World Superbike champion Carlos Checa is nervously waiting to see how an extra weight penalty will affect his Ducati in this year's series which gets underway at Phillip Island on Friday.

Because of the dominance of the Ducatis last year, the bikes will be forced to carry an extra six kilograms in a bid to bring parity to the championship.

Checa is concerned that the handicap will affect his outright speed and endurance...more