2011 Superbike World Championship Explained

The 2011 Superbike World Championship was the twenty-fourth season of the Superbike World Championship. It began on 27 February at Phillip Island and finished on 16 October in Portimão after 13 rounds.

The knockout system introduced for Superpole in 2009 was revised as the number of riders admitted to the first two sessions was reduced from twenty to sixteen and from sixteen to twelve respectively.[1] [2]

Ducati no longer competed with a factory team in 2011, after 23 seasons which had brought the marque a total of 29 riders' and manufacturers' championship titles, instead limiting its participation to privateer teams running their works bikes.[3] Aprilia's gear-driven camshafts on its RSV4 motorcycle – which won the title in with Max Biaggi – was banned for the 2011 season.[4]

After a dominating since season opening, Carlos Checa won his first championship and Ducati's 17th manufacturer title.

Race calendar and results

The provisional race schedule was publicly announced by the FIM on 7 October 2010 with eleven confirmed rounds and two other rounds pending confirmation.[5] Having been announced as a venue from 2011 onwards in May 2010,[6] Motorland Aragon replaced Kyalami on the calendar, while Donington Park returned to the championship, hosting the European round.[7] Imola was confirmed in November 2010, to finalise a 13-round calendar.[8] All races with the exception of Miller Motorsports Park – races held on Memorial Day Monday – were held on Sundays.

RoundCountryCircuitDateSuperpoleFastest lapWinning riderWinning teamReport
1R1 AustraliaPhillip Island Grand Prix Circuit27 February Carlos Checa Max Biaggi Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Max Biaggi Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
2R1 Great BritainDonington Park27 March Carlos Checa Noriyuki Haga Marco MelandriYamaha World Superbike TeamReport
R2 Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
3R1 NetherlandsTT Circuit Assen17 April Carlos Checa Tom Sykes Jonathan ReaCastrol Honda TeamReport
R2 Leon Camier Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
4R1 ItalyAutodromo Nazionale di Monza8 May Max Biaggi Michel Fabrizio Eugene LavertyYamaha World Superbike TeamReport
R2 Max Biaggi Eugene LavertyYamaha World Superbike Team
5R1 United StatesMiller Motorsports Park30 May Carlos Checa Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
6R1 San MarinoMisano World Circuit12 June Tom Sykes Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
7R1 SpainMotorland Aragón19 June Marco Melandri Carlos Checa Marco MelandriYamaha World Superbike TeamReport
R2 Marco Melandri Max BiaggiAprilia Alitalia Racing Team
8R1 Czech RepublicMasaryk Circuit10 July Max Biaggi Marco Melandri Marco MelandriYamaha World Superbike TeamReport
R2 Marco Melandri Max BiaggiAprilia Alitalia Racing Team
9R1 Great BritainSilverstone Circuit31 July John Hopkins Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Max Biaggi Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
10R1 GermanyNürburgring4 September Carlos Checa Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Noriyuki Haga Tom SykesKawasaki Racing Team
11R1 ItalyAutodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari25 September Carlos Checa Noriyuki Haga Jonathan ReaCastrol Honda TeamReport
R2 Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
12R1 FranceCircuit de Nevers Magny-Cours2 October Jonathan Rea Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Carlos Checa Carlos ChecaAlthea Racing
13R1 PortugalAutódromo Internacional do Algarve16 October Jonathan Rea Sylvain Guintoli Carlos ChecaAlthea RacingReport
R2 Joan Lascorz Marco MelandriYamaha World Superbike Team

