The 2009 road-racing season is kicking off this weekend with World Superbike at Phillip Island. While the world-wide economic recession has caused many OEMs to cutback or cancel racing efforts, the World Superbike series is robust. Seven manufacturers, 32 riders and 14 action-packed rounds await racing fans this year and Motorcycle USA is here with a preview of what to expect in 2009.
New for 2009 is the BMW S1000RR, which will carry the Bavarian marque's hopes in its inaugural SBK campaign.
The World Superbike series has been defined by Japanese Big Four literbikes and the dominating Ducati Twin. Now Aprilia and BMW join the fight. The Aprilia RSV4 returns the Italian marque to top-tier road-racing competition with its 998cc V-Four motor. BMW’s entry is a bold affront to the Japanese competition, the Bavarian firm campaigning an Inline-Four literbike in the form of the S1000RR.
The biggest off-season personnel move was the retirement of reigning champion Troy Bayliss, but a new infusion of Superbike talent will try and replace the irreplaceable Australian. First and foremost is three-time AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies. The young Texan will have to learn the international circuits fast but should be an immediate podium threat for the factory Yamaha team. Other new riders to watch in 2009 include MotoGP émigré Shinya Nakano on the Aprilia RSV4 and British Superbike rider Tom Sykes for Yamaha.
While Spies is the biggest star import, there are plenty of established SBK stars on new rides. The most notable moves are former factory Yamaha teammates Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser. Nitro Nori heads into the 2009 campaign the prohibitive title favorite, as the habitually second-place overall Haga rides the 1098R for the Factory Xerox Ducati team. Former champion Corser faces a bigger challenge, leading the inaugural BMW Superbike effort. Another big roster change is Max Biaggi, who leaves Ducati for the new Aprilia team.
There are 32 riders total for 2009, with a staggering 20 teams. Get up to speed with these profiles.
Aprilia RSV4
Teams: Aprilia Racing
Max Biaggi (above) rides the new Aprilia RSV4 alongside former MotoGP rider Shinya Nakano.
7th SBK, 7 podiums, 0 wins (Sterilgarda Ducati)
Biaggi races 2009 aboard the all-new Aprilia RSV4. Doing so the Roman reunites with the marque he enjoyed great championship success with in his Grand Prix glory days. Mad Max regressed in 2008, finishing seventh overall for the Sterilgarda Ducati squad after an impressive third-place overall in his SBK rookie season with the factory Suzuki team. If the notoriously hard to please Biaggi can dial in the new Priller, the former GP star will contend.
Shinya Nakano #56 – Aprilia Racing - Japan
2008 Results: 9th MotoGP
Nakano follows the trend of MotoGP veterans seeking success in the SBK class. The Japanese rider experienced moderate success in Grand Prix developing the Kawasaki ZX-RR before riding last year for the Gresini Honda squad. Promising results in preseason tests indicate Nakano could surprise in his new surroundings.
BMW S1000RR
Teams: BMW Motorrad Motorsport
Ruben Xaus (above) will campaign with teammate Troy Corser.
2nd SBK, 13 podiums, 0 wins (Yamaha Motor Italia)
A multi-SBK champion the 38-year-old Corser leads BMW’s foray into literbike racing. Last year Corser finished second behind fellow Aussie Bayliss. Now with his nemesis retired, Corser will campaign an all-new model against a talent-packed field. Still, the veteran’s consistency should give BMW a respectable finish in its inaugural SBK attempt.
Ruben Xaus #111 – BMW Motorrad – Spain
2008 Results: 2 podiums, 1 win (Sterilgarda Ducati)
Xaus teams with Corser on the factory BMW. The Spaniard is a long-time Ducati rider, having campaigned the past two seasons with the Sterilgarda team. While not a title threat during those runs, Xaus was the only rider to consistently challenge the factory squads – claiming a handful of podiums and a pair of wins. Xaus finally gets a factory ride, but with a developing model.
Ducati 1098R
Teams: Ducati Xerox, Team Sterilgarda, DFX Corse, Guandalini Racing
Noriyuki Haga will work with a new squad for 2009 as the Japanese rider seeks the elusive SBK title.
2008 Results: 3rd SBK, 11 podiums, 7 wins (Yamaha Motor Italia)
Haga enters 2009 as the front runner. The popular Japanese rider has always been near the top of the title chase, but never the champion. Trading his Yamaha R1 for the Ducati 1098R, Nitro Nori has factory support from the dominant marque in SBK history. All Haga needs to do is avoid his penchant for title-crippling DNFs.
Michel Fabrizio #84 – Ducati Xerox – Italy
2008 Results: 7 podiums, 0 wins (Xerox Ducati)
Teammate to Bayliss last season, Fabrizio will pair with Haga on the factory Ducati squad for 2009. The 28-year-old Italian is yet to find the success of his teammates and the pressure will be on to retain his factory ride.
Regis Laconi #55 - DFX Corse – France
2008 Results: 16th SBK (PSG-1 Kawasaki)
After another frustrating season with the PSG-1 Kawasaki squad, Laconi is one of many to campaign the 1098R as a privateer. The Frenchman will ride for the DFX Corse banner.
Shane Byrne #67 – Team Sterilgarda – U.K.
2008 Results: British Superbike Champion
Shane “Shakey” Byrne is already a SBK winner thanks to an early career double-victory performance. After some Grand Prix wanderings, Byrne returned to the British Superbike Championship, where he claimed the 2008 title. In 2009 the Englishman will be looking to impress as one of the top privateer riders.
