Acerbis French Round
Motul FIM Superbike World Championship
Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
Magny-Cours, France
September 29, 2018
Race One Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Jonathan Rea, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), 21 laps, Total Race Time 34:15.613, Best Lap Time 1:37.152
2. Tom Sykes, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -3.091 seconds, 1:37.180
3. Xavi Fores, Spain (Duc Panigale R), -8.558, 1:37.544
4. Lorenzo Savadori, Italy (Apr RSV4 RF), -9.193, 1:37.474
5. Chaz Davies, UK (Duc Panigale R), -10.074, 1:37.501
6. Marco Melandri, Italy (Duc Panigale R), -12.509, 1:37.677
7. Michael Van Der Mark, Netherlands (Yam YZF-R1), -14.733, 1:37.851
8. Toprak Razgatlioglu, Turkey (Kaw ZX-10RR), -22.878, 1:37.814
9. Eugene Laverty, Ireland (Apr RSV4 RF), -23.028, 1:38.146
10. Loris Baz, France (BMW S1000RR), -23.109, 1:37.950
11. Leon Camier, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -24.709, 1:38.414
12. Jordi Torres, Spain (MV Agusta F4 RC), -32.766, 1:38.749
13. Jake Gagne, USA (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -33.456, 1:38.577
14. Leandro Mercado, Argentina (Kaw ZX-10RR), -37.808, 1:38.816
15. Roman Ramos, Spain (Kaw ZX-10RR), -46.558, 1:39.294
16. PJ Jacobsen, USA (Honda CBR1000RR SP2), -49.525, 1:39.294
17. Jeremy Guarnoni, France (Kaw ZX-10RR), -57.484, 1:39.693
18. Alex Lowes, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -72.942, crash, 1:38.967
19. Michael Rinaldi, Italy (Duc Panigale R), -19 laps, DNF, crash, 1:38.287
20. Matthieu Lussiana, France (Apr RSV4 RF), -20 laps, DNF, retired, no lap time recorded
21. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Yam YZF-R1), -21 laps, DNF, mechanical, no lap time recorded
World Championship Point Standings (after 21 of 26 races):
1. Rea, 445 points, clinched 2018 World Championship
2. Davies, 315
3. Van Der Mark, 293
4. Sykes, 260
5. Melandri, 239
6. Lowes, 204
7. Fores, 186
8. Laverty, 129
9. Razgatlioglu, 116
10. Savadori, 115
11. Baz, 109
12. Torres, 96
13. Camier, 95
14. Rinaldi, 74
15. Mercado, 61
16. Ramos, 56
17. Gagne, 51
18. Yonny Hernandez, 28
19. Jacobsen, 21
20. Leon Haslam, 14
21. Davide Giugliano, 11
22. Niccolo Canepa, 7
23. Karel Hanika, 5
24. Bradley Ray, 3
25. TIE, Luke Mossey/Ondrej Jezek, 2
27. Alessandro Andreozzi, 1
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WSBK Press Office:
Four of a kind: Jonathan Rea secures 2018 WorldSBK Championship crown
Northern Irish rider makes history once more
After facing one of his toughest challenges yet, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has secured another stunning feat, taking his fourth consecutive MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title by a sensational 130 points.
At 31 years of age, the racer from Ballymena in Northern Ireland is continuing to make history with the unstoppable combination of his racing talent and the ZX-10RR. Since joining Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK in 2016, Rea has been a winning machine, taking four back to back world titles and 52 victories in four seasons. Making history in 2018 by breaking the overall victory record of 60 wins in WorldSBK with a race one victory at Brno, he has now become only the second rider to take four titles in the world’s fastest production based motorbike championship, and the first to do so consecutively.
2018 has proven to be his biggest challenge, as himself and his Provec Racing squad have been working around the new regulations which were introduced this season – aiming to create more parity throughout the class. Adding extra challenges, Rea took it all in his stride and despite a tough opening round at Phillip Island Grand Prix which saw him hindered by the flu and a pre-season finger injury. Leaving Australia with a top five and second position finish, he was ready to bounce back in Thailand.
