FIM:

The 8 Horas Nocturnas of Albacete, third round of the Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship, will take place Saturday 4th of July in Spain. This race that has the particularity to be held partly at night will start at 6 pm on the Spanish track, for an arrival estimated at 2 am.

Yamaha Austria Racing Team, winner of the first two rounds at Le Mans and Oschersleben, is obviously the favorite for another victory at Albacete. On the Austrian Yamaha, Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani will have to defend their leadership against the best permanent teams. Unlucky during the first two rounds, the French Honda Michelin Power Research Team still has the potential to be on its way to the podium.

We’ll also have to count with the Spanish team Folch Endurance, who had been regularly on the podium of their home race. As a permanent team last year, the Yamaha Folch finished third of the 2008 Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship, just behind Yamaha Austria. Even if Folch Endurance is not racing this year for the world title, they’ll be a serious contender for victory on their native soil.

Amongst the best team at the provisional championship standings, we can expect a close race from Suzuki RT Racing Team and Yamaha Amadeus X-One, as they both did a fantastic race last month at Oschersleben. Third last year at Albacete, the Kawasaki Bolliger Team Switzerland, as well as Honda RMT 21 Racing Team Germany, the Suzuki No Limits Motor Team and the Suzuki Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers will try to catch up with the leading group. So will do the Yamaha BK Maco Moto Racing Team, who is getting back Jason Pridmore after his Le Mans injury, and Suzuki AM Moto Racing, always able to surprise.

In the Superstock class, Qatar Endurance Racing Team remains the leader, but will be, as always, battling against Endurance Moto 45 and Team LTG 57 Zone Rouge.

This event will also host the second round of the FIM Sidecar World Championship, with a race starting Saturday from 12.The Golden Compass rip