Rea and Haslam head for World Superbike’s floodlit finale
Pata Honda riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam are on their way to the Losail International Circuit in Qatar for this weekend’s (31 October – 2 November) final round of the 2014 World Superbike championship.
While the series title is out of reach for the Pata Honda team’s British duo, there is plenty to fight for in the last two races of a truncated championship season. Rea, 27, is still battling for a top three finish in the points standings and currently sits in fourth place, just 11 points behind Italian rider Marco Melandri with a maximum of 50 points up for grabs in Sunday’s two 17-lap races.
Haslam, meanwhile, will be keen to follow-up his welcome podium finish last time out on his Pata Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. To the delight of his team, the 31-year-old climbed the rostrum for the first time with the Netherlands-based squad in a wet second race at Magny-Cours in France a month ago.
This season’s climax at the 5.38km Losail International Circuit just outside the capital Doha marks a return to Qatar for the World Superbike championship for the first time since 2009. The circuit features six left-hand corners and 10 rights, plus a 1.068km-long start-finish straight. This weekend’s two races will also be the first World Superbike encounters to take place under floodlights.
Jonathan Rea
I’m really looking forward to racing in Losail again for a variety of reasons. I’ve done a couple of new model launches there for Honda and I really like the circuit layout; it’ll also be the first time I’ve raced at night. I think the visibility will be quite high, especially compared to riding in the dark like I’ve done at Suzuka in the 8 Hours. But I think the biggest challenge is going to be the schedule and working out the best time for food intake and other things in order to perform physically late at night instead of during the day. It’s the last round of the championship but the plan is still quite straightforward. The CBR has been quite competitive at the last few rounds so we’ll try to get a good base setting again on Friday and aim to finish the season on a high in th is desert challenge.
Leon Haslam
It’s been another strange month off between the last two races of the season but it was fantastic to get on the podium at Magny-Cours and I’m really looking forward to riding at Qatar again. I’ve only raced there once, in 2009, but I’ve got quite a few laps under my belt. I helped on the launch of the 2008 Fireblade and then Jonathan and I were there for the introduction of the SP model last year. But it will certainly be different riding there under the lights, even though I’ve done a bit of racing in the dark at Suzuka. It seems much brighter, but I know the track can be a little sandy to start with. I’ve been told to look out for my own shadow overtaking me, but otherwise it’s a really exciting way to end the season.
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator
The bikes went straight to Qatar from Magny-Cours so we have not had an opportunity to work on them, but we’ll take some software updates for the electronics. I think our main aim for the weekend will be to retake third place in the championship for Jonathan, which is certainly possible. He and the bike have been strong in the last few races and it was unfortunate that he crashed out of a healthy lead in the last race in France. I hope we can continue a strong end to the season for Leon, too, because it was great to see him on the podium at Magny-Cours. I think he should be able to challenge for top five finishes because, despite the really long straight at the Losail circuit, the fast changes of direction on the other parts of the circuit should suit the CBR well.
More, from another press release issued by Pata Honda:
Pata Honda World Supersport riders relish desert challenge
Michael van der Mark and his Pata Honda team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti are looking forward to the 11th and final round of the 2014 World Supersport championship which takes place at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar this weekend (31 October – 2 November).
Van der Mark, who turned 22 last Sunday, secured the 2014 title in round nine of the series at Jerez in Spain at the beginning of September. Such has been this season’s form of the new World Supersport champion that, apart from sliding off in the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia, the Dutch ace has finished no lower than second in the nine races since, notching up five race wins along the way.
Zanetti, 27, has not quite been able to match his team-mate’s pace and consistency this season but he took a well-earned and popular victory of his own in his home race at Imola in May. The Italian is still in with a chance of securing third place in the championship standings but needs a maximum points haul in this final round.
This weekend’s event marks a return of the World Supersport championship to the 5.38km Losail International Circuit for the first time since 2009, when the race victory was taken by Eugene Laverty on a Honda CBR600RR. However, this final race of the 2014 season will be the first time that a race the series has taken place under floodlights.
Michael van der Mark
I had a nice birthday with the family last weekend but now it’s back to work for the last race of the season. I’ve never been to Qatar before but I’m really excited about racing there this weekend. I like learning new circuits and it looks like a great track that should suit our bike. Also, riding at night is going to be a new experience that I’m really looking forward to. I understand that the sand in the desert can create some problems with grip, but it’s the same for everyone. This will also be my last race on the CBR600RR Supersport machine, so it might get a little emotional!
