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The USA is one of the most successful countries in the history of the Championship. So far, 70 American riders have entered a weekend in WorldSBK history: 10 of them were very successful and 6 of them became WorldSBK Champions.

The most recent WorldSBK Champion from the US is Ben Spies, in 2009: that was a sensational season for the American as he won as a rookie, setting several records - which still stand.

Spies is the rookie with most wins in his maiden season (14); most podiums (17, tied with Max Biaggi, 2007); most poles (11: also the overall record for poles in a season); most fastest race laps (6) and most points (462). It was quite a year for the Memphis-born former national Champion. That year Spies also recorded the greatest comeback in the standings in history: after 12 races he was trailing Noriyuki Haga by 88 points, and yet finished the season with 6 over the Japanese rider, winning the title only 28 races after his debut (also a record value). At 25 years old, Spies is the third youngest Champion ever behind Toseland (23 in 2004) and Troy Corser (24 in 1996).

At the moment, the US is the country with the second most wins in history, with 119 - behind Great Britain (185) and just ahead of Australia (118). The latest American winner is Nicky Hayden, who claimed his maiden Race win earlier this year in Sepang (Race 2) and returns to the track which saw his debut back in 2002 (4th and 13th from 11th on the grid). He was just 20 years old at the time and was en route to his AMA Superbike title - before heading to the MotoGP class, where he became World Champion in 2006.

Hayden is the flag bearer for the home nation in 2016 as anticipation grows for Round 9, with good memories and a good crowd sure to spur him on to do the US proud on home soil.