Dion, Lafortune lead unpredictable help courses into Calabogie this weekend
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Superbike Championship returns for extra thrilling motion in spherical two at Calabogie Motorsports Park, and with it comes extra alternatives for the 5 wide-open help courses to steal the present this weekend, July 9-10.
The largest highlight amongst them is on the Liqui Moly Professional Sport Bike class, the place rising star Trevor Dion carries a slim 12-point benefit into the second-round doubleheader over Elliot Vieira and simply one other level away from David MacKay.
Dion made loads of headlines for his Professional Superbike efforts in Grand Bend as he produced a historic rookie debut whereas “doing the double” within the two Professional classes, however it was his efficiency within the Sport Bike class that he’ll possible be extra happy with as he received race one and adopted it up with a third-place end in race two.
His residence observe benefit gave him the early benchmark he wanted, particularly given Dion’s lack of expertise at Calabogie. The LDS Consultants Kawasaki rider has but to look on the observe as a Professional, and actually has not raced at CMP since his Light-weight days again in 2019, a key story to observe as he hopes to exit the primary 4 races with a championship lead intact.
The betting favorite on race days could as a substitute be Vieira, one thing the previous Guyanese champion has possible not heard in a while. The Snow Metropolis Yamaha rider has made regular progress since transferring to Canada in 2017, however luck has not often gone Vieira’s manner – most notably final season in Calabogie when he suffered a mechanical failure while pushing Sebastian Tremblay for the win.
That efficiency was particularly notable because it represented one of many solely reputable challenges to Tremblay, who bagged an ideal season en path to the title. With the reigning champion now out of the image, good luck could also be all that stands in Vieira’s manner of a primary profession Professional nationwide victory.
Benefitting most from that mechanical concern a yr in the past was MacKay, who went on to complete second within the race and the championship general. The frustration of a race one DNF at his residence observe will nonetheless sting, however a race two victory has stored the Quick Firm Kawasaki rider firmly within the title combine with six races to go.
With consistency proving to be key within the help courses, this weekend may very well be particularly essential for MacKay, who has confirmed to be a sure-fire podium risk at each observe on the calendar. The identical might virtually be stated of Hornblower, however the fourth-place runner within the championship has but to attain nationwide factors at Calabogie, placing the strain on the 2019 champion and Bickle Racing Yamaha rider this weekend.
One other title to be careful for in ‘Bogie would be the return of Phillippe Masse, who completed third within the general standings a yr in the past due to podiums in each CMP rounds (and three of 4 races general). Masse didn’t contest spherical one in Grand Bend, however has continued his native dominance within the Professional 6 GP regional sequence and can look to hold that momentum again onto the rostrum this weekend.
As for the Novice ranks, a well-known title will look to beat two differing rivals, as Julien Lafortune leads the AIM Insurance coverage Novice Superbike class and Sebastian Hothaza paces the Novice Sport Bike class – each forward of Nathan Playford.
Lafortune bought the higher of Playford within the opening spherical at Calabogie final season, qualifying on pole place and finally ending third for Kawasaki, whereas Playford might solely muster seventh aboard his Honda, however each riders have proven elevated tempo to start the 2022 marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, each could must take care of the return of native BMW star Guillaume Lavalee, who completed second in each races at Calabogie final season and has continued his experience within the Professional 6 GP sequence.
As for within the Sport Bike class, its Hothaza who will carry a slim lead over Playford, however the Grand Bend native is questionable for spherical two in Calabogie. Regardless, Playford often is the overwhelming favorite to take over the title chase, having completed third in spherical one at CMP final season and operating on the entrance once more in spherical three earlier than crashing out.
Essentially the most wide-open class stays the Tremendous Sonic Race College Light-weight class, even when the spherical one outcomes would counsel in any other case. Championship chief Evan Moriarity dominated Grand Bend with pole place and a pair of victories, however a win on the current Professional 6 GP occasion has been his solely ever expertise at Calabogie.
His largest challenger could also be Kawasaki veteran Jacob Black, who completed second in all 4 races he completed final season however had his championship problem ruined by a pair of crashes. Black has continued his robust kind regionally at Calabogie, and stays simply six factors off second within the nationwide championship by way of spherical one.
As for the Professional/Am ranks, the inaugural sequence will head to CMP for the primary time after a profitable debut weekend in spherical one. Jared Walker will lead the Professional ranks after a pair of general victories, although his two closest rivals, Istvan Hidvegi and Harvey Renaud, each have way more expertise across the Calabogie circuit.
The Novice division will carry the closest margin of any class into spherical two, as Vincent Wilson leads Grant Nesbitt by only a single level. Nesbitt can be the extra expertise of the pair at Calabogie, although each should cope with Black on the entrance within the mixed sequence.
The total schedule of the help class motion may be discovered on the sequence’ official web site.
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