From press releases:
From Ducati:
WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 6 – Silverstone (UK)
Wednesday Pre-Race Testing
WORLD SUPERBIKE CONTENDERS MAKE DEBUT AT SILVERSTONE IN PRE-RACE TESTING
Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) set third quickest time today at Silverstone as the World Superbike contenders completed a one-day test session in preparation for Round 6 of the championship here on Sunday.
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) was one place behind in fourth, with Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) in twelfth position, as the Grand Prix circuit was hit by changeable weather.
First qualifying for the Silverstone race gets underway on Friday 24th May, with the second session and the grid-deciding Superpole scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Sunday’s two races will be held at 1200 and 1530 (1300 and 1630 CET).
OFFICIAL TIMES
1. Colin Edwards (Honda) 1:49.55; 2. Steve Hislop (Ducati Monster Mob) 1:49.74; 3. Ruben Xaus (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:49.78; 4. Troy Bayliss (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) 1:50.06; 5. Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) 1:50.08; 6. Rutter (Ducati Renegade) 1:50.36; 7. Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia) 1:50.40 … 10. James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:50.78 … 12. Ben Bostrom (DUCATI L&M) 1:51.35.
From Honda:
HONDA RACING NEWS
Silverstone, GB – 2002 World Superbike championship round six / 2002 World
Supersport championship round six – Sunday May 26
New circuit brings new hope for Edwards
Castrol Honda World Superbike rider Colin Edwards believes Sunday’s sixth round of the championship at the Silverstone circuit near Northampton, GB may be the turning point in the 2002 season.
Edwards, second in the championship, has never raced at Silverstone but the 28-year-old former world champion is hoping the circuit layout will benefit his SP-2 machine.
“From what I’ve seen of the circuit I should be in with a good chance of winning,” Edwards reports. “There doesn’t seem to be too many slow, stop-start corners, more sweeping, high speed bends.
“That style of circuit should be good for the SP-2. We’ve plenty of mid range and top end power and it looks like those are the ingredients needed at Silverstone.”
Edwards is 38 points behind series leader Troy Bayliss as the pair have eased away at the head of the championship. Edwards adds: “It looks a bit of a two horse race at the moment but this is motorsport, anything can happen.
“A couple of weeks ago I would have expected Neil Hodgson to be a contender at Silverstone, which I still believe, but then he popped up at Monza and was battling for the race wins.”
Edwards concluded: “Everyone keeps telling me I’m riding well enough so I’m pretty relaxed and have got the feeling that my time will come to win some races and start challenging Troy (Bayliss) for the championship lead.”
Edwards is 55 points clear of the battle for third, a four-way tussle between the factory Ducatis of Ben Bostrom and Ruben Xaus, the factory Aprilia of Noriyuki Haga and GSE Ducati team rider Neil Hodgson.
The Silverstone wild card riders include Steve Hislop the veteran Scotsman took a shock pole position for the British round of the championship last year then held at Donington Park.
Victory for Honda’s Fabien Foret in the last round of the World Supersport championship at Monza the fourth win of his career – has thrown the battle for the championship wide open.
Just five points now separate the top three riders as 1999 champion Stephane Chambon leads the way, by four points from Foret with defending champion Andrew Pitt one point behind the CBR600-riding Frenchman.
Foret commented: “Silverstone is new to every rider so I don’t see that we will have any specific problems. I’ve heard the circuit is very fast that will suit the CBR600 machine.”
Talented young Australian Chris Vermeulen is up to sixth in the championship on his van Zon Honda after the 19-year-old took his first pole position and his first podium finish, with second place, at Monza two weeks ago.
“I’ve raced at Silverstone before but only the national circuit,” said Vermeulen. “I’m like every other rider out there, looking forward to the fast, sweeping corners around the back of the circuit that only Formula One cars have used before.”
More, from Honda:
World Superbike – Wednesday test times:
1. Colin Edwards, Castrol Honda, 1:49.554
2. Steve Hislop, Ducati, 1:49.742
3. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 1:49.789
4. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 1:50.067
5. Michael Rutter, Ducati, 1:50.363
6. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia, 1:50.403
7. Shane Byrne, Ducati, 1:50.433
8. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 1:50.707
9. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, 1:50.770
10. James Toseland, Ducati, 1:50.785
Colin Edwards Fastest In Silverstone World Superbike Testing
Colin Edwards Fastest In Silverstone World Superbike Testing
© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
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