WSBK – Statements and analysis of Superbike in Monza – Statements of Superbike riders in Italy

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Superbike statements and analysis at Monza

WSBK - Statements and analysis of Superbike in Monza - Statements of Superbike riders in Italy

The fourth round of the World SBK 2013 took place yesterday in Monza, Italy. To complete our live reports, here are the statements of the Superbike riders as well as the Site analysis of the two Italian races.

Statements by Superbike riders in Italy

Site readers – who, as everyone knows, are a little more fortunate than the others – were already able to experience yesterday, almost directly, the unfolding of the Mondial Superbike and Supersport races on the Monza circuit (for latecomers, read).

Here are the declarations of the pilots who distinguished themselves on Sunday … Honors to the winners !

Marco Melandri, 1st then 2nd:
"It has been an incredible day for me. Finishing first and second here at Monza is just great and it feels good after our tough start to the season. The first race was amazing. I knew my race pace was pretty good, although we struggled a bit in qualifying. From the start, I knew it would be very difficult, until the last corner. When Eugene passed me on the last lap, I thought it would be impossible to pass him again, because he was very good in the corners and was pulling away. But in the last corner I found myself quite close to him, I knew I could go a little faster than the others, so I passed him and even though I got out a bit wide I continued full gas to the finish line. Until the checkered flag, I was talking to my RR, saying "go, go, go": it was incredible".

"In the middle of the second race, I was a little faster than the two guys in front of me, but I couldn’t pass. Then Sylvain made a small mistake, I passed him and then tried to catch Eugene, but he was a bit too far. Anyway, I am also very happy with this second place. I am now confident because I feel the feeling with the bike is coming back. I can brake and enter corners aggressively, which is my riding style. I am sure that from now on we will fight with the best riders in every race. Thank you very much to my team because they are working very hard, I am sure our championship will start now. And I also want to say "Grazie" to my many fans who have come here today. It was just great to see the stands

Eugene Laverty, 3rd then 1st:
"It was a great day for me. After the podium in the first race, it was good to finish the weekend with a victory. Especially since I was a little disappointed to have missed the top step of the podium in the first run, when I could have reached it by managing the end differently. We have shown that we can be fast and consistent on two very different tracks like Assen and Monza. My RSV4 worked very well. On this track, the speed and balance of the bike when braking is essential. The situation in the championship is excellent if you consider my double DNF (Did Not Finish or "did not finish", Editor’s note) in Aragon. But I have already left those bad times behind and I am also counting on good results in the next event in Donington. Even if it’s a "practically" home race (Eugene is Irish, not English, NDLR), it has never been particularly favorable to me, but I think this year I have everything it takes to fill this gap".

Tom Sykes, 2nd then 3rd:
"I gave everything today, there was nothing more I could do. The first race was a great one, a great battle although I was a little behind for a while. I was waiting to see where these guys were strong, and they had a little bit of speed, so I used that to my advantage and it got us into a very exciting final lap. I tried to lead after the 15th lap and to widen the gap, but it was not possible because they caught up with me immediately. The last lap was great, the first three places were played on the last corner, but I didn’t want to do anything stupid. Seeing the Kawasaki perform like this here makes me very motivated. Monza was going to be one of the toughest circuits of this season, but we are leaving with pole position, a new circuit record, a lap record and two podiums so I’m happy. !"

Sylvain Guintoli, 4th (x 2):
"What an exciting weekend! In the first run, I felt really fast until the halfway point, and then that feeling left me: fourth place was the maximum I could get. In the second run, I had a better pace. The others had a lot more trouble passing me, but in the last two laps I wasn’t able to keep up with Eugene and Melandri. The decision that was taken after Sykes’ maneuver seemed obvious to me, we must now wait (the final decision of the FIM, editor’s note). For sure my team deserved the podium after working so hard. Every point is very important for the championship".

Loris Baz, 7th then 8th:
"We knew this day was going to be tough for us, but in the second race we got a lot of it and I think we know which way to go on this circuit. I am confident for the next races and satisfied with my sixth place in the championship. In the second heat, the bike stalled on the starting grid when I engaged the first gear: I think I did not put enough gas. So I had to start from the pits, and I think I could have been sixth in this race and not eighth, because I was no longer attacking at the end. Other runners did not score points".

Leon Camier, 9th then 7th:
"I got off to a good start in the second race and passed Jules on the first lap. I then tried to get into the rhythm and not get off the right car. It took me a couple of laps to gain the feeling and confidence in the brakes because we had made a change for the second race. They looked OK, not as good in performance, but more consistent, so I was able to attack. The set-up of the bike also worked better and allowed me to do a little more in the race, and I think today’s results are what we would expect on this track. Yoshimura and the Crescent team did a great job and the engine performance has nothing to do with last year, but I don’t think we could have done much more here.".

Jules Cluzel, 17th then fall:
"I made a mistake in the first race and had to pass through the pit lane. I think it was a bit hard because I had already lost 10 seconds and had no chance of scoring a single point. In the second run we worked a lot on the bike and made a few changes to improve traction, but I lost the rear for the first time in four races and crashed. I think I made a mistake, but the bike setup was completely new and my feeling was different because we had changed a lot of things. I may need to adjust for a longer time before I try to do some quick laps. This is a lesson to be learned. I didn’t score any points this weekend, but I’m already focused on the next race, because this one wasn’t the best for me".

Carlos Checa, package:
"The truth is, I had a weird feeling on the track this morning when I realized I wasn’t going to get on the bike. The races were tough, as usual here at Monza. The first one was very nice, with all the ingredients unique to Monza and its chicanes. The arrival was very clear. In the end, the fight was limited to three drivers who could win, because Guintoli may have attacked too early and in the end he stayed behind. It was a great fight between Laverty, Melandri and Sykes. I think Laverty had a bit more traction and if he had waited a bit more he could have kept the lead as well. Maybe he should have waited for the home stretch. I’m glad Melandri won as he gets involved in the championship fight. He had to win so as not to be left behind. If we can take the suction and if there is room, we must pass at all costs. Melandri entered first and resisted, maybe Laverty was surprised and had to widen a bit, but Sykes was in ambush and he passed second. I wouldn’t have bet on Melandri, but he was a strong contender. He is a driver who brakes very well and he had sufficient traction to claim victory. In the second race, we saw the same thing as in the first. Those with the right pace were there. I think Laverty learned from the first run and in the last corner he was able to hold onto his position. Sykes pulled straight out, got out and joined the track in third ahead of Guintoli. I don’t know what the race management will decide … As far as I’m concerned, I’m going to stay in Italy to see a specialist and I hope I’ll be in good shape for Donington".

And now for our MNC analysis of the Mondial Superbike in Monza !

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