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It's already time to return to the track. After the Phillip Island and Buri Ram events, the production-derived back finally reach Europe. Aragon is the setting for the first Superbike round on the Old Continent. Johnny Rea and Kawasaki come to Spain with full marks, having secured four consecutive wins in Australia and Thailand. The Northern Irishman has no intention of stopping, but at the same time realises that this time he'll be playing on enemy territory.
Yes, because the Spanish track is very well suited to the characteristics of the Ducati, which played a starring role last season, when Chaz Davies dominated Race1 and Race2. The Welshman knows that this is too good an opportunity to miss, but at the same time he'll have to face off against a Rea who is even more competitive than last year. Motorland is a great opportunity for #7 though, as the rider needs to make up 30 points after crashing at Chang.
Alongside him is a Marco Melandri who is full of confidence following two podium finishes. Now he dreams of the top step of the rostrum. So will #33 prove to be an ally or one more rival as far as his team-mate is concerned? In a few days' time we may be closer to answering this question. Let's not forget Tom Sykes either, still to score a race win this season. For the ZX-10R, Motorland is something of a test bench, a way of comparing its level with respect to one year ago.
We also await confirmation as to the Yamaha's performance, having so far proved to be the third force in the championship, thanks to an Alex Lowes who is very different to how he was in the past. The Brit is now showing consistency and intelligent riding, without the crashes that previously put paid to his efforts. We will also see if Jordi Torres and the BMW can fight for the positions that count at Aragon, after a fifth place finish at Buri Ram.
Then there are those who will be resitting their exams. For more information, just ask Aprilia, that suffered a disappointing weekend in Thailand. Both Laverty and Savadori hoped to leave Asia with certainty and confirmation, but the round turned out to be one to forget. Honda too will be hoping to turn things around, because the new Fireblade SP2 certainly hasn't convinced so far. Two riders of the caliber of Hayden and Bradl don't deserve to be so far down the field. They prefer to remain confident, as things might change in Europe. But will they really?
It's just a short step from Superbike to Supersport. As the championship arrives at Motorland, the Italian flag is flying high thanks to Rolfo and Caricasulo, the stars of the opening rounds. Now the bar is raised though, as King Sofuoglu will be back on track, after a wrist injury kept him out for more than a month. The Turk will be ready to embark on his title fight, while Cluzel and PJ Jacobsen will be playing catch-up, neither of them having reached the chequered flag so far this season.
