2004 World Champion
James Toseland riding his Winston Ten Kate Honda is looking to Brno to make another push in his championship campaign. Having won the first race of the year, at Qatar, Toseland added his first pole win at Misano, before a slip in race two deprived him of a possible race win. At Brno, which should suit his Honda perfectly, he will be all out to leapfrog Haga for second, and dent the points differential to Bayliss. With a Ducati rider leading a Yamaha rider, and with a Honda rider third,
Troy Corser on the Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra makes it four manufacturers' machines in the top four. The 1996 and 2005 season champion Corser had a double no score in Misano, and as such will no doubt unleash himself on the Brno circuit at full pace, from first practice to final flag.
Despite some great difficulties getting off the line in race conditions in this his rookie SBK year, multiple
MotoGP winner Alex Barros riding for Klaffi Honda has put in some astoundingly polished and forceful rides. His first career SBK win has been tantalisingly close, but at Brno he will have a distinct advantage over his fellow SBK riders for the first time this season, such have been his frequent visits to the Czech circuit. In race two at Misano he finished only behind Pitt, and we can expect each of these class riders to shine under what is expected to be an intense Czech sun.
After some astonishingly impressive rides in his rookie season in 2005, Ducati Xerox rider
Lorenzo Lanzi has had to settle for only two podium finishes this year, each at Valencia during round three. His form has been on the rise in recent events, and in the aforementioned Lausitz tests he was a true force once again. From a current factory Ducati rider to a former one,
Ruben Xaus on the Sterilgarda Berik Ducati is burning to score his first podium this year, despite his relative lack of factory equipment. Having won nine previous SBK races, he is always one to watch. Arguably the top true privateer in the class currently, Xaus will find Brno the perfect canvas on which to impress his action-painting riding style.