Entry list

2011 entry list[9]
TeamConstructorMotorcycleRiderRounds
Aprilia Alitalia Racing TeamApriliaAprilia RSV4 10001 Max Biaggi[10] 1–10, 13
2 Leon Camier[11] All
Castrol Honda[12] HondaHonda CBR1000RR4 Jonathan Rea[13] 1–6, 10–13
22 Alex Lowes[14] 8–9
31 Karl Muggeridge[15] 13
32 Fabrizio Lai[16] 9
100 Makoto Tamada[17] 10
111 Rubén Xaus[18] 1–8, 11–12
Althea RacingDucatiDucati 1098R7 Carlos Checa[19] All
23 Federico Sandi[20] 11
34 Davide Giugliano13
Team Pedercini[21] KawasakiKawasaki ZX-10R8 Mark Aitchison[22] All
44 Roberto Rolfo[23] 1–12
51 Santiago Barragán[24] 13
67 Bryan Staring[25] 1
Samsung Crescent Racing[26] SuzukiSuzuki GSX-R100010 Jon Kirkham9
211 John Hopkins9
BMW Motorrad MotorsportBMWBMW S1000RR11 Troy Corser[27] 1–7, 9–13
91 Leon Haslam[28] All
Yoshimura Suzuki Racing TeamSuzukiSuzuki GSX-R100012 Josh Waters[29] 1, 5, 13
Prop-tech Ltd.HondaHonda CBR1000RR13 Viktor Kispataki[30] 8
Barni Racing TeamDucatiDucati 1098R15 Matteo Baiocco[31] 6, 8, 11
53 Alessandro Polita6, 11
Kawasaki Racing TeamKawasakiKawasaki ZX-10R17 Joan Lascorz[32] All
66 Tom Sykes[33] All
77 Chris Vermeulen[34] 2–4, 6–8
Echo Sport Racing CompanyHondaHonda CBR1000RR32 Fabrizio Lai[35] 4
Yamaha World Superbike TeamYamahaYamaha YZF-R133 Marco Melandri[36] All
58 Eugene Laverty[37] All
BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team[38] BMWBMW S1000RR37 Barry Veneman[39] 3
52 James Toseland1, 4–5, 9–10
57 Lorenzo Lanzi[40] 6–8
86 Ayrton BadoviniAll
112 Javier Forés[41] 11–13
PATA Racing Team Aprilia[42] ApriliaAprilia RSV4 100041 Noriyuki HagaAll
Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing[43] DucatiDucati 1098R50 Sylvain Guintoli[44] All
96 Jakub SmržAll
Team Suzuki Alstare[45] SuzukiSuzuki GSX-R100084 Michel Fabrizio[46] All
Supersonic Racing TeamDucatiDucati 1098R121 Maxime Berger[47] All
Key
Regular rider
Wildcard rider
Replacement rider

Championship standings

Riders' standings

Pos.RiderBikeAUS
EUR
NED
ITA
USA
SMR
SPA
CZE
GBR
GER
ITA
FRA
POR
Pts
R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2
1 ChecaDucati1131319101111Ret3331118311114505
2 MelandriYamaha53124Ret421063Ret12123326862261395
3 BiaggiAprilia227DSQ2228Ret3222121114DNSDNS47303
4 LavertyYamaha415Ret14761154513465522455453192303
5 HaslamBMW35441253Ret813Ret599874859Ret534915224
6 GuintoliDucatiRetDNS1111Ret10127377711112096662676525210
7 CamierAprilia13683Ret48Ret426Ret387Ret1558Ret15346126208
8 HagaAprilia97617Ret81649RetRet3671210RetRet3Ret227101511176
9 ReaHonda12456136RetRet11DNSDNS1041RetRetRet33170
10 BadoviniBMW14Ret139915116798481066101097910Ret8139165
11 LascorzKawasakiRetRet1051112Ret914129975987Ret7111088758161
12 FabrizioSuzuki68Ret75753Ret5Ret6Ret444Ret916RetRetRet12Ret1114152
13 SykesKawasaki89Ret12141113116104145Ret1014DNSDNS1114Ret10Ret8Ret141
14 SmržDucati71128Ret910Ret28RetRetRetRet11RetRet11Ret37RetRetDNS1013127
15 CorserBMW10199136Ret7513RetRetDNS10Ret9Ret151212Ret99141687
16 BergerDucati2018RetRetRet1314Ret111410Ret13Ret13Ret812Ret10Ret13Ret1271064
17 XausHonda161012108141512Ret1811816RetRetDNS1711DNSDNS49
18 RolfoKawasaki11121415Ret16Ret131716Ret121413141113Ret141318Ret13Ret42
19 AitchisonKawasaki19161516101817141617RetRet15121612Ret1412Ret119RetRet172036
20 HopkinsSuzuki5720
21KawasakiDNSDNSRetDNSDNSDNS1410121418DNS14
22 ToselandBMW1714DNSDNS15DNSWDWD121313Ret13
23 ForésBMWRet141111Ret1912
24 LanziBMW1511Ret15171310
25 WatersSuzuki1813121521188
26 SandiDucati13127
27 PolitaDucati13Ret14Ret5
28 GiuglianoDucati16124
29 BaioccoDucati12RetRetRet16Ret4
30 VenemanBMW13173
31 KirkhamSuzuki14153
32 KispatakiHonda19151
33 LowesHonda15RetRetRet1
34 LaiHonda1815Ret161
35 StaringKawasaki15171
Honda18170
TamadaHonda17Ret0
BarragánKawasaki20Ret0
Pos.RiderBikeAUS
EUR
NED
ITA
USA
SMR
SPA
CZE
GBR
GER
ITA
FRA
POR
Pts
Bold – Pole position
Italics – Fastest lap

