World Superbike News
Britain’s “Magnificent Seven” World Superbike riders will ride into Silverstone next week for the UK’s only round of the FIM Superbike World Championship (Friday, July 30 to Sunday, Aug. 1).
Rather than protecting the Silverstone crowd from marauding Mexican bandits, our Magnificent Seven will be searching for glory of a different kind; going all out to clinch race wins and podium finishes aboard their trusty 1000cc two-wheeled steeds.
The seven British regular World Superbike riders got together at the last round of the series in Brno, Czech Republic, to pay homage to the classic John Sturges film that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Donning cowboy hats, the seven Brits lined up in their current championship positions to publicise their imminent arrival at their home circuit – the new 3.666-mile Silverstone track.
Cast as the “bandit” in our scenario is veteran Italian rider Max Biaggi. Biaggi is a four-time 250cc World Champion and former MotoGP front-runner. He currently heads the championship standings with Haslam and Rea, second and third, in hot pursuit.
Taking the Yul Brynner role will be James Toseland. The senior member of the Brit-pack, in terms of achievement rather than age, was Superbike World Champion in 2004 and 2007 before switching to the MotoGP class for two seasons.
Having returned to 1000cc production-based action this year, Toseland currently sits sixth in the Championship and is hoping for a boost as the season’s end approaches. He will be looking for strong support at Silverstone as he takes to the track on his Yamaha ‘steed’.
James Toseland says: “I’ve always had good support over the years and every British rider wants to do well at home. Hopefully we all have a great weekend and get some British riders on the podium. That’s what it’s all about – it’s about getting a British rider on the podium at the British race.”
“It seems a great layout. I watched MotoGP and they had a great race. There’s a good five or six overtaking points for a bike. I’m looking forward to World Superbikes, especially with seven British riders. I think we’ve had five British riders on the podium this year. There’s every chance that there will be three British riders on the podium at Silverstone, just like in Assen.”
“I’ve always had good results at Silverstone. I won on the Ducati here in ‘05 and was on the podium in ’06. It’s been a track I’ve done well on, so I’m looking forward to coming back here. With MotoGP, Formula 1 and British Superbikes, Silverstone has got all the major events now – it’s nice to be on this kind of stage.”
The Magnificent Seven World Superbike regulars will be joined at Silverstone by wildcard Thomas Bridewell from Wiltshire. In addition to the British interest in the two main Superbike races, Chaz Davies and Gino Rea will be joined by wildcards James Westmorland, twin brothers Sam and Alex Lowes, Christian Iddon, Jenny Tinmouth, Max Hunt and David Jones in the World Supersport Championship race. Barry Burrell, Gavin Hunt, Peter Hickman and Victor Cox fly the flag as wildcards in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, while Joshua Elliott and wildcard Luke Mossey will take to the track for the Superstock 600 European Championship race.
