WSBK – Videos, statements and analysis of the SBK in Portimao – Statements from Superbike riders in Portugal

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Videos, statements and analysis of the SBK in Portimao

WSBK - Videos, statements and analysis of the SBK in Portimao - Statements by Superbike riders in Portugal

The thirteenth round of the World SBK 2012 took place yesterday on the superb circuit of Portimao, Portugal. Site delivers SBK riders’ statements, analysis and video summaries of Superbike and Supersport races to you.

Statements by Superbike riders in Portugal

Tom Sykes, 1st then DNF (Did Not Finish):
"We were lucky today, but also a little bit of bad luck. The first race was obviously the lucky one: at the first start, we were really in trouble. We made two big changes to the bike after the red flag, so on the second start the bike was totally different and allowed me to do what I wanted. I felt more comfortable. So a big thank you to the team and to Kawasaki for the quick decision to make these changes.".

"I was confident for the second race because we had done a lot of work this weekend and I really felt we could have a very solid race. Honestly, I felt like I could aim for second place, maybe even better, but that’s how it is. Today everyone could see what the race can hold. Melandri was on pace this weekend but luck changed and he missed both races. So anything and everything can happen. We won in the first heat and had problems in the second. We are racing at a very high level and those changes are to be expected. I accept it, although it’s difficult after coming back to 14.5 points from the championship lead after the first race … I felt I could close that gap again. But it is like that, how to do otherwise? We are leaving for France, where we will pick up where we left off and try to have a good weekend.".

Eugene Laverty, 13th then 1st:
"I get my first victory with and for Aprilia on my favorite track, in front of many fans whom I want to thank. The grip of the track in the second heat was not perfect. I tried to attack from the start to build a lead and then was able to hold it until the end. We’ve had some tough times this year, like in the first heat today, but we’re finally showing our potential with good progress at the end of the season.".

Carlos Checa, 2nd then 5th:
"The second position is a very positive result considering the rain and the fact that the race was stopped. It was difficult because Tom defended himself well and it was very risky to overtake him. I had to be careful and check the tire wear as the track dried. In the end, I tried to improve my pace and maybe I had a better tempo than Tom in the later laps, but I couldn’t see a place to pass it. Anyway, we are very happy, I thank my team who did a great job this weekend, this result is excellent".

"In the second race I was in the leading group but then I had a problem and I couldn’t attack anymore. I didn’t know what it was, I turned the traction control off and back on, which fixed the issue. I was able to catch up a lot of places but it was not easy, the bike was not as easy to ride as during the practice sessions. With everything that has happened, I think fifth place is a good result. Now we will focus on closing the season at Magny-Cours and finishing in the best possible way.".

Jonathan Rea, 6th then 2nd:
"I guess we have to be happy with the results today after yesterday’s Superpole. I felt really good during both races and in the first I was posted in second place and felt really comfortable when the red flags came out. Unfortunately, as the track dried out during the second part, with no standing water, the bike was too soft for these conditions and I was only able to bring it back safely. The second race was pretty good and my team gave me a CBR capable of running at the forefront. I was a little held back at the start and Laverty opened up a little gap. When I found myself with a clear track in front of me, I was able to grab some ground for him little by little, but we ran out of laps".

Sylvain Guintoli, 3rd then 4th:
"It was a great weekend which made up for the last two races where we were unlucky. We did a good job with the team and demonstrated that the Ducati can be competitive on this track. The 1098 cannot race for victory in the dry, but when the track is wet we can enjoy our best driving pleasure. ("guidabilita" in Italian in the text, NDLR) and do good things. I dedicate this podium to the team and my mechanics, and I hope to be able to start again in two weeks at home, in France".

Max Biaggi, 4th then 3rd:
"These two races were really tough … and strange in some ways. In the first round, the conditions were completely different from those encountered in testing. And even in the second heat on a dry track, the grip was not the best. Taking into account these difficulties and the many contacts with the other drivers, I am happy to finish in fourth and third places which reconfirm my position in the standings. We will now start to prepare for the last round at Magny-Cours, as always putting all our efforts into it.".

Brett McCormick, 5th then 9th:
"The first race was fantastic, being in the Top 5 was really exhilarating, I have no words to describe my happiness at this moment! The bike was going very well and I had a good feeling, I was very fast. Even in the second heat the bike was very good and I felt comfortable: ninth place is still a good result. This weekend was a success and I am happy to share it with my team and the whole team".

Leon Camier, 11th then DNF:
"The Suzuki was performing very well this morning during the warm up which took place in totally wet conditions. I was therefore very satisfied with the bike in the same conditions in the first round. When the race was restarted, the track was not completely wet and it started to dry out in some places. The settings we had just weren’t working as well as we expected and I had to deal with it"…

"Fortunately, the second race took place on a dry track. I attacked from the start and came back up in the peloton. It took me a little while to overtake Guintoli but once passed I concentrated on Biaggi. It was a close battle – enough to make contact – and I really believed I could find an opening, stay in front and take third place. I had a few issues with the gearbox during the race and the bike came close to me two laps from the end. I had to take the loophole. I tried to continue, but it happened two more times and I almost spilled out: I had no choice but to withdraw! I’m happy because the bike has improved a lot in recent months and now I know we can fight with the best".

Marco Melandri, DNF then DNS (Did Not Start):
"It was a very bad day for me. When Max Biaggi passed me, I kept my trajectory on the inside and I didn’t really see him. I just heard someone touch the front of my motorcycle, I fell and felt something hit my back. I was very worried about my back, kidneys or liver because I was in great pain. Fortunately, the medical examinations show that everything is fine. It’s a little better now thanks to the many painkillers, but I still don’t feel very well".

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