The 2009 Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship returns to European soil this weekend for the third round at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit and riders and teams are ready for action.
Here is some rider comments about the upcoming Valencia round: Alstare Suzuki -Max Neukirchner:“I had too many crashes in Qatar and I don’t want that to happen again in Valencia.
Last year in Valencia I was on the verge of taking my first ever WSBK victory until the very last corner of the very last lap.
Then I was hit by Carlos Checa and crashed, breaking my collarbone in the process.
As that happened in the first race, it meant that I also missed the second race, so it wasn’t a good end to what had been a very good weekend up to that moment.
Valencia is quite a technical circuit and one that is quite hard physically because you hardly get any chance to rest on a lap.
But I like the track and my goal is to finish both races and get on the podium.
”Alstare Suzuki -Yukio Kagayama: “The last round in Qatar was also not so good for me and so I want to do much better in Valencia.
The track is not a difficult one, but it is not an easy one either because is quite tough on the body.
It is the kind of track where you must be very fit and concentrate strongly every lap.
I like it though and want to get my season back on track by being able to chase the podium again.
I am not so sure about the new Superpole system, but it is the same for everybody and it is up to all of us to get on with it and make the best we can.
The new practice schedule, with no practice on Friday mornings, is going to give our mechanics extra work, but I have confidence in my team and I’m sure that they will work hard and do a very good job.
”Yamaha Racing- Ben Spies:“I’m really looking forward to Valencia.
We’ve been having a couple of really strong weekends on the new bike and I’m feeling confident.
We’re definitely in a good position for the season so far with more to go out and win.
I’ve seen the Valencia circuit in the past and ridden a gentle 35 laps so I know my way round it a bit now.
The way the 2009 YZF-R1 is working for me I think it should be a good track for us, it’s going to be hard to expect good results every weekend but we’ll keep trying and keep on pushing! It has to be said the bike has been awesome so far, the control and way it lays down its torque is amazing, I am loving riding it.
Valencia is a different track to what we’ve ridden so far in Phillip Island and Qatar but I think we’ve got a good setup and it should work great here.
Tom’s getting his confidence, we’re helping each other really well and he’s been great as team-mate.
We are both looking forward to racing in Europe and having some fun!” Yamaha Racing – Tom Sykes:“I’m really looking forward to getting into European races, I’ve tested at Valencia in previous years so I’ve had a start with the learning aspect of it.
I’m feeling quite confident as I feel like I’ve got a good base setting on my R1.
In Qatar we made little improvements here and there and as far as race distance is concerned the package works very consistently.
Hopefully coming to Valencia we’ve put a few things together to make a nice improvement and we’ll be on it to win!” Ducati Xerox – Noriyuki Haga:“Valencia is one of my favourite tracks and I know I can go well there.
I like the layout, with its many tight corners.
The Ducati was fast there last year with Troy and so I hope I can be back on the podium again this weekend with the 1198.
Consistency is key this season and with the competition that we face, we need to make every single race count, taking as many as points as possible.
” Ducati Xerox – Michel Fabrizio:“I was extremely disappointed to come away from Qatar without points, to have two DNFs in one weekend is a big set back when the competition is so tough this season.
I have to rectify this with a strong performance at Valencia.
I like the Spanish track, even if my results in recent years don’t demonstrate this, and I feel fit and ready both physically and mentally, so I would say that I am quietly confident.
” DFX Corse – Regis Laconi.
“In Doha, we have suffered lack of grip, I want to redeem in Valencia as we managed to do in Phillip Island.
I have a good feeling and remembrances on Valencia, in 1999 I won the 500 while in 2001 I came fourth in race 1.
It ‘a very technical track where I should be riding with a great precision and fighting spirit, but I am sure to do it with my Ducati.
The feeling with the team is great and the development of the bike proceeds in the best way, it gives me such an incredible feeling.
I hope the fans are close to us as we were in the first two races ….
There will be fun! ”Guandalini Racing -Jakub Smrz:“Last 2 years I wasn’t too lucky in Valencia but I like that circuit and I hope I could be fast there.
First two races I showed my potential and my team made great job but there is still lot to improve to be also in the end of races on positions we have been during practices, superpole or beginning of Doha race 1.
Positive is that we are fast and we must work hard for race distance.
I’m happy my starts and beginnings of race improved a lot from last year.
We are in the good direction but need to prove it.
”Guandalini Racing – Brendan Roberts:“Returning to Europe and Valencia in which I know well is confidence inspiring.
The two races so far this year have been very difficult as I have had to learn the circuits before concentrating on riding fast.
I have always had good results in testing and racing at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, although it will be difficult to repeat this now I am racing in the Superbike class I still feel I can push forwards in both Qualifying and Racing.
This year I set some personal goals to achieve from the first European race, I am feeling confident I can achieve this straight away in race one, then from there I hope to keep improving.
”Stiggy Honda – John Hopkins:“I am really happy with the testing we have done in Almeria.
The first impression of the bike and my new team is really good.
The size of the motorcycle makes a big difference, it feels good to be able to move around on the bike again.
After my disappointing season last year, it’s great to get out on track and enjoy riding a bike again.
I’ve never been on a Superbike in my life but the size of the motorcycle makes a big difference and suits my style.
I am looking forward to racing in Valencia this weekend and feel I am coming well prepared, despite not having had a lot of time on-track yet.
I know the Valencia track well and should be able to put in a good performance.
”Stiggy Honda – Leon Haslam:The last time I raced in Valencia in WSBK I qualified on the front row and was challenging for a podium.
I’m looking forward to getting out there on the Honda now.
We have tested some new parts for the bike in our one-day test in Almeria and have been able to test a wet set-up for the first time this year.
All in all I am really happy with the progress we made so far and feel confident for the next race.
If I can have some good practice time on the track and qualify well, we can definitely set some good results in Valencia.
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