The World Superbike (SBK) Championship which enjoyed its penultimate round in Portimão two weeks ago reached its climax in France last weekend.
Aprilia title favourite Max Biaggi crashed out of the first race at rain-affected Magny-Cours to set up the closest finish to a season the competition has ever seen. At the end of race two Biaggi rival Tom Sykes took the chequered flag on his Kawasaki, but the Briton was shaded for the Championship by virtue of the Italian’s fifth placed finish allowing him to top the final standings by half a point. Former Parkalgar Honda stars Sam Lowes, Eugene Laverty and Miguel Praia claimed credible second (Race One), fourth (Race Two) and 22nd places respectively.
In the meantime the provisional 2013 SBK calendar has pencilled Portimao in for the June 9 seventh round of the 15-race championship dependent on organisers being able to guarantee the financing of the event. Next year’s season is scheduled to get under way on Philip Island in Australia on February 24 and close in Jerez on October 20.