Manufacturers' standings

Pos.ManufacturerAUS
EUR
NED
ITA
USA
SMR
SPA
CZE
GBR
GER
ITA
FRA
POR
Pts
R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2R1R2
1 Ducati112131971111113331112311114529
2 Yamaha431246115431312122225542261450
3 Aprilia22632224422221211143Ret224646422
4 BMW35446535798489664857953499275
5 Kawasaki89105101113961049559871471488758228
6 Honda1245613612Ret1111816Ret1515Ret16104111RetRet33194
7 Suzuki68Ret75753125Ret6Ret4445716RetRetRet12Ret1114169
Pos.ManufacturerAUS
EUR
NED
ITA
USA
SMR
SPA
CZE
GBR
GER
ITA
FRA
POR
Pts

Notes and References

  1. News: The new rule changes for MotoGP and World Superbike. sportrider.com. Bonnier Motorcycle Group. 6 January 2011. 6 December 2016.
  2. Web site: Road Racing FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup regulations 2011. arhiiv.msport.ee. Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. 31 January 2011. 6 December 2016.
  3. News: Ducati to pull factory team from 2011 World Superbike. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 27 August 2010. 27 August 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100828061022/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4147-ducati-to-pull-factory-team-from-2011-wsbk-championship.html. 28 August 2010 . live.
  4. News: WSBK 2011 Rule Changes Include An End To Aprilia's Gear-Driven Cams. motomatters.com. MotoMatters. David. Emmett. 31 July 2010. 28 September 2010.
  5. News: 2011 WSBK calendar announced by FIM. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 7 October 2010. 7 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101008201152/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4581-2011-wsbk-calendar-announced-by-fim.html. 8 October 2010 . live.
  6. News: MotorLand Aragón to join WSBK calendar from 2011. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 19 May 2010. 7 October 2010. 22 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100522021653/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/159881/1/motorland_aragn_to_join_wsbk_calendar_from_2011.html. dead.
  7. News: Donington Park back on the WSB calendar in 2011. Michael. Guy. Motor Cycle News. Bauer Media Group. 15 November 2010. 16 November 2010.
  8. News: Imola included as 2011 calendar confirmed. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 24 November 2010. 24 November 2010. 26 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110426012122/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/165244/1/imola_included_as_2011_calendar_confirmed.html. dead.
  9. Web site: FIM Superbike World Championship – 2011 provisional entry list. fim-live.com. Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. 24 January 2011. 24 January 2011. 1. https://web.archive.org/web/20150207193907/http://www.v2-fim-live.com/fileadmin/user_upload/medias/Superbike/2011/FIM%20Superbike%20%26%20Supersport%20World%20Championships%20-%202011%20provisional%20Entry%20Lists.pdf. 7 February 2015. dead.
  10. News: Biaggi to 'stay with Aprilia until 2012' . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 3 August 2010 . 9 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100806164639/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/162177/1/biaggi_to_stay_with_aprilia_until_2012.html . 6 August 2010 . live .
  11. News: Aprilia confirms Camier for 2011 . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 22 September 2010 . 22 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100924131446/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163491/1/aprilia_confirms_camier_for_2011.html . 24 September 2010 . live .
  12. News: Castrol Honda returns to World Superbike. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 18 January 2011. 18 January 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110120210050/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4921-castrol-honda-returns-to-world-superbike.html. 20 January 2011. dead.
  13. News: Rea to remain with Ten Kate Honda . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 12 September 2010 . 12 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100914161732/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163217/1/rea_to_remain_with_ten_kate_honda.html . 14 September 2010 . live .
  14. News: Alex Lowes replaces Rea at Ten Kate. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 22 June 2011. 22 June 2011.
  15. Web site: Superbike World Championship: Portimão Entry List. 14 October 2011. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 14 October 2011.
