Stiggy Racing Honda Team Ready for German Challenge In World Superbike & Supersport Championships
01/09/2009 18:22:53

The Stiggy Racing Honda team is ready to take on the German challenge as the World Superbike series gets back into action after a six-week summer break and starts the first of the season's final four races at the famous Nurburgring in Germany this weekend.

After the long break in the team's superb maiden Superbike season, Leon Haslam heads into the eleventh round of the championship holding a sixth place in the standings, while John Hopkins is fighting back from his current 20th position following an injury plagued start of the season. The Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR machines and their superbike riders are newcomers to the Nurburgring but are fully charged and fighting fit to launch their attack at the German rostrum this weekend.

Supersport rider Anthony West entered the summer break on a high as he finished runner-up in the last race at Brno where he took his second number two slot for the Stiggy Racing Honda Team this season. With the Honda CBR600RR on the pace and morale and confidence boosted, both Anthony West and Gianluca Vizziello - the only team member who has raced the Nurburgring before - are geared up to continue their success at the Nurburgring.

Leon Haslam - Superbike:

“Brno was a tough weekend for us and we ran into a few issues, so we are looking to eliminate a lot of them this weekend. The Nurburgring will be a new circuit to learn for me, but from what I have seen on TV it looks like it should be a good track for the Honda. The summer break was needed, but it went on a bit too long. I am looking forward to getting back on the bike in Germany and get back on the podium."

John Hopkins - Superbike:

“I have never been to the Nurburgring before but have seen the racing there on television. I have tried to learn the track by playing video games and will hopefully adapt to the track as quick as I can this weekend. It looks like a cool track to ride, and I would definitely like to get a good result for my team and prove the Honda can work well there."

Anthony West- Supersport:

“The Nurburgring is a new track to me and I'm looking forward to riding it this weekend. It will be a new challenge. After our success at Brno it will be interesting to see if we can repeat that in Germany. After my break in Australia I am fully charged again and confidently looking forward to the next race."

Gianluca Vizziello - Supersport:

“I am looking forward to the next round in Germany. We have some new materials for the Nurburgring which can hopefully help me to move forward this weekend. I have worked hard over the last weeks to re-charge myself and want to ride a good race this weekend."

Johan Stigefelt - Team Manager:

"The summer break was pretty much needed by everyone in our team. Our workload has been ongoing since December last year, without any real break until now. Now the plan is to enter the last four races and do the best possible. We have some new engine parts to use on the Superbikes and we have spent our time refreshing all the engines and machines for the last races. We will be pushing hard in the last four races to finish as high in the championship as we can."

Superbike Championship Standings after 10 rounds:

1. N.Haga - 326 pts.

2. B.Spies - 319 pts.

3. M.Fabrizio - 273 pts.

4. J.Rea - 206 pts.

5. M.Biaggi - 200 pts.

6. Leon Haslam - Stiggy Racing Honda - 180 pts.

20. John Hopkins - Stiggy Racing Honda - 17 pts.

Supersport Championship Standings after 10 rounds:

1. C.Crutchlow - 185 pts.

2. E.Laverty - 168 pts.

3. K.Sofuoglu - 128 pts.

4. J.Lascorz - 122 pts.

5. Anthony West - Stiggy Racing Honda - 95 pts.

16. Gianluca Vizziello - Stiggy Racing Honda - 26 pts.