Ryuichi Kiyonari of the Ten Kate Honda Racing team is confident of improved results heading into this weekend’s (24-26 July) 10th round World Superbike championship event at Brno in the Czech Republic. The Japanese rider has had an inconsistent string of results thus far in 2009, in spite of two podium finishes in round five at Monza in Italy, and is seeking improvement on his fifth and sixth place finishes at the 5.4km Brno circuit last year. Kiyonari completed a successful two-day test at Imola in Italy last week, when he was able to test fully the Ohlins suspension that the rest of his Ten Kate team switched to last month. Ryuichi Kiyonari championship position 10th I tried the new suspension at Donington Park but a race weekend is not the best time to be testing things like this. After the two days at Imola last week, there was definitely a better feeling coming. It’s still not perfect but, for me, new things are sometimes difficult. We were testing new suspension at a new circuit, so it was not so bad! Brno is not new for me, and it is also not my favourite circuit, but I am confident that we can get better results than last year, and this is what I will try my best to achieve this weekend. Ronald ten Kate team manager We tested fully with Ohlins last week and now Kiyo-san has made the switch. His riding style is very sensitive to the smallest changes, so the two days we had at Imola were very important. We didn’t quite achieve the perfect setting for Kiyo, but we did make some really good progress and that should give us a good starting point for this weekend’s races at Brno. More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team heads to Brno this weekend (24-26 July) for round 10 of this season’s World Supersport championship looking to extend its 100% record at the Czech circuit. The team has won the Brno race each year since 2005 the first season that the 5.4km circuit hosted a World Supersport event and scored an impressive one-two last season, with Jonathan Rea taking his first world championship race win. Kenan Sofuoglu, who won the 2007 race, is in good form as he journeys to Brno after topping the timing sheets at a two-day test at Imola in Italy last week. The Turkish rider sits third in this year’s championship, with two wins to his credit. His team-mate, Andrew Pitt, finished second last year at Brno, just two hundredths of a second behind Rea, but went on to clinch the World Supersport title four rounds later. The Australian is fifth in this season’s title chase and looking for Brno to provide his first win of the year. Kenan Sofuoglu championship position 3rd I am really looking forward to the race at Brno because we completed a really satisfying test at Imola last week which left me feeling really happy and confident. The first couple of races with the new suspension have been a little bit difficult because it is such a big change to make halfway through a season. We had two good days at Imola with perfect weather, which gave us the chance to test many things, including the new Ohlins forks. I like Brno and won there two years ago, so I want to do it again this weekend. Andrew Pitt championship position 5th Although the Imola test was generally good, I’m still looking for something at the front of the bike where I need to have a bit more confidence. We spent the two days concentrating on the rear but got through a whole heap of work, which was very positive. I like Brno, but last year was my first visit to the podium there. I’ll be looking for another one this time around, but the work starts all over again on Friday and we need to find a good setting early on for a decent qualifying lap. Ronald ten Kate team manager It’s no secret that we’ve experienced a few very difficult races this season. After changing our suspension before Misano, we had to wait until the Imola test last week to receive the new Ohlins front forks. Now we’ve had the chance to test for two days, I don’t think there should be any excuses for us not being competitive at Brno this weekend. More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team heads for round 10 of the World Superbike championship at Brno in the Czech Republic this weekend (24-26 July) in buoyant mood following a successful test at the Italian circuit of Imola last week. Jonathan Rea, who sits fourth in the current points table, was fastest at the Imola test as the team continued to test new suspension and other components following the switch to Ohlins last month. The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland won last year’s World Supersport race at the 5.4km Brno circuit a debut world championship victory that sparked a late-season charge to second place in the series. Rea’s Spanish team-mate, Carlos Checa, was also satisfied with the progress made during the two-day Imola test, concentrating on finding a strong base setting to take to the Brno event, where he took eighth in last season’s first race. A technical issue forced Checa’s early retirement from the second outing. Jonathan Rea championship position, 4th Imola was good for us not just the result and the progress that we were able to make, but because of the way we went about it. It showed how well everyone is working as a team now and how motivated we all are to get the kind of results that we know we can achieve. Brno was good on the Supersport bike last year and I think the track should suit the Superbike even better. We’ve got a good setting with the new package now and we’ll be pushing on as hard as we can to get some more good results this weekend. Carlos Checa championship position, 9th I am looking forward to the Brno race, even though we had some problems during