  16. News: Replacement Muggeridge replaced by Lai. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 28 July 2011. 28 July 2011.
  17. News: Tamada joins Rea for Nurburgring return. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 31 August 2011. 31 August 2011.
  18. News: Xaus joins Rea at Ten Kate Honda. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 11 November 2010. 11 November 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101112210511/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4708-xaus-joins-rea-at-ten-kate-honda.html. 12 November 2010 . live.
  19. News: Checa pens two-year Althea deal . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 26 September 2010 . 27 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100929000040/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163651/1/checa_pens_two-year_althea_ducati_deal.html . 29 September 2010 . live .
  20. Web site: Superbike World Championship: Imola Entry List. 22 September 2011. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 23 September 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20130118205154/http://www.worldsbk.com/images/stories/documents/entry_list/Imola_Entry%20Lists.pdf. 18 January 2013.
  21. News: Pedercini pledges to Kawasaki for 2011. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 19 July 2010. 27 August 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100822190430/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/3940-pedercini-pledges-to-kawasaki-for-2011.html. 22 August 2010 . live.
  22. News: Aitchison fills Pedercini Kawasaki seat. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 4 February 2011. 4 February 2011.
  23. News: Rolfo back in WSBK with Pedercini. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 24 November 2010. 24 November 2010.
  24. News: Barragan to make WSBK debut with Pedercini. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 11 October 2011. 12 October 2011. 13 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111013175619/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/173886/1/barragan_to_make_wsbk_debut_with_pedercini.html. dead.
  25. News: Pedercini gives Australian SBK champ Phillip Island ride. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 24 January 2011. 24 January 2011.
  26. News: Samsung Crescent confirms Silverstone wild-card. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 21 July 2011. 21 July 2011. 24 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724031029/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/171386/1/samsung_crescent_confirms_silverstone_wild-card.html. dead.
  27. News: 'Easy decision' as Corser re-signs for BMW . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 22 September 2010 . 22 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100925062405/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163495/1/easy_decision_as_corser_re-signs_for_bmw.html . 25 September 2010 . live .
  28. News: Official: Haslam to BMW in 2011 . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 28 September 2010 . 28 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101001094350/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163732/1/official_haslam_to_bmw_in_2011.html . 1 October 2010 . live .
  29. News: Yoshimura Suzuki to wild-card at opener . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 5 January 2011 . 5 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110105155655/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/165739/1/yoshimura_suzuki_to_wild-card_at_opener.html . 5 January 2011 . live .
  30. News: Two wild-cards to bolster Brno grid. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 6 July 2011. 8 July 2011. 9 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110709121226/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/170926/1/two_wild-cards_to_bolster_brno_grid.html. dead.
  31. Web site: Superbike World Championship: Misano Entry List. 9 June 2011. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 9 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20130118205911/http://www.worldsbk.com/images/stories/documents/entry_list/Misano_Entry%20Lists.pdf. 18 January 2013.
  32. News: Provisional 2011 WSBK grid . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 19 October 2010 . 20 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101022050453/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/164387/1/provisional_2011_wsbk_grid__updated.html . 22 October 2010 . live .
