Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team aiming to bounce back at Donington
UK Round
Donington Park, United Kingdom
The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team are aiming to get their season back on track this weekend as Leon Camier and Jake Gagne prepare to take on the fast and furious Donington Park circuit for round 6 of the FIM World Superbike Championship.
A rigorous recovery regime following his accident in round 3 wasn’t enough to allow Camier to race at the previous round at Imola, however following another two weeks of treatment, the British star is in better physical condition heading into this weekend. Camier is hopeful of completing the whole race weekend, however the real test to gauge his fitness will come during Friday’s Free Practice sessions around the 4 kilometre (2.49 mile) long Donington circuit.
Fronting the other Fireblade, Jake Gagne is facing the challenge of yet again visiting a circuit he hasn’t raced at previously, however the American rookie has proven this season that he is a quick learner on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 and he aims to be back in the points this weekend.
The Donington Park Circuit is a track of two distinct halves, with the first section comprising fast, flowing corners and elevation changes through sections such as Hollywood and the Craner Curves, while the second half is exemplified by flatter, tighter sections like the Fogarty Esses and Melbourne Hairpin.
Action starts at the Donington WorldSBK round with Free Practice 1 at 0945 local time (GMT +1) on Friday with Race 1 on Saturday starting at 1315 on Saturday and 1300 on Sunday.
Leon Camier 2
I’m looking forward to heading to Donington this weekend for my home race. After Imola I took a couple of days off and since then I’ve been doing a lot of treatment to help in my recovery. Although I’m still in some pain, I feel better in training and my lung capacity has come on quite a lot so I feel that physically I’m in a better place than I was in Imola. I’ll only really know how much better my condition is once I get on my Fireblade, but the goal for me and the team is to try and get through the whole race weekend.
Jake Gagne 45
I can’t wait to get back on the Fireblade at Donington! We made some really solid progress on some important points with the bike at Imola and although it was a shame we didn’t get to show what we were fully capable of, I think we’re ready to make some good jumps forward this weekend. I really like the look of the Donington park circuit and the Fireblade should work very well there. Looks like we should have some great weather so I’m ready to hit the track on Friday and get to work.
Kervin Bos
Team Manager
We’ve been working hard since the last round at Imola with some engine and electronics development so although we’ve had some challenges on track the last few rounds, we’re still pushing ahead with our 2018 development programme. Jake hasn’t raced at Donington before, but did manage some track time on a CBR600RR in a recent promotional day with the Ron Haslam Race School so he at least knows the basic layout of the circuit. Leon has continued his recovery with lots of treatment after Imola and although he’s still carrying his injuries he’ll give his everything this weekend in front of his home fans. The weather at Donington can be quite changeable, but right now the forecast looks promising and with the atmosphere from the British fans always being great and the circuit itself having such an amazing layout, the team is really looking forward to racing this weekend.