Superbike, Pata UK Round: the Championship prepares for the challenge at Donington Park

Even though they are saddened by the tragic death of their friend and colleague Nicky Hayden, who died on the evening of Monday 22 May following the injuries sustained in the bike accident on Wednesday 17 May, the riders are preparing to face the sixth round of the season, in program this weekend in England, at Donington Park.

We are sure that the entire paddock will remember him by offering a great weekend of entertainment and competition, as the American Champion did during his long career, which gave him the MotoGP world title in 2006.

The English circuit, located on the rural hills of Leicestershire, hosted the first World Superbike race in 1988 and is one of the most evocative on the calendar: 4.023 km long, it is divided into two parts, the fast one and the stop-and-go one, with 12 curves, 7 on the right and 5 on the left, it has been the scene of memorable and exciting races in the past.
The most anticipated protagonists are the British riders Chaz Davies, Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes, Leon Camier and above all Tom Sykes, unbeaten at Donington since 2013 and therefore the big favorite of the weekend.

Having been held back since the third round of the season by physical ailment, Sykes has only missed the podium three times so far and his pace is difficult to challenge: the Kawasaki and Donington rider seem to go hand in hand as here he achieved pole position four times in the last five years and has won every race since 2013, but will face stiff competition from his teammate.

The reigning world champion will race with the aim of stopping him: his last success dates back to 2012, but in a season which has seen him win seven times out of 10, it will be difficult to exclude Rea from the fight for victory.

After experiencing an unforgettable weekend in Imola, Chaz Davies will race on a circuit that doesn't particularly lend itself to his riding style, in fact he has had difficulties in the past at Donington: his best result in WorldSBK is a double podium dating back to 2015 with two third places, while he achieved a second position in WorldSSP.

Living just minutes from Donington Park, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) has a wealth of experience of this track, as a result he will certainly be aiming for his first podium of 2017, with the support of his home crowd.
The Englishman had achieved a podium here in 2014 with Suzuki and last year he was forced to miss the event due to injury.

Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) left a difficult weekend behind him in Imola, but it was also a round in which he made some steps forward, fighting for the top positions: his last podium here dates back to 2011 with Aprilia.

Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) is back from a difficult weekend in Imola, which culminated with a bad accident in Race 1 from which he fortunately emerged unscathed, although the overall performance with his RSV4 was not negative, especially thanks to his own merits.
The Irishman's last podium on the Leicestershire circuit dates back to 2013.

Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) heads to Donington Park after achieving his best result, seventh place in Imola and will try to take a further step this weekend.

Stefan Bradl with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team will finally face a challenging weekend and will need the great support of the English fans.

Below is the weekend program:

FRIDAY 26 MAY
10 – 45 FP11
15 – 30 FP16

Saturday May 27
10 – 05 FP10
12pm – 00pm Tissot-Superpole 12
12pm – 25pm Tissot-Superpole 12
16pm Race 00

Sunday May 28
10 – 00 Warm Up
16pm Race 00