Brendan Roberts #24 – Guandalini Racing – Australia
Jakub Smrz #96 – Guandalini Racing – Czech Republic
Allessandro Polita #53 – Team Sterilgarda - Italy
Honda CBR1000RR
Teams: HANNspree Ten Kate, HANNspree Althea, Stiggy Racing, Pro Ride World, Squadra Corse Italia
Carlos Checa leads a packed Honda SBK roster, with the CBR1000RR sourced by eight different riders.
2008 Results: 4th SBK, 7 podiums, 2 wins (Ten Kate Honda)
Another longtime MotoGP racer, Checa hit his stride in SBK last year as a consistent podium and race-winning threat. The 37-year-old Spaniard will headline the Honda SBK effort and is, along with Haga, considered one of the prime title contenders.
Ryuichi Kiyonari #9 – Ten Kate Honda Racing – Japan
2008 Results: 4 podiums, 3 wins (Ten Kate Honda)
A two-time British Superbike champion, Kiyonari continues to develop in SBK. The Japanese rider claimed three wins aboard the CBR1000RR in 2008 and should progress to consistent podium threat for 2009.
Jonathan Rea #65 – HANNspree Ten Kate Honda – U.K.
2008 Results: 2nd World Supersport (Ten Kate Honda)
The third rider in the Ten Kate triad, Rea will campaign on the CBR1000RR after challenging for the 600 crown in the World Supersport series (Rea lost to teammate Andrew Pitt).
Leon Haslam #91 – Stiggy Racing Honda – U.K.
One of the many British Superbike pilots cracking the SBK ranks this season, Haslam scored a SBK podium finish during a 2008 wildcard ride. The 25-year-old British rider will ride for the new Stiggy Racing Honda team.
Tommy Hill #33 – HANNspree Honda Althea – U.K.
Roberto Rolfo #44 – Stiggy Racing Honda - Italy
Gregorio Lavilla # 36 – Pro Ride World Superbike - Spain
Vittorio Iannuzzo #77 – Squadra Course Italia - Italy
Makoto Tamada will ride the Kawasaki World Superbike Radcing Team's ZX-10R under the direction of new team owner Paul Bird.
Teams: Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team, Team Pedercini, PSG-1 Corse
Makoto Tamada #100 – Kawasaki World Superbike – Japan
2008 Results: 20th SBK, 0 podiums, 0 wins (PSG-1 Kawasaki)
Kawasaki’s recent SBK efforts have been dismal, but Tamada will try and turn the tide. The former MotoGP rider now has a full season under his belt and after pulling resources it would seem Kawasaki has a renewed commitment in SBK. But whether the ZX-10R will finally be a podium ride is up to Tamada.
Broc Parkes #23 – Kawasaki World Superbike – Australia
2008 Results: 4th World Supersport (Yamaha)
A top contender the past three seasons in the World Supersport series, Australian Broc Parkes will look for SBK success on the ZX-10R. The new Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team, ran by owner Paul Bird will attempt to reverse Team Green’s SBK fortunes.
David Salom #25 – Team Pedercini – Spain
Luca Scassa #99 – Team Pedercini - Italy
Matteo Baiocco #15 – PSG-1 Corse – Italy
Ayrton Badovini #86 – PSG-1 Corse – Italy
Max Neukirchner was the most successful Suzkui rider in 2008 and should lead the Gixxer charge in 2009.
Teams: Suzuki Alstare, Celani Race, TKR Suzuki Switzerland
Yukio Kagayama #71 – Alstare Suzuki – Japan
2008 Results: 11th SBK, 0 podiums, 0 wins
Kagayama is a long-standing member of the Alstare Suzuki squad. Although the 34-year-old was winless in 2008, the Japanese veteran is always a cagey competitor. Provided the oft-injured GSX-R pilot can stay away from DNFs, Kagayama should improve on his 2008 results.
Max Neukirchner #76 – Alstare Suzuki – Germany
2008 Results: 5th SBK, 7 podiums, 2 wins
German rider Neukirchner broke out in 2008 with a pair of SBK wins and soon became the featured rider in the Suzuki stable. Prone to DNFs, Nuke could have a fine 2009 campaign if he works on consistent points and becomes a more regular podium finisher.
Karl Muggeridge #31 - Celani Race – Australia
2008 Results: 15th SBK, 0 podiums, 0 wins
A former World Supersport champ, Muggeridge has seen his SBK stock drop with injuries. Provided his privateer Celani Race squad can provide a competent platform, Muggas could deliver some unexpected surprises.
Roland Resch – TKR Suzuki Switzerland
Yamaha YZF-R1
Teams: Yamaha World Superbike, Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone
Ben Spies and Tom Sykes will ride the factory Yamaha R1 for the 2009 rider and manufacturer titles.
2008 Results: AMA Superbike Champion (Yoshimura Suzuki)
At long last there is an American star in the World Superbike series. Ben Spies will face the best in SBK after honing his skills in the AMA Superbike series, where the Texan claimed three titles against arch rival Mat Mladin. The only thing that may hamper the 24-year-old Spies is learning the new international tracks but the Yamaha ace should be a podium contender right from the start.
Tom Sykes #66 – Yamaha World Superbike – U.K.
2008 Results: 4th British Superbike (Rizla Suzuki)
Sykes enters the 2009 season aboard the Yamaha after riding the GSX-R1000 (same as his new teammate). The 23-year-old Englishman scored a near 2008 SBK victory while riding as a wild card in the Donington Park round and teams with Spies for a potent R1 punch.
David Checa #94 – Yamaha France GMT 94 Ipone - Spain
