WSBK – Phillip Island SBK Videos, Statements & Analysis – Superbike Riders’ Statements

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Phillip Island SBK Videos, Statements and Analysis

WSBK - Phillip Island SBK Videos, Statements & Analysis - Superbike Riders' Statements

The first SBK event in Australia took place yesterday at Phillip Island. To complete our live reports, here are the statements of the SBK riders, our analyzes and the video summaries of the Superbike and Supersport races..

Superbike rider statements

Carlos Checa, 1st (2 x) :
"The trials went extremely well (read and, Editor’s note) and we knew we had a good pace, but you never know what can happen in the race, especially when you discover a wet track on Sunday morning, like today. My strategy was to take the lead and keep my pace, which was higher than the others. In the first run, once Laverty passed, I was able to find a good rhythm. Once in a while you have a weekend like this … We were lucky to start the season this way! The second round was similar, I managed the situation and it did! It was a great weekend that we dominated from start to finish. We were also lucky with the weather, we couldn’t have started the season better. I would like to thank Ducati and the team, who believe in me. We are now heading to Donington where we will continue to give our all ".

Max Biaggi, 2nd (2 x) :
"Today’s results were truly superb, especially compared to last year and the year before. It’s no secret that this track has always been a problem for us, but this time we worked hard to prepare as best as possible and I can really say that we were successful, getting the fastest lap in each race. sleeve confirms it. In this, I must thank my team, which was quick to analyze my observations. Without taking anything away from Carlos Checa’s extraordinary performance, the twin cylinders still have a certain advantage on this track. We took the first event on the right foot. We have to keep working, as always".

Leon Haslam, 3rd then 5th :
"Our team has made tremendous progress in two weeks. We still have a few issues that we need to study in more detail in order to become regulars on the podium, but overall we should be happy with these two races. The first one was awesome. In the second we had some issues but we still reached the Top 5, so we’re really happy. A big thank you to the team for their efforts this weekend. We must now ask ourselves and precisely organize our passage to the next stage".

Marco Melandri, 5th then 3rd :
"I’m pretty happy with my final results today, although I wasn’t too happy at the end of the first race. We struggled all week with the rear grip and it showed in the first run. I think we did a good job before the second round, we adjusted our settings to remedy this and we were able to see our potential a little better. The bike was much better and I felt much more comfortable. It’s nice to get back on the podium! I wanted to face Biaggi for 2nd place, but at the end of the race my body was slower than my mind … I felt it was dangerous to try some overtaking and I was happy to grab 3rd place".

Eugene Laverty, 4th then 15th :
"In the first run, I had problems with arm cramps and had to procrastinate. I could have fought for 3rd place but I didn’t want to take any chances. The problem was fixed at the Mobile Clinic, it was just that I was stiff after spending five days on the bike in a week! Marco upped the pace in the second round. It would have been hard to beat, but 4th place was there for me. Unfortunately, two false dead spots ruined my race and I only scored one point. The silver lining is that I’m optimistic about Donington. We clearly have a good overall, and in race conditions our competitors are not as fast as testing suggested.".

Jonathan Rea, 12th then 4th :
"I’m completely flushed out but pretty satisfied I guess after everything we’ve been through the last few days. I blame myself for having missed my braking in the first run, but I had no more strength in my hand. I passed Nori in the second run but he came back strong towards the leaders and I couldn’t follow him. I didn’t have a lot of strength but I knew I could hold my time until the end, like everyone else. The bike was going really well and I was able to stay within 1’33 until I caught up with Fabrizio and Haslam. There I paused a little to catch my breath and observe them. I think I could have passed Leon in some places, but I had done most of my overtaking in turns 7 and 8. So I decided to save all my energy to overtake him there on the last lap. If you had told me on Wednesday, while I was lying in my hospital bed, that I would be leaving Australia in 6th place in the provisional, I would have laughed at you! A big thank you to the team, who brought a physiotherapist here to help me between practice sessions and between races, and to the bike, who didn’t make a single misstep this weekend. We still have to find some speed on the straights because I had a hard time passing my opponents in the first corner, but overall I’m happy with what we have.".

Michel Fabrizio, 6th then 8th :
"I am both happy and disappointed. Happy because I was able to fight with the fastest in both races and that is a big plus in terms of confidence. Disappointed with my result in the second run … I wasn’t sure what to expect for my first race with Team Suzuki Alstare and it was good to be able to fight for the podium in the first run. I might have been able to get there with a good start in the second run. Instead, I ended up 11th at the end of the first lap and had to fight in the peloton, which is not easy because there are plenty of good riders and good bikes. It took a while, but I was 7th halfway through the race, then 5th after 15 laps. I found myself facing the trio Laverty, Melandri and Haslam, it was very pleasant to ride with them. By the time I thought I could strike the charge, my tires started to deteriorate and I couldn’t attack as I wanted. I kept going as hard as I could, but couldn’t pass them so I finished 6th".

Tom Sykes, 8th then 9th :
"We had two Top 9 results and are 8th overall, so it’s not a bad start. In the first heat I got off to a good start but I couldn’t escape with the other drivers in the first laps. I caught up with them at the end of the race. The changes made for the second run were good, the grip was better. I weakened a bit in the middle of the race but came back strong towards the end. If I had started well, I’m sure I could have reached 6th place. Let’s put the ifs and butes aside: the bike is still new and everyone is being realistic, we know where to improve and hope for brighter results soon.".

Leon Camier, 13th then 6th :
"Given the difficulties encountered this weekend, I am really surprised by my results today. We changed the rear tire for the second race and I tried to drive calmly at the start, looked for my pace and avoided mistakes. Lap after lap, the feeling improved and I climbed to 6th position. To say I was tired would be an understatement, but I think I can consider myself quite satisfied. Things might have turned out differently if I hadn’t gotten sick, but that’s okay. I have to put my head in and get to work: there is a long season ahead of us".

Noriyuki Haga, 9th then 7th :
"I am happy with my two results in the race. We have continuously improved and we can still do so thanks to our excellent technical ensemble. Unfortunately, we were held back during the second half of the race by tire problems. After the adjustments made by the team between the two races, the life of the tire increased and I was able to fight for the first places almost to the checkered flag. I am sure that the experience gained here will be useful to show us even better when the second round of the championship begins.".

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