Preview - HRC

The majestic sweeps and long corners of the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic form the backdrop for the start of the second half of the World Supersport season, with reigning champion Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) returning to action after recent pelvic and collarbone injuries.

Despite missing the most recent round, at Misano in late June, and the recent Lausitzring tyre tests, Charpentier will be back in action at Brno, having opted to take the extra rehabilitation time rather than risk all for a pre-Brno test outing. Brno was the scene of the accident which kept him out of the previous race, but was also the scene of one of his most clear-cut race victories in 2005.

Charpentier still enjoys a 30-point lead over his nearest rival, Kevin Curtain, and 42 over the next two riders, Broc Parkes and Stiggy Motorsports Honda rider, Robbin Harms. Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) enjoyed his recent Lausitzring test, setting competitive times, which he can use as a motivating factor as he approaches Brno.

Once more injury precludes Katsuaki Fujiwara (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) from running, but he will again be replaced by the Misano marvel, Simone Sanna (Megabike Honda CBR600RR). The three-time 125cc GP winner scored second in both race and qualifying stakes at Misano, and knows the Brno circuit well.

Yoann Tiberio (Team Megabike Honda CBR600RR) victor at Monza in round four, then faller at Misano last time out, is out to recover points and poise for the run into the final rounds of the championship over the coming months.

Charpentier may not be fully fit after his heavy crash at Brno when tyre testing in mid-June, but he knows that every point gained is a step closer to his ultimate desire to become champion for the second time in succession.

“I would have been happy to step back on the bike even in Germany but the French doctors advised me to take another week of rest before Brno race,” said the 2005 champion. “I feel quite good and I can’t wait to be back. I will understand my real physical condition only when I will make my first few laps on the track. I don’t think I will find any sort of mental problems because I got injured on this track during the test. I will only think about last year’s victory, and I am convinced that this will give me the right motivation.”

Sofuoglu, currently ninth in the championship, wants to get himself back into the front line of the fight for podiums.

“To switch off the button really helped me,” said Sofuoglu. “I am now back in top condition and I am really satisfied on how the Lausitzring test went. The main progress I made is in my head, I feel much more secure and the fact that I remained concentrated for the all tree days, without making any mistakes, is really important. From Brno I hope that a new championship will begin for me, to demonstrate to the Team, the sponsor and Honda that they didn’t make a mistake betting on me. I am really happy Sebastien is back and I hope he will earn a prestigious result.”

Season rookie Tiberio has already tasted both the sweet taste of champagne and the bitterness of gravel, and despite his lack of Supersport experience, he knows Brno.

"In Brno I ran a good race last year with the Superstock bike but I know that with the Supersport machine it will be more difficult,” said the candid Frenchman. “I’m not sure how practice will turn out but I hope my race rhythm will be good once again.”

Sanna is grateful to Honda and his adopted Megabike squad for another outing in the biggest Supersport class of all, and has recent experience of what a CBR600RR can do around the sweeps and elevation changes at Brno.

"I'm happy for this second chance,” said Sanna in the run-up to Brno. “I want to thank the Megabike Team and Honda for this opportunity and I will try to make my best. I know the Brno circuit and I ran here last year with the Intermot Honda Team. It's a wonderful track and I have confidence to my team: my target is to have another good result. I know another podium will be difficult to achieve but I want to be competitive with the leading group.”

World Superbike Round 7 of 12

HONDA SUPERBIKE RUNNERS OUT TO CONQUER AT BRNO

After an up and down season so far James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is out to hit the heights once again at Brno. Scoring second in race one at the most recent round in Misano, Toseland was in the position to challenge for the second race win before a small slip dropped him back to eighth. He nonetheless sits third in the championship overall, only three points from second place.

His team-mate Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is still looking for his first SBK podium, and was faster than Toseland in recent Brno tyre tests, in June. Lying 14th at present, Muggeridge is only 11 points from an overall top ten placing, and will be out to score every single point possible at Brno, to get himself back onto a more natural position for a rider of his quality.

Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda CBR1000RR) is a big fan of Brno, and after a highly effective Misano race weekend, where he finished fourth and second, he sits fifth overall – only 14 points from second.

It has been a very tough year for rookie rider Michel Fabrizio (DFX Honda CBR1000RR) and the most experienced SBK competitor of them all, Pierfrancesco Chili (DFX Honda CBR1000RR) with neither rider being helped by recent injury.

In readiness for Brno Toseland takes heart from his recent race performances, his Superpole win at Misano, but most of all - his positive test at Lausitz.

“At the Lausitzring I found the answers I was looking for and I was fast on both race and qualifying tyres,” said Toseland. “Physically I feel good, focused and well motivated for the coming weekend. With the bike that we are developing now I feel, day-by-day, any goal can be reached. In Brno there will be lots of riders who want to win: but none of them more than me.”

Bringing his MotoGP experience to bear on World Superbike has already delivered four podium finishes to Barros so far. At Brno, one of his favourite circuits, he is expected to be a force from start to finish.

“Brno’s turns are very wide and it is also very smooth,” said the Brazilian rider. “Basically, it is interesting and very technical, while things like traction control are not so important there. But you need an engine with a lot of power! Nearly all the riders have been testing at Brno earlier in the year and have a good set-up for the track. So I’m sure it will be a tough race.”

Muggeridge has found good fortune a fleeting companion in 2006, despite his obvious talents. With a strong body of work behind him in Lausitz, Brno holds no fears for the popular Aussie rider.

“In Germany I wasn’t looking for a fast lap, what was most important for me was to develop the new electronic parts and I believe we have done a good job of that.” said Muggeridge. “In the previous days I was bitten by an insect which made me feel a bit sick for a few days. Now I have begun to feel much better and for the Brno race I will be at my best, ready to use the potential of our bike in the best way possible.”

After a heavy crash at the Donington GP, when standing in for the injured Toni Elias, Fabrizio has been recovering from a collarbone injury, but hopes it will not hold back his charge at a circuit he scored second at in the Supersport race last year.

“My right collar-bone will not be at 100% but I hope that the ache will be bearable,” said Fabrizio. “I have thought frequently of the crash at Donington but it was just a mistake due to my inexperience. My first objective is the World Superbike Championship, and for my DFX team, I hope to make a very good race in Brno.”

Chili’s pelvic injury is not much healed, with only his injured shoulder causing him any degree of concern before the run-in to one of his favourite events of the year.

“The long break from Misano to now has been good for my recovery,” said Chili. “Brno is a very beautiful circuit for me because it is driving-school for us old riders! The bike has improved after the tests there so I hope in the good result for my team.”

The next round is the biggest WSS and SBK event of the season, Brands Hatch, which takes place at the English circuit between 4 and 6 August.