2011 World Superbike Season Photo Gallery

Eugene Laverty was fast from the start of testing and set a blistering pace of 1’31.5 at Phillip Island - more than half a second faster than Max Biaggi.

A large part of testing for Eugene Laverty consisted of physical modifications such as adjusting foot pegs and handlebars.

Joan Lascorz had an extremely successful superbike test with Kawasaki in which he reached all his goals.

Marco Melandri had surgery in order to clean up an old injury and to prevent further aggravation during his debut season in World Superbike.

The Kawasaki Racing Team took part in a four-day test at the Sepang circuit to test out the new 2011 Ninja ZX-10R.

Joan Lascorz: “I felt very good at this test but I must get a little more strength back to push the bike to his limits. My first impression of the bike is very positive and it delivers power in a good way. On the first day I made a few laps, on the second day a few more and on the last day I felt much happier, and did even more laps than before."

Tom Sykes took part in the Sepang test along with Chris Vermeulen and Joan Lascorz.

Chris Vermeulen completed a limited number of laps but overall came away quite impressed with the 2011 ZX-10R and its development.

Joan Lascorz - Sepang

Tom Sykes - Sepang

Kawasaki Racing Team - 2011 Sepang test

Joan Lascorz - 2011

Tom Sykes - 2011 Sepang

Tom Sykes - Sepang

Chris Vermeulen - Sepang

Irishman Jonathan Rea and the CBR1000RR Fireblade

Catalan rider Ruben Xaus has 11 career wins to his name and a total of 35 podium finishes.

2011 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

Jonathan Rea: "One of my main inspirations for racing was watching Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards battle Troy Bayliss for the World Superbike Championship in that epic season in 2002. It’s a real honor for me to be racing under those same famous colors for the 2011 season and I’ll be trying my hardest to recreate what Colin did for the Castrol Honda team."

Castrol Honda/Ten Kate Racing Team 2011 World Superbike Debut

Despite Kawasaki's David Salom suffering from illness and a short session he managed a lap of 1’37.7 at the Almeria circuit.

Pedercini Kawasaki's Roby Rolfo rode the Superbike version of the Ninja ZX-10R at the sweltering Sepang circuit.

Broc Parkes achieved a new best of 1’37.3 at the Almeria circuit.

Noriyuki Haga and Pata Racing were both present in Verona, Italy at the Motorbike Expo to formally unveil its 2011 campaign.

2011 World Superbike Press Conference

Jonathan Rea took the top time in Day 2 testing at Portimao.

During the three-day test at Eastern Creek Troy Corser managed to set a new lap record of 1:29.5.

Leon Haslam: "Testing is one thing but racing is another. All you want to do is go out there and race. It is not long to wait, just one more month. Also physically I feel very good and I have my trainer coming over to Australia for a couple of weeks more before the race."

James Toseland during 2011 testing with BMW at the Portimao circuit.

Leon Haslam (left) and Troy Corser - 2011 World Superbike

James Toseland - 2011

Italy's Ayrton Badovini and Team BMW Motorrad Italia won the 2010 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup.

Parkalgar Honda's Sam Lowes claimed the fastest lap in World Supersport testing at Portimao.

Mark Aitchison: “To say I am excited now about the season ahead is a major understatement. To race in the World Superbike class has always been a dream of mine and to be given this opportunity with a team that has such a long history in World Superbike racing is something I am very proud of."

Suzuki's Michel Fabrizio placed second in the final day of testing at Portimao despite difficult weather conditions.

World Superbike rookie Eugene Laverty had the third-best laptime in the first pre-season test at Portimao.

Yamaha's Marco Melandri earned the fifth-fastest lap on Day 3 at Portimao behind teammate, Eugene Laverty.

Although not fully back to fitness, Joan Lascorz took 10th in the Portimao test.

Tom Sykes: “Overall, not too bad in the dry. We were just two tenths off, which I am not saying is fantastic, but at the end of the day we were doing decent times. In the wet we still have some work to do, but it was still positive in the wet."

Jakub Smrz proved to be the fastest rider in official pre-season testing at Portimao.

Leon Haslam and the team gathered extensive data during the two-day test.

Ruben Xaus - 2011

Yamaha World Superbike Factory Team rider Eugene Laverty

Yamaha World Superbike Factory Team Rider Marco Milandri

Yamaha WSBK team livery - Eugene Laverty R1

Yamaha World Superbike livery - Marco Melandri R1

2011 Yamaha World Superbike Factory Team - Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty

Jonathan Rea speaks with Castrol Honda techs during a private test at the Phillip Island circuit.

