Magny-Cours Could See STK1000 Champion Crowned
The title is down to the wire between Mercado and De Rosa
The STK1000 title has kept everyone on the edge of their seats, as the Cup lead swings between Leandro Mercado and Raffaele De Rosa round by round. The race at the Lausitzring saw the Argentinian end the weekend leading by 14 points as the pendulum swayed in his favour. That could easily be turned on its head going in to the penultimate round of the FIM Stock 1000 Cup at Magny-Cours.
Althea BMW Racing Team’s Raffaele De Rosa had the advantage before the last round but mixed conditions saw him struggle while his main rival Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado dominated the wet on his Ducati. Mercado has the advantage moving on to the Fassi French Round and if he can take the win, he can be crowned the Cup Winner.
Pedercini Racing Kawasaki's Jeremy Guarnoni will be fighting for top honours, as the Frenchman will be pushing for glory on home soil. Last year saw Guarnoni take the win in Magny-Cours, a result he hopes to replicate again.
Adding to the assembly of local heroes, the Fassi French Round hopes to welcome Florian Marino back from injury. The young Frenchman is hopeful his return to the tarmac will be at Magny-Cours provided he can pass his medical examination. There will be much to look forward to if he does as Marino and teammate Riccardo Russo, together with their sister team in WorldSBK had an exclusive private test at the French Circuit during the summer. Marino and Russo will be looking to put that extra track time to good use ahead of the weekend’s race.
After his second place finish at Magny-Cours last year, and consistent fast pace throughout this season, Kevin Calia will be a rider to watch as he tries to take his Aprilia to the top and advance last year’s podium.
STK1000’s first attack of the tarmac will be on Friday 30th of September for the first free practice session at 9:15 local time (GMT+2) at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, ahead of the penultimate Round of the FIM Supertock 1000 Cup.
