From a press release:
Superbike World Championship
Round seven: EuroSpeedway Lausitz
Wednesday 5 June 2002
Event preview
Mid-season showdown at EuroSpeedway
The seventh round of the 2002 Superbike World Championship takes place at EuroSpeedway, Lausitz this weekend (7-9 June). The HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing team arrives at the German circuit with riders Neil Hodgson and James Toseland currently occupying third and seventh place respectively in the championship.
Hodgson is eager to continue his fine run of form and is hopeful of taking a first World Championship victory outside of the UK.
“Lausitzring was a bit of a lottery last year,” said Hodgson. “The weather was dodgy and it was a new circuit, so we didn’t have any data, let alone a decent wet set-up. I can’t predict the weather for this weekend but I can say that this round should be a very different story. The HM Plant Ducati/GSE Racing team has as much information on the EuroSpeedway as any of the other teams and, thanks to the fantastic British climate, we’ve had some pretty intense wet weather experience. I proved that I can perform at this circuit when I came second in race two and I’ve already shown that I can run at the front this year. I’ve had a much better start to the season this time around and I’m looking forward to tackling this demanding circuit with all the advantages that we as a team now have.”
James Toseland is also in a much stronger position than he was when he visited the Lausitzring for the first time at the mid-point of last season.
“EuroSpeedway is a tremendous facility but it doesn’t exactly hold fond memories for me,” said the 21-year-old Yorkshireman. “I was unlucky in race one and I just remember race two as being really difficult. That said, it all seems a long time ago now and I’ve learned a lot in the meantime. The circuit itself is a bit scrappy, but its definitely one that I’ll enjoy mastering over the weekend. I want a couple of good finishes that will help me defend my championship position and challenge for sixth place.”
Circuit length: 4.265km
Lap record: 1:40.599 T. Bayliss (Ducati) 2001
2001 results
Race one:
1. C. Edwards (Honda) 38:47.683
2. T. Bayliss (Ducati)+0.663
3. T. Okada (Honda) +2.810
8. N. Hodgson (GSE Racing Ducati) +28.008
J. Toseland (GSE Racing Ducati) DNF
Race two:
1. T. Bayliss (Ducati) 45:57.65
2. N. Hodgson (GSE Racing Ducati) +0.229
3. C. Edwards (Honda) +22.922
17. J. Toseland(GSE Racing Ducati) +1:29.399
HM Plant Ducati Previews The World Superbike Race At Lausitzring
HM Plant Ducati Previews The World Superbike Race At Lausitzring
© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
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