Despite not having a full race-ready spec machine until the recent official tests at Misano, former
MotoGP veteran Alex Barros has written his name large in the collective consciousness of the World Superbike scene, taking podium finishes and points scores, to leave him fourth in the series for Klaffi Honda.
With new suspension and engine modifications now at his disposal, Barros is expected to be up front again at Valencia - a circuit he knows well from his long grand prix career, and where he famously beat
Valentino Rossi for MotoGP victory in the 2002 season finale.
Rossi and Yamaha have already won in MotoGP this season but - while Andrew Pitt and
Noriyuki Haga have enjoyed the taste of podium champagne - they are still chasing the R1's first 2006 win. Other Yamaha entries of note include a rider who was in contention for a podium finish at Valencia in his rookie SBK season of 2005, the otherwise vastly experienced Norick Abe of Yamaha Motor France Ipone.
Another fiercely competitive Japanese rider,
Yukio Kagayama was skittled by good friend Haga on his way to a seemingly certain victory at the opening round in Qatar this year, and is another combatant well worth watching in Spain.
Meanwhile, 2004 season World Supersport Champion
Karl Muggeridge and SBK legend Pierfrancesco Chili will not be present in Spain, as Muggeridge recovers from a back injury sustained during official testing at the same venue, while home tarmac at Misano proved cruel to Chili, who broke his pelvis last week during an official test.
Muggeridge is to be replaced at Winston Ten Kate Honda, for one race only, by the experienced Italian rider, Giovanni Bussei, with Chili giving way to WSS race winner, Gianluca Nannelli, for a probable four rounds in total.