Jonathan Rea returns for the Ten Kate Honda squad, this time under Castrol Honda sponsorship - Phillip Island Preseason Private Test

Banished from the BMW squad, Ruben Xaus tries his hand on the Ten Kate Honda for 2011 - Phillip Island Test

Leon Camier - 2011

Max Biaggi -2011

The Yoshimura team at the opening WSBK round at Phillip Island.

Liberty Racing's Sylvain Guintoli claimed the second-best time on both days but was more than half a second adrift of Checa.

The 2011 Effenbert Ducati Team. Sylvain Guintoli (#50) and Jakob Smrz (#96) - 2011 Phillip Island World Superbike

Kawasaki's Tom Sykes was sixth-fastest on the opening day of testing at the Victoria circuit.

2011 Aprilia Alitalia Team

2011 Aprilia RSV4

Carlos Checa secured the fastest lap on Day 1 ahead of Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz.

Ducati's Carlos Checa snagged both days of testing at Phillip Island with a fastest lap of 1'30.578.

$James Toseland will be out for at least six weeks following a wrist fracture at the Motorland Aragon circuit during team tests in the run up to Round 2 of the championship at Donington.$
James Toseland will be out for at least six weeks following a wrist fracture at the Motorland Aragon circuit during team tests in the run up to Round 2 of the championship at Donington.

From past to present, Max Biaggi and others joined to celebrate 80 years of motorcycle racing at the Donington circuit.

Ducati's Carlos Checa got down to business by grabbing the fastest lap ever recorded at Phillip Island to claim the first Superpole of 2011.

Yamaha's Marco Melandri (#33) went 5-3 during his debut performance in World Superbike.

Max Biaggi: "The results today were truly beautiful, especially if we think about how we were last year and the year before. It has been no secret that this track has always put us in a difficult place, but this time we worked hard to prepare as best as possible and I can truly say that we succeeded, also considering the fast lap that we earned in both races." - Phillip Island

Max Biaggi (#1) held off Marco Melandri during the final stages of Race 2. - Phillip Island

Carlos Checa (#7) posted two solid performances at Phillip Island to secure the double victory ahead of Max Biaggi.

Aprilia's Leon Camier (#2) was able to minimize the damage in Race 2 after climbing up to sixth place while struggling with the flu. - Phillip Island

Superpole podium at Phillip Island (from left to right): Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa and Sylvain Guintoli.

BMW's James Toseland (#52) suffered a series of off-track excursions during Race 1 which forced him to finish in 17th. - Phillip Island

BMW's Leon Haslam claimed third during the first contest, giving the German team renewed faith for the 2011 season. - Phillip Island

Castrol Honda's Ruben Xuas went 12-10 in the second round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship.

Jonathan Rea: "Two point scores and a top-five, but the results
are not what I was looking for, it’s not where we
want to be. I feel like something is missing, and
the bike requires a lot more rider input,
especially with the throttle. I need a little bit
more support when I am on the circuit." - Donington

Leon Haslam improved to third in the 2011 WSB Championship after notching two fourth-place finishes at Donington.

634374427970342365634368231308027431Fabrizio-2011-Donington.jpg

Alstare Suzuki's Michel Fabizio suffered a DNF during the first race at Donington but followed it with a solid run for seventh in Race 2.

634374428207469965634368376717375766Corser-Donington-2011.jpg

Troy Corser finished ninth in the first race and outside the top-10 in Race 2 after struggling with grip from his rear tire. - Donington

634374428703409860634368377725805014Haslam-2011-Donington.jpg

Leon Haslam (#91) had the lead at the start of Race 1, but ended up losing it on Lap 7 to Jakub Smrz. - Donington

Max Biaggi was disqualified from Race 2 after failing to see that he had been issued a ride-through penalty for a false start. - Donington

Leon Camier (#2) had a terrific battle with Marco Melandri for second in Race 2, but ultimately finished third after wear on the brakes prevented him from taking it down to the wire. - Donington

Althea Racing's Carlos Checa put on a dominating display in the second heat to win by more than three seconds. - Donington

Yamaha's Marco Melandri secured his first win ever in World Superbike after only two rounds. - Donington

World Superbike Donington Superpole (left to right): Chris Vermeulen, Carlos Checa and Leon Haslam.

