The opening races of the 2010 World Superbike season at Phillip Island proved an exciting one. There was a photo finish in Race 1 and unexpected victory in Race 2, not to mention some pre-race drama in morning warm-up (For all the info read our
Phillip Island Results and
Phillip Island Insider articles).
Suzuki's Leon Haslam (center) was the top-scoring fantasy pick at Phillip Island, taking the checkers in Race 1, along with the fastest lap bonus, and second in Race 2.
But how did the
fantasy racing shake out? Here are the highs and lows:
HIGHS
Leon Haslam (50 points A-Rider) – scored a 1-2 byline, as well as the 5-point bonus for fastest lap in Race 1. The highest point-scorer in the opening
Fantasy Superbike racing weekend, Haslam proved the Suzuki can be a legit title contender with the right man at the helm – at least if Round 1 is any indication.
Carlos Checa (34 points, B-Rider) – the veteran rider proved the best B-Rider pick by far, with his masterful racecraft in the second Phillip Island contest.
Carlos Checa (above) proved the class of the B-Riders at Phillip Island, taking the win in Race 2. Sylvain Guintoli (below) also delivered from the B ranks.
Michel Fabrizio (38 points, A-Rider) – just missed an extra five points in Race 1 after one of the closest photo finishes in SBK history.
Sylvain Guintoli (28 points, B-Rider) – a steady 6-4 result for the former GP and BSB rider, also earned the Race 2 bonus for fastest lap. Looks to be a solid selection from the B-Rider ranks.
Alstare Suzuki (68 points, Team) – Haslam’s top form combined with Guintoli’s near podium pace made for the top team of the round.
LOWS
Noriyuki Haga (27 points A-Rider) – was riding injured after the morning warm-up crash. But a 3-5 result isn’t an optimal trade for two Haga picks.
James Toseland (6 points, A-Rider) – we worried King James might not have the pace at the start of the season. Plus the Englishman was riding injured which made for an uninspiring DNF-10 result.
BMW Racing (16 points, Team) – it’s hard to get a good result when the team only supports one rider, which is what happened after Xaus was withdrawn both races, leaving Corser to pull the weight of two.
Jakub Smrz (8 points, B-Rider) and Shane Byrne (6 points, B-Rider) – the satellite Ducatis, other than Checa, didn’t live up to the promise of their impressive testing and qualifying.
BUST
Sterilgarda Yamaha's James Toseland (52) and Cal Crutchlow (35) did not log finishes worthy of the factory Yamaha seat - or a happy fantasy pick.
Ruben Xaus (0 points, B-Rider) – dude not only cratered his own points chances, and the BMW team by not racing after his crash. The Spaniard very nearly fouled up Haga’s fortunes as well punting the title favorite off-track at 150mph.
Chris Vermeulen (0 points, B-Rider) – a pair of DNFs at his home track equals a rough return to SBK for one of our favorite riders (and former MCUSA contributor). On the plus side, Chris V showed promise running inside the top-10 on the Kawasaki.
Sterilgarda Yamaha (13 points, Team) – Neither Toseland or Crutchlow garnered enough points to consider a selection of the Sterilgarda team at PI anything but a pick wasted.
PLAYER RESULTS
The aptly named TEAM ZUKE leads the Fantasy Superbike 2010 league courtesy of its selection of the Alstare Suzuki squad in the team pick and its riders, Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli. TZ also picked Carlos Checa, the other race-winner. (Check out the
Fantasy Superbike Top 50)
The next World Superbike race isn’t until March 28th, with the next round at Portimao, Portugal. Also, remember if you haven’t signed up for it yet, Fantasy GP will begin this April.
