Honda's hopes will again be lead by the factory backed Winston Ten Kate Team, which has drafted in Toseland to replace Vermeulen alongside Muggeridge. JT suffered a disappointing title defence at Ducati Xerox last year, claiming one win on his way to fifth, but is determined to rebuild his reputation during his first four-cylinder season. For Muggeridge, the first 2006 target will be a debut SBK podium.
Battling with the Ten Kate duo for the honour of top Honda will undoubtedly be Barros, who has joined a one man Klaffi team after ending a grand prix career of record breaking proportions. Although deprived of anything like an adequate pre-season testing programme, the Sao Paolo superstar has already proven his SBK ability during Suzuka 8-Hour appearances and is firmly focussed on finally winning a world title.
Despite being 36 years of age, Barros is by no means the elder statesman of SBK racing. That honour, along with many race wins over the years, goes to a certain Pierfrancesco Chili, who is currently 41 years young. Chili’s latest challenge is to run in an all-Italian Honda team, in conjunction with traditional SBK participants, DFX Treme.
He shares garage space with a new talent to the Superbike ranks,
Michel Fabrizio. The squad thus features the oldest rider in the series with one of the youngest, as Fabrizio is only 21. The Italian has been promoted from World Supersport where he enjoyed a modicum of success last year. Fabrizio’s raw talents have already delivered him the 2003 European Superstock Championship and his experience also includes four-stoke
MotoGP rides, despite his tender years.
Meanwhile, despite the growing four-cylinder presence, a total of eight full time Ducati riders will be in attendance at Qatar, the factory squad heading an impressive array of proven desmo-powered talent, plus the odd new inductee.