Alex Lowes will replace the injured Jonny Rea at Brno.

Maxime Berger suffered one of the more bizarre crashes in recent memory when his rear wheel sheared off in Race 1 at Donintgon.

Benjan Racing Honda's Robbin Harms earned fourth at Donington more than 23 seconds off the pace of race winner, Luca Scassa.

Parkalgar Honda's Sam Lowes was running third when he crashed out on Lap 11 at Donington.

Honda's Jonathan Rea was more than a second adrift of Smrz on Friday and posted the ninth-fastest lap overall. - Assen 2011

Jonathan Rea - Assen 2011

Ducati's Carlos Checa posted strong results in Assen after taking a difficult win ahead of Aprilia's Max Biaggi in Race 2.

2011 Assen WSB Race 1 podium (from left to right): Max Biaggi, Jonathan Rea and Carlos Checa.

Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea experienced his first at Assen during Race 1 since Nurburgring in September of 2010.

Assen Superpole Podium (from left to right): Jakub Smrz, Carlos Checa and Eugene Laverty.

After a crash earlier in the day, Aprilia's Max Biaggi scored sixth on the grid during Superpole. - Assen 2011

Leon Camier - Assen 2011

BMW's Troy Corser and Leon Haslam suffered difficult races at Assen where they had to start from the third row.

Jonathan Rea celebrates his first win of the 2011 season at Assen.

Leon Haslam crashed out in Race 1 and was clipped afterwards by Liberty Racing's Jakub Smrz. - Assen 2011

Yamaha's Eugene Laverty will start from the front row after trailing Checa in Superpole by 0.288 seconds. - Assen 2011

Yamaha's Marco Melandri failed to live up to the pace he set at Donington and finished fourth before crashing out in Race 2. - Assen 2011

Max Biaggi set a World Superbike top speed record of 206.6 mph on the front straight of Monza during the qualifying session.

Chaz Davies - World Supersport Monza 2011

Leon Haslam: "In Race 2 I was hit from behind at the first corner on Lap 1. I am not a hundred percent sure what happened, but I crashed out of the race after getting a much better start. Following the crash I was taken to the medical center where it was confirmed that I have broken a toe on my right foot. I don’t see it being a problem for our forthcoming test or the races in Salt Lake.” - Monza 2011

Yamaha's Marco Melandri lost the battle for the
lead in the second race when he was passed on the final lap. - Monza 2011

Max Biaggi - Monza 2011

Jonathan Rea: "We’re going to Miller next, which has another long straight, so I hope the guys back at base can find something. Luckily, we’re testing there the week before the race so I hope that gives us at least a chance to do better than last year." - Monza 2011

Michel Fabrizio: "When I crashed this morning, it was because I was going about six kilometers per hour faster than my previous lap and just lost the front end going in. I didn't hurt myself at all, and the damage to the bike was mainly cosmetic - fairing, handlebars and footpegs, so there wasn't too much work for my mechanics." Monza 2011

Yamaha's Eugene Laverty won both races at Monza despite pressure from Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri.

Biaggi and the Aprilias were fastest down the front straight, getting the RSV4 up to 315 kph - 196 mph. - Miller 2011

Pedercini rider Mark Aitchison performed well during the wet qualifying on Sunday at Miller.

Leon Camier was fast in the dry and wet at Miller during qualifying practice.

Carlos Checa was whistling a happy tune at Miller, the Spaniard piloting his Althea Ducati to a double victory performance.

Carlos Checa set the pace on the opening day at Miller.

Johnny Rea explains what happened with the CBR on the wet MMP circuit.

Jonathan Rea - Miller 2011

Biaggi led Rea in the first turn at Miller, but the two would go down later in the lap with a controversial collision - SBK Race 1 Miller

For a time is was vets Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga leading - SBK Race 1 Miller

Carlos Checa in action - SBK Race 1 Miller

Ducati celebrates - SBK Race 1 Miller

Carlos Checa celebrates another win - SBK Race 2 Miller

Rea leads a fight for 10th in Race 2 at Miller.

Max Biaggi (#1) finished second in both races behind Checa. - Misano 2011

Aprilia's Leon Camier was unable to start the second race after sliding out just seconds before the red flag. - Misano 2011

Eugene Laverty: "We took a gamble with the rear tire in Race 1 and it was ok until about four laps to go. The left side of the tire was completely worn which is very strange considering it's a right handling track. I was very disappointed to lose fourth position just at the end." - Misano Race 1 2011

Parkalgar Honda's Sam Lowes in World Supersport action at Misano.

