Paul Bird.

Jonathan Rea ended the season strong and hopes to make a title running play for 2010 with the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda.

Noriyuki Haga, disappointed at Portimao. Can Haga rebound for 2010?

Nitro Nori on the gas at a two-day season opening test in Portimao Portugal.

Cal Crutchlow did better on his second day of testing but feels dissapointed about not taking the top time.

Chris Vermeulen is back and riding for the Paul Bird Kawasaki team.

Cal Crutchlow testing at Valencia.

James Toseland prepares his new yamaha for the 2010 World Superbike season.

Toseland at the Valencia World Superbike test.

Kawasaki's Chris Vermeulen gets up to speed on the Ninja ZX-10R.

Carlos Checa testing the Althea Racing machine.

Carlos Checa will join forces with Althea Racing Ducati and Shane Byrne for the 2010 World Superbike season.

Sterilgarda Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow ended the day with the second-fastest time around the Portimao circuit.

Former MotoGP pilot James Toseland was back in the WSBK saddle as the three-day test.

The Ducati Xerox Team of Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio at Portimao.

Will 2010 be the year Ducati Xerox's Noriyuki Haga takes the top spot in the overall standings?

Michel Fabrizio pilots the Ducati Xerox machine around the Portimao circuit.

Leon Haslam posted the quickest time around the Portimao circuit on his new for 2010 Alstare Suzuki ride.

Sterilgarda Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow posted the fourth-quickest time under wet conditions during the second day.

Ducati Xerox's Michel Fabrizio was back today and feeling physically better after a stomach sickness invaded the Ducati camp.

Noriyuki Haga spent some time today testing different tires on the Ducati Xerox machine.

Nitro Nori is hoping for drier conditions tomorrow for the chance to improve on his sixth-place spot in the timesheets.

Sterilgarda Yamaha's James Toseland posted the 15th quickest time due to the wet conditions.

Jonathan Rea was the fastest over Day 3 of the Portimao test.

After Portimao, Kawasak's Tom Sykes is looking forward to another chance to test his ZX-10R at Phillip Island.

Max Neukirchner works on familiarizing himself with his new Honda rider at Portimao.

Michel Fabrizio blasted his way around the Portimao circuit to post the fourth best time.

Max Neukirchner returns to World Superbike after breaking his back and his right leg in 2009.

Hannspree Ten Kate rider Max Neukirchner hopes to put his Honda on the podium in 2010.

Chris Vermeulen is back in World Superbike after a four-year hiatus in MotoGP. The Aussie will contest the series on the Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Chris Vermeulen sits down with Kawasaki team members.

Jonathan Rea - Portimao Test

On Day 3, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's Jonathan Rea lapped the Portimao Circuit in the quickest time.

Jonathan Rea - Portimao Test

King James on his Sterilgarda Yamaha machine during Day 2 of testing at Portimao.

Shane Byrne pilots his new Althea Racing Ducati around the Portimao circuit.

Noriyuki Haga pilots his Xerox Ducati during Day 3 of the Portimao test.

Kawasaki's Chris Vermeulen tested his new machine as he returns to World Superbike.

Carlos Checa on his Althea Racing Ducati machine.

Alstare Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli and Xerox Ducati's Noriyuki Haga at the Portimao circuit.

Alstare Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli posted the 10th fastest time overall in the three-day test.

Alstare Suzuki's Leon Haslam topped the timesheets on Day 1 with a blistering 1:42.778.

Over the three-day test, James Toseland ranked in at sixth on the timesheets on his Sterilgarda Yamaha R1.

The Yoshimura Suzuki team will compete in three rounds of the 2010 World Superbike Season.

The 2010 Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team

James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow show off their 2010 World Superbike livery.

Yamaha Sterilgarda 2010 World Superbike

Tricolors adorn Biaggi's 2010 Aprilia.

Max Biaggi's Aprilia RSV 2010 colors

Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team for 2010 World Superbike

The livery for the 2010 World Superbike Team.

Luca Scassa

Team Suzuki Alstare announces its new sponsor, Viru.

Alstare Suzuki World Superbike Team pit area. Check out the Arrow dual exhaust system!

Yamaha Sterilgarda's Cal Crutchlow worked on getting familiar with his new ride at Phillip Island.

Brit James Toseland focused on the chassis settings on his Yamaha Sterilgarda during Day 1 of the Phillip Island test.

Toseland talks with the Yamaha Sterilgarda crew at Phillip Island.