Chang International Circuit was the setting for the second round of the season, and Rea was back to his best in race one – taking the victory by 1.5s after a strong fight from Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) and Chaz Davies’ (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) Panigale R machines. However race two threw up some challenges, as his Ninja machine had some brake issues in the Thai heat meaning he could only secure a top four finish. Leading the championship charge as the series headed to Europe, there was never a doubt Rea was the man to beat.
Beginning what was set to be an intense part of the season, the British rider once again took the victory in race one as the series took on MotorLand Aragon in a stunning performance. But the reversed grid rules offered a challenge to Rea in race two, and he was unable to match Davies’ pace as he took second position in Spain. With the championship heading straight to TT Circuit Assen for a back to back race weekend, Rea was ready to take on his new crown as the King of Assen. With a stunning record around the Dutch circuit, a win in race one meant he was the most successful rider at Assen. But he was unable to stop team-mate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in race two, after the British rider put on a stunning performance.
Taking on Ducati territory at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrai di Imola for round five, Rea found his time to shine in 2018. Taking a double victory around the notoriously tight and twisty track, he also secured his 59th WorldSBK win and got one step closer to the overall win record. Stunning with his pace around the technical Italian circuit, he was able to leave Imola with a 47 point championship lead and on the verge of making more history.
Welcoming a return to his home turf of Donington Park, Rea had a more difficult weekend in Leicestershire – suffering from arm pump. Unable to hold off the stunning pace from debut winner Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team), Rea left the United Kingdom with a second and third position finish but an extension of his championship lead. Determined to be back on top in round seven, Automotodrom Brno was a weekend of ups and downs in Rea’s title chase. Experiencing ecstasy in race one, with his 60th victory to secure him the overall win record in WorldSBK, he saw heartbreak in race two with his first DNF of the season following a coming together with his team-mate.
But off the back of his DNF, he went onto win four races in a row. Stunning under the Californian sunshine of Laguna Seca, Rea was untouchable around the fast and flowing circuit and he looked to be riding his ZX-10RR on rails. Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli was the setting for round nine, and the round before the summer break. Important to enter the break off the back of a strong weekend, Rea was once again unstoppable with his team and he took a stunning double victory, although had to work for it in race two.
After nine weeks away from racing action, the Nolan Portuguese Round welcomed a sensational return to action for Rea, and he was able to secure his third consecutive double victory in Portugal. On top of this, it was his fifth and sixth consecutive victory in 2018 and he now had one hand on the world title after a sweltering weekend at the undulating track.
Returning to the scene of the track which saw Rea take his 2017 crown, Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours took on another huge importance for the Northern Irishman. But he was on such a roll heading to France, it was hard to see anyone stopping him, and no one did. Rea was crowned world champion in France for the second season in succession, writing even more history as he takes a sensational fourth back to back title.
Is there any stopping Rea? As he continues to make history and headlines, you can congratulate him with: #RE4CH4MP.
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK):
“It’s absolutely incredible, I don’t have many words, we just played our cards perfectly this weekend with one lap pace and trying to be fast over the race but feel so blessed and lucky right now. I was just a young kid with a dream from Northern Ireland and now I’m four times world champion and its beyond my wildest dreams. Thanks to everyone for believing in me over the years, I couldn’t have done it without you all. Thank you.”
More, from a press release issued by Red Bull Honda:
Camier and Gagne in the points at Magny-Cours
French Round
Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours, France
The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team came away from Race 1 at Magny-Cours with a double points finish after Leon Camier claimed eleventh place, with Jake Gagne close behind in thirteenth position.
Earlier in the day, both riders showed improved pace from yesterday with Camier topping Superpole 1, with Gagne only a few tenths behind in P4. Camier would ultimately qualify in eleventh place for Race 1 with a best time of 1’37.398 in Superpole 2.
Starting from eleventh and fourteenth on the grid respectively for Race 1, Camier and Gagne managed to make up places in the opening lap, both riders finding themselves in the fight for the top ten in the early stages.
Unfortunately for Camier, he had a moment after Rinaldi crashed on the third lap, losing a couple of seconds which cost him several positions. Despite improving his pace after this setback, eleventh place was the the British rider could manage on the day.
Gagne was able to lap at a similar to his teammate for long periods in the race, before a lack of grip caused him to slow in the final few laps, with the American crossing the finish line in thirteenth place.
