And at the break

The World Superbike Championship is currently on it's summer break with the next round coming in early September from the Nurburgring in Germany.

It's Carlos Checa who holds a handsome lead over the rest of the field with Max Biaggi in second place in the standings and a full 62 points further back. It has been a failry difficult year for the English so far with Leon Haslam our highest placed rider in fifth place in the standings and a huge 185 points away from the championship leader. The title race realistically looks to be between Checa, Biaggi and Melandri with Eugene Laverty the ouside bet, currently laying fourth in the championship.

Close to crunch time

With one more race to go before the top six are decided for the title shoot-out, riders around sixth place in the championship will be looking to secure the final two spots. The top six riders after the next round at Cadwell Park will have their points elevated and will go into the pot to fight it out for the British Superbike title. Michael Laverty looks to be safe in fourth spot with Brookes and Kiyonari looking over their shoulders as Rutter, Mason and Kirkham are not too far behind and could potentially take the fifth and sixth places from them.

Shane Byrne and John Hopkins have looked to lead the way all season with Tommy Hill not far behind and it would be a brave man to bet against one of these three men lifting the championship trophy at the end of the season.