Ducati Xerox's Michel Fabrizio posted the second-fastest time of the day at the Phillip Island test.

Ducati's Noriyuki Haga takes the turn in style at Phillip Island.

Ducati Xerox's Noriyuki Haga worked on suspension settings during the earlier part of the Phillip Island test.

Althea Racing's Shane Byrne was second-quickest on Day 2 of the Phillip Island test.

Troy Corser focused on the settings on the BMW S1000RR and not lap times. Phillip Island test

ON Day 2, Corser climbed a spot on the timesheets to 13th at the final Phillip Island test.

In his first outing of the year with the Yamaha Sterilgarda team, Cal Crutchlow concluded the Phillip Island test in 17th overall.

Michel Fabrizio turned the quickest lap around the Phillip Island circuit on his Ducati Xerox machine.

Michel Fabrizio shows a little style at the Phillip Island test.

Sylvain Guintoli ended 15th-fastest on the Alstare Suzuki.

Noriyuki Haga struggled with traction issues during the earlier part of Day 2 at Phillip Island.

James Toseland struggled with chatter on the Yamaha Sterilgarda R1 and ended Day 2 in 11th.

Kawasaki's Chris Vermeulen was only 1.22 second off the pace of Fabrizio on Day 2.

Chris Vermeulen hopes to put Kawasaki on top during the 2010 World Superbike season.

Leon Haslam piloted his Alstare Suzuki to 7th overall during the two-day test.

Carlos Checa scored the fastest lap on Day 1 and ended Day 2 in second.

Max Biaggi displays the new Aprilia Alitalia colors at Phillip Island.

2009 British Superbike Champion Leon Camier continues his work on getting familiar with the Aprilia machine.

Carlos Checa has posted the fastest time of qualifying.

Max Biaggi sweeps the podium at Portimao.

Haga had a hard start in race 1 having to battle up from the back. "I tried to push as hard as possible but by the last five laps or so I was lacking rear grip and this meant that my traction was very much affected."

Team Suzuki Alstare’s Leon Haslam took a pair of superb runner-up spots at Portimao and increased his series lead at the same time.

Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) looked on course for two podium finishes at Portimao but had to settle for one, securing third in the opener then being forced out due to an engine failure.

“We have struggled to get the right balance for the bike all weekend and, even though we’ve had some good ideas, we haven’t really found one that works." - Max Neukirchner - 2010 World Superbike Portimao

Xerox Ducati’s Noriyuki Haga stands on the podium after winning Race 2 at Valencia.

Michel Fabrizio had a horrible weekend in Spain with the Xerox Ducati rider scoring zero points in either race.

Xerox Ducati’s Noriyuki Haga won his first race of the season at Valencia.

Alstare Suzuki’s Leon Haslam won Race 1 at Valencia in World Superbike racing action.

The MotorLand Aragon circuit was added to the 2011, 2012 and 2013 schedules for World Superbike.

Despite starting each race from pole position, Yamaha’s Cal Cruthlow was only able to muster a 7th and 9th place finish in Valencia.

Aprilia factory rookie Leon Camier earned his first trip to the World Superbike podium in Race 1 at Assen.

Former World Superbike Champ James Toseland finally scored a podium finish in Race 1 at Valencia.

Toseland, Rea and Camier shake up the bubbly after their winning Race 1 efforts at Assen.

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's Jonathan Rea celebrates after winning the first World Superbike double of his career at Assen.

Toseland rode the wheels off his YZF-R1 to earn a double podium visit in Assen.

Cal Crutchlow set the fastest lap time in practice at Round 5 of the 2010 World Superbike series at Monza.

Suzuki's Leon Haslam had the fifth best time of the day during practice in Round 5 at Monza.

Toseland may not have been the fastest but he was happy to be back racing World Superbike at Monza. He took a second-place finish during Race 1 at Monza.

Biaggi celebrates his double victory at Monza.

For the second time during the 2010 World Superbike Championship Max Biaggi took home a double win at Monza.

Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team shows off its technical and competitive strengths in Monza during Round 5 of the 2010 World Superbike Championship series.

Aprilia's Max Biaggi nabbed his first-ever Superpole victory at Monza.

Ducati's Michel Fabrizio led a start to finish victory in Race 1 at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa.

Despite Rea's good race pace, he had to start from 11th position during the start of Round 6 at Kyalami.

