SILVERSTONE PREVIEW
29 April 2007 - Dunlop

2007 British Superbike Championship - Round three

Top of the crop
Just two rounds into the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship, clear frontrunners are beginning to emerge. Gregorio Lavilla and Leon Camier have performed consistently well at the first two rounds of the series at Brands Hatch and Thruxton and are riding high in the premier class standings ahead of the third event at Silverstone.

Dunlop-supported Lavilla returned to this year''s championship with steely determination and demonstrated his resolve to reclaim the title with four consecutive victories at the first two rounds. The Spaniard now holds a 33-point advantage over fellow Dunlop rider Camier ahead of Silverstone, where he looks set to continue his unbeaten run of success.

Camier entered the premier series as a newcomer - having contested the middleweight Supersport category for the past three years. However, the Bike Animal Honda rider has already proved that he was born to ride a Superbike by clinching three podium places and a top five finish at Brands Hatch and Thruxton.

Dunlop heads to Silverstone with high expectations, having scored victory and three podium finishes at the circuit in 2006. The 2.213-mile former airfield track presents a thrilling mix of fast straights and tricky corners and gives the tyre manufacturer a tough, yet welcome opportunity to prove the capabilities of its rubber.

Aiming high
Dunlop-supported Jamie Robinson clinched a well-deserved runner-up spot at the second round of the British Supersport Championship after an eventful 20-lap race. The Thruxton race took place in intense midday heat and even proved too difficult for some of the most experienced middleweight class competitors. Only 60 per cent of riders were able to complete race distance.

Robinson looks set to follow in the footsteps of successful Supersport graduates Eugene Laverty, who has moved up to the World 250GP Championship, and 2006 Supersport Cup Champion Pete Spalding. At just ten points adrift of current series leader Michael Laverty, Yorkshire-based Robinson is on course for a successful 2007.

Battle for supremacy
The British 125GP Championship is a breeding ground for talented motorcycle racers and the 2007 series is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. The class is dominated by Dunlop-supported riders, who use the series to gain valuable track experience in preparation for the higher level categories.

Dunlop followed its 1-2-3 result at the opening round of the 125GP championship at Brands Hatch with another victory and two podium finishes at the second event at Thruxton. Ashley Beech, Kev Coghlan and Luke Mossey currently head the series standings in joint first position with 36 points. However, only one rider can take supremacy at the third round at Silverstone. Let battle commence.

2007 Championship standings (after round two)

British Superbike Championship
1. Gregorio LAVILLA 100; 2. Leon CAMIER 67; 3=. Jonathan REA 49; 3=. Ryuichi KIYONARI 49; 5. Shane BYRNE 45; 6. Leon HASLAM 43; 7. Tom SYKES 40; 8. Michael RUTTER 28; 9. Chris WALKER 26; 10. Karl HARRIS 25.

British Supersport Championship
1. Michael LAVERTY 50; 2. Jamie ROBINSON 40; 3. Stuart EASTON 22; 4. James WESTMORELAND 19; 5=. Aaron WALKER 17; 5=. Ian HUTCHINSON 17; 7=. Ian LOWRY 16; 7=. Billy McCONNELL 16; 9. Daniel COOPER 13; 10. John McGUINNESS 10.

British 125GP Championship
1= Ashley BEECH 36; 1=. Kev COGHLAN 36; 1=. Luke MOSSEY 36; 4. Luke JONES 30; 5. Nikki COATES 20; 6. Anthony ROGERS 16; 7. Michael WILCOX 15; 8=. Robbie STEWART 13; 8=. James FORD 13; 10=. Lee COSTELLO; 10=. Jenny TINMOUTH 10.

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