Superbikes USA 2012: Carlos Checa's talisman to the rescue

Welcome to Miller Motosports Park, glued to the city of Salt Lake City. A circuit that in recent years has been talisman and nightmare of the defender of the title, Carlos Checa. We meet where it is probably the best opportunity of the year for Carlos to make a perfect one that lowers the fumes to his competitors. Although his 1098R's electrical problems prevented two victories in 2010, he made it clear a year later that few can go as fast as he can in America. Located 1,500 meters high the capital of the state of Utah demands the maximum from the mechanics of the series derived motorcycles, which lose up to 10% of power they would offer than normal conditions.

The last two rounds of the World Superbike Championship left a bitter taste in the Althea Ducati team box. Although they counted on the poor results of Monza, they could not guess what would happen in Donington Park. And it is that nobody escapes that the current leader of the championship, without having given the bell or having stood out too much, is Max biaggi. The roman takes 23 points from Carlos Checa, being both of those who have half a point for the second race in Italy. Although the calendar is long and there is still too much left to make plans, the truth is that Carlos will have to take advantage of each test to cut that distance with the Aprilia RSV4. What was not included in the 2012 plans was the competition that they have encountered.

In the first instance by Kawasaki and Tom Sykes, who have taken their collaboration to the top. They have gone from being a promise to becoming an ongoing threat to the Superpole. Nevertheless his running performance has been in question after several tests in which the driver or the machine has gone flat as the last eight laps approach. Of course, the moment they find their balance they will be getting fully into the regular fight for victory.

To this We must also add the BMW S1000RR of the Bavarian official team that have Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri in their ranks. After releasing their record of victories, both drivers sought to consolidate their potential by becoming constant contenders for the podium. The Ducati of Checa, the two BMWs, the Kawasaki of Sykes, the Aprilia of Biaggi and the quality flashes of the Ten Kate team with Johnathan Rea at the helm. To those who will fight to be champions in 2012, we add Sylvain Guintoli and, probably, also Jakub Smrz. As we see, many people for so few holes. Taking all this into account and what we can guess about the personality and styles of each one, I venture with the following bet:

First race:

• 1 Carlos Checa
• 2 Max Biaggi
• 3 Marco Melandri

Second race:

• 1 Carlos Checa
• 2 Tom Sykes
• 3 Sylvain Guintoli

By the way, john hopkins returns after a year of bad luck with injuries. Although he says he is not 100%, he wants to participate in the home round to prove his worth. Remember that the races are next Monday night and that the Supersport and Superstock categories will not run so as not to make the participation of the season more expensive.