Some surprises...

It's a couple of races into the World and British Superbike championships and there have been a few surprises already in these notoriously difficult to predict championships.

The British Superbike Championship has started well for reigning champion, Shane Byrne as he leads the championship from Alex Lowes in second. It has not been a good start to Kiyonari's campaign, so far failing to appear on the podium and languishing in tenth place in the standings. The much hyped 'War for Four' is really going Shane Byrne's way at the beginning of the season!

It has been a bit of a lacklustre start to the World Superbike Championship for pre-season favourite Tom Sykes but this wasn't helped by a crash in warm up of the first race which left him with painful wrist and rib injuries. The real revelation so far is newly factory BMW rider, Chaz Davies. The Britain lies second in the Championship, behind the very impressive Sylvain Guintoli, aboard the still extremely fast, Aprilia RSV4. Although they have received updated electronics for this season, the Honda duo of Rea and Haslam are still clearly lacking speed on a bike which is easily the oldest on the grid and is may be beginning to show it.

Supersports predictions

With one round of the World Supersport Championship down, it's still just about early enough to make predictions! The first race of the season went to form with Kenan Sofuoglu and Sam Lowes clearing off at the front and finishing on the top two steps of the podium. It is difficult to look past one of these taking the title in 2013. We think Sam will just about edge it but he cant afford any mistakes or Kenan will be quick to pounce.

This year's British Supersport Championship has what must surely be considered the strongest field ever! Stuart Easton and Alastair Seeley both return to the championship and both have strong team mates in Glenn Irwin and Ben Wilson. Richard Cooper retains his place riding for Oxford Tag Triumph after a strong showing towards the end of last season. All five of these riders have the ability to win races and be regular podium finishers. Reigning champion Glen Richards returns aboard a factory backed Triumph and must start the season as slight favourite to lift the title again, just ahead of his teammate from last year, Billy Mcconnell.

Strong start for Aprilia

The first round of the 2013 World Superbike Championship took place last week at Philip Island with a six week wait till the next race in April. It was a great start for Aprilia as their riders took 5 out of the 6 podium positions available across the weekend. Factory Aprilia riders Eugene Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli came away from Australia with joint first position in the championship as they each took home a first and a second place. Michel Fabrizio lies in third in the championship aboard the Red Devils Roma Aprilia, after making it a podium clean sweep for Aprilia in race one. Tom Sykes is currently top Brit, currently sitting in fourth place in the championship after riding throughout the weekend with a broken bone in his wrist.

Championship predictions

With the first race of the World Superbike Championship just around the corner, its that time of year again to throw in predictions for the 2013 World and British Superbike seasons.

The World Superbike championship again sees a strong British contingent with runner up from last year, Tom Sykes most likely to bring the championship home this time around with current champion Max Biaggi retiring from the sport. Melandri will be there or there about's throughout the season but last year showed that he maybe doesn't have the staying power needed to win a championship. The big unknown is Carlos Checa aboard the unproven 1199 Panigale and if the Spaniard can get the speed he was missing last year out of the new Ducati then he will be a very strong championship contender.

In the British Superbike championship it is difficult to look past reigning champion, Shane Byrne who will be going for a record breaking fourth championship aboard the proven PBM Kawasaki ZX10R. Josh Brookes will again mount a serious title challenge while returning James Ellison rides for a strong Shaun Muir-backed Yamaha team and could be many people's favourite to wrestle the championship away from Shane Byrne. Also returning is Kiyonari, if he can get the bike working the way he wants then few would bet against him being in the running come the end of the season.

Supersports roundup

With just over two months to wait before the start of the new 2013 season, we thought we would update you on the impressive looking lineup for the 2013 British Supersport season.

Reigning champion, Glen Richards returns to defend his title aboard the factory-backed Smiths Triumph, alongside team mate from last season, Billy Mcconnell. With Jack Kennedy moving on to World Supersport, Mar Train Yamaha have filled their roster with a strong looking pairing of Stuart Easton and Glenn Irwin.

The Gearlink Kawasaki squad sees the reuniting of title rivals from 2011, Alastair Seeley and Ben Wilson and both will be looking to be in the mix for the title this time around. After making a strong showing in the final rounds of last season, Nottingham's Richard Cooper keeps his place in the Oxford Tag team, aboard the race proven Triumph 675.

Returning heroes

There will be a familiar look to the 2013 British Superbike Championship. Former champion Ryuchi Kiyonari returns to the championship aboard the Samsung Honda and alongside promising young talent, Alex Lowes. He will be aiming for his 4th title and will be battling with Shane Byrne to get a place in the record books! As predicted, James Ellison returns to the championship aboard the Shaun Muir backed Yamaha R1.

Team lineup news

It's barely the end of 2012 and already we know a great deal about where riders will be racing in the 2013 British Superbike and World Superbike seasons.

In the British championship, Shane Byrne returns to defend his title aboard the Paul Bird Motorsport Kawasaki although he has a new team mate in the form of multiple Superstock champion Keith Farmer. One of the first riders to announce their plans for 2013 was Josh Brookes and he contines with the successful Tyco Suzuki package into the new season. He will also have a new team mate in the form of american rookie, PJ Jacobson. There was big news from the Swan Yamaha garage as Tommy Hill announced he will take a break from racing in 2013. Could this open the door for a triumphant return for James Elison who is without a ride after not being offered a new deal in Moto GP CRT?

In World Superbikes, it will be an all-british pairing of Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea aboard the factory Honda. 2012 title contender Marco Melandri stays aboard the BMW and is joined by Chaz Davies. After coming so close to the title last season, Tom Sykes stays with Kawasaki and is joined by French rider, Loris Baz. Former champion Carlos Checa will be leading the Ducati charge aboard the brand new 1199 Panigale. There will be no defending champion this year as 2012 winner, Max Biaggi announced his retirement from the sport.