World Superbikes: Who goes where?

When James Toseland announced that he’s quitting Ten Kate Honda to ride in MotoGP the World Superbikes rider market went into free fall – with a host of big name MotoGP looking like they might be coming the other way.

Neil Hodgson has emerged as a strong candidate for Ten Kate to replace James Toseland after meetings at the weekend, while both Max Biaggi and Jonathan Rea have been linked with Ducati’s Xerox team.

Yet their task at landing the top World Superbike seats are made all the tougher by these guys:

Colin Edwards
American Colin Edwards remains a target having won the title twice for Honda in the past, but it remains unclear whether he still has options with Yamaha to ride alongside James Toseland at Tech3 in MotoGP or if he has the desire to come back to World Superbikes.

Alex Barros
Brazilian Alex Barros is another man with World Superbike experience and serious pedigree and comes to the end of his one year contract this season.

The Brazilian is though to want to stay in MotoGP but he would be able to get a genuinely competitive ride if he came back to World Superbikes.

Andrew Pitt
Andrew Pitt impresses on the Yamaha R1 in 2006, but lost his ride to Troy Corser. The XX year old Australian had a spell on the Illmor MotoGP bike before getting two podiums for Ten Kate in World Supersport and is now the test rider for Michelin Yamaha in MotoGP.

Carlos Checa
The Spanish MotoGP veteran could find it hard to secure a MotoGP ride meaning a possible switch to World Superbikes. With links to Ducati rumours have placed him alongside Troy Bayliss and as a current Honda rider he could be a consideration for Ten Kate.

Anthony West
Current Kawasaki MotoGP rider is doing a good job, but may find it hard to keep his ride with John Hopkins signed and riders like Loris Capirossi and Max Biaggi linked to the position.

Impressed the World Superbike paddock when he race and won two World Supersport races for Yamaha this year.

Read this week’s MCN, available from Wednesday, August 8, 2007 to see who we think may be on the World Superbike’s merry-go-round.