Italy and the Netherlands go head-to-head in Superstock 600

In its eighth year of existence, the European Superstock 600 Championship is once again proving to be a true talent ‘nursery' for emerging riders in International bike racing. Following tradition, the first half of the 2012 season has again thrown up a number of names for team managers and insiders to keep an eye on, starting with the current duo fighting it out at the top: Riccardo Russo (Team Italia FMI) and Michael van der Mark (EAB Ten Kate Junior Team), who are separated by just a couple of points.

With two wins apiece (the Italian at Imola and Monza, the Dutchman at home in Assen and Misano) and with almost exactly the same age (both were born in October 1992), Russo and van der Mark are preparing for the decisive phase of the championship with the knowledge that they have already shown what they are capable of on the track and that they can now look forward to a bright future.

For the moment however the aim of both of them is focused on the next round in a few days time at MotorLand Aragon in Alcaniz where they hope to repeat the duel that thrilled the crowd at Misano Adriatico. Their fair but ferocious battle was resolved on the final lap in favour of van der Mark, who cut the gap to Russo to just two points. For his part the Italian can count on a competitive Yamaha YZF-R6 in the colours of Team Italia FMI, and a steely determination to emerge following a positive learning year in 2011.

But European Superstock 600 is not just about these two men: four other riders have stepped onto the podium in the opening four rounds - Spain's Nacho Calero Perez (Team Trasimeno Yamaha), Belgium's Gauthier Duwelz (Team MTM Racing Yamaha), Switzerland's Bastien Chesaux (EAB Ten Kate Junior Team Honda) and, last but not least Christian Gamarino (Team Go Eleven) of Italy, whose third place at Misano took Kawasaki to its first prestigious result of the season.

With 150 points at stake between Aragon and the Magny-Cours finale, everything is still to play for in the series, which is sanctioned by the UEM (European Motorcycling Union) and which enjoys the technical support of Pirelli.