qualifying and the races last year, which meant that the results weren’t so good. We made some good progress during the two days at Imola last week and, even though we have some more work to do to get some more stability in the rear, I think we have a good base to start from to find a better performance. Ronald ten Kate team manager Although last year was not so good, we have enjoyed good results at Brno before and the circuit’s fast and flowing nature should suit the characteristics of the bike. However, in spite of our good performance at the Imola test last week, we know that it will represent a new set of challenges. We gathered a lot of data from the test and I know that we can improve further, so we are really looking forward to the weekend and the challenges it will bring. More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: Tamada All Set To Race Again WSBK, Brno, Czech Republic, 20 July 2009 A multiple rider crash on lap one at the Monza race put Makoto Tamada out of action for two months, but after coming through a recent Imola test in good form he will be back in race action at Brno. Tamada, alongside his regular team-mate Broc Parkes, tried out several new parts and some new set-up options at the recent tests, organised in readiness for the return of WSB racing to the classic Italian circuit in September. The tests were deemed a success; both in terms of work carried out and the direction development should take, which makes Parkes in particular confident of improvements at the fast and wide circuit of Brno. Brno, built near the site of the old road course that used to wind its way through the Czech countryside, features several fast chicanes, some significant changes in elevation and a very impressive track width, which allows overtaking opportunities in several places. Although temperatures are not expected to reach the same blistering levels of the Imola test – which were over 35°C with regularity – Brno should be a hot weekend as usual. Broc Parkes: “We stayed on race tyres at the Imola test when a lot of people chose to use qualifiers, but that allowed us to get through the whole programme of tests we had to do. We found some good things and on race tyres we were not too bad. I really want to finish in the top ten at Brno because I feel that this is a track where our bike is going to work particularly well. A lot of people said that Imola would be one of the most difficult tracks for us, but Brno should be OK, and I’m sure we can be more competitive. I really want some top tens.” Makoto Tamada: “At the Imola tests I still had a little bit of pain in my hand, and not so much power in my left arm, so it made setting more than three laps at a time a bit difficult. We tried a lot of new suspension settings and I used the new swingarm, which I liked very much. I will be ready for Brno, after the testing days showed we could set reasonable times. I have been training to get my arm ready for the full races at Brno.” More, from another press release issued by Kawasaki: Separate Tests Help Supersport Pairing WSS, Brno, Czech Republic, 20 July 2009 In the run up to the Brno WSB race both Joan Lascorz and Katsuaki Fujiwara will have tested their Ninja ZX-6R machinery, albeit in very different ways. Lascorz, currently a strong fourth in the championship, rode at a Spanish circuit called Castelloli, testing suspension and electronics advances, on 13 July. His team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara returned home to Japan to test at Autopolis, also trying out new suspension equipment to face the final few races of the intense 2009 season. Only bad luck at key points has held back the push of Fujiwara on the 2009 green machine, but despite this he still has three top six finishes to his credit so far, plus two front row qualifying rides. It has been an even stronger season so far for Lascorz, who took his third podium finish of 2009 last time out at Donington, and in doing so closed to within 15 points of third place in the championship rankings. Joan Lascorz: “Our Spanish test was very useful to us and a good use of the break between the Donington race and the race coming up in Brno. The team worked on a lot of solutions and we made some conclusions on which ones to use at Brno. It’s a good track, and with our bike working at its best we should be ready again.” Katsuaki Fujiwara: “It has been good to have a break from the races in one way, but we have not been treating it like a holiday. We have been working on testing and development new ideas, and we’ll be ready for Brno for sure.” More, from a press release issued by Infront Motor Sports: Three-way battle between Haga, Spies and Fabrizio resumes at Brno The Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship heads to the Automotodrom Brno in the Czech Republic this coming weekend for the tenth round of this year’s series. The Czech Round is the last event before the summer break, which will be a well-deserved opportunity for teams and riders to get some rest in view of the final four-round rush to the finish starting in September. The 5.403 km Brno track is a particularly challenging circuit, with constant uphill and downhill sections that provide a severe test-bed for both man and machine. World Superbike has raced at Brno six times in the past: first sporadically in 1993 and 1996, and then a constant fixture since 2005. Three of the four recent editions have been dominated by four-cylinder machines, especially Suzuki who have won four races since 2005 thanks to Yukio Kagayama (2), Troy Corser and Max Biaggi, with the score completed by wins for James Toseland (Honda) and Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha). Last