The iconic Laguna Seca circuit in California plays host to Round 9 of the FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend. With the annual summer break following immediately afterwards, the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK pairing of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark arrive in the United States determined to finish the first part of the season by adding to their points and podium tallies. The same is true of the two GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK riders, Marco Melandri and Sandro Cortese, who are also looking to round out the first part of the season with a strong showing in America this weekend.