News

Renowned for its intense, close and dramatic racing, the European Superstock 1000 Championship heads to the momentous circuit of Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, and we have seen two displays of stunning dominance so far. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing  - Junior Team) leads the way heading into his home race following the opening performance at MotorLand Aragon, before Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) had his first taste of Prosecco in the second round.

With Imola a tough track to perfect, it will be an interesting round to see which riders can come out fighting for the victory and if anyone can take the fight to the chequered flag in the unpredictable series.

Remaining as the man with the target on his back, Rinaldi leads the way by seven points, but has had a tough time at his home circuit. Securing the best result of fifth back in the European Superstock 600 championship, Rinaldi will be looking to rectify this in front of his home fans. Unable to catch Razgatlioglu around TT Circuit Assen, his second position proved his pace at MotorLand was not a one off, and he is here to stay for the season.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took his debut victory onboard the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing beast in The Netherlands, and following the mature ride should have the pace to continue fighting for the victory in the championship. One to watch around Imola, he took the victory back in 2015 in the European Superstock 600 class as well as a top five in STK1000 last season.

Keeping up his consistent run for 2017, Florian Marino (Pata Yamaha Official STK1000 Team) sits in third in the championship standings as the French rider looks to make that move onto the top step of the podium in the competitive class.  The experienced rider secured a podium finish around the Italian circuit in the WorldSSP class back in 2014, and with the Yamaha a bike which traditionally struggles around the circuit, he will be one to keep an eye on.

Italian Roberto Tamburini (Pata Yamaha Official STK1000 Team) will have the added boost of his home crowd as the series heads to the Fifth Round of the season, and sitting in fourth in the championship he will be looking for that something extra to get him onto the podium. Despite riding injured following the crash which forced the first race to be restarted, Tamburini will be hoping to be back to full fitness in order to impress his home crowd.

Luca Vitali (Nuova M2 Racing) secured a top ten finished last time out at Assen, and will hope to put in a strong performance in front of his home fans. Sitting in seventh in the championship, Vitali will have the Latin support from his team and his fans meaning we may see some passion from the young rider. 

In a positive end to the Acerbis Dutch Round, it was announced that Marvin Fritz (Bayer-Bikerbox Yamaichi) has left hospital following the crash which caused the opening race to be red flagged, and he won’t be present on the grid in Italy as he makes a full recovery at home in Germany.