season the trend was inverted and Ducati, who had suffered in previous years, this time dominated the two races, placing five riders in the top 6 and giving a double win to Troy Bayliss. HAGA GRITS HIS TEETH In 2008 Noriyuki Haga failed to shine at Brno, and even this time things don’t look too promising for the championship leader. Haga comes to the Czech circuit in not the best of physical condition following his crash at Donington, and most probably will be playing a defensive game. But the Japanese rider, who is rapidly recovering from a broken wrist and scapula, has often accustomed the WSB world to miraculous recoveries and he will certainly be doing everything within his powers to defend his points lead. His closest rivals for the title, Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) will be looking to take advantage of the situation; the Texan is getting closer and closer to the top of the championship and his minimum aim is to reduce the 14-point gap at the top, and continue the run of 10 wins in 18 races this season. Fabrizio will have a dual role at Brno. On the one hand he will have to take points away from Spies to help his team-mate Haga, while on the other he will have to go on the attack because the world title is still a possibility seeing as he is just 51 points behind Haga, with 250 still up for grabs. Brno is a track that has always brought the best out of the young Italian, and now he is constantly up amongst the front-runners he is one of the favourites together with Spies. OUTSIDERS The formidable trio at the top are coming under attack from a series of rivals, including the increasingly competitive Hondas of Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate) and Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing). In the recent test at Imola, the Northern Ireland youngster – and Misano winner – showed himself to be back on the ball again after the disappointment of Donington, and the ups and downs of Brno, where he won last year on a Supersport Honda, have the right characteristics to bring out the best in him. As for Haslam, the British rider is having an outstanding season and will surely be one of the protagonists in the Czech Round. As will Jakub Smrz (Ducati Guandalini), who will be aiming for a podium at his home circuit. The list of outsiders also includes Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati), Tom Sykes (Yamaha World Superbike) and Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda). BMW UP, APRILIA STABLE The official Imola tests highlighted the progress made by BMW, despite a few problems for Troy Corser. The new spec engine gave a positive response and Ruben Xaus was able to set the seventh best time overall. It will be used at Brno and the two riders are confident they can get closer to the podium zone. At Imola on the other hand the Aprilias were in some difficulty, and neither Max Biaggi nor Shinya Nakano were on the pace. The Italian squad comes to Brno after a positive pre-Donington test and can in any case count on Biaggi, who is always quick at this track where he won in 2007. NEUKIRCHNER OUT AGAIN It has been a decidedly unfortunate season for Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Alstare BRUX). The German, who was back on the bike for the first time at Imola following his crash at Monza, was the victim of a bad crash again, in which he suffered a fractured vertebra. Neukirchner will have to wear a torso cast for at least 40 days, after which a check will be made on his condition. At Brno for the moment the Suzuki Alstare team line up only includes Yukio Kagayama. SUPERSPORT Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha World Supersport) starts the Brno weekend as the man to beat. In the recent tests the points leader confirmed himself to be the rider most in form and he will be aiming for his third win in a row, which would take him ever closer to the world title. The other two men still in with a chance are Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), 28 points behind, and Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), who has to win if he wants to continue to go for the title. Team-mate and reigning champion Andrew Pitt is still looking for his first decent result this year, while Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport) and young Spaniard Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec) will also be up at the front. One team that is on the up is ParkinGo Triumph Be1 Racing, who scored the marque’s first podium in Supersport at Donington and who will be hoping for a repeat performance from Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli at Brno. Italian Massimo Roccoli races for a Czech team, so will also be looking for a good result in front of Intermoto Honda’s home crowd. SUPERSTOCK The Superstock 1000 FIM Cup is gearing up for the sixth round of an exciting series, with three riders – Xavier Simeon (Ducati Xerox), Claudio Corti (Suzuki Alstare) and Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Honda) all fighting hard for the title. All three are separated by 23 points and the race should be a hard-fought one, with the Belgian and the Frenchman having already won here. Corti on the other hand comes to Brno after setting the quickest time at Imola. Possible outsiders include Javi Fores (Kawasaki Pedercini), Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Junior Yamaha) and above all Davide Giugliano, who makes his debut for the Celani Suzuki team. In the European Superstock 600 Championship, Danilo Petrucci (Yamaha Trasimeno) will be the rider to beat, with Gino Rea (Ten Kate Honda) and Marco Bussolotti (Yamaha Trasimeno) his main