After today’s race, Camier moves to 95 championship points and is thirteenth in the championship standings, while Gagne is in seventeeth place in the riders championship on 51 points.
The riders will be looking to challenge for a top ten place in Race 2 tomorrow which starts at 1515 local time (GMT +2).
Leon Camier 2
I got a good start in Race 1 today, but on the third lap RInaldi crashed in front of me which cost me a few positions. As I passed him, the rear of the bike had a massive moment so I thought there was oil on the track, raised my hand to warn the other riders and they all went past. It set me back a bit, so after that I concentrated on closing the gap. I could set a good pace in the middle stages of the race, but eleventh was the best I could do given the earlier setback. Our bike setting today was better than yesterday, so we’ll keep in this direction and go for it again tomorrow.
Jake Gagne 45
We got the bike working a lot better today in FP4, and on race tyres in Superpole I managed to set a real good pace which helped for the race today. My start in the race was one of my better ones and I could make up a few places, but as we got to the middle of the race and the tyre grip went away, I struggled a bit. In the final few laps the lack of grip meant I made a few mistakes and I lost a place to Torres, but we know where we need to improve. I need to be smoother, hit all my points and if I do this I’m sure we can be stronger in Race 2.
Kervin Bos
Team Manager
We managed to give both Leon and Jake a more comfortable setting for today, with both of them being more competitive than we were yesterday. During the race Leon had an early setback when Rinaldi crashed, which in the end would have seen him fighting around eighth place but eleventh was the best we could do today. Also for Jake, in the early part of the race he was in the top ten and was competitive, we just need to find a way for him to manage the second half of the race better. We’ll continue to work on things and aim to get both riders a bit further up the results sheet tomorrow.
More, from a press release issued by Pata Yamaha:
Hard Fought Seventh for Van Der Mark in Tough Magny-Cours Encounter
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team riders Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes endured a challenging Race 1 at Round 11 of the FIM World Superbike Championship in Magny-Cours today. Van der Mark overcame rear grip issues to pick up vital championship points in seventh place, whereas Lowes was left frustrated after a lonely ride to 18th place following a crash just two laps into the race.
It was Lowes that took an early advantage today, with the 28-year-old Briton securing fifth position on the second row of the grid in the final Superpole shootout. Van der Mark was unable to match the qualifying pace of his Pata Yamaha teammate and started today’s 21-lap race from tenth position on the fourth row.
A lack of rear grip from the start of the race meant that van der Mark was unable to maintain contact with the leading group, becoming embroiled instead in a frenetic battle for sixth with Toprak Razgatlioglu, Marco Melandri and Loris Baz. The Pata Yamaha rider eventually forced his way to the front of the group and had managed to pull a small gap on his pursuers by mid race distance. However, a missed gear in the closing stages allowed Melandri back through and van der Mark was forced to settle for seventh at the finish.
Lowes was battling within the leading group from the start, but his podium challenge came to a premature end when the Pata Yamaha rider crashed at turn 15 on lap two of 21. The 28-year-old Briton remounted to rejoin the race, but at the back of the field and 55 seconds down on the race leader. A points scoring finish proved an impossible task today, with Lowes eventually crossing the line in 18th place. The fact that he maintained a consistent pace over the full race distance will pay dividends for Lowes however, as his crew will use the race data to refine further the set up of his Yamaha YZF-R1 ahead of Race 2 tomorrow.
Michael van der Mark
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team – 7th + 14.733
“It was a really difficult race here in Magny-Cours today. This morning we tried a few things on the bike that didn’t work as expected, so we switched back to the set up from yesterday for qualifying. My Superpole lap felt quite good but the lap time just wasn’t there and that meant I started the race today from the fourth row of the grid, which isn’t ideal. From the start I was struggling for rear grip and that made for a long and tough race. Now we need to sit down with the guys, carefully analyse the data and find a solution, even if that means making big changes to the bike ahead of warm up tomorrow. I hope we can make a step overnight and that this will allow us to fight once again for the podium in Race 2.”
