Monthly Archives: September 2017

Ellison on pole as Haslam holds Showdown advantage in dramatic Datatag Qualifying

Ellison on pole as Haslam holds Showdown advantage in dramatic Datatag Qualifying

James Ellison claimed pole position in a dramatic Datatag Qualifying session in wet conditions at Assen as Showdown contender Leon Haslam was the only rider in the top six of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings to qualify inside the top ten.

The session got underway and instantly ended in disaster for Peter Hickman as he crashed the Smiths Racing BMW unhurt; he was able to finally get back on track but he will start 19th on the grid for tomorrow’s opening race.

The next of the Showdown contenders to crash out was Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne and the defending champion got to his feet and managed to get the Be Wiser Ducati back to the garage. The team worked to repair the damage and he was soon back on circuit but another slid off ended his hopes of progressing to Q3 and he starts 16th on the grid and just one place adrift of Jason O’Halloran.

Josh Brookes and Jake Dixon also missed out on the cut for the top nine in Q3 and they start 11th and 12th respectively.  

In the final stage of Datatag qualifying Ellison had taken the advantage at the start of the session but then Haslam had cut to the top of the times. As the time ticked down Christian Iddon then posted the fastest time before Ellison moved back ahead for McAMS Yamaha.

The last rider on a flying lap was Haslam and the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider just missed out on the pole position, splitting Ellison and Iddon on the front row and pushing Dan Linfoot back onto the second row for Honda Racing.

Bradley Ray starts alongside Linfoot with John Hopkins completing the second row for Moto Rapido Ducati. Josh Elliott overcame a huge moment to save a crash and score his best qualifying result of the season in seventh place on the second of the Tyco BMWs with Sylvain Guintoli and Michael Laverty completing the top nine.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Assen, Datatag Qualifying:

1.James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:54.027s
2.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.082s
3.Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.161s
4.Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.671s
5.Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.213s
6.John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) +1.344s
7.Josh Elliot (Tyco BMW) +1.916s
8.Sylvain Guintoli (Bennetts Suzuki) +2.412s
9.Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha)

Source: Ellison on pole as Haslam holds Showdown advantage in dramatic Datatag Qualifying

Second row start for Dan Linfoot in tough conditions at Assen

Second row start for Dan Linfoot in tough conditions at Assen

Qualifying for the 11th round MCE British Superbike Championship at Assen took place in tough conditions this afternoon, as Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot and Jason O’Halloran battled the wet track ahead of tomorrow’s opening 18-lap race. Linfoot finished fourth fastest and will start from the second row of the grid, while O’Halloran starts from the sixth row in 15th place.

Mastering the wet conditions, Linfoot sailed through each of the three stages of qualifying aboard the all-new Fireblade. During the second-stage the 29-year-old was fastest for some time and eventually went into Q3 after placing the third fastest time. Finishing the third session fourth fastest, the Yorkshireman will start the first race at Assen on the second row in fourth.

Team-mate and Showdown contender O’Halloran struggled with rear grip in the dramatic conditions at the 2.82-mile circuit and although the Aussie made it into the second session, he didn’t progress into Q3 after being outside the top-nine in 15th place. The O’Show starts tomorrow’s first race from the sixth row of the grid.

Tomorrow’s opening race is scheduled to take place at 1215 local time with race two at 1630 (GMT+1).

Well qualifying was very wet and to be honest it wasn’t that enjoyable! I just wanted to be on the front row to have a good chance in the race tomorrow, which we’re hoping will be dry! So I got through each stage of qualifying and in Q3 we had a new rear and I didn’t feel comfortable with it from the start. For the first three/four laps I just wanted to get some heat into the tyre and pushed on the last lap but it wasn’t my best – there were a lot of mistakes and I did lose some time, so without those mistakes I think we could have claimed the pole position. But I am starting tomorrow’s race in a good position and where I was aiming for, so I am excited for the races. I normally bring my best on a Sunday, so I’m going into tomorrow quietly confident.
Dan Linfoot / #4

It has been a frustrating day today if I’m honest, yesterday it started well and I had a good feeling in the dry, but FP2 ended early for me with a crash, which was a shame. It’s been wet all day today and I’ve been struggling with rear grip. We’ve got a bit of work to do ahead of the races tomorrow and I have some work starting from 15th! But the weather is looking better for tomorrow, so race one we just do the best job we can and hopefully have a better start for the second race in the afternoon.
Jason O’Halloran / #22

The conditions today haven’t been ideal and it was such a shame for Jason to miss out on Q3. He starts tomorrow’s race from 15th, but I am sure he’ll get a good start and progress into the top group. Dan had a great qualifying, he had a few issues and things he wasn’t happy about, but qualifying fourth in those conditions was really good and gives him a good chance for the races. The forecast for tomorrow is looking dry, so we’ve just got to hope for good weather and two dry races. I’m sure they’ll both have two strong races and I am looking forward to seeing how they get on.
Havier Beltran – Honda Racing team manager

Source: Second row start for Dan Linfoot in tough conditions at Assen

Eighth place for Davide Giugliano in Race One at Magny-Cours

Eighth place for Davide Giugliano in Race One at Magny-Cours

Davide Giugliano finished today’s WorldSBK race one at Magny-Cours in eighth place, courtesy of a strong performance on board his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine on the drying French circuit. His Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team mate Jake Gagne was forced into a late retirement after fighting for a top-12 result.
Giugliano got an OK launch off sixth place on the grid and, after a few laps needed to adjust to the drying track conditions, he settled into a nice, consistently improving rhythm which allowed him to catch and overtake his former teammate Chaz Davies on lap 14. After losing one place to Laverty five laps later, the 27-year-old Italian managed to maintain eighth position up to the chequered flag. Courtesy of today’s result, Davide will start race two tomorrow from the middle of the second row (fifth place).