Carlos Checa claimed the double victory at Misano and widened his lead in the standings to 72 points. - 2011

Kawasaki's Tom Sykes was 0.176 seconds faster than Carlos Checa and more then half a second ahead of Jakub Smrz. - Misano Superpole 2011

Aprilia's Max Biaggi snared his first victory of the 2011 season at Aragon ahead of Yamaha's Marco Melandri.

Leon Camier - Aragon 2011

Aprilia's Leon Camier will start from the first row after having the third-fastest time in qualifying. - Aragon Superpole 2011

634478939504894645634440790944444663Melandri_action.jpg

Marco Melandri capitalized on an error by Max Biaggi in the first race to slip by for his second win of the season. - Aragon 2011

Althea Racing's Carlos Checa just made it on the first row after finishing Aragon's Superpole session in fourth with a time of 1'58.472.

Fabien Foret - Aragon World Supersport Qualifying 2011

Marco Melandri - Aragon Superpole 2011

Joan Lascorz - Aragon 2011

Tom Sykes - Aragon 2011

Max Biaggi had a well-earned victory in the second race after holding back Melandri across the finish line. - Brno 2011

Max Biaggi: "I won't delude myself. There are two very long and difficult races ahead of us tomorrow. There are many variables which can affect our performance tomorrow and the weather, which I'm told is uncertain, is the one I'm least concerned about." - Brno 2011

Leon Camier: "After the trouble last year we are concentrating on the front end and I think we're going well. We found some good solutions on the second bike that we now have to transfer to the other RSV4. We've made good progress, certainly more than last year, but we can still do better." - Brno 2011

Marco Melandri: "It’s a great sensation to be on my third win of the season but I still need to do a double. I’m really happy with today’s results." - Brno 2011

Carlos Checa and Jakub Smrz put Ducati in the top-two positions during Friday's qualifying at Brno.

634478950074464755634458228597345961Checa---Saturday.jpg

Althea Racing's Carlos Checa will start from third on the grid at Brno after finishing behind Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri in Superpole.

Max Biaggi (#1) and Marco Melandri (#33) fight for the lead in Race 2 at Brno.

634478950413322819634459088949618868Melandri-2011-Brno.jpg

Yamaha's Marco Melandri claimed the win in Race 1 just 0.241 seconds ahead of Aprilia's Max Biaggi. - Brno 2011

Carlos Checa improved dramatically in the afternoon session, where he lapped more than a second and a half quicker than he did in practice. - Brno 2011

Michel Fabrizio: "I am happy to be on the first two rows of the grid, because it feels like a long time since I was there. It was very hard work out there today and I am very tired now because I was riding over my limit. But that's what you have to do in Superpole and today my reward was the sixth-quickest lap time." - Brno Superpole 2011

Gino Rea won his first ever World Supersport race at Brno.

634478969420663448634475446307139482Camier_Silverstone_friday.jpg

Leon Camier: "I'm certainly happy with the first day, especially because the guys out front don't really have that much of a better pace than us, also given the quick tire wear in these low temperatures." - Silverstone 2011

Carlos Checa (#7) earned two more wins at the Silverstone circuit to open up his lead again in the championship.

634478969813172028634477325394624813Melandri-2011-Silverstone.jpg

Marco Melandri held back Max Biaggi in Race 2 to claim a well-earned podium spot in third. - Silverstone 2011

634478970011610388634478056199949060Hopkins-2011-Silverstone.jpg

Samsung Crescent Suzuki's John Hopkins overcame a malfunctioning rear brake in the first race to finish fifth. - Silverstone 2011

In the final laps of Race 2 Max Biaggi (#1) denied teammate Leon Camier (#2) fourth place with a decisive pass. - Silverstone 2011

Max Biaggi - Silverstone 2011

Carlos Checa scored his ninth victory of the 2011 season aboard the Ducati 1198 while protecting his lead in the Riders' and Manufacturers' title. - Silverstone 2011

John Hopkins posted a new circuit record at Silverstone while nabbing the Superpole victory by 0.027 seconds.

John Hopkins earned the fastest time during free practice on Friday and nabbed fifth in the timesheets during qualifying. - Silverstone 2011

Yamaha's Eugene Laverty used his start on the front row to fight for two runner-up finishes at Silverstone.

2011 Silverstone Race 2 podium (from left to right): Eugene Laverty, Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri.

Joan Lascorz: "We had one good result and one unlucky one but my bike felt even better in the second race than the first one. It was unfortunate that James Toseland collided with me because his foot peg went into a water hose on my bike and it ran the cooling system dry which meant I could not finish. I think I could have had a top six if that had not happened." - Silverstone 2011

Tom Sykes claimed the third-best lap during qualifying at his home track and was less than half a second behind Checa. - Silverstone 2011

Carlos Checa visits the Ducati factory to celebrate their 300th world superbike win that he captured for the brand at Silverstone.

Kawasaki racing officials have decided to go in-house for the 2012 season, cutting ties with partner Paul Bird Motorsports.

Ayrton Badovini, the 2010 Superstock champion has proven the most consistent BMW S1000RR pilot for 2011.

Toni Elias made his SBK BMW Italia debut at a two-day Misano test.

Elias replaced the recently retired James Toseland for the BMW Motor Italia squad during testing at the Misano circuit.

Jonathan Rea returned to Misano for testing, the Italian circuit the site of the Northern Ireland rider's wrist injury.

Marco Melandri set the pace during Misano testing aboard his factory R1.

An agreement was signed today which brings World Superbike racing to Russia in 2012.

Sylvain Guintoli - 2011 World Superbike Imola

Jakub Smrz - 2011 World Superbike Imola

Aprilia's Max Biaggi secured the fastest lap on Friday just 0.149 seconds ahead of Carlos Checa. - Nurburgring 2011

Parkalgar Honda's Sam Lowes was the only Supersport rider able to post a lap under the two-minute mark on Friday. - Nurburgring 2011

Tom Sykes: "In Race 2, conditions were diabolical and it was a battle to stay upright but I kept things smooth and just kept my concentration. In the end it was the right decision to stop the race and I'm delighted to take my first World Superbike Championship victory and to reward the team for all their hard work." - Nurburgring 2011

Carlos Checa won the first race of the day in Germany but struggled with wet conditions in the second contest. - Nurburgring 2011

Eugene Laverty - Nurburgring Friday Qualifying 2011

Yamaha's Marco Melandri moved up to second in the championship after earning top-six finishes in both races at Nurburgring.

2011 World Superbike Nurburgring Race 1 podium (from left to right): Marco Melandri, Carlos Checa and Noriyuki Haga.

Leon Haslam: "I am really happy with the lap times. We did not use the soft tire in qualifying and basically worked on race simulation. Our consistency is probably one of the best out there. I would say that this was one of the best starts we have had to a race weekend, so we are going to keep on pushing for tomorrow. Then it will all be about qualifying and choosing the right race tire for Sunday." - Imola 2011

Irishman Jonathan Rea grabbed the fastest lap with new ride-by-wire technology in his CBR1000RR. - Imola 2011

Yamaha ParkinGO's Luca Scassa dominated Supersport qualifying at his home circuit ahead of Kawasaki's Broc Parkes. - Imola 2011

If Carlos Checa can add 26 more points to his lead over Melandri this weekend the Spaniard will claim the 2011 WSB title. - Imola 2011

Jonathan Rea earned his first win since returning from injury but lost the double victory in Race 2 after suffering a mechanical. - Imola 2011

Carlos Checa won the final race at Imola but will have to wait to receive the championship crown.

Aprilia's Leon Camier made up for a poor start in the first race with a podium finish in the final contest at Imola.

Leon Camier - 2011 World Superbike Imola

Joan Lascorz - Imola World Superbike qualifying 2011

Eugene Laverty: "That was the toughest Friday I’ve had so far, by a long shot. We struggled with the new surface a lot. The morning wasn’t so bad but with more bikes lapping the track as the day went on, creating more rubber on the surface, the grip got worse and that’s causing us to struggle with our rear setting." - Imola 2011

Jonathan Rea: "After the first day here, it’s nice to see P1 on the board again and it gives the guys something to smile about. We’ll not be resting tonight because there’s a long list of things to work through, but hopefully we can keep improving tomorrow." - Imola 2011

Jonathan Rea: "It was quite difficult this afternoon because I was in and out of the garage quite a lot, trying to sort out little issues. We found a bit of rhythm towards the end of the session though and the bike felt OK, although we’re still struggling a little in one sector." - Magny-Cours 2011