Lorenzo Zanetti
I raced under the lights in Qatar in 125cc GPs so I have some experience. I like the circuit very much but it will be quite different on the CBR600RR, compared to a 125cc two-stroke! I still have the target of finishing in the top three this season but I know it will be difficult. For this to happen I must win the race or at least finish second and hope that Marino cannot score many points. But I have a strong motivation for a good result this weekend: I want to finish the season in a strong way for Honda and my sponsors who have helped me so much and, also, it’s the last race for my crew chief Bjorn Maathuis. With Mikey’s championship and race wins, it’s been a great year for the whole team so we want to finish it on a high.
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator
Mikey has nothing to worry about in Qatar – he is already champion and he’s going to World Superbikes next year – so he can ignore his rivals, do his job and battle for victory in his last World Supersport race. Hopefully, both riders can both be on the podium this weekend, which is certainly something that Lorenzo deserves. He has had a tough season so it would be really great to get him back up there.
More, from a press release issued by Voltcom Crescent Suzuki:
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki desert-bound for season final
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki travels to the Qatar Peninsula this week for the eni FIM Superbike World Championship’s final round at the Losail International Circuit on 2nd November.
Looking to reverse the cruel luck of last month’s event at Magny-Cours, Eugene Laverty is hoping his final races, both on the Suzuki GSX-R and within the Superbike paddock, will prove fruitful and allow him to utilise the podium potential he believes is possible with his Yoshimura-powered machine. Laverty’s last visit to the Qatar circuit – as part of the 2009 World Supersport Championship – saw him take the top step, a feat he is eager to replicate in the top class this weekend.
No stranger to studying new tracks this season, Alex Lowes’ learning curve at Losail will be even steeper this weekend with the added element of WSBK’s first event under floodlights. Eagerly anticipating the challenge, last year’s British Champion is determined to finish his rookie World season on a high in preparation for his continuation with the GSX-R1000 for 2015.
A regular host of motorcycle racing since its creation in 2004, the Losail International Circuit – located just over 30kms from the Qatar capital of Doha – held the first MotoGP™ night race in 2008 but has not been seen on the WSBK calendar since 2009. The flowing 5,380m track layout accommodates 16 medium and high-speed corners – 10 of which right-handers – with the finish straight just over 1km in length. Held under artificial lights for the first time in the Championship’s history, the circuit will be illuminated by 1000 individual floodlights, housing 3600 bulbs and powered by 44 generators.
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki’s weekend timetable begins at 17:15hrs local time (14:15GMT) on Friday 31st October with the opening of three free practice sessions, the latter timed-for-qualifying practices scheduled for 20:00hrs (17:00GMT) and 23:15hrs (20:15GMT) respectively. Saturday’s action consists of the final non-timed free practice at 18:00hrs (15:00GMT) before Superpole sees the riders on track at 21:00hrs (18:00GMT). Sunday’s two races will be held at 19:00hrs (16:00GMT) and 22:00hrs (19:00GMT) respectively.
Eugene Laverty:
“The final round of the season will be an incredible experience racing under the floodlights. I’ve competed in the dark once already back in 2008 at Losail and I’m really looking forward to doing it again. The floodlights really illuminate the track so it actually allows you to be a little more precise than in daylight hours. The Losail circuit is a flowing one which suits our bike much better than some of the tight and twisty tracks that we’ve visited lately. It’s my last race in the World Superbike Championship before I make the switch to MotoGP and I’d love nothing more than to go out on a high – for me, the Crescent team and all our Sponsors.”
Alex Lowes:
“I am really looking forward to Qatar and the new experience of a night race. We have had another month’s break between races and I feel fresh and happy in myself right now and very excited to ride my Suzuki GSX-R again! My aim is to finish the year with two solid results to kick start my 2015 preparations early. The track looks flowing, my brother Sam did well first time there in Moto2 so hopefully I can at least replicate that!”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia:
HEATED FINALE FOR THE 2014 WORLD SUPERBIKE SEASON.
APRILIA READY TO DEFEND ITS LEADERSHIP IN THE MANUFACTURER CHAMPIONSHIP, SYLVIAN GIUNTOLI IN THE HUNT FOR THE RIDER TITLE.
BOTH TITLES STILL UP FOR GRABS IN THE FINAL ROUND AT LOSAIL IN QATAR.
