Three-way fight for World Supersport title as we head to the Czech Republic

The Supersport World Championship has hardened into a three-way fight for the title in 2010, with Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) taking the lead from Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) at the previous round. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) is in a close third place and only 13 points separate the 'big three.' The fourth placed competitor over 50 points from Lascorz. Honda continues to lead the Manufacturers' Standings, by 47 points.

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Supersport rider, Michele Pirro, sees Brno as a chance to make up for the points lost at Misano last time out, when he collided with fast starting Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda). This race is a vital one for each rider, as Pirro needs to score strong points, and Rea will be racing at his team's own racetrack. Pirro is now seventh, Rea eighth in the standings.

Massimo Roccoli, Gino's Intermoto Czech Honda team-mate, is looking for the ideal of a top five finish at Brno, the same target as Parkalgar Honda rider Miguel Praia. Praia set out to score top tens in each race in 2010, and has largely succeeded, taking two ninths and three tenths so far. In the standings, Roccoli is 12th, Praia 13th.

After Brno there will be a two weekend break in race meetings, before both WSBK and WSS classes return to a new-look Silverstone for round ten, between 30 July and 1 August.

WSS Rider Comments

Eugene Laverty, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR:
"We did not have a test at Imola but I think we will be fine at Brno. I enjoy riding Brno even if struggled a bit last year, as we didn't get the settings quite right. With the bike working so well this year we will start in a good way, even on Friday. It is turning into a fight between the top three guys, and I think it will be that way to the end of the season. It would be good to have a few more people up there at the front, however."

Kenan Sofuoglu, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR:
"We had a good test and we have improved everything on the bike. I have to ride at the maximum to win the championship but I know I have the package to be world champion and I know I have the belief. Everything is very good now. I have a bike and suspension package to be ready at Brno."

Michele Pirro, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR:
"We had a good test at Imola last week when we tried lots of things and worked on the electronics some more. It was very useful also for me to spend some time on the track because the Italian championship doesn't go to Imola and it was only my second time there. I like Brno because it is smooth, the lines are smooth and it has not too many slow corners. It is a very important race for me, and we need to take a good result."

Gino Rea, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR:
"We tested at Brno and that wasn't too bad; we got to try a few things that we would not normally get to use on a race weekend. We're all feeling good for the race and it's my team's home event, so it should be a good one. We proved we can run up the front last time at Misano, so I am looking forward to getting back on track again."

Massimo Roccoli, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR:
"We tested at Brno last week and did the same times as we did in qualifying last year. It was not so easy as it was a track day as well, so many riders were on the circuit, but it was very useful for us all. This will be my team's home track and they will bring many guests, so everybody wants to have our best race yet here."

Miguel Praia, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR:
"I am pretty motivated after the race at Misano and our bikes will be strong in Brno. I like the track and I am 100% fit. We need to keep pushing and make another step in Brno. I would like to try to go for a top five as that is something I have not done yet. I think given everything we have should look to that as a new target. We have already met one target of making top tens this year."