WSBK – Statements and Analysis of the SBK at Phillip Island – Statements from Superbike riders in Australia

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Phillip Island SBK Statements and Analysis

WSBK - Statements and Analysis of the SBK at Phillip Island - Statements from Superbike riders in Australia

The first round of the 2013 World SBK took place yesterday in Phillip Island, Australia. To complete our live reports, here are the statements of the Superbike riders as well as the Site analysis of the two Australian races.

Statements from Superbike riders in Australia

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

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

Sylvain Guintoli, 1st then 2nd:
"It’s great to start with a win! Quite honestly after the tests I knew I could do well and from the start my intention was to give my best. My goal has always been to win, but sometimes you have to adapt to the conditions. Today however, the set-up was good, I didn’t have any serious concerns about tire life and everything went as planned. In the first run, I didn’t get off to a good start and lost a few positions, but lap after lap, I found the right pace to come back up. Eugene had run away well but when I passed him, I managed to keep my distance and achieve this important victory. In the second heat, Eugene was a little faster than me on the last laps. He deployed a similar strategy to the one I used in the first race, but it’s a fantastic result for the team, even though we are only at the start of the championship.".

Eugene Laverty, 2nd then 1st:
"We got off on the right foot, all the work of the last few days has paid off. My Aprilia was fast and it handled the way I wanted it to from the first to the last lap. I might have been a little too careful with the tires in the first race, but still got a nice second place. In the second run, I attacked a bit more. At the end, when it was between Sylvain, Melandri and me, I tried my luck and I managed to escape, still nibbling a few tenths on my lap. Setting the track record two laps from the finish confirmed that we were fully prepared for the races. Our 45 points after this first test is a nice booty. I have never started a season so well and now we will focus on Aragon and how to stay in that tempo".

Michel Fabrizio, 3rd then 4th:
"We are going back to Italy with two important results. The whole team worked very well and I wanted to reward their efforts with a second podium. Unfortunately I did not succeed, but the result of this first meeting is undoubtedly positive. Now we have to continue in that direction, I think we can do it. The next race will be in Aragon, where I tested the RSV4 for the first time: I was immediately in the game. It should be another interesting track for Aprilia and we are aiming for the top group, because it is a championship that rewards consistent results.".

Marco Melandri, fall then 3rd:
"In the first heat, I was progressing towards the outposts and I was in third place when I was hit from behind by Carlos. I unfortunately fell on my right shoulder. I don’t know why it happened, maybe he made a mistake or had a technical problem, I just fell suddenly. I’m sorry for Carlos, he’s a professional driver and I wish him a speedy recovery. In the second run, I fought in the leading group early on, despite the pain in my shoulder. In the last laps, Michel was right behind me trying to pass me, but I managed to defend my position and I kept my place on the podium. In this type of situation, it equates to a victory for me. Regarding my shoulder, my operation is scheduled for Wednesday. The type of intervention will be defined on Monday by a medical examination".

Chaz Davies, 4th then 17th:
"After the first race I was happy to collect the points for my fourth place but honestly I would have liked to have been on the podium. After the warm-up, I knew that a podium was achievable. I was almost a little disappointed that I didn’t get it, although I did a lot better than what could be expected before the start of the weekend. The race was pretty hectic. To overtake at Phillip Island, you have to make decisions in a fraction of a second and it grazes very closely, especially on the brakes. The bike braked very well, which was an advantage. It’s a bit of a shame to have been selected at the start of the race. I think if I had been able to stay just behind the leading group, I would have had the level to accompany them. On the first lap of race two, I lost the rear end in the corner. I don’t know exactly why. Either someone hit me, or the right side of my tire was not run in enough. Unfortunately, Loris was outside and he had nowhere to go. It was of course very disappointing, but above all we take the positive aspects of the first race and will build on that for the next races.".

Tom Sykes, 5th (x 2):
"In all fairness, I was very happy with my Top5 in the first race. It’s a shame because we had enough to go a little faster. I handled the start of the race, but unfortunately in the last six laps just before I passed Haslam Davies had a nice pass in turn 9. Unfortunately his styling was a bit different than my Ninja ZX-10R this weekend and that meant when I was behind him I couldn’t do exactly what I wanted to do with the bike. We were five seconds from first place, last year we were at 12 seconds: so we progressed on one of our "worst", even though I was injured. I think we can do a little better".

"The second race was completely different, but I’m happy to leave Phillip Island in fourth position. Our rear tire appears to have rotated on the rim causing vibrations and jerking (the dreaded "chatter", Editor’s note) and handicapped my entries in the curve. It’s a shame because I couldn’t use the bike to its full potential. I remain happy because last week I found myself lying on the edge of the track, 80% certain that I would not be able to ride today. We got some good points and we can build on it".

Loris Baz, 6th then fall:
"My result in the first race was very good. I was faster in the race than in testing, without having to change the bike much. Riding on a track like this with other more experienced riders helps a lot as they pull you up. I was really surprised because I wasn’t watching my time. On lap 11 I took a look and saw a 1 ‘31.8: I was happy with that! I was coming back on Tom and was going to pass Haslam, but when I got on him I had a problem with the tire and I really pulled away. I’m really happy that I passed Haslam on the last lap and struggled for fourth place for a while. In the second race I think Chaz lost the front going into MG, I got hit and my race was over. It’s a shame, I’m sure I could have fought Tom again in front. But there are still a lot of races this year to do it".

Jules Cluzel, 11th then 7th:
"I’m really happy with my two races, although the first one was very difficult, but I finished it and learned a lot. We picked the wrong tire on the first run which wasn’t a big deal because I need to learn and understand everything. I needed to do a few laps today and I think I did more laps in both races today than I did all weekend – and maybe during testing as well. ! It’s really good to finish the weekend this way and I’m happy for my team as well as they went out of their way and worked really hard to get me on track. I think we took a good step today".

Jonathan Rea, 8th (x 2):
"It’s been a weird weekend, and it’s frustrating for all of us to look at the rankings and see where we are because I don’t think it really reflects our level. On the other hand, it is clear that we are going to have to put a lot of effort into improving the electronics. This is our main problem at the moment, because in the workshop we had found additional engine power for this meeting and I know that there is another project to develop this. I have the impression that there is a light at the end of the tunnel because I have already had good impressions with the new system. There are just a few inconsistencies during acceleration when the traction control between not running and throttling the motor. We made some progress on the bike between the two races, and we have a three-day test planned in Aragon: we really need it. Finishing both races is always the main goal of a first race, but we are leaving here with work.".

And now for our MNC analysis of the World Superbike in Phillip Island !

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