Cycle News

ROUND 9/AUGUST 4, 2013 SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT/SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND WORLD SUPERBIKE 5. Leon Camier (Suzuki) 6. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia) 7. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) 8. Ayrton Badovini (Ducati) WIDE OPEN SPACES P110 WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 9. Marco Melandri (BMW) 10. Carlos Checa (Ducati) or two again in 2013. If you counted Laverty, such a thing happened in race one in 2013 after all. The second is that there has already been a British round of World Superbike racing, at a much more spectator-friendly, if much less well-equipped and modernized Donington Park comparatively recently. There were not that many people there either, but with two rounds people have to make a choice, After the empty feeling the whole paddock experiences after the loss of one of its own – the fatally injured Andrea Antonelli in the previous round in Russia – the wide-open spaces of Silverstone felt even more expansive than usual. Even the largely warm and kind early weather could not make up for a distinct lack of feel-good factor at work in England. Small crowds at a vast Silverstone facility. On day one and two at least. The start grid was packed with paddock figures and riders to mark the passing of Antonelli in a very public and genuine way at 2 p.m. on Saturday in England, but it seems hardly rather than just do both races, an exaggeration that there were unthinkingly. more people on the grid than in the There is also the fact that World grandstands. Superbike racing has now arrived at Without question the Global a public perception level that without Economic Crisis has caught up the clear driving force of the old with the series big time in 2013, but Roman legions behind it, it seems many other factors have affected to have admitted that it is second why Silverstone was quiet on the rate rather than rail against any such spectator front. idea and fight hard to make sure that First off, it is the venue for the it is a hungry wolf rather than a tame MotoGP round in 2013, which lap dog. means a lot of cash-strapped The racing at Silverstone was families and fans will be keeping brilliant, so anybody who did not go their Queen's heads firmly in their missed out, whatever the reason. pockets until Crutchlow, Valentino The official attendance for the and Marquez come round again for whole weekend was 27,935. That a quick visit. With a good chance seemed too high to be real, but then of a British GP podium and in more again Silverstone is simply vast so than one class, it's a persuasive arcounting crowds in grandstands was gument, despite the possibility of an impossible. all-British World Superbike podium Briefly... the more recent years, but as yet nobody has tried to go into the wrong pit lane. "It is strange when we went over the back straight and did not see any pit boards like we have had in the past two years, and I was waiting for somebody to pull into the wrong pit lane, but nobody did. There is time yet and it could definitely happen. As far as the track is concerned, I like this one because on the other layout it was the long straight beforehand that decided the race. It was a good thing for our bike, the Aprilia, but it is not really the racing spirit. I think if it is a battle it should come down to a little bit of tactics." Rookie World Superbike rider Jules Cluzel is like most others in 2013, waiting to hear about his future "I really do not know about next year and I think it is just the start of the talks with some teams. I think it is too early and everybody is waiting for the new rules and the decisions of factories so it is not easy right now. I do not have to think about this at this moment. I just need to complete some good races and enjoy it." All the indications and rumors surrounding the season finale at India in November now point to there being no race there in 2013. The lack of information and clear directions from the series organizers about this race so far is one clue, the vast number of teams who have booked no tickets or hotels another.

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