Alex Lowes
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team – 18th + 1:12.942
“I made a strong start from the second row of the grid and was able to maintain my position on the opening lap, but then I made a small mistake at turn 15, touching the kerb on the inside of the corner, and it unsettled the bike enough to bring me off. That was my day pretty much done in terms of a result, but I managed to remount and finish the race. We’ll look at the data from the race tonight and, hopefully, we can find a solution to the issues I’m having on corner exit, as this would make a big difference in the race tomorrow.”
Paul Denning
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK – Team Principal
“There’s no question it was a tough race here at Magny-Cours today. Of course, as our riders and the R1 have gained so much competitiveness, victories and podiums over the course of the season, the expectation and target is always higher than today’s result. In the end it’s the World Championship, there are many very high quality riders and factory machines and we only need to be missing a very small piece of the jigsaw and we suffer, as we saw with Michael today. He rode his heart out for 21 laps, but it wasn’t enough, so he and his crew will try to understand what they can do to find a couple of tenths in rhythm for tomorrow, when starting from the second row will be a huge help.. Alex has ridden a very solid weekend, looked in good shape in terms of challenging within the podium group but, unfortunately, a small mistake on lap 2 had a big consequence. He was able to rejoin and, as always he dug in and made sure he completed the race. Now we need to press “reset” on both sides of the garage and push as hard as we can tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Rea Takes Four Of A Kind Championship Win
Jonathan Rea (KRT) secured a famous fourth FIM Superbike World Championship title at Magny Cours today by winning his 13th race of the season on his Ninja ZX-10RR. Rea is the second rider to have won four WorldSBK titles, but the only rider to have won four in succession. Tom Sykes (KRT) was a strong second in the 21-lap race, having earlier set a new track record while earning his 47th career Superpole win.
With Sykes and Rea 1-2 after Superpole, and both well under the existing lap record, the KRT duo took the race to their competitors from the startline. Rea passed Sykes early in the race, into the Estoril corner, and he ran up front from then on, sometimes at lap record pace. Rea set a 1’37.152 on his eighth tour of the 4.411km circuit to score his new lap record.
Rea’s win gave him 130 podiums in WorldSBK, bringing him level to the all time record, which he now shares with Troy Corser.
On the slowdown lap Rea celebrated his championship win with a game of cards against three of his own ‘alter egos’, wearing his racing suits and crash helmets representing each of Rea’s championship winning season with KRT, from 2015 onward.
Sykes, who has now recovered well from a training injury in the long summer break, pushed as hard as he could to stay in contention with Rea. He had to settle for second place after almost losing the front more than once, but recorded his first podium since Brno in July.
In the current championship points, Rea has 445 points, Chaz Davies 315, Michael van der Mark 293 and Sykes 260. One more race remains at Magny Cours, on Sunday the 30th of September.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was eighth today, Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) 14th, Roman Ramos (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) 15th and Jeremy Guarnoni (Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) 17th.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It is absolutely incredible to win four. Sometimes even after winning back-to-back championships, or three in a row I have to say it is hard to find words to speak about what you have just done. It is like we are riding the wave now with our Ninja ZX-10RR, with incredible people around me. Whilst I always dreamed of being in this position I never thought it to was realistic. It was so fitting that Guim, the team manager, allowed my dad to come and collect the team award on the podium. I got really choked up when he came up because it just reminded me of growing up in Northern Ireland and travelling all round with my parents to motocross races. Then getting my first pro ride in roadracing, and my parents letting go. But they have always had my back. So that was super-nice. Pere and my team gave me a great bike this weekend and the target was clear. We have been in this position before, so there was no kind of nervousness or anxiety around, it was really positive energy. On track Fabien has been analysing what we can do and the team worked super-hard all weekend to get the best out of the bike when the tyre was dropping. In the hot conditions, at the end of the race, that is what we worked towards today. The feeling with the bike just kept coming and I was able to knock it off on the last lap and take it all in. I was aware of the crowd there and what I was about to achieve so that last lap there I thought about winning the championship. It is incredible, and incredible journey.”