Fabrizio took the provisional pole with the top time of 1’38.477 at Kyalami, which was off the pace he set there last year in 2009.

Leon Haslam took a victory in Race 2 during Round 6 of the 2010 Superbike Championship followed by Jonathan Rea and Max Biaggi.

Xerox Ducati's Michel Fabrizio set the fastest time in the morning session at Imola after using a new Pirelli compound front tire.

Noriyuki Haga placed fourth in the timesheets during Day 1 of testing at Imola.

Alstare Suzuki's Leon Haslam posted the fastest time of 1.47.966 during testing at Imola.

Cal Crutchlow led the final day of testing at the Imola circuit in preparation for the upcoming Brno round.

Michel Fabrizio on his side for the Imola test.

Leon Haslam hangs off at Misano, with the Alstare Suzuki rider losing more ground to Biaggi in the points.

Kenan Sofuoglu (center) of Hannspree Ten Kate Honda extended his championship lead to six-points at Miller by recording his first race win since Portimao.

In addition to winning at Miller, Kenan Sofuoglu took a new lap record of 1’51.702 during Lap 6.

Carlos Checa leads Biaggi and Corser in Race 2 before disaster strikes a second time - Miller Motorsports Park.

Max Biaggi leads SBK Race 1 - Miller Motorsports Park.

Max Biaggi enjoyed Miller SBK Race 1 victory waiving a pirate flag - MMP.

Max Biaggi leads Leon Camier and others in Race 2 at Miller Motorsports Park.

Mad Max stands up to celebrate win number one at Miller Motorsports Park.

Carlos Checa had the early lead ahead of Biaggi and Camier, but bike troubles would force Checa to take a DNF in Race 2 at Miller Motorsports Park.

As Leon Haslam tried to enter the top-five he went down on his GSX-R Suzuki and was not able to finish Race 2.

Michel Fabrizio took a lowslide in Race 1 at Miller Motorsports Park which resulted in a DNF.

Max Biaggi (center), Leon Camier (right) and Cal Crutchlow (left) filled the Race 2 Podium at Utah.

Kenan Sofuoglu (#54) was able to maintain his lead ahead of Eugene Laverty (#50) for the win in the Supersport class at Miller Motorsports Park.

Troy Corser was able to advance from 15th on the grid to third heading into Turn 1 at Miller Motorsports Park.

Max Biaggi (at Misano): "In such a tough and well balanced championship all of the victories are earned with hard work and sweat. In race 2, to be honest, maybe I rode... pushing the envelope a bit, maybe even risking too much. But on the other hand, without risk there is no gain!"

Max Biaggi scored his fourth double win of the season and his eighth race win so far at the Misano circuit.

Parkalgar Honda's Eugene Laverty won his fifth race of the 2010 season at Misano and claimed the lead in the World Supersport championship by three points.

Jonathan Rea struggled at the Misano circuit where he took a score of 13-12.

After taking third-place behind Eugene Laverty and Joan Lascorz at Misano, Kenan Sofuoglu now trails Laverty in the championship by just three points.

Max Biaggi: "I'm obviously happy with this victory at Misano, especially because I didn't expect it and because doing so well in Italy, in front of our supporters has a very special flavor for us. I must congratulate the team and Aprilia because we are really working well."

Biaggi took his seventh win of the season in Race 1, finally overtaking long time leader Corser and then proving able to hold off Checa’s Ducati in the final laps at Misano.

James Toseland still looking for that first win in 2010 - Misano 2010.

Ten Kate Honda's Jonathan Rea took the victory in Race 1 at Brno ahead of Max Biaggi by over two and a half seconds.

Jonathan Rea completed his weekend at Brno in strong form by taking second in Race 2 behind Max Biaggi.

Parkalgar Honda's Eugene Laverty was unable to finish at Brno due to mechanical problems and as a result took a 22-point loss in the WSS series.

Aprilia's Max Biaggi moved an impressive 68 points clear of his nearest challenger after two 20-lap races at Brno.

Honda's Jonathan Rea (left), Aprilia's Max Biaggi (center) and Xerox Ducati's Michel Fabrizio (right) made up the podium in Race 2 at Brno.

Aprilia's Leon Camier put in a good performance after a weekend of searching for the right setup. He finished eighth-place in Race 2 at Brno and is now eagerly awaiting the race on his home turf in Silverstone.

