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With the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title wrapped up last time out in France, the paddock now heads to Southern Spain and Circuito de Jerez for the final European round of the season, and there is still plenty to play for. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) sits in second position in the championship, but Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has been slowly creeping up on his compatriot and the British fight is on. Davies dominated around Jerez last season, so can the green machines stop him in 2017?

Winning the last three races held around the Circuito de Jerez, Davies clearly feels comfortable with his Panigale’s pace around the Southern Spanish circuit, and will be a force to be reckoned with this weekend. Coming off the back of a dominant victory in race two at Magny-Cours under tricky conditions, when the Welsh rider has clear track ahead of him he’s practically unstoppable. Always pushing to get the most out of his Panigale R, Jerez holds the potential for him to take hold of the runner-up spot in the championship. Taking five podium finishes out of the last six races – three of which a victory – he will certainly be the man to catch.

Freshly crowned 2017 World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) is yet to win around the 4.4km circuit, meaning he will have a fresh challenge ahead of him this weekend. Just one more podium finish would see the Northern Irishman equal Carl Fogarty’s record; and despite being crowned champion he will be hoping to bounce back from a tough race two in France, which was only his second DNF of the season after he was caught up in Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia)’s second lap crash.

Fighting to hold onto his second position in the championship is Tom Sykes, who is continuing to recover from injury following his monster crash in Portugal which saw the British rider undergo surgery on his left hand and wrist. Taking two victories so far this season, Sykes holds the pole position record around Jerez and took the victory in race one back in 2015, so he is no stranger to success around the track. Putting in an impressive performance in race one last time out, tyres hindered the Yorkshire rider in race two, so he will be back and fighting this weekend.

Italian Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is nearing the end of his first year back in the WorldSBK paddock, and was able to make history as he took Italy’s 100th WorldSBK victory. The penultimate round of the season holds a lot of potential for Melandri, as he took the double victory at Jerez in 2014 with Aprilia, and has 14 years of experience from his years in the MotoGP™ paddock. In all three of the races he has started in Southern Spain, he has never finished outside of the top two in WorldSBK. Once he has adapted the feeling of his Panigale R to the circuit, his consistent pace is hard to beat.

Sitting in fifth position and just 11 points ahead of his team-mate, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) heads to Jerez with a tough record behind him, his best result around the circuit being a top seven finish. Coming off the back of a second position around Magny-Cours two weeks ago, as well as a private test,  Lowes will be bringing confidence in his R1 forward to the final European round of the season, and will hope to continue his strong pace to end the year on top.

One of just four riders on the current grid to have won a WorldSBK race around Jerez, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) continues to search for that podium finish following his return to the series. Currently sitting in 10th position in the championship standings, he will hope to convert his strong Superpole pace into race pace, as himself and his British-based squad have been working on the rear grip of his RSV4 RF. Taking the double win in 2013 on an Aprilia, and another rider with experience around the circuit from MotoGP™, he will be one to watch this weekend.  

Heading into his second home round of the season, Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) has been slowly progressing with his S 1000 R, and has had a varied range of results around Circuito de Jerez, but boasts a podium finish in 2015’s Race Two in his achievements. Taking some solid results towards the end of the 2017 season, the Spanish rider will hope to make some bold steps in the penultimate round of the season, and impress his home fans around the 4.4km circuit.

Joined by Takumi Takahashi once again, Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team are welcoming the support of the Honda factory, as they continue to build and improve the pace of the new Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2. Bolstered by the addition of Davide Giugliano, who continues to make appearances for the Red Bull team, they will be hoping to put in some solid final races of a tough 2017.

Making a name for himself as one of the most impressive riders of the season, Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) has a fairly solid record around Jerez to his name, only finishing outside of the top ten on one occasion out of six – the last race run around the circuit. Edging ever closer to that all important podium finish in WorldSBK since the summer break, the British rider is looking for that final push to get that taste for Prosecco DOC, and with the news announced last week that he will take a step over to Honda for 2018, he will be looking to leave MV Agusta with a bang.  

Follow all the stunning WorldSBK action from the final European round of 2017, with action live from Friday 20th October through to Sunday 22nd October.

WSS

The FIM Supersport World Championship has seen the main protagonists see their highest and lowest point of their career so far, with plenty of drama on offer throughout the 2017 season. Training crashes, scintillating races, highsides, mechanical problems and retirements, this year has seen it all and with three championship leaders across the season, the fight is set to come down to the wire. With Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) back in Turkey nursing a broken hip and Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) riding injured, it’s all to play for as the title protagonists fight through the pain.

Lucas Mahias is in the position of achieving his dream around Circuito de Jerez, as the French rider could take the world title for the first time this weekend. After thinking the title was over following a Superpole crash in France just over two weeks ago, he was able to put in a heroic performance to cross the line in fourth in front of his home fans, and is now in the position to take the title. With main rival Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) aiming to return after suffering an injury to his hip in France, if Mahias can score 17 points whilst Sofuoglu does not score any, he will be crowned champion. The 28 year old is no stranger to success around the 4.4km circuit, as he took a sensational second position in the last years STK1000 race, meaning he will be ready to fight this weekend.