Qatar, 29 October 2014 – The Superbike season which is coming to an end could be the inspiration for an excellent screenplay: great entertainment, continuous upsets and a wide open grand finale which is the stuff of a great action film.
The key players will most certainly include Aprilia and Sylvain Guintoli, respectively the Manufacturer Championship leader and the second place contender in the rider competition. At Losail, a track that is back on the calendar after a four year absence, the races will be held at night with the aid of a sophisticated artificial lighting system. Another “theatrical stroke” worthy of the best Hollywood director.
While Aprilia is leading the Brand World Championship with a 23 point advantage, spoils that must be defended in Qatar, a 12 point gap stands between Sylvain and his first Rider World Championship. The Aprilia Frenchman has made a sensational comeback to close a 44 point gap since the Laguna Seca round. Guintoli has a good record on the Losail track and for his assault he will be able to count on an RSV4 which has demonstrated brilliant performance in the last four rounds, taking as many “one-two” wins with two riders consistently on the top two steps of the podium.
Sylvain Guintoli: “Last visit to Qatar I won the race (“8h of Doha”) and the Team I raced for was World Champion (Endurance), back in 2010. I love the track and it will suit the RSV4 like a glove. I am very excited about this weekend and very focused on our target. I have worked very hard for this and since Laguna we have closed the gap from 44 to 12 points. Sykes is defending well but we are now very close”.
Marco Melandri, who has shown great progress, has great expectations for the Losail race. Coming off of 4 wins in the last six races, the rider from Ravenna is now lying third in the rider standings with a wide margin from the nearest contender. Marco also has an excellent change of finishing the season with honours.
Marco Melandri: “I’m very happy to race at night in Qatar. I really like both this place and this track and I’m sure that my RSV4 will adapt very well. I really want to continue my position streak and help Aprilia take the Manufacturer World Championship”.
More, from a press release issued by CIA Insurance Honda:
JACK’S FINAL PODIUM CHANCE FOR 2014
CIA INSURANCE HONDA’S Jack Kennedy will have one final chance at scoring a podium when the 11th and last round of the 2014 World Supersport Championship takes place at the Losail circuit in Qatar this Sunday 2nd November.
Taking place under floodlights for the first time, it is going to be a new experience for most of the racers on the grid. Jack said: “Qatar under the floodlights is going to be an awesome way to finish the 2014 race season, I can’t wait. We have really good pace right now, so I’ll be looking to get on the podium again as a big thank you to my whole CIA Insurance team for a year that’s been getting better and better.”
Nacho Calero and Martin Cardenas will also experience Qatar under the floodlights for the first time this weekend. There are practice sessions on Friday and Saturday before qualification on Saturday evening. The race takes place at 2015 local time on Sunday 2nd November.
Simon Buckmaster, CIA Insurance Honda Team Manager: “The whole CIA Insurance Honda team is looking forward to this final round of 2014, being under the floodlights will add a real twist to the racing.
“Jack has the pace to challenge at the front and another podium is our shared goal. We have won here in the past and it would be a great way for all of us to sign off this year.
“Nacho is coming back to form slowly but has already proved he has points pace this season. It would be great if he could score again and that would lift the whole squad ahead of the winter break.
“Martin rode well at Magny Cours, especially after being punted off track on the first lap and having to come from way back. This will be a better race for him as he knows the bike and team better now. We are hoping for a points finish.”
More, from a press release issued by PTR Honda:
FILM LOOKING FORWARD TO QATAR
CORE PTR HONDA’S Ratthapark Wilairot is looking forward to racing at the final round of the 2014 World Supersport Championship at Losail in Qatar, a track he knows well.
Film said: “I am very busy racing now but I am looking forward to Qatar and racing at a track I know well. I must get to know my Core” PTR Honda again after racing in Moto2, but I hope I can do that quickly and then I might get a good result in my last WSS race.”
There are practice sessions on Friday and Saturday before qualification on Saturday evening. The race takes place at 2015 local time on Sunday 2nd November.
Simon Buckmaster, Core” PTR Honda Team Manager, said: “It is clear that Ratthapark is finding racing in Moto2 and WSS a challenge. It is not easy; he is having to learn different bikes, tyres and teams every weekend.
“Saying that I know he has a lot of talent and if he can apply himself early and adapt back to the WSS bike, then he has the talent to fight for the top six or maybe even a little better. We will do all we can to help him at the last race of the season.”