Althea Racing Ducati's Carlos Checa (Photo: Evan Williams)
Carlos Checa enjoyed what can only be described as a dream season in 2011 as the Spaniard took the World Superbike title on the strength of 15 race victories in 26 starts and ended up on the podium 21 times.
The year wasn’t supposed to go that way. Checa, on the aging Ducati that no longer had the factory placing a huge works effort in WSBK, was expected to do well at some tracks and get wasted by the fours at others. Clearly, that didn't happen. Checa was the most consistent rider on the tour, only really getting blown out at Monza. The bike was good, the rider was great, and everyone else came up far short.
As we quickly approach the 2012 campaign, the question becomes whether or not Checa can back up last year's effort with another title. Despite the splashy introduction of Ducati's new 1199 Panigale, he’ll be on pretty much the same machine with the same Althea Racing team.
"I prefer not to say too much, it's impossible to make predictions when it comes to racing,” Checa said. “We do know that this coming season will be tough; there will be stiff competition and we will fight with more or less the same bike as in previous seasons. Having said that, I am confident and can't wait to get back on track with my team -- it goes without saying that we will do our utmost to defend the title."
One hindrance is more weight. Checa’s Ducati will be six kilos (13.2 pounds) heavier in 2012. After winning the title by 110 points, we knew something was going to happen. But six kilos is a lot.
One huge factor in the 2011 campaign was how Checa’s rivals all faltered at some point. Max Biaggi really never got rolling. Marco Melandri lost ground early as he got aclimated to Superbike racing and never could close. Eugene Laverty had a good year but not a championship-type year. Vets like James Toseland, Chris Vermeulen, Noriyuki Haga, and Troy Corser couldn’t bring the heat like they did in the past.
Will it happen again? The odds say no -- someone else will bring it in 2012. The best candidates?