Cal Crutchlow: "I'm disappointed to be honest, I knew we had the pace at Brno to win. The first race didn't go too much to plan, we had a bit of a problem with rear grip so we made a change for the second race which I thought was going to be really good. I did 12 laps on the rear tire, and to be honest I was just about to crash so I had to pull in to change it."

After suffering a mechanical issue in Race 1, Ducati's Michel Fabrizio got past Ruben Xaus on Lap 5 to take third-place in Race 2 at Brno.

Alstare Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli had his best result of the '10 season in Race 1 at Brno where he finished fourth.

Noriyuki Haga made a great start in the first race at Brno, carving his way through the field to move up from fifteenth on the grid to sixth by the end of the first lap.

After the Brno round Honda's Jonathan Rea now trails Leon Haslam in the championship by 81 points, and leader Max Biaggi by 149.

Kenan Sofuoglu's victory at Brno coupled with Eugene Laverty's DNF has resulted in Sofuoglu retaking the lead in the championship by 15 points over Joan Lascorz.

The 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R World Superbike race bike that the PBR Racing Team will campaign next year, was unvieled this weekend at Nurburgring.

Leon Haslam: "Generally, I feel that today has been a bit frustrating because I think it could've and should've been better. When our package is perfect, I know I can challenge for wins, but when it is not, it can be a bit of a struggle and that's how it was today. I made a bad start in the first race but managed to close the gap on the leaders and was getting ready to mount an attack on Jonathan Rea, but had gearbox problems for the last seven laps, so couldn't push harder and get closer to him." - Silverstone

Eugene Laverty: “I thought I had got away early in the race because Gino was pushing me so hard, and we were doing 2.09 lap times, which was like my pole time. I knew the pace was quick and that he was a few seconds over those behind us, so I did not expect Kenan to come through as quick as he did in the end. When he caught me I dropped back behind, because I knew from practice that he was strong towards the end of the lap. I wanted to get a look at him, and there were a few areas where he was weak and I made my move at the first of those.” - Silverstone

Despite starting back in 12th, Yamaha's James Toseland (#52) led a spirited fight to the front where he ended the day with an 8-5 result at Silverstone.

In the first race at Silverstone Jonathan Rea (#65) had a strong lead in the opening laps, but Cal Crutchlow (#35) eventually closed the gap and made the pass on the Irishman.

Leon Haslam: "On the last lap in Race 2, I had a big fight with James Toseland. He passed me, but I was determined to get him back and that's what I did. On the last turn, he tried to get around the outside of me at the beginning of the start-finish straight and hit me, breaking my tail fairing and exhaust bracket in the process. It was a bit of a hairy moment, but happily we both stayed on our bikes and crossed the line OK." - Silverstone

Max Biaggi (#3) lost a bit of ground at the top of the World Superbike Championship series after finishing in fifth- and sixth-place at Silverstone.

Cal Crutchlow celebrating his double victory at his home circuit in Great Britain.

Despite having two tough 18-lap races in Britain Suzuki's Leon Haslam finished within the top-five in both of them and made gains on championship leader Max Biaggi

Race 1 podium at Silverstone (from left to right): Jonathan Rea, Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam.

World Supersport Podium at Silverstone (from left to right): Kenan Sofuoglu, Eugene Laverty and Gino Rea.

Kenan Sofuoglu managed to make a pass on Eugene Laverty for the lead, but near the closing lap Laverty came back to retake it. - Silverstone

World Superbike Silverstone podium (from left to right): Jonathan rea, Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam.

2010 World Supersport race at Silverstone

In Race 2 at Silverstone Jonathan Rea led until Lap 15 when Crutchlow once again made his way around Rea for the win.

Max Biaggi: “I’m very surprised, to go from sliding along the tarmac to pole is good. I have some pain in my left hand and arm from trying to hold onto the bike in the crash and my back is sore, but apart from that I am OK." - Nurburgring

Ducati's Michel Fabrizio qualified ninth during Saturday's first qualifying session in Germany.

Ducati's Noriyuki Haga took an impressive win in Race 2 at Nurburgring and finished a full 3.061 seconds ahead of Honda Ten Kate's Jonathan Rea.

Cal Crutchlow had a miserable qualifying session in Germany where he placed 10th on the grid and will be starting Sunday's race from the third row.

Despite starting all the way back in 10th, Cal Crutchlow took a 3-4 result in Germany.

Max Biaggi will be joined on the front row in Germany by Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa, Alstare Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli and Ten Kate Honda’s Johnny Rea.

