The confirmed dates for the 2010 New Zealand Superbike Championships rounds have been announced.

The dates are:

Round 1, Ruapuna, Christchurch (including the NZ Grand Prix titles) January 16-17

Round 2, Teretonga, Invercargill January 23-24

Round 3, Levels Raceway, Timaru January 30-31

Round 4 Manfeild Raceway, February 27-28.

Round 5, Hampton Downs, Auckland, March 27-28 (including the NZ TT titles).

Interest from international riders has already been confirmed with 600cc sports production champion Gareth Jones (Yamaha), of Australia, indicating he will be returning to defend his title.

The young Australian can probably again expect hot competition from the Kiwi contingent, including Hamilton’s Andrew Stroud (Suzuki), Feilding’s Craig Shirriffs (Honda), Hamilton’s Sloan Frost (Suzuki), New Plymouth’s Hayden Fitzgerald (Honda), Christchurch Suzuki pair James Smith and Dennis Charlett, Hamilton’s Nick Cole (Kawasaki), Pukekohe’s Sam Smith (Yamaha) and Wellington pair Jay Lawrence (Yamaha) and Glen Skachill (Suzuki), to name just a few.

In addition, it is highly likely that a small squad of European 125GP riders may arrive to race in New Zealand this summer.

Words and photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com