After the long trek back to Europe is completed, the SBK paddock reforms in Spain, but not quite in readiness for the Valencia race. On 17, 18 and 19 March, there will be an official FGSport test at Valencia, but this year the first European race will be held at
Donington Park, with race day itself taking place on 1 April. This will be the first Donington SBK race since 2001 and the first of three SBK rounds in the UK in 2007.
The rapid development of
Kenan Sofuoglu of the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda squad in World Supersport was remarkable at the tail end of the 2006 season, and his winning curve got higher at the first round this year, after his team-mate Sebastien Charpentier fell from their battle for the lead. In Australia, Charpentier is sure to shine again as he goes for three race wins in a row at Phillip Island, while Losail's second placed rider, Kevin Curtain on the SSP Yamaha is ready to push all the way for his second home victory. Curtain's team-mate Broc Parkes is looking for his first points of the 2007 season at his home circuit.
On all-new machinery GIL Kawasaki riders Fabien Foret and Pere Riba had superb fourth and fifth place finishes in round one, while Gianluca Nannelli of Team Caracchi Ducati SC 749R struggled after a bright qualifying battle. For Suzuki, a winter test at Phillip Island will help their official duo, Barry Veneman and Vesa Kallio, from the Hoegee Suzuki team. Practice for Supersport, like in Superbike, gets underway on Friday 2 March.
