600 Battle gets even more intense

The endlessly entertaining Superstock 600 European Championship had another of its impossibly competitive meetings in France last time out, but attention now focuses on the final round in Portugal on October 25.

Astounding as it may sound, there are still four riders in with a chance of ultimate success, and with all of them covered by only ten championship points, each still has a realistic chance of the title win.

Heading up the championship is 20-year-old Englishman Gino Rea (Ten Kate Honda Racing), on 138 points and 18-year-old Danilo Petrucci (Yamaha Italia Junior Team Trasimeno) is second on 135. On 131 points, 18-year-old Belgian Vincent Lonbois (MTM Racing) will be out to emulate his countryman Xavier Simeon and win his own Superstock challenge. He is only seven points behind Rea, while 19-year-old Marco Bussolotti (Yamaha Italia Junior Team Trasimeno) is ten points off the lead - but very much still in the championship fight.

In terms of race wins this year, Rea has one, Petrucci three, Lonbois has two and Bussolotti a single.

Of the top four, Bussolotti will be taking the example of last year's Superstock 1000 FIM Cup champion Brendan Roberts as a template for success. He started the final round in Portimao some nine points back, in fourth place, and yet managed to clinch the title by winning the final race of the year!

Source: http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/1152-600-battle-gets-even-more-intense.html

Laverty not giving up

In a season of high drama in WSS maybe the most memorable sight will be that of Eugene Laverty falling and then restarting at the recent Magny-Cours race.

He is now a tantalising 19 points behind Cal Crutchlow, thanks to scoring a trio of points in France, keeping his championship hopes, alive, if barely so. He is not out of it in his own eyes, despite his disappointment at entering the final round so far back, having taken a tactical risk on France.

"I wanted to put Lascorz between Cal and me but the fuel load had dropped and it caught me out," said Laverty of his fall. "Usually I have a few warnings and put more weight on the front but this time I had none and down I went. I got back on but the right lower fairing was dragging through the corners and slowing me down on the straights. I am not hurt but I am disappointed, however, it is not over yet and now we will go to our home track at Portimao and we have got to win either-way - who knows what will happen. We still have a shot at the title and want to win at our home circuit in Portugal."

The arithmetic is simple now. Laverty has to score second and have Crutchlow no score in Portugal to win the overall title - or he has to win and have Crutchlow score only five points or less to win overall. A points tie in Portimao would give the title to Crutchlow, as he will have a superior win tally, no matter who takes victory in Portugal.

Source: http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news.html