Alstare Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli snared his first ever WSB front row start in Saturday's qualifying session in Germany.

Leon Haslam struggled during qualifying with new Pirelli tires. He took fifth on the grid and will start the Nurburgring races from the second row.

Race 1 podium at Nurburgring (from left to right): Carlos Checa, Jonathan Rea and Cal Crutchlow.

Yamaha Sterigarda's James Toseland suffered a DNF in his first race at Nurburgring.

Max Biaggi is the first ever Italian World Superbike champion.

Despite taking an 11th-place finish in Race 1, Max Biaggi managed an easy championship victory at Imola when Leon Haslam couldn't finish the second race.

Max Biaggi took the 2010 World Championship crown on Sunday at Imola in front of his home crowd.

Continuing the strong results for Ducati in Race 1 was Xerox Ducati’s Michel Fabrizio in seventh. - Imola

Leon Haslam: "It is frustrating that it has ended the way it has because I was hoping to take the fight to Magny-Cours, but that's racing. We always knew it was going to be a hard task because Max's lead in the points was so great, but while there was hope, we kept fighting. I should've won the first race and I would've won it if I hadn't made a mistake on the last lap." - Imola

James Toseland had a horrible weekend in Italy after taking two DNF's at the Imola circuit.

Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow rebounded from a 10th-place result in Race 1 to finish third in the second contest at Imola.

Sylvain Guintoli: "It has been a bit of a difficult weekend, not terrible, but not as good as it could've been. I haven't felt well all weekend and got a load of cramps in the races and that's strange because I never usually get cramps at all. I need to be fully fit and get back to fighting the leaders, not the guys in the middle of the pack." - Imola

Ducati's Noriyuki Haga put in strong performances in both races at Imola for a 3-2 score.

Ducati's Carlos Checa had the fastest pace in qualifying on Friday by 0.380 seconds ahead of Jonathan Rea at Imola.

Parkalgar Honda's Eugene Laverty collided with Kenan Sofuoglu at Imola late in the race but still managed to finish third.

Honda Ten Kate's Michele Pirro secured the victory in Supersport after Kenan Sofuoglu and Eugene Laverty crashed into each other. - Imola

Honda Ten Kate's Jonathan Rea attempted to compete at Imola, but during his warm-up session his injuries proved too great and the Irishman removed himself from the race.

Kenan Sofuoglu's lead in the series has now increased to 16 points ahead of Eugene Laverty. - Imola

Michel Fabrizio - three day Aragon test.

Michel Fabrizio took the fourth-fastest lap in the final session at Aragon aboard his Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000.

Aprilia's Max Biaggi topped the timesheets during World Superbike testing at the Aragon circuit.

Leon Camier: "Finally riding again! After my injury and too many days off the bike, this is just what I needed. The wrist is OK, and that's good news, even if it started to hurt a bit at the end of the session. I was also able to be quite quick on this really fun and demanding track, above all thanks to some promising progress with the electronics. Now all that's left is to pick up our work where we left off, continuing to improve each time we take to the track."

Max Biaggi: "The races are long and they could prove to be tiring for me. I really want to give my best. After the rider championship it would only be right to close out the season earning the manufacturer title as well." - Magny Cours

Max Biaggi cleared enough points in the first race to secure the 2010 manufacturer title for the Aprilia team.

In front of his home crowd Suzuki's Sylvain Guintoli earned his best qualification of the season in second at Magny Cours.

Suzuki's Leon Haslam had troubles with his number one bike and had to switch to his backup. After switching, clutch problems prevented him from advancing in Superpole and he finished Saturday with the 10th-best time. - Magny Cours

Although Cal Crutchlow has displayed remarkable pace all year long in qualifying, it remains to be seen if the Yamaha rider can maintain his speed throughout Sunday's races. - Magny Cours

Yamaha's James Toseland remains optimistic about the final races of the season after taking 15th in qualifying at the French circuit. - Magny Cours

Max Biaggi dominated the first two Superpole sessions in France and earned fourth-place in the final round - putting the world champion on the front row for Sunday's final races.

Suzuki's Leon Haslam made an extremely aggressive pass on Max Biaggi in the first race at Magny Cours to secure second at the finish line.

2010 World Superbike Race 2 podium at Magny Cours (from left to right): Cal Crutchlow, Max Biaggi and Michel Fabrizio.

Honda's Kenan Sofuoglu won his second World Supersport Championship in France after finishing second at Magny Cours.