The FIM World Superbike season moves to Imola, Italy this weekend, the first European stop on the 2012 circuit following the opening round at Phillip Island, Australia. The first of three rounds to be held in Italy this year, Imola will also mark the debut FIM World Superbike season for Saskatchewan native Brett McCormick on the Effenbert Liberty racing squad. McCormick, who won the 2011 Canadian Superbike championship, was promoted to the premier World Superbike class when Effenbert Liberty announced plans to withdraw from the World Superstock 1000 championship, in which Brett was initially signed to compete.
According to McCormick’s recent Facebook post, he is “getting pumped” for Imola. Racing at the World Superbike level is a dream come true for the young Canadian rider and a great opportunity to showcase some of Canada’s homegrown roadracing talent.
McCormick’s friends and family will the travelling to Imola to support Brett this weekend, among them Inside Motorcycles’ very own Colin Fraser who will be reporting from the event.
Affectionately known as “The Kid”, Brett will be competing against world class riders including Max Biaggi, Eugene Laverty, Carlos Checa, Leon Haslam, Marco Melandri, Tom Sykes and the list goes on. McCormick will be competing aboard the Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1198.
Two Italian’s currently lead the FIM World Superbike point standings coming into this weekend, with Aprilia Racing’s Max Biaggi leading the series with 45 points following a win and 2nd place finish in Australia, 15 points ahead of BMW Motorrad’s Marco Melandri who finished second and sixth at Phillip Island. Britain’s Tom Sykes rounds out the top three heading into this weekend with 29 points on his Kawasaki ZX-10R. McCormick’s teammates Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz are coming into Round #2 sitting 6th and 7th respectively.
Practice begins this Friday, March 30 and a full schedule of this weekend’s events at Imola can be found on the WorldSBK.com website. SpeedTV will be broadcasting the event and Inside Motorcycles will be reporting live with Colin Fraser online.
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