There will be big questions hanging over the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing garage, as Kenan Sofuoglu is fighting to come back from injury following his Superpole crash in France, which left the Turkish champion with a broken hip. Now sitting nine points behind Mahias in the standings, it remains to be seen if he will return to action in 2017, but the title is now potentially out of his grasp. Flown straight back to Turkey following the crash, the five-time world champion has a big task ahead of him, but will use his tenacious attitude as he is yet to give up on the title fight. If the Turkish rider is unable to participate, the team have taken measures to replace the champion. On the other side of the garage, Kyle Ryde announced he will split from the team for the final two rounds, meaning we will see two different riders on the ZX-6R in Southern Spain.

Still mathematically in with a chance of taking the WorldSSP title this season, Sheridan Morais (Kallio Racing) will be hoping to repeat his performance shown in Germany. Sitting 32 points behind Mahias, with the addition of the 2017 YFR-R6, the South African is now in a better position to put up a strong fight. Finishing in the top 13 in every race he has entered around Jerez – both in WorldSBK and WorldSSP – Morais doesn’t have a stunning record at the 4.4km circuit but he has been able to put in consistent runs in Southern Spain. Beginning to feel more comfortable with his team, he will be putting in his best efforts to ensure he brings a strong fight to Mahias.

Now out of the title chance, regular podium finishers Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and PJ Jacobesen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) could be the men to throw a spanner into the works for the title fight. French rider Cluzel was unable to take a podium finish in front of his home fans, but after taking a top six finish around Jerez last season it will be interesting if he can return to the podium. Jacobsen has a much stronger record around the circuit, and will be looking to continue this pace into the penultimate round of the season, with two second positions achieved, as well as a top four last year. Still searching for that all important victory in 2017, he will be one to watch.

WorldSSP300

Following a stunning first season of racing action in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship, it all comes down to the final race to decide the title. Tensions will be high in the Pirelli Spanish Round, as two riders will be fighting to have his name in the history books. Close racing will be guaranteed around the ever popular 4.4km circuit, and following the battles fans have been treated to so far this season the Andalucían circuit will come alive with the sound of the 300 machines, as you can be assured the fight will be to the checkered flag.

Marc Garcia (Halcourier Racing) sits four points ahead in the championship standings, and heads to his home round with a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but will be sure to have the support of his home crowd. Winning two races and securing five podium finishes throughout 2017, the Spanish rider has a lot of momentum behind him and will have his sights set on the title in Jerez. With plenty of experience around the 4.4km circuit following his time spent in the Red Bull Rookies, Garcia will be working with his YZF-R3 to bring the fight in one of the biggest races of his life.

The second rider up for the fight is Italian Alfonso Coppola (SK Racing), who narrowly missed out on the championship victory in France, and will be hungry for the battle in Spain. Also taking on the Yamaha YZF-R3, he has one win under his belt but has only spent two races off the podium so far his season. Consistently fighting up at the front end on his blue machine, he has a similar history around Jerez to his rival, but he was able to take a podium finish in the EJC last season. Winner of the Yamaha bLU cRU cup two weeks ago in France, the 20 year old has a taste for victory and will be on the hunt for more in Spain.

Scarcely missing out on the title fight into the last round is Mika Perez (WILSport Racedays), who despite giving his best efforts, was unable to keep the spark going around Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. Missing out on a podium finish, the Spanish rider is now 30 points behind Garcia in the standings and therefore out of the title race. However he will be hoping to end the season with a bang, and add to his win tally of two so far in 2017. Competing in five EJC races around Circuito de Jerez, Perez has taken four top six finishes – including one podium. He may be out of the title fight, but he won’t be arriving to Jerez without looking for a fight.

STK1000

After eight rounds of on track battling, it all comes down to the final round as three riders are in the running to be crowned European Superstock 1000 Champion for 2017. Heading to the ever popular circuit of Jerez for the Pirelli Spanish Round, the atmosphere will be intense and the on track action even more so. Fans have been treated to some stunning battles around the 4.4km of tarmac, and this year will be no different.

Despite a tough couple of rounds, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) continues to lead the STK1000 championship standings by eight points, and faces his last chance to take the title in Spain this season. Coming off the back of two top ten finishes, the Italian will be hoping to revisit his form found at the beginning of the season. Taking a top two finish in every race he finished prior to Portimao, Rinaldi has been a forced to be reckoned with. But a tough two rounds for the Italian on the Panigale has meant he has been unable to clinch the title and the fight continues to Spain. Taking eighth position last season, and the victory in European STK600 back in 2015, the 21 year old has enough background knowledge of the Andalucían circuit to make it count.

Mr Consistency for 2017, Florian Marino (Pata Yamaha Official STK1000 Team) has only finished outside of the top five on one occasion – around Imola back in May. Sitting just eight points behind Rinaldi in the standings with one race remaining of 2017, the fight will be on for the Yamaha rider. Despite missing out on racing around the Jerez circuit in the STK1000 class, the French rider has a podium under his belt from his time in the WorldSSP series back in 2014.

The third and final contender for the STK1000 crown is Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who after a steady start to the season was able to find a strong pace with his ZX-10RR and secured three dominant victories so far this season. The young rider is only 14 points behind Rinaldi at the top of the standings, and in the ever competitive class anything can happen. Razgatlioglu took third position here last season, but will be returning from injury sustained in France to his shoulder, meaning he will have to dig deep to battle at the front.

Don’t miss any of the sensational STK1000 action, and watch the fight to the line for the title from the Pirelli Spanish Round.