March 27 – Europe – t.b.a
April 17 – The Netherlands – Assen
May 8 – Italy – Monza
May 30 (Monday) – United States – Miller Motorsport Park
June 12 – San Marino – Misano
June 19 – Spain – Motorland Aragon
July 10 – Czech Republic – Brno
July 31 – Great Britain – Silverstone
September 4 – Germany – Nurburgring
September 25 – Italy – t.b.a
October 2 – France – Magny Cours
October 16 – Portugal – PortimaoThe tentative roster for superbike teams is as follows: Aprilia Alitalia
Max Biaggi (not confirmed)
Leon Camier (confirmed)Suzuki Alstare
Michel Fabrizio (expected, not confirmed)
Sylvain Guintoli (expected, not confirmed)Yamaha Sterilgarda
Marco Melandri (confirmed)
Eugene Laverty (confirmed)Ten Kate Honda
Jonathan Rea (confirmed – potentially one rider line-up)BMW Motorrad
Troy Corser (confirmed)
Leon Haslam (confirmed)Kawasaki SRT
Chris Vermeulen (confirmed)
Tom Sykes (confirmed – but only two seats available)
Joan Lascorz (confirmed)Althea Ducati
Carlos Checa (confirmed)
2nd bike TBCLiberty Ducati
Jakub Smrz (confirmed)Pedercini Kawasaki
Tom Sykes (alternative pending Kawasaki SRT situation)DFX Corse Aprilia
Noriyuki Haga (confirmed)Max Neukirchner is strongly rumored to be going to Ducati SupersonicPresently this leaves some big names without confirmed rides for 2011. One of those is Rueben Xaus. The biggest non-participant right now however is Ducati.The Italian manufacturer has virtually owned the series since its inception and a virtual bomb was dropped when they announced after mid-season they were pulling out.The factory will be supplying bikes and parts to satellite teams but the familiar Xerox racing livery will be absent.The current global financial crisis has hit racing hard, resulting in a number of sponsors reducing their support or dropping out of the series all together. Several teams-such as powerhouse Ten Kate-may reshuffle into a single rider team in both Superbike and Supersport in an effort to cut costs.As the remaining chips fall into place we will keep you posted. Despite the annual musical chairs that is silly season, rest assured the 2011 season is going to be another barn burner, with a grid full of talent all vying for that coveted title.