Mercado heads to home San Juan round off the back of season best result

With World Superbike returning to Argentina for the first time in two years this weekend, it’s a chance for home favourite Leandro Mercado to build on his recent upturn in form. 

The MIE Honda Racing rider secured a season best result of eighth in race one at Portimao, before going on to claim two 11th places in Sunday’s events. 

Prior to that Mercado’s only real result of note was a tenth place finish in the ten lap Superpole race at Catalunya. 

However, It should be added that Mercado has missed four total rounds this season - Estoril, Misano, Donington Park and Most - due to the team being unable to attend those races, which has subsequently affected the 29 year-old’s progress aboard the CBR1000RR-R machine.

But to the delight of the Argentine rider, a return to the Circuito San Juan Villicum has been made and is one ‘I’m very confident of’. 

Mercado added: "I'm happy to be back home in Argentina after two years. It’s a very special round for me, because I’ll be able to see the fans from my country and all my family who I never see during the year and who will be there in San Juan. 

"It will be a special weekend and we want to do our very best of course, continuing to improve and take another small step. 

"And above all, enjoy the weekend. I like the track, I went well there in 2019, and so I'm very confident ahead of the races."

Mercado won’t be the lone Argentine rider in action as Marco Solorza is replacing the injured Loris Cresson at Pedercini Kawasaki, while Luciano Ribodino has been given a wildcard entry for this weekend’s round 12.