Larry Pegram was the fastest Superbike rider after the first day of testing at Fontana. I’ve talked to a lot of people who feel the Ducati 1098R is simply a superior machine to any other motorcycle in Superbike, even to the point of possibly being unfairly superior.

It would be amazing if Pegram, who from what I’ve been told is getting less factory support for his effort this season, could come out and beat the bigger teams in the class. Pegram’s 37, but has the skill to win races.

 If you like rooting for the underdog Pegram would be a good choice this season.

Larry Pegram, on the Foremost Insurance Ducati, crests the hill after the back straight at Road Atlanta this past summer during the American Superbike race. (Larry Lawrence photo)