BENNETTS BSB STARS PREPARE FOR WORLD CUP KICK-OFF
30 May 2006 - Bennetts British Superbike

Bennetts British Superbike stars Gregorio Lavilla, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Dean Thomas and Karl Harris put aside their racing rivalries ahead of the sixth round of action at Mallory Park this weekend (2 – 4th June), to send a message of good luck to their fellow countrymen for the World Cup.

The quartet of riders were flying the flags for Spain, Japan, Australia and England respectively, and despite having their minds firmly set on the racing at the Leicestershire circuit on Sunday, dreams of victory in the World Cup, which starts on Friday 9th June, will not be too far away.

Bennetts, title sponsor of the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, arranged for all four riders to don the playing shirts of their homeland to send a special message of good luck to the players for the campaign ahead.

Current championship leader and Airwaves Ducati rider, Lavilla, said: “Spain have a great team and I think it is our time to win the World Cup. I am a Barcelona supporter and, having already won the Champions League this season, I think we can make it a double celebration by winning the World Cup.”

HM Plant Honda’s Harris pressed the England cause, saying: “Even with a question mark over Rooney’s fitness, I still think this is the best England squad we have had for a long time and I, for one, think we will go all the way this year.”

Hawk Kawasaki’s Australian rider, Thomas, said: “We have quite a few Aussie players in the Premiership and the team is constantly improving so I think we have a chance at doing something special this year and we may even spring a few surprises!”

Kiyonari added: “It is very good to compete in the World Cup, I hope that Japan will do very well but, like Bennetts British Superbikes, it is a very fierce competition. It is always very exciting and I wish Japan very much success.”

Despite the riders’ anticipation of the World Cup, Bennetts has discovered that more than 8 out of 10 bikers will actually be shunning the World Cup this summer, in favour of taking to the open road. Research for the 2006 ‘Bennetts Biker Report’, due to be launched later this month, found that 84% of bikers will not be letting the World Cup affect the amount of time they spend on the road this summer and one-in-three (33%) said they are even planning on riding more enjoying the ‘traffic free’ roads during the World Cup.

Commenting on Bennetts’ findings, Kal Samra, Bennetts’ Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be helping the riders support their teams ahead of the World Cup but we all know that the real excitement this summer will be found at the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Our research also shows that most bikers will be hitting the traffic-free roads whilst England are in action, so, with a bit of luck Beckham and Co will go all the way to the final and prolong the pleasure for the biking community.”

Caption: (Left to Right) Karl Harris, Dean Thomas, Gregorio Lavilla and Ryuichi Kiyonari will each be backing their country to taste victory in the World Cup this summer. -

www.bennetts.co.uk

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