rivals, and as always Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Yamaha) and Eddi La Marra (Honda Lorini) the outsiders. More, from a press release issued by Stiggy Racing Honda: The Stiggy Racing Honda Supersport team is looking for improvement at Brno, where the tenth round of the World Supersport Championship will be hosted this weekend. Stiggy Racing Honda riders Anthony West and Gianluca Vizziello concluded a two-day test at the flowing track in the Czech Republic two weeks ago and are hopeful that the gathered data will enable them to make a big step forward in the development of their bikes. After a series of inconsistent runs in the last events, Australian Anthony West is eager to return to the form he displayed in the opening races of the season, and aims to bring his Stiggy Racing Honda CBR600RR to the rostrum again in the Czech Republic. Italian team mate Gianluca Vizziello took seventh place in the last round at Donington Park 13;his best result for the team so far 13;and is eager to continue his progress at Brno this weekend. Anthony West – WSS: “I had a difficult time testing at Imola last week. It is frustrating to see that we only made little steps forward while the team has put in a huge effort. I hope we can be more successful at Brno this weekend. We need to be at the front of the field again.” Gianluca Vizziello – WSS: “After our test at Imola, we have some more new parts to test at Brno this weekend. This will hopefully bring us forward and enable us to find the connection with the competition. I am looking forward to riding at Brno this weekend and will hopefully be able to improve the results for the team.” Johan Stigefelt, Team Manager: “Our Supersport team has left the last Imola test rather disappointed. We know we have a strong team and a lot of experience so we should be able to capitalise on our knowledge and set some good results. Our riders will have new material for their Supersport machines, which will hopefully enable them to improve their results.” More, from a press release issued by Stiggy Racing Honda: The Stiggy Racing Honda pairing of Leon Haslam and John Hopkins are heading to Brno in full confidence for the tenth round of the Superbike World Championship, after concluding a successful two-day test at the flowing track in the Czech Republic two weeks ago. The test at Brno was followed by the official two-day Pirelli test at Imola, Italy, where the team continued the development of their Stiggy Racing Honda Superbikes as they tested new suspension components and updated parts. Hopkins showed great pace in both tests and is seeking to display his full potential this weekend onboard his Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR, which has already proven to be a podium contender in the hands of team mate Leon Haslam. The Englishman 13;who took the Stiggy Racing Honda Superbike to no less than four podiums in the team’s debut year of Superbike racing 13;is aiming to further extend his form and ready to provide the first World Superbike win for his team. Leon Haslam: 1C;I am confidently looking forward to the next race at Brno. We have tested here a couple of weeks ago and made a lot of progress in the set-up of the bike. We have learnt a lot about the gearing and mapping of the bike and are aiming to put it into practice this weekend. I am eager to repeat my success at Donington Park and take another podium for the team at Brno.” John Hopkins: 1C;I like riding the Brno track. It was my first European track after coming here in my first year of racing overseas in 2000. I have been able to set some decent results here, both in qualifying and racing. It’s a nice and flowing circuit to ride. After our test last week I am feeling confident for the next race. I am working on getting a hundred percent fit again in the days leading up to the race. The bike feels great and I just want to bring it on the podium at Brno this weekend.” Johan Stigefelt, Team Manager: ” We have tested in Brno two weeks ago, and have collected some important data which will be of great use this weekend. I am happy with the results of our Brno test and the SBK test at Imola last week. Both John and Leon like riding the Brno track so I hope we can continue the progress we initiated at the tests. We made some steps in the right direction and we will have some new parts for the race this weekend.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki Alstare Brux: YUKIO THE SOLE ATTACKER IN BRNO After the very unfortunate injury to Team Suzuki Alstare Brux rider Max Neukirchner in his comeback at the Imola tests last week, Yukio Kagayama will be the team’s sole rider in Brno this coming weekend. Max suffered damage to four of his vertebra when he fell in Imola and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he recovers from his injuries. With Brno so soon after Max’s crash, the team have decided not to replace him this weekend, preferring to consider their future plans in a calm and considered manner, especially as there is a five week break after this weekend. Yukio I feel very sorry for Max. It is a great pity that he hurt himself in the first time back on the racebike. This season has not been a lucky one for our team and also we have not found it so easy getting the bike to where we would like it. The bike seems very sensitive and finding a good base set-up at every track has been difficult sometimes. We tried many things in our recent tests, but I do not think we found a good solution or direction. Brno circuit is a flowing track, so I am hoping that it will suit our K9 GSX R1000 better. I like the track and I will fight my hardest for the best possible results – as usual. 