Superbikes Great Britain 2012: God Save the Queen… and Superbikes

Silverstone it has witnessed great races and surprises. It was two years ago with Cal Crutchlow spreading wax throughout the grill and it was also 12 months ago with a round weekend signed by Carlos Checa. Next Sunday the fifth we return to its impressive facilities in search of that entertainment and spectacle that has been lost in MotoGP.

I have to admit that I would love for other drivers to appear for the top positions, leaving aside the duel between Max Biaggi and Marco Melandri. Not because he has something against him but because a tighter ranking is always welcome. However, it must be emphasized that although Max is the favorite it does not have it far from easy. And it is that not only will he have to face the good role that the Brits usually mark at home before his people, but he will fight face to face with a Carlos Checa thirsty for victories and that, here, he knows what it is to "make a perfect".

I recognize that the situation in which Carlos finds himself this season is radically different from that of 2011 at this point. When Althea Ducati's man left Silverstone after a wonderful one-two El Toro took to the next appointment a 62 point advantage over his greatest rival, Max biaggi. This weekend, the difference between the two pilots is practically the same, 67 points, only that this time the one who leads the WSBK table is Max and Carlos, it's fourth, behind Tom Sykes and Marco Melandri. As you can see, in the absence of ten races and a handful of points for contesting any of the top four finishers, they could win the SBK World Champion titles, we'll see if for the second or first time.

Looking at last year's results, the drivers who could surprise, apart from Jonathan Rea - who has just become the first British champion of the Suzuka 8 Hours -, Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes, who are always around., are Eugene laverty, with a discreet season, and Chaz davies, which has already shown that it can give a good scare to the official machines. The former outscored his teammate, Melandri, in both races to take two second places for Yamaha and the latter, Chaz, claimed victory in the Supersport category.

So, here goes my bet:

Race1:

• Tom sykes
• Carlos Checa
• Eugene laverty

Race2:

• Jonathan Rea
• Marco Melandri
• Carlos Checa

Supersport: national might

With the return to the SSP World Cup of the Turk Kenan Sofuoglu, the championship has won in spectacularity, emotion and, why not say it, risk. Kenan leads solo ahead of one of the few drivers who has proven to be as fast or faster than him, Sam lowes. The former British 600cc champion continues to fight against the irregularity that characterizes both him and his brother Alex. Last year it lasted just over seven minutes on the English track but this time, and drawing on national pride with the excuse of the London Olympics, we can bet on a local victory. By the way, we will have the participation of Kenny Noyes at the controls of a Suzuki GSX-R600 of the Hampshire team that until now participated in the BSB, it will be a very good test for the American driver.

And in this way, I will bet on Sam:

• Sam lowes
• Kenan Sofuoglu
• Jules Cluzel