After a couple of weeks off due to other commitments my WSBK coverage continues, Firstly it is with great sadness that the Motorsport community lostvone of its great champions this past week, Nicky Hayden was not only a brilliant racer but one of the nicest men in the paddock he will be sadly missed and always in our thoughts.

Nicky had a fantastic career he was the youngest rider ever to win the American Superbike title in 2002, He was then approached by Repsol Honda to make the jump to Moto GP performing great in his rookie season finishing fifth overall and taking the rookie of the year award in the process.

His career highlight was without doubt taking the Moto GP title in 2006 he broke Valentino Rossi’s five year streak of titles in the process, Nicky made the switch to WSBK in 2016 with the Ten Kate racing team taking four podiums including one win in his debut season, He brought with him an added star power to the WSBK paddock and was instantly one of the most popular riders always being mobbed on the paddock walks for autographs and photos.

I will finish off this section by saying that Nicky was such a massive part of my racing experience growing up his battles with Rossi really helped grow my love of the sport and I would like to thank him for that, I pass on my condolences to the Hayden family as well as anyone connected to Nicky.

Race weekend Preview:

Round six of the WSBK championship brings the paddock to Donington Park the iconic track located close to Castle Donington in Leicestershire is currently leased and operated by Motorsport Vision they have the lease for the Donington Park estate as well as the circuit this lease runs till 2038.

Length: 2.498 Miles

Corners:12

Left corners:5

Right corners:7

Race Lap Record: Tom Sykes: 1’27’640 (2015)

Outright Lap Record: Tom Sykes: 1’26’712 (2016)

Lap of the circuit:

Last time out:

Chaz Davies sent out a huge statement at Imola dominating Qualifying and both races taking pole and two races wins giving Ducati a brilliant weekend in their own backyard, Melandri added to this with a third and fifth the Italian continuing his solid start on his return to the championship.

Jonathan Rea didnt quite have an answer for the pace of Davies over the weekend but still managed to finish second in both races keeping his lead in the championship at 74 points over Davies, Tom Sykes lost out on the podium to Melandri in race one not getting the chance to fight for the place due to race one being red flagged he did however make up for it by taking third in race two.

The major talking point of the weekend was the collision between Eugene Laverty and Alex Lowes which ended with the Aprillia rider’s machine ending up in a wall and in flames, Luckily no one was hurt in the incident with Laverty being able to start race two and finishing well. (Video Below)

News:

As I said at the start of the Preview the Motorsport world lost a true star in Nicky Hayden this week Ten Kate Honda have said they will race this weekend in tribute to him. (http://www.hondaproracing.com/wsbk/honda-worldsbk-management-pay-tribute-to-the-late-nicky-hayden/)

BSB Jake Dixon will make his WSBK debut with a wildcard ride this weekend (http://www.britishsuperbike.com/news/dixon-set-for-world-superbike-debut-with-donington-park-wildcard/)

Chaz Davies was given a test ride on the Ducati GP17 at Mugello (http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2017/Davies+tests+Ducati+GP17)

TV Schedule:

This weekend Quest TV will be showing the WSBK on freeview channel number 37, Coverage starts at 10:30am on Saturday and 10:30am on Sunday.

Eurosport 2 will still be showing the races on Saturday as normal with their programme starting at 10:30am they will not be showing the races on Sunday that is exclusively on Quest.

Thanks to @SamScott2271 for the Photos give him a follow