2008 results Race 1: 1 Bayliss (AUS-Ducati), 2 Troy Corser (Aus-Yamaha), 3 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati), 7 Max Neukirchner (GER-Alstare Suzuki), 9 Yukio Kagayama (JPN-Suzuki Alstare), 14 Fonsi Nieto (ESP-Suzuki Alstare), Race 2: 1 Bayliss, 2 Fabrizio, 3 Biaggi (ITA-Ducati), 5 Max Neukirchner (GER-Alstare Suzuki), 8 Fonsi Nieto (ESP-Suzuki Alstare), 9 Yukio Kagayama (JPN-Suzuki Alstare), More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport: RUBEN AND TROY LOOKING FORWARD TO BRNO The tenth round of this year’s Superbike World Championship takes place at the Autodromo Brno circuit on 26th July and both Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser are eager to find out if the results of the recent Imola tests are going to bear fruit. As expected, the season has not been an easy for the new team but the whole crew are looking forward to Brno and hopeful of a return to their early season form. The sweeping nature of the 5.403 kilometre track should be better suited to the S 1000 RR and Ruben and Troy would like to finish the last race before the summer break with good results. Ruben Our recent tests have gone well and the bike is definitely working better now. It is more rideable and I am much more happy about the prospect of racing it in Brno. The track is a good track and I think that all riders enjoy it a lot. Although there are some slow corners, it is a flowing track and I think that our bike will go well there. It has been a long, hard season so far, but I feel positive that Troy and I can do well in Brno. Afterwards we have five weeks or so before the next race, so it would be great to leave Brno with some good results. Troy After the Imola tests, I feel that the bike is more easy to ride and the things we tried are definitely in the right direction. So I am looking forward to Brno because the track should suit us and we should be able to get something positive out of the races. It’s not been an easy season so far and my injuries have not helped, but my hand is no problem now and my right shoulder is nearly fully OK. I like Brno and am hoping that we can leave there with two good results and then enjoy our summer break. Berti Hauser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director) We saw some positive signs in our recent tests and are very hopeful that Brno will be a good event for us. Certainly, Ruben and Troy have given us very positive and encouraging feedback about what we tried in the recent tests and now we have to see what will happen in Brno. The track should be good for us and we are all looking forward to a positive weekend before the summer break. The team have worked hard and long all year and I think we all need a bit of break, some time to rest and consider all the things that have happened since we began this great adventure. This is the hardest year in WSBK history and the challenge is very tough, but all of us are happy to be in this big fight and be sure we will do the very best we can. 2008 results Race 1: 1 Bayliss (AUS-Ducati), 2 Troy Corser (Aus-Yamaha), 3 Fabrizio (ITA-Ducati), Ruben Xaus (ESP-Ducati) DNF, Race 2: 1 Bayliss, 2 Fabrizio, 3 Biaggi (ITA-Ducati), 4 Troy Corser, Ruben Xaus DNF More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: HAGA AND FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) FIT AND READY TO RACE AT BRNO Brno (Czech Republic), Tuesday 21st July: The Ducati Xerox Team has had nearly a month to recover since the last round at Donington Park last month, and Noriyuki Haga in particular was in need of the break, after suffering a dramatic crash during the second race of the UK’s only Superbike round in which he fractured the ulna bone in his right forearm and cracked his left scapula in three places. In the last three weeks, since leaving Derby City Hospital, Noriyuki has concentrated on intense physiotherapy sessions in order to be ready to return to the fray this coming weekend. Michel Fabrizio scored a podium finish in the UK but knows he can do better at upcoming Brno. Former Ducati Xerox rider Troy Bayliss did the double at Brno last year on board the Ducati 1098 while Michel Fabrizio scored his best result of the 2008 season with a second and third place finish. Michel lists the track among his favourites, undoubtedly due to the fact that over the last six races he has finished on the podium five times, although he has still to score a win. The Italian rider also holds the record for the fastest lap, recorded with his Ducati 1098 at the Czech track in last year’s second race. Noriyuki has fared fairly well at Brno over the years and won a race there in 2005. Last week the Ducati Xerox squad participated in an official two-day test session at Imola circuit, arranged by championship organisers Infront Sports. Noriyuki was of course not riding at the tests, but Michel took part and proved that Imola suits his style by being one of the fastest and easily the most consistent rider over the two days. The team were extremely satisfied and collated valuable data in preparation for September’s Imola race weekend. Noriyuki Haga (1st in championship, 308 points) Noriyuki is confident and knows that the Ducati performs at the Czech track, having witnessed Bayliss do the double on the 1098 in 2008. “After the crash at Donington I’ve been doing a lot of physiotherapy in order to get back into shape as quickly as possible and in time for Brno. It’s a pity I couldn’t take part in the Imola testing as that would have been very useful but it was just too soon and it’s more important to be fit to race. I’m not sure that my arm and shoulder will be 100% by the weekend but I’m confident I’ll be ready for the races