Jake Gagne had an encouraging and convincing early part of the race as he made his way up from 18th place on the grid to 12th in only five laps. The young American rider then a small setback on lap 7 which cost him a couple of places and, after staying attached to the group fighting for 12th position, he ran off track on the penultimate lap after experiencing a gear-shifting issue, and retired shortly afterwards. His starting position will not change for race two.

Race two for the French Round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship will get underway tomorrow at 13:00 local time (GMT +2), after the 15-minute warm up scheduled at 9:00.

Davide Giugliano 34 – 8th

It has been a positive race. We had good pace for the full 21 laps and we were able to improve all the way to the chequered flag. It was my first time riding the bike for more than a few laps in wet conditions so there were some things I needed to understand first before I could start pushing harder. The team did a great job in translating my comments and the data into appropriate changes to the bike set-up. Obviously there is still room for improvement, but for a first wet race I’d say it hasn’t been a bad one at all!

Jake Gagne 45 – DNF

It was my first race in wet conditions with this bike and Pirelli tyres, so again there was a lot to learn for me. I’m happy with how I was able to improve my pace lap after lap; the bike is quite different with the wet set-up on but I was able to adjust to that and – despite a small setback in the first half which cost me a couple of places – I was able to run consistently and gather some more experience. My goal was to finish the race – we got really close to it, but unfortunately we had to retire with less than two laps to go. It’s a pity, really, but there’s another race tomorrow to make it right.

Ronald ten Kate – Team Manager

Davide rode a brilliant race. It was clear from Superpole already that he was feeling comfortable with the bike in the wet, but obviously the drying asphalt added a further challenge to the race as the laps went by. Eighth place is a good result – maybe it could have been even better but we’re definitely happy with his performance. His comments were again positive and that shows that we’re working in the right direction. Too bad for Jake’s retirement, but unfortunately the gear-shifting issue he experienced did not allow him to finish the race. He did a good race nevertheless, especially if we consider that it was his first race in wet conditions with Pirelli tyres and this version of the Fireblade. He keeps improving, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll be able to do tomorrow.

Source: Eighth place for Davide Giugliano in Race One at Magny-Cours

Milwaukee Aprilia recover good points finish from tough Superpole at Magny-Cours

Milwaukee Aprilia recover good points finish from tough Superpole at Magny-Cours

The inclement wet weather at Magny-Cours started with a downpour on Saturday morning which persisted until the afternoon. The Superpole 2 pole position shootout ran in full wet conditions, posing a challenge for all riders. Several riders including Rea and Melandri fell early in the session, before Milwaukee Aprilia riders Eugene and Lorenzo also fell, all at different corners of the track. The riders finished the session P9 and P11 respectively.

The rain had stopped before the race start, but the track was still wet and needed caution from the riders. Eugene and Lorenzo struggled off the line with low grip, and had to avoid debris from a crash involving other riders on Lap 2. They raced each for position in P10 and P11 respectively, before Eugene was able to find pace and begin moving forward in aggressive style.

As the track came to him Eugene passed Torres for P9 on Lap 6 which he held for 8 laps, before passing Davies for P8 on Lap 15. He soon overtook Giugliano for P7 on Lap 18, before passing Mercado at the finish line for his finishing position of P6.

Lorenzo had a more difficult race, unable to fully unlock the pace of his RSV4-RF in the slippery conditions. He was able to hold onto P11 from Lap 3, and brought home 5 valuable points and a wealth of data to use in preparation for Race 2.

Eugene Laverty #50 – Aprilia RSV4-RF – Superpole 2: P9, 1’59.637 – Race 1: P6, 10 points

“Superpole was a really difficult session. I just had no grip at the rear and that’s what caused me to crash, and we couldn’t learn much in that time.

The race start was a disaster, it was like riding on ice for the first few laps because the tyres just weren’t working. When it was fully wet I had no grip at the rear and the bike was so difficult to ride. About half way into the race it started to dry out, and the second half was much stronger. I was able to find rear grip and I was able to move forwards, and I made some good passes on the way.

If it’s wet tomorrow we know what to do, and the same if it’s dry; we know where to go with the bike. We need to get that ‘push’ onto the rear tyre which should make a big difference, and I know we can do better in Race 2.”

Lorenzo Savadori #32 – Aprilia RSV4-RF – Superpole 2: P11, 2’04.679 – Race 1: P11, 5 points

“I had a big crash in Superpole 2 at Turn 7, because the track was so wet and I had very little grip. I didn’t feel 100% after but I wanted to race.

In the race I struggled to find a feeling and a rhythm with the bike, and It wasn’t easy for me. The start was difficult and I lost some positions, and I was fighting with Eugene briefly. The bike was not very different today to yesterday in Free Practice, but today we just had problems getting the correct setup. I could not do much, and P11 was OK for points but not what we wanted.

More or less every time it is the same when we have no grip, and the bike is so difficult to handle. The wet did not help us and when it started to dry we were quicker for sure, but we still need to make sure we have a better setup for Race 2.”

Mick Shanley – Team Manager

“It was a very difficult Superpole 2 session, and it certainly accentuated the issue that we have in low-grip situations where the bike struggles. Both riders crashing made it a difficult period for us to get ready for the race, but the team worked incredibly hard and it was a real team effort to get both bikes on the grid ready to race.

To salvