News

With the battle for the top few places in the WSBK championship, which resumes with round 11 at the Nurburgring at the end of next week, the usual focus of attention, it's easy to miss the war of attrition going on just behind the first few riders.

Particularly when there are five different manufacturers - Aprilia, Suzuki, Honda, Ducati and Yamaha - represented in the top five places.

Cal Crutchlow's dazzling pair of wins for Yamaha Sterilgarda at Silverstone propelled him up to fifth overall, with a total of 188 points. But between him and 11th place there are only 33 points.

Behind Crutchlow's 188 total, his team-mate Toseland has 179, Ducati Xerox rider Noriyuki Haga 177, Aprilia Alitalia's Leon Camier 164, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 160, Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) 155 and Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) 151.

These seven riders, all potential or proven 2010 season podium riders, are now covered by the equivalent of just over two third place finishes' worth of points. And with 150 points up for grabs for any rider that wins all the six races that remain, none of them will be taking anything for granted.