and will fight to take as many points as possible.” Haga’s Superbike form at Brno: 2008: Race 1 6th, Race 2 7th 2007: Race 1 4th, Race 2 4th 2006: Race 1 4th, Race 2 3rd 2005: Race 1 7th, Race 2 winner Michel Fabrizio (3rd in championship, 257 points) Taking the results of the last three years into consideration, Michel has performed better and been more consistent at the Automotodrom Brno than any other Superbike rider. “Brno is probably my favourite track on the calendar, mainly because it’s the circuit where I’ve had most success! Since 2005 I’ve only failed to reach the podium once so that’s not a bad record but I know that this year I have some stiff competition. I will be looking for two more podium finishes, preferably a race win, this weekend as I need to do everything possible to close the gap between me, and Nori and Ben.” Fabrizio’s Superbike form at Brno: 2008: Race 1 3rd, Race 2 2nd 2007: Race 1 6th, Race 2 3rd 2006: Race 1 3rd, Race 2 2nd CIRCUIT DATA: Country: Czech Republic Name: Automotodrom Brno Circuit length: 5.403 km Pole position: left Corners left: 6 Corners right: 8 Race distance: 20 laps = 108.060 km LAP RECORDS: Fastest lap Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 1’59.979 (2008). Superpole Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1’58.345 (2008). 2008 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Corser (Yamaha); 3. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox); Race 2 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox); 3. Biaggi (Ducati) More, from a press release issued by Honda: Czech World Superbike at Automotodrom Brno Tuesday 21 July 2009 World Superbike and World Supersport preview BRNO RACE A THRILL FOR REA AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LAVERTY The modern classic circuit of Brno is the final round before the five weekend summer break in the World Superbike and World Superbike schedule, making it a psychologically important weekend as much as it is another valuable opportunity to score championship points. Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) secured his first World Supersport Championship race win at Brno last year and the young rider from Northern Ireland is currently the highest-placed Honda rider in World Superbike, fourth overall. Having made his breakthrough WSB race win at Misano in June, Rea is out for more of the same from now until the end of his rookie WSB season. Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) is out to make up ground on his main World Supersport Championship rival Cal Crutchlow this weekend. Laverty now has to claw back a 28-point deficit, and keep 2007 World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) behind him as well. Since the previous round at Donington in late June the top Honda teams and riders have had the opportunity to carry out testing sessions, at Imola; a recently modified circuit which returns to the calendar for 2009. Imola features some sections that are similar to Brno, but no circuit on the calendar features quite so many wide and fast chicanes as the Czech round, or a more sustained uphill drag towards the final corners. Brno is a popular circuit with virtually every rider, such is its wide, fast and scenic layout. Weather conditions are expected to be hot, but not as blistering as the 35 degrees experienced during the Imola tests on 15 and 16 July. Fastest WSS rider in the recent Imola tests, Sofuoglu is third overall in the championship standings, with Crutchlow in on 185 Points, Laverty 157 and Sofuoglu 121. Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR) posted his fourth podium of the season at Donington, and having tested at Imola as well he is ready for the challenge of Brno, which he has raced a Superbike around before. He is now fifth in the standings, only ten points from Rea. Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is ninth overall, with Ryuichi Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) 11th but only two points behind his fellow Honda rider. Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) is fifth in the overall WSS rankings now, one place and four points ahead of Anthony West (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR600RR). After a scare during the Imola tests about how well his previously injured hip was healing, John Hopkins (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR1000RR) will arrive at the Brno race with positive MRI scan results to bolster his confidence levels. Despite his late arrival in the series and his recent injury, he was eighth in race one at Donington Park. Matthieu Lagrive (Honda Althea CBR1000RR) continues to adapt to life in WSB this weekend after starting the year on a 600cc machine. Mark Aitchison (Althea Honda CBR600RR) and Jason O’Halloran (Althea Honda CBR600RR) represent the Althea WSS squad this week, as Aitchison attempts to get back on his Kyalami podium pace, and his fellow Aussie O’Halloran takes only his second career WSS ride; his first for Honda. Miguel Praia (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) finally enjoyed his testing ride at Imola, and will be out for his second top ten finish of the year at Brno. Gianluca Vizziello (Stiggy Racing Honda CBR600RR) is hoping for updates in time for Brno, while his fellow Italian Vittorio Iannuzzo (Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR1000RR) hopes to build on his Imola WSB testing experiences. After the long summer break the championship restarts at the Nürburgring, Germany, from 4 to 6 September, at what will be the 11th round of the 14 round season. RIDER COMMENTS Jonathan Rea: “Brno was the place I won my first WSS race last year and I start