Strong competition expected in Supersport World Championship
Despite the promotion of 2009 champion Cal Crutchlow to the Superbike World Championship, and double champion Andrew Pitt joining him, there are no shortage of bike and rider combinations who have a real chance of a podium finish, or a shot at the title itself if all goes well.
The formbook from 2009 indicates there may be a ‘big three' this year. Runner up Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), 2007 Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Kawasaki's leading light Joan Lascorz (Provec Motocard.com) were three of the top four finishers last year (in photo). Between them, this trio won eight races of the 14 in 2009.
After some encouraging test results on his 2010 Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki, Fabien Foret, 2002 Champion and winner of the Brno race in 2009, may well be in the leading mix again also.
The last of three former world champions in the field is a surprise recall to this level of racing, Sebastien Charpentier. Now running a three-cylinder Triumph, Charpentier is still the only back-to-back champion the class has seen. A fully formed legend of the sport, now out to write a bit more history.
A host of proven race winners and podium riders are still to be found in the Supersport World Championship, as our rundown of the riders conformed in the series thus far demonstrates. And let us not forget female racer Paola Cazzola (Kuja Racing Honda) who adds another dimension to the class this year.
Honda
Michele Pirro - three CIV Championships
Kenan Sofuoglu - Champion 2007, 14 race wins
Eugene Laverty - 2009 runner-up, four race wins
Miguel Praia - top ten race finisher
Alexander Lundh - rookie
Gino Rea - 2009 European Superstock 600 Champion
Massimo Roccoli - one race win, three times CIV Champion
Daniel Bukowski - rookie
Robbin Harms - four podiums
Danilo Dell'Omo - top six race finisher
Paola Cazzola - rookie
Kawasaki
Joan Lascorz - two race wins
Katsuaki Fujiwara - six race wins
Fabien Foret - Champion 2002, 12 race wins, 27 podiums
Triumph
Chaz Davies - three races to date
Sebastien Charpentier - Champion 2005 and 2006, 13 wins, 23 podiums, 22 poles
David Salom - 2006 CEV Supersport Champion
Jason DiSalvo - AMA race winner in several classes
