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As the WSB season is about to reach a no-doubt dramatic climax at Portimao on October 25, the time is right to look at who may be the likely movers in the overall championship table.

Of the most importance is the ten-point gap between current championship leader Noriyuki Haga and Ben Spies. The arithmetic in their situation is simple. Even if Haga finishes even on points with Spies, Spies will win the title, as he will have a greater number of race wins on countback. If Spies wins both races, therefore, he will be champion, no matter what happens to Haga.

Michel Fabrizio has guaranteed third overall as he is now 53 points ahead of Max Biaggi, but Biaggi still has work to do to make sure he can take advantage of his 14 point championship lead over Jonathan Rea.

Rea, 38 points ahead of Leon Haslam, is probably safe in fifth place, and Haslam is again probably secure in at least sixth place, as he is 41 points up on Carlos Checa.

Probably the battle most laden with possibilities is between Tom Sykes, Shane Byrne and Jakub Smrz. With eighth-placed Sykes on 176 points Byrne on 166 and Smrz on 161, there is a great deal for these three riders to play for. Sykes is desperate for his first podium of the year, Byrne to keep Smrz behind him and finish top Ducati privateer, and Smrz to make up the five points he is behind Byrne and go ninth.