Superbikes Russia 2012: Carlos Checa gets his first pole of the year in Moscow

A pole that may well be worth a championship

Faced with a new scenario in which none of the Superbike championship riders had previous experience, Carlos Checa he has been the one who has best adapted to the Russian conditions. A circuit in which more crowded stands have been missed but which, personally, I liked because I expected a boring and overly thought-out layout for Formula 1. However, we have found spectacular changes in slope and direction and with a final corner that promises several drivers in parallel fighting for victory.

After Carlos, the fastest was, as usual, Tom sykes, a pilot who has been entertaining the lucky viewers that we have been able to use the Eurosport Player, unfortunately the only method to watch the SBK Superpole. His braking, along with Loris Baz's, at the end of the straight next to the finish line, were the highlight of the day.

El Toro, an expert outside Europe

Although Superbikes is a world-class championship, the truth is that only three dates take place outside European borders: Phillip Island, Miller Motorsports Park and Moscow. And the truth is that These three tracks are great for the Ducatista rider. Carlos has always been the favorite in America since the days of Ten Kate, he scored a splendid double at Phillip Island and, now in Russia, has dominated the leaderboards to take pole position.

On the other hand, Kawasaki seems to work great in just about any situation, recalling the performance and movements of the Ducati Desmosedici when it was driven by Casey Stoner. Noticeable strong, powerful, brute and beast, and judging by the efforts of its pilots to stop the green machine at the end of a straight, it is really difficult not to get excited giving gas. We have been able to verify him with Sykes from the first day of development of the superbike, with Joan Lascorz taking the category jump and ultimately with Loris Baz.

Going back to the training day. Perhaps the 356 difference between the first two does not seem too much but the numbers smile at the current World Champion if we look at the average speed achieved, being the only one to exceed 150km / h. After Tom, Eugene Laverty has risen with the third best time, vastly outperforming his boxing partner. Fourth and fifth They are Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri, it seems that the pressure of not having a motorcycle for 2013 is weighing on Haslam.

Watch out for Sunday morning, I have a feeling that we will experience something special. The five different factories that have crept into the top six. Guess the riddle, what world championship should you learn from SBK when it comes to competitiveness? …

Oh, and I didn't want to end the category without underlining the work of Niccolò Canepa in the Red Devils that, with a new Russian sponsor, has achieved its best classification. Too John hopkins, from which we expect better results as soon as the injuries and his -Churruki- Suzuki leave him and, finally, the spectacular Leon Camier accident at more than 200km / h.