2014 Misano World Superbike Preview | Sykes Leads Points

2014 Misano World Superbike Preview

Following a one-year hiatus, World Superbike returns to the Misano, a circuit dedicated to the late Marco Simoncelli.

Out of all WSBK riders, only one has won at the 2.5-mile circuit containing 11 corners – Pata Honda World Superbike’s Jonathan Rea. This win arrived in 2009 when the Northern Irishman edged out Michel Fabrizio for the victory. As for the other winners since 2009, they are all retired or moved on – Ben Spies, Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa.

Rea was on a three-race winning streak in Assen and Imola, but since has finished sixth at every other race (Donington and Sepang). This leaves him third in the point standings, 22 behind the championship leader, Kawasaki Racing’s Tom Sykes.

The reigning World Superbike Champion has placed his ZX-10R Ninja on the pole at Misano, but he never finished on the podium at the circuit in San Marino. He continues to lead though he struggled at the last round in Sepang where he suffered a DNF in race one. He redeemed himself with third in race two.

Second in the points as the series heads to Misano is Aprilia Racing Team’s Sylvain Guintoli. The Frenchman, who trails Sykes by 13 points, finished runner-up in both races at Sepang. He finished behind his teammate Marco Melandri, who doubled at Sepang; the Italian is currently fifth in the championship, 55 points behind Sykes and 23 behind Sykes’ teammate Loris Baz, who is currently fourth.

On the Ducati side of things, Davide Giugliano had a very strong performance at 2012 Misano World Superbike. The Italian led the first five laps of race one, but had to settle for third behind Checa (Ducati) and winner Biaggi (Aprilia). Giugliano is currently seventh in the standings.

Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s Eugene Laverty showed a stronger performance at Sepang, the Brit taking his first podium of the year with a third in race one. He also has luck at Misano, winning there in 2010 when in the World Supersport class.

Team Hero EBR secured their best result of the season last time out, Aaron Yates narrowly missing the team’s first championship point with 16th in the opening Malaysian race.

BMW had a second rider in the points in Malaysia as Hungarian Imre Toth scored both his and Team Toth’s maiden WSBK points in their debut season.

2014 Misano World Superbike on TV

beIN Sports will provide coverage of Misano World Superbike beginning at 6 a.m. ET; race two will be broadcasted live.

2014 World Superbike Point Standings (after seven of 13 rounds):