  33. News: Sykes pens Kawasaki deal. Insidebikes. Carole Nash. 4 October 2010. 4 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20120310091604/http://www.carolenash.com/insidebikes/bike-sport/sykes-pens-kawasaki-deal.htm. 10 March 2012. dead.
  34. News: Vermeulen to skip remainder of 2010 season . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 13 July 2010 . 27 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100716200517/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/161545/1/vermeulen_to_skip_remainder_of_2010_season.html . 16 July 2010 . live .
  35. News: Monza: from the Cathedral to the Temple. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 3 May 2011. 6 May 2011.
  36. News: Yamaha Sterilgarda confirms Marco Melandri for 2011. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 5 September 2010. 6 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100906123547/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4273-yamaha-sterilgarda-confirms-marco-melandri-for-2011-.html. 6 September 2010 . live.
  37. News: Laverty graduates to WSBK with Yamaha . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 10 September 2010 . 10 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100913030644/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163154/1/laverty_graduates_to_wsbk_with_yamaha.html . 13 September 2010 . live .
  38. News: Toseland confirmed at BMW Italia squad for 2011 WSB season. BikeSport News. V3 Media. 24 October 2010. 25 October 2010. Edgar. Jessop. https://web.archive.org/web/20101030073727/http://bikesportnews.com/news-detail.cfm?newstitle=Toseland%20confirmed%20at%20BMW%20Italia%20squad%20for%202011%20WSB%20season&newsid=6886. 30 October 2010. dead.
  39. News: Barry Veneman replaces Toseland for Assen. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 6 April 2011. 6 April 2011. 29 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120929224324/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/168132/1/barry_veneman_to_replace_toseland_for_assen.html. dead.
  40. News: Lanzi to replace Toseland at BMW Italia. crash.net. Crash Media Group. 9 June 2011. 9 June 2011. 12 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110612160802/http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/170057/1/lanzi_to_replace_toseland_at_bmw_italia.html. dead.
  41. News: Fores to race for BMW Italia in final three WSBK rounds. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 19 September 2011. 20 September 2011.
  42. News: PATA Racing Team Aprilia takes shape with Noriyuki Haga. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 4 October 2010. 5 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101005215302/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4562-pata-racing-team-aprilia-takes-shape-with-noriyuki-haga.html. 5 October 2010 . live.
  43. News: Smrz joins all-new Ducati team in 2011. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 7 September 2010. 9 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100908083744/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4284-smrz-to-line-up-with-new-ducati-team-in-2011-championship.html. 8 September 2010 . live.
  44. News: Guintoli to partner Smrz in Liberty Racing. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 5 October 2010. 6 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101006202525/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4571-guintoli-to-partner-smrz-in-liberty-racing.html. 6 October 2010 . live.
  45. News: Alstare to run one Suzuki in 2011 . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 28 September 2010 . 28 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101001114940/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/163718/1/alstare_to_run_one_suzuki_in_2011.html . 1 October 2010 . live .
  46. News: New combinations defy weather on day 1 of Magny-Cours test. Superbike World Championship. Infront Motor Sports. 5 October 2010. 6 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101006202531/http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/latest-news/4568-new-combinations-defy-weather-on-day-1-of-magny-cours-test.html. 6 October 2010 . live.
  47. News: Supersonic Ducati confirms Maxime Berger for WSBK . crash.net . Crash Media Group . 12 November 2010 . 12 November 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101115065709/http://www.crash.net/world%2Bsuperbikes/news/164985/1/supersonic_ducati_confirms_maxime_berger_for_wsbk.html . 15 November 2010 . live .