SATURDAY – SUPERBIKES ROUND 9 FROM LAGUNA SECA: Coverage beings on beIN SPORTS live at 5PM ET

Superbikes head way out west as Nicky Hayden is California dreaming

“Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west. A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness.”

From what little beIN SPORTS knows about the life and loves of Tupac Shakur, it is unlikely that the west coast rapper was talking about top class, mega-fast motorbike racing. But he could have been this weekend as the Superbikes are heading to where all the leaves are brown and skies are grey (well sunny, really.)

It's Round 9 of the SBK championship and the bikes are now revving up in Laguna Seca. Johnny Rea is back in the standings driving seat after a double win in Italy ended a bit of a drought for the Kawaski rider. The Brit now leads his teammate and compatriot, Tom Sykes, by a huge points total of 343 to 277 which could see Rea playing it safe over the weekend’s two races, especially as the reigning SBK champion has yet to win on the Californian track. Sykes has a better recent record way out west having won races in 2013 and 2014 on the same track and will be wanting to keep the pressure up on Rea in this most unpredictable of sports.

However, Laguna Seca is especially important to fellow rider, Nicky Hayden, as it was the scene of his first Moto GP win. “I get goosebumps now thinking about it,” says the Kentucky Kid, who has high hopes of picking up his second SBK race win of the season. “I have to try and get on the podium – hopefully we can have a big crowd there and find something extra.” The thousands of fans heading down to Laguna Seca for a fantastic weekend or racing will be hoping for the same.

SATURDAY – NASL: INDY ELEVEN v MINNESOTA UNITED: Live on beIN SPORTS at 7.30PM ET

Spring Champions against Fall Season front-runners in NASL match of the week

If ever there was a clash of the titans in the NASL, it’s the beIN SPORTS match of the week between the reigning Spring champions, Indy Eleven taking on the league’s in-form side Minnesota United.

And Saturday is set to be extra special for the Indianapolis outfit as the team are set to receive their Spring Season trophy. However, the rest of the evening could be a tough one with Indy Eleven slow starters to the Fall Season, having only just grabbed a last-second draw against newcomers, Puerto Rico, in the campaign opener. Meanwhile, Minnesota United swept aside the Carolina Railhawks in a 5-1 hammering which bodes well for the club’s campaign to stake a place in the end of season play-offs.

The man-of-the-hour at Minnesota was Christian Ramirez who bagged a hat-trick in the mauling but the American forward will be up against another sharp-shooter in the form of Indy Eleven striker, Eamon Zayed, who has bagged eight goals so far this season. The atmosphere is set to be a special one, and it won’t just be for the homecoming of the Spring Champions. A craft beer festival ahead of the game, might also get some singing started too.

SUNDAY – MOTOAMERICA ROUND 8 FROM LAGUNA SECA: Coverage begins from 12.20PM ET

Double track delight as Moto America shares Superbikes spotlight

No there hasn’t been a typo. It’s a case of two tournaments, one track at Laguna Seca this weekend with MotoAmerica also heading out west to California in what is set to be a bonanza of motorbike racing. Unlike the Superbikes, which still has a little way to go until the season’s finale, the Moto America riders are looking ahead to the penultimate racing weekend which could be definitive.

The standout rider of the season, Cameron Beaubier, is at the top of the table with a twenty-five-point lead over Josh Hayes having won seven of the 14 races of the calendar so far this season. And whilst the Superbikes title is highly unlikely to be claimed in California, another solid performance in the two races on the west coast could all but seal the deal.

"Laguna Seca is my home race and it's the one I look forward to all year," says the California resident, Beaubier. I'm also in a good spot in the championship so going to a track I really like has me feeling good.” There is also a heck of a tussle in the places below Beaubier with just two points dividing the chasing pack of Josh Hayes, Toni Elias and Roger Hayden. It’s set to be a vintage weekend amongst the Californian vineyards.