Tom Sykes, stated: “Not a bad day but I am slightly disappointed that we suffered a little bit during the race. I settled into a good rhythm but when I wanted to attack, we missed it. I have spoken to the boys and I think we know what it is. I certainly enjoyed that race. When I tried to push I lost the front a couple of times. I am happy with the way the race went today, with this in mind. I am excited and motivated for tomorrow. I think we can improve our set-up a little bit. We need to start from the third row so it is all about a little bit of aggression. Today is a day for Jonathan Rea. He has had four fantastic years, kind of flawless years, and he has pushed very hard and made a very good job. Congratulations to him, his family and his side of the garage. Tomorrow we will have a go and try to win.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WSBK Press Office:
#FrenchWorldSBK– Day 2: That’s a wrap! Rea takes the win and the title in style
Rea makes it four in a row in France, ahead of Sykes and Fores
Four of a kind: Rea took the fourth title in style
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) took the 2018 WorldSBK crown in style at the Acerbis French Round, slicing past teammate Tom Sykes in the early stages of Race One and imperious from there on in to take victory number 13 of the year. Unlucky for some, but far from it for the now four-time Champion. Sykes took second from his record-breaking pole, with Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) completing the podium after a three-way fight for third.
It was Sykes who got the holeshot from pole, getting a lightning start and leaving teammate Rea to trail him in second – albeit in very close company. Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) kept his P3 from the front row as they shot off the line, with Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) slotting into fourth as the field made their way around Lap 1. But Rea remained threatening in second and feinted a number of moves, before the reigning Champion pounced for the lead not long after.
Just off that fight at the front, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) took an early tumble, followed not long after by a DNF for Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) in that same mid top ten group. Rea was then pulling away from Sykes and Sykes from those on the chase as Fores hustled past Savadori and took over in third, but the Italian stayed close and Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was beginning to hone in on that battle.
Rea crossed the line for win number 13 and his fourth crown in style, with Sykes just behind his teammate in another impressive 1-2 for Kawasaki. Fores was able to fight off Savadori, and both just stayed ahead of Davies by the flag. Davies needed to finish second to stop Rea taking the crown, but after a mid top ten qualifying and still recovering from a broken collarbone, it was a tall order. The Welshman nevertheless put together an impressive ride in difficult circumstances – much like his races in Portugal. His teammate Marco Melandri , after a tough qualifying, moved through from p12 on the grid to take sixth.
Seventh went to Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) as he moved up from tenth on the grid, getting past Toprak Razgatliouglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) at mid-distance and steadily pulling away from the Turk, who came home in P8. Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW) had been fighting him in the latter stages but couldn’t make it stick, and just at the end was pipped to ninth by Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia).
Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) took P11, ahead of Jordi Torres in P12 for MV Agusta Reparto Corse.
Four titles in a row, 13 race wins this season and two rounds still to go make for another amazing season for Jonathan Rea. See him race as the 2018 champion for the first time on Sunday in Race Two from Magny-Cours.
P1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
“It’s absolutely incredible, I don’t have many words, we just played our cards perfectly this weekend with one lap pace and trying to be fast over the race but feel so blessed and lucky right now. I was just a young kid with a dream from Northern Ireland and now I’m four times world champion and its beyond my wildest dreams. Thanks to everyone for believing in me over the years, I couldn’t have done it without you all. Thank you.”
P2 – Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSK)
“Not a bad but slightly disappointed, for whatever reason we struggled a little bit in the race, we struggled at the beginning and when I wanted to attack we missed it. I spoke with the boys and I think we know what it is, but I enjoyed the race and like I said, when I tried to push I lost the front a couple of times and couldn’t do what I wanted. I am happy with the race and for tomorrow I am very excited and motivated, starting from the third row tomorrow is all about aggression. But today is all about Jonathan Rea!”
P3 – Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team)
“It was a very hard race because the pace was so fast during all the race. At the beginning I was able to stay with Tom, but I felt a small drop on the front tyre and I decide to make my rhythm to the last part of the race. In the final laps I tried to defend my position and it was so good for me to be back on the podium after some hard races, and its good for me to have a good feeling for the rest of the season, and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Gulf Althea BMW Racing:
Top ten for Baz and Gulf Althea BMW in race 1 at Magny-Cours
Magny-Cours (France), Saturday 29 September 2018
Racing at home this weekend, at the Nevers Magny Cours circuit in France, Gulf Althea BMW rider Loris Baz crossed the line tenth in the first Superbike race of this eleventh world championship round. Alessandro Delbianco has qualified eighth for the final Superstock 1000 race of the season, taking place tomorrow morning.