BMW Motorrad's Leon Haslam secured his third podium finish of the season in Race 1. - Magny-Cours 2011

Yamaha's Marco Melandri overcame an eighth-place start on the grid to finish second in both races. - Magny-Cours 2011

634541970298252369634530658286703628Checa-2011-France.jpg

Carlos Checa: "We thought that we’d be able to fight for a position on the front row and we managed to do that today." - Magny-Cours 2011

634541970513249307634530658779513946Parkes-2011-France.jpg

Broc Parkes claimed his second consecutive pole after defeating Luca Scassa by just 0.002 seconds in the charts. - Magny-Cours 2011

Carlos Checa posted his fifth double victory of the season at Magny-Cours to claim the world championship in France.

634541970892068295634531662226242304Laverty-2011-France.jpg

Yamaha's Eugene Laverty moved into the top-three in the championship after two more top-five finishes in France. - Magny-Cours 2011

634541971126879900634531678748887859Melandri-2011-France.jpg

Marco Melandri had two come from behind performances in France and will join Leon Haslam at BMW Motorrad in 2012. - Magny-Cours 2011

634541971257310401634531681310489959Haslam-2011-France.jpg

Leon Haslam - 2011 World Superbike Magny-Cours

634541971391952209AltheaRacingTeam_Photo80094036572.jpg

Althea Racing's Carlos Checa is officially the 2011 World Superbike Champion!

634541971511772497AltheaRacingTeam_Photo80094036573.jpg

Carlos Checa - 2011 World Superbike Magny-Cours

Leon Camier - 2011 World Superbike Magny-Cours Friday Practice

Carlos Checa: "When I crossed the line it was a great feeling, an explosion of emotion because I knew what it meant. This is the best moment of my career and the best moment of my life." - Magny-Cours 2011

Chaz Davies: "It's been an amazing season and it has taken me 15 long years to get me where I am now. There are so many emotions hitting me all at once, I've worked towards this all my life and I still believe I am now in this position." - Magny-Cours 2011

Jonathan Rea - 2011 World Superbike Magny-Cours Friday Qualifying

Leon Haslam - 2011 Portimao World Superbike testing

Aprilia's Max Biaggi barely held on to third overall in the championship after finishing seventh in Race 2. - Portimao

Castrol Honda's Jonathan Rea dominated the final Superpole of the season at Portimao ahead of Carlos Checa.

Carlos Checa was only 0.087 seconds ahead of Eugene Laverty during Friday qualifying in Portugal.

634548896423430055634541883796624745ApriliaAlitalia_Camier01.jpg

Leon Camier - 2011 Portimao World Superbike

2011 WSB champ Carlos Checa snagged his 15th victory of the season at Portimao and earned the Constructors title for Ducati.

634548896805954315634543661798628937Melandri_action.jpg

Marco Melandri crushed his teammate's hopes by taking the lead away and eventually winning the final race of the season. - Portimao

Carlos Checa (#7) put up a strong fight against Sylvain Guintoli (#50) in the final round to claim his 15th victory of 2011. - Portimao

Leon Camier has signed with Crescent Suzuki for 2012 after posting four podiums with Aprilia during the 2011 season.

Sylvain Guintoli - Portimao World Superbike 2011

Eugene Laverty (#58) just missed the podium in the championship after being passed by his teammate, Marco Melandri (#33), in Race 2. - Portimao

Jonathan Rea: "It was nice to be able to challenge for victory in both races, although I think in Race 2 it was pretty clear where we were losing out to the others. I felt I rode well and the bike was working great in some sectors, but not in others where we needed it to. This year’s been such a journey for me, with a lot of ups and downs, so it’s just great to go into the off season with no injuries and the bike on the podium." - Portimao

Max Biaggi: "The fifth place final time is well above my expectations, considering the three missed races and the pain in my foot. I hit neutral more than once because of the pain which is concentrated on the point of contact with the shift lever and prevents me from being decisive." - Portimao

Hiroshi Aoyama tests on the CBR for the first time.

Jonathan Rea will revert to his old number '65' next season.

Camier rides the Suzuki during testing at Portimão.

Michel Fabrizio and his BMW Motorrad Italia leathers.

Ayrton Badovini terms laps on his BMW S1000R during testing at Portimão.

2011 World Superbike Season Photo Gallery

Follow all the action of the 2011 World Superbike season in the 2011 World Superbike season gallery.