A mid-season re-ignition of
Yukio Kagayama's championship challenge on the second Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSX-R has seen him climb to seventh, within nine points of Barros. With all the riders filling fourth to seventh places clearly capable of a strong run to the very last race, the final two rounds hold great significance for all parties.
Chris Walker on his PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse and
Lorenzo Lanzi on board the Ducati Xerox continue the run of closely contested championship positions pre-Imola, with the English rider only one point ahead of Lanzi - and with
Fonsi Nieto also on the PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse only six points behind Lanzi, the fight in the final places of the top ten could hardly be more competitive. Add in the ever-improving multi-podium finisher in his rookie year,
Michel Fabrizio on the DFX Treme Honda - only ten points from Nieto - and the top ten battle deserves attention all the more.
Aforementioned Imola race winners, Xaus (in overall 12th place so far) and Laconi (15th) may have to pray for rain to give them a repeat appearance on top of the Imola podiums, but few would ever write-off their abilities on their best days. Xaus has work to do to move up a championship place ahead of local rider Fabrizio, while Laconi has to find the consistency from his machine set-up that has marred many a promising meeting for the 11-times SBK race winner.
Karl Muggeridge riding the Winston Ten Kate Honda and Norick Abe on the Yamaha Motor France are the two riders who separate Xaus and Laconi, with either rider capable of strong top five finish when set-up and good fortune are aligned.