Superpole 2: Having qualified directly for today’s second phase of the Superpole, Baz completed a total of six laps during the 15-minute session. His best time, set on the qualifying tyre, was a 1’37.055, thanks to which he concluded the session in eighth place, translating into a third row start for race one.
SBK – Race 1: Baz unfortunately lost a few places off the line, lying twelfth through the first corners. Determined to make up the lost ground, the Frenchman was back up to eighth by lap three. Maintaining a constant pace, and finding himself ninth towards mid-race, Loris caught and passed Razgatlioglu on lap eleventh, moving back up into eighth. The second part of the race became more challenging, the Frenchman suffering from a lack of grip at the front and vibration at the rear of his bike; as a result, and despite his best efforts, the Frenchman crossed the line in final tenth place today.
Loris Baz:
“I’m not particularly happy with today’s race. My pace through the first laps was quite good, and I was able to stick with those immediately ahead of me. But then, after about ten laps or so, I lost grip at the front and also lost weight balance at the rear, which caused vibration. I got to the finish line but unfortunately couldn’t hold onto ninth, crossing the line in tenth place in the end. I couldn’t hold my speed through the sections where I am generally able to, so we’ll try to understand why that was and work to resolve this for tomorrow’s race.”
“I’m pleased because we’re going well at this track, which I consider one of my favourites. We have great pace and I’m confident for the race. Unfortunately, I’m still not doing well with the qualifying lap, we’re only eighth on the grid but I’ll do my best, as ever, also because I’d like to close the season with a solid result.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Davies 5th and Melandri 6th in Race 1 at Magny Cours with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team
After a day of practice, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team resumed action today at Magny Cours (France), home of the 11th round of the 2018 WorldSBK Championship, for the first of two scheduled races. Chaz Davies, despite not being at his 100 percent physically due to a double collarbone injury, showed resilience starting from second row to recover positions and fight for the podium until the checkered flag. The Welshman finished in fifth position, less than two seconds behind third place. Marco Melandri also mounted a solid comeback after encountering some difficulties in Superpole. Starting from 12th position on the grid, the Italian climbed back to sixth, finishing just behind his teammate.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi, after showing good competitiveness both during practice and qualifying with the Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team, was forced to retire due to a technical problem, which resulted in a crash without serious consequences. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team and the Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team will resume action Sunday, September 30, at 10:10 (CET) for one last warm-up session ahead of Race 2, which is scheduled to start at 15:15.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #7) – 5th
“We did all we could to close down on Fores and Savadori, and in the middle of the race I was starting to get a sniff of a podium. Towards the end, however, we couldn’t really put it all together as I was struggling a bit with engine brake and I couldn’t ride as smoothly as I would’ve liked. It’s a shame we couldn’t have a battle, but overall I’m happy with our performance. Physically I’m not at 100 percent but I felt pretty decent during the race, so now we’ll try to make the bike a little bit calmer and take advantage of the start from front row tomorrow.”
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #33) – 6th
“It was a difficult race, but in the end also a positive one. After a bad Superpole, starting in 12th position definitely made it harder for us. In the first laps, I was struggling under braking and couldn’t pass, which made us lose some time. Then, I found my rhythm, posting strong lap times and making some nice passes, but we couldn’t bridge the gap entirely and get on the podium. I’m optimistic for tomorrow, as we’ll start from front row. That said, we still need to improve the setup a bit in order to be more aggressive.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team #21) – DNF
“If we take into account the weekend so far, we can be happy because we’ve shown good speed on this track. On the other hand, I’m a bit sad because a technical problem penalized us during the race. I’m a bit bruised after the crash, but I’ll try my best to finish the season on a high note tomorrow. Knowing we can be competitive will give me an extra boost for Race 2.”
Marco Zambenedetti, Technical Coordinator on track for Ducati Corse
“Despite some difficulties encountered in practice, we managed to improve our competitiveness in race configuration and both our riders gave their all on track. Chaz barely missed the podium and extended his advantage in the fight for runner-up, and Marco also showed a strong pace after the early laps to recover positions. We’ll analyze the data to allow both of them to improve and take advantage of the front-row start in Race 2.”