giggling every time people start talking about Brno! Our recent test in Italy went well, and we really didn’t change so much on the bike. The bike has a good balance and we went fastest at the test, which was a result I think we all deserved as a team. I am really looking forward to Brno and it would be nice to leave there with two strong results. I am motivated every time I ride the bike now because I know we can win.” Leon Haslam: “I was consistently doing fast times at Imola on race tyres on the final day, so I am looking forward to Brno. We tried a lot of things there, suspension set-up, electronics and clutches, but ran out of a little time to put it all together, so we will do that at Brno in early practice.” Ryuichi Kiyonari: “On the second day of ours tests at Imola we found a good setting and I understood more about how the Öhlins suspension feeling is. By the end of the last session I was feeling better about it all. Brno was not that good last year but I hope this year will be better.” Carlos Checa: “We tried lots of different set-up solutions at the Imola tests, and then we moved on to tyre testing. We were top five on real race pace at Imola, even in the heat, but in some areas I still feel I can improve. There are some similarities between Imola and Brno, especially the changes of direction. I think it should be a good track for us.” John Hopkins: “I like riding the Brno track. It was my first European track after coming here in my first year of racing overseas in 2000. I have been able to set some decent results, both in qualifying and racing. It’s a nice and flowing circuit to ride. After our test last week I am feeling confident for the next race. I’m working on getting a hundred percent fit again in the days leading up to the race. The bike feels great and I just want to bring it on the podium at Brno.” Matthieu Lagrive: “We are glad to have been able to test in Imola for two days because it was good preparation for the rest of the races this season. We improved the base set-up of our bike and we found some good solutions to be used at Brno. I like Brno; it’s technical and fast and it also suits my riding style. I know that I have to work hard during practice, to be able to start in a good position.” WSS Rider Comments Eugene Laverty: “I need to come back and win it at Brno, to beat Cal especially, and I think we can do it. We have improved a bit at the Imola tests. The main thing we worked on was the chassis setting. We tried a few things at Misano and Donington that didn’t quite work so we tried a different direction at the test and we got the feeling we wanted. We lost a bit of side grip in the previous two rounds but we have found it again at this test and kept the overall feeling of the bike. So I’m pleased to be heading to Brno with that.” Kenan Sofuoglu: “We worked a lot on our suspension at the Imola test last week and we didn’t touch the fork setting for use under heavy braking, because it already works well in those situations. We tried a small thing in the balance and the height of the bike and it looks good, a big difference. I think for Brno the bike will be very, very good, and for sure we are ready after the test. I am confident for all the last five races.” Andrew Pitt: “We are chasing a bit of a rear end movement all test last week but we stayed on the one bike almost the whole time, and we got a bit of a direction at the end. Brno? It will be smoother than Imola, and I am looking forward to getting a good race in there before the summer break.” Anthony West: “I still can’t find my best pace and it’s stopping us getting to the front of the times and the races. I have had wins in this class before so we should be able to compete better than we are now.” Mark Aitchison: “The test at Imola was good but we had to change the bike to suit the high temperatures too much, and I can’t imagine it will be quite this hot at Brno on track temperatures. I may be warm like these tests, but I really hope not! We have also worked on our overall gearing in readiness for Brno.” Miguel Praia: “I tried some different riding positions on the bike at the Imola tests and we made some good lap times. Our engine is strong and after the good work that we did at the tests we found another good setting with the shocks, so we are even more confident for Brno.” Gianluca Vizziello: “Our test at Imola went well, and we finished all the things we wanted to try before the end of the test. We have a good set-up for the Imola race in September. If things go the way we want I think we can have a very strong result in the Czech Republic.” Jason O’Halloran: “This test was just to get a feel for the bike and the team before Brno and it worked pretty well. We improved each session. I have been riding a Superbike for the past two years, so it is a very different style to ride a 600. I am getting back into the groove to rev the bike harder and keep it in the high part of the RPM range. Each time I go out and get more comfortable. I raced at Brno in 2007, on a 600, so I should be ready to go when we get there.