STK1000 Preview: Rinaldi looking to fight back on home turf

Tension it heating up in the European Superstock 1000 Championship as the fight rumbles on into the fifth round of the season, and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) is no longer on top. With Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) continuing to develop and mature on his green machine, the fight is well and truly on in Rimini. Just minutes away from the San Marino coastline, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli boasts many positives for riders and with 16 corners packed into the 4.2km track it will be the setting for many intense battles throughout the 37 rider field.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) put in another stunning performance to dominate around the historic Donington Park Circuit, and now leads the championship standings by an impressive nine points. Getting into a comfortable rhythm with his ZX-10R, the young Turkish rider made it his third podium position finish of the season, and now heads to Misano ready to fight off the Italian’s as they battle in front of their home crowd. Securing a top four finish in Rimini last season, as well as having a podium history to his name, Razgatlioglu will have momentum behind him at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Heading into the fifth round of the season, Italian Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) will be hoping to impress his home fans for the second time this season. Securing the victory in front of his home fans around Imola in May, he will be hoping to repeat this success along the Rimini coastline, despite Misano World Circuit being one he has struggled around in the past. But with the boost of the home crowd behind him, we could be treated to some stunning battles in the STK1000 championship.

French fighter Florian Marino (Pata Yamaha Official STK1000 Team) has taken consistent podiums throughout the 2017 season so far, and is currently sitting in third position in the championship standings but is yet to take his first victory. Seeming to struggle around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in the past, Marino will have a tough weekend ahead of him. However in the unpredictable class anything can happen and the Yamaha rider will be looking to find any advantage possible.

Keep up with all the sensational STK1000 racing action around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, with the race at 15.15LT on Sunday.