Notes On 2009 Donington World Superbike Round

In the heart of the motorcycle racing season, time pressure becomes so great that some things have to make way, and this week, it's the preview of the Donington World Superbikes round that will have to go. Instead, there are few notes on what to watch at this weekend's World Superbike race.

While everyone is expecting another Ben Spies vs Ducati (and especially Nori Haga) rematch, there's a couple of wildcards who may have other ideas. The Airwaves Yamaha team will be racing in the World Superbike series, and despite team manager Colin Wright's protestations, the Yamaha R1s that Leon Camier and James Ellison will be riding at Donington are anything but bikes rolled straight off the shop floor. Word in the British Superbike paddock, where Camier and Ellison are cleaning up after Sylvain Guintoli's nasty accident, is that the Airwaves Yamahas are full-fat factory bikes, and the same spec as Ben Spies' R1. Camier is having an outstanding season, no doubt helped by his equipment, and is going to be a factor to be reckoned with at Donington. A podium is very much on the cards.

As for Spies himself, words have clearly been spoken in the Yamaha Motor Italia garage, for the Texan is to be joined by one of his former Yoshimura Suzuki mechanics, Greg Wood. The US press has noted that when he raced in the AMA series, Spies never suffered a mechanical DNF, but so far this year, the Texan has had mechanical problems which cost him points in three races. Wood is a highly respected mechanic, who spends his spare time restoring Volkswagens to show standard. For more information on Wood, Superbikeplanet.com has some background on the American. Spies is evidently hoping that Wood will help bring some reliability to the R1.

Race of the weekend should be the World Supersport race once again, Cal Crutchlow and Eugene Laverty pushing each other to the very limit. With the Ten Kate Hondas starting to show strongly again, Kenan Sofuoglu and Andrew Pitt should be mixing it at the front, but they could be joined by a third Honda, that of Barry Veneman, who the Ten Kate squad have given Andrew Pitt's 2008 championship winning bike to. Veneman has secured sponsorship from George White, a UK motorcycle dealer, for the rest of the season, and the Dutchman always goes well at Donington. It could be busy at the front around Donington.