WHO DOESN'T LOVE CLOSE RACING?
World Superbike 2020 is just a couple of weeks away and with all pre-season testing, team launches and rider announcements out of the way, anticipation is building. Many people have said this looks to be the most exciting season for years (don’t they say that every year?) and with big efforts from the main factories in terms of machinery and rider quality, it has all the ingredients to deliver.
Kawasaki obviously have to start as favourites again with Rea and Lowes, but Ducati and Yamaha have both looked very strong in testing. Both Redding and Razgatlioglu have been blisteringly fast at both Jerez and Portimao. Honda and the new Fireblade looks to have hit the ground running with Haslam outpacing Bautista in both tests, as well as Laverty and Sykes looking to have made a lot of progress developing the BMW.
The grid is full of high-quality names all aboard decent bikes, so it’s all there. But then again, it’s not just about the main Superbike class though, as there are two other support classes that run at WorldSBK. The Supersport 600 class is seen as the feeder for Superbikes and produces some of the best racing, while although they have the smallest engine size, Supersport 300 holds the biggest entry list possibly ever with over 50 riders entered!
Now, as far as the 300s go, where do you start? In most of the races you’ll find a group of about 15 riders usually split by just a couple of seconds on the last lap, and then it’s a total gamble to call a winner – but going on results you have to look at 2019 runner-up Scott Deroue and 2018 Champion Ana Carrasco; they’re both back for their third consecutive seasons in the 300 class.
We have to remember that Deroue hasn't finished lower than third overall since 2017, so he will be desperate for the 2020 crown. Mind you, Carrasco will be looking to bring the trophy back home again after a brilliant end to last season. Back in the class after a fairly poor stint in Supersport is Alfonso Coppola. The 2017 runner-up will be hoping to regenerate some of the form that almost won him the championship a few years ago.
A late entry to this year’s championship is the Brit Tom Booth Amos. The BSB Motostar champ in 2017 and World championship Moto3 racer last year found himself without a ride after a tough season. But finishes such as an 8th in Australia show his class. It’s early to say, but he’s my pick of 2020.
But what about World Supersport, I hear you ask? Well, current champion, Randy Krummenacher is back to defend the title – albeit on totally different machinery. He’s jumped aboard an MV Agusta for the title defence, yet there’s a list of other riders who I’m sure will be biting at his heels for the crown. Jules Cluzel stays with the GMT94 team and after an impressive run to the end of last season, he will be straight to the front in Australia.
Lucas Mahias looked to have finally got to grips with the Puccetti Kawasaki and the hard fighting 2017 champion will be desperate to bring the trophy back home. Just remember he beat Supersport God Kenan Sofuoglu, and not many people can say that.
Two riders making their way across from Moto2 are Andrea Locatelli and Philipp Oetll. Locatelli joins championship winning team Bardahl, and Oetll sits alongside Mahias at Puccetti Kawasaki. Both rapidly fast riders on their days and both of them good bikes in good teams, meaning all the components are there for them to shine in Supersport.
Another late British entrant is that of Danny Webb. The former 125GP and road racer will be in a team managed by two-time World Superbike champion James Toseland. Let’s hope that both of them can jump straight on the pace, as the only British entrant in the championship this year.
So there you go, a brief overview on who I think will be running at the front in 2020. But if it’s anything like previous years, and with 50 riders on the 300 grid – It could be anybody!