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: Yamaha World Superbike Team riders Ben Spies and Tom Sykes head to Brno this weekend for their first race on the Czech Republic circuit. Both Spies and Sykes are on confident form having given their 2009 R1 race bikes a thorough shakedown and test at the official World Superbike test at Imola last week. Spies comes to Brno just 14 points behind championship leader Noriyuki Haga with everything to play for whilst team mate Sykes has his eyes fixed firmly on the top five with five rounds left to run in the 2009 championship. The Automotodrom Brno is a 5.403km circuit that features constant elevation changes and the fastest chicane in WSB. The uphill straight towards the last chicane features an incredible power sapping 7.5% gradient, which will test the strongest engines on the grid. “We had a good test at Imola last week so I’m in a confident mood,” said Ben Spies. “Brno is yet again another new track for us so I’m really looking forward to running around the circuit this week and then getting out on the bike on Friday to get a feel for it. We only have ten races left now to the end of the championship so we need to make every one count. Everybody is going to be working hard to be up front this weekend so it’s going to be a tough race but I’m excited about it.” “I’m really looking forward to showing some more of my recent pace,” said Tom Sykes. “I’ve been getting faster and faster all year as we’ve resolved some issues with the set up and now I feel we’ve got a package I can use to challenge and stay with the front pack. I haven’t ridden Brno before but I think we can pick it up quickly on Friday and get cracking on the bike set up.” Brno technically speaking according to Tom Houseworth, Ben Spies Crew Chief “We’ve just finished a very productive test at Imola. We were working on some suspension components, a couple of new Pirelli tyres and the overall race setup of the bike. We have been having a small problem keeping the rear wheel of our Yamaha R1 on the ground during very heavy braking however the combination of our fork specification along with some of the components we tested at Imola should help with this issue for Ben moving forward. We will start the Brno weekend on bike 1 with a comfortable base setting (std link, offset and ride heights etc.) with the exception of the test components which we will start with straight away to get as much data as possible and make sure the feeling is the way we want to go. If everything feels good we will continue to fine tune our race setup paying attention to the weather as it’s possible that Bruno will be hot. It will be important to find the right tyre combination that will last the race, allowing us to be near the front.” Brno technically speaking according to Sergio Verbena, Tom Sykes Crew Chief “For Brno we’ll start with the same setting we used at Imola last week, which is similar to the Donington set up as well. It worked well for us in Italy so we’ll use that as a base. Brno is a smooth track, with fast chicanes and only one hairpin, so doesn’t necessarily need something special in the settings. We’re feeling confident because Tom had a good race pace in Misano and Donington, and also in Imola. It looks like the setting we found in Misano is working well everywhere, so that’s pretty much our base setting now, we just hope the temperature won’t be too hot!” We are going to a really nice circuit so I think we can do well there,” said Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike Team Manager. “In the past Yamaha has worked well there and we’ve had a lot of podiums so I think we will continue to do well. When we moved from to Supersport to Superbike racing Brno was where we won our first race so it’s a significant place. The test at Imola last week also gave us some good results so we left there feeling optimistic and looking forward to this weekend.” Yamaha World Supersport Team ready for Brno Having tested briefly at the Czech circuit two weeks ago Yamaha World Supersport rider Cal Crutchlow is now familiar with the track layout so is ready to get stuck in on Friday and work on his weekend set up. Although only a one day test it was long enough for the British rider to not only get to grips with the circuit but to lap under the current track record, leaving the team in confident mood ahead of the weekend’s race. For team mate Fabien Foret the one day test was the first time back on the circuit after a big crash in the 2008 season there left him out of contention for several rounds. Having re-acquainted himself Foret will be looking to put his demons behind him and take valuable points away from this weekend. Both riders performed well at the Imola test last week, showing fast consistent pace at the top of the field. Crutchlow will be looking to increase his championship lead at Brno whilst Foret will be looking to make up for a DNF at Donington with a good point scoring finish on the podium in the Czech Republic. “I can’t wait for this weekend,” said Cal Crutchlow. “I really enjoyed riding here a couple of weeks ago, I think the circuit really suits the Yamaha and I really enjoy the layout. My ankle is feeling much better after I injured it at Donington so I think I’m all fired up and ready to fight at the front for a win this weekend!” “I’m really happy to be back here in top racing form,” said Fabien Foret. “It was a big crash for me here last year and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel when I went back onto the circuit. I took it easy to start with and it was fine. I now need to get my head down this weekend and get onto the podium and take some good points for me. I hope it doesn’t rain!” We know the bike set up is good enough for the lap record after Cal’s performance here two weeks ago so I think we can be confident,” said Wilco Zeelenberg, Yamaha World Supersport Team Manager. “We worked hard on the set up here a couple of weeks ago and adjusted the base setting a little bit for the track and it works well. It’s a long track to learn, you need some time to get up to the top speed so I’m happy Cal picked it up so quickly. Eugene and Kenan will be up there at the weekend and will be a big threat as always but of course we aim to be as strong as we have been for the last couple of rounds.”