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Review
World superbikes-Australia (Round 1 of 13)
I will start this by saying that I didn’t watch this championship as I couldn’t find it until today and I am a new comer so I may miss things
World superbikes kicked off their 30th year in fine form. Rea picked Up pole for race 1 ahead of teammate Sykes. Marco Melandri squeezed in ahead of Davis making it 2 Kawasaki s ahead of 2 Ducati’s. Off the line though that changed as Melandri led Davis. By turn 2 the next lap though they were back to the Kawasaki’s leading the Ducati’s. Over the net few laps, the order changed lap by lap but a gap formed behind Lowes and Fores separating the top 6. Salvadori looked like they would bridge the gap but went off Siberia. Slightly later Lowes showed he could mix it with the front-runners briefly leading. 8 laps from the end Marco Melandri dropped out of contention going into the gravel as the 4 Brits of Rea, Sykes, Lowes and Davis made a gap. 5 laps from the end those with a chance of a win or podium were still the 4 Brits, Leon Camier (also from the UK) and Xavi Forez of Spain. Davis and Rea duelled for the lead all the way to the line. In the end Rea Beat Davis, Sykes picked up 3rd, Lowes missing the podium and Camier made it all British riders in the top 5.
In race 2 the top 3 in race 1 get dropped to the 3rd row (and they are in reverse order so 1st starts 9th, 2nd to 8th, 3rd to 7th). Thus Lowes was on pole from Camier and Forez. The 4th place on the grid ended up being empty as Torres’ bike failed in the pit lane though unfortunately. Off the line, Forez took the lead before running wide at Honda and losing 4 places handing the lead back to Lowes. After 3 laps Russo was out and a gaggle had formed for the top 9 Forez, Rea, Laverty, Lowes, Davis, Van Der Mark, Camier, Melandri then Sykes being the race order. Rea said if he reached the front he would push on and about 6 laps in he reached the front and showed that this was a lie. None the less the top 5 pulled away from the rest who dropped back. However, Rea did not try to pull away. About lap 8 Nicky Hayden and Ayrton Badovini both crashed separately. 10 laps to go the top 4 riders continued battling hard, Melandri, Davis, Forez on the Ducati fighting Rea on the Kawasaki while Lowes on the Yamaha held on in 5th and Sykes caught up to 6th. By lap 3 Forez dropped back and had to settle for 5th. Lowes on what was thought to be an uncompetitive bike was running in 3rd, having passed Melandri, and was looking at Rea and Davis for more. On the last lap, however, Melandri got in ahead while once again Davis was edged into 2nd.
Preview
Australian supercars -Clipsal 500 (Round 1 of 14)
We stay in Australia for the Clipsal 500 racing trough the streets of Adelaide on the old F1 route. The track has a fast opening through the Senna Chicane before a 90 right, 90 left and then a second pair of 90o right-handers on to the back straight. Along to turn 9 is the flat out 215kph corner on to the Brabham straight. Turn 9 is sure to see tonnes of overtakes again with its massive braking zone. The next few corners lead round to the Mistral Hairpin which leads on the run across the line. Unlike last year there will just be 2 250KM races rather than 2 125KM races and a 250KM one.
This is a championship I will whole heartedly recommend watching as the racing is top notch and close. After watching last year I am a big fan, the only issue being that it is on quite early in the morning for me.
Shane Van Gisbergen will hope for a return to his 2016 form that took him to the title rather than his from so far this year which has a 48th at the Rolex 24 and a DNF at Bathurst. Shane does have form though here having won it in 2013, and having taken a 3rd, 5th and 10th in the 3 races last year netting him 3rd in the championship on the way out. Had it not been for the fact that the race last year was shortened forcing him among others to pit to take on the required 140L of fuel.
The last person you should rule out is his teammate last year's championship runner-up, 4-time winner here and 6-time champion Jamie Whincup. Last year he left with two 2nd and an unlucky 14th giving him 2nd in the championship he surely wants to up that. A win at Bathurst will up his confidence and I don’t think there is anything more to say other than will I think to be a favourite
Last year McLaughlin left with 4th which by the end of the year became 3rd in the championship. He does need to get used to a Ford after Volvo ended their 3 years in the sport but he is 100% not to be ignored.
Last year's winner was arguably there through luck with him only scoring 1 other podium. However, he has now got a place at a much better team so is still worth watching Nick Percat given he does have a win at Bathurst alongside Gath Tander
Garth Tander is also worth watching given his 2 prior wins in adalade, 3 wins at Bathurst, 2007 championship but last year wasn’t fantastic for him with him being down in 9th.
Will Davidson is in an with a good shot of adding a second win here along with his 2 Bathurst wins. He does look as if he is back on form after 2 years with a less competitive Mercedes with last years 5th overall.
2010 champion James Courtney has every chance to add to his 2 overall wins so far. Lat year he left with a win and a 2nd. Ability looks not to be an issue for him.
2015 champion Mark Winterbottom is not to be ruled out what so ever as last year' 6th in the championship looks as if it was a mere blip and must hope that he can add a win in Adelaide to his collection
For an outside bet, Caruso may be worth a look, 2nd in race 3 last year elevated him to 1st last year before falling down to 1oth. It may have been a blip but he did get a win later in the year as well.
Submitted February 27, 2018 at 10:27PM by Angelareh http://ift.tt/2HPFP2Z
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February 28, 2018 at 12:35AM
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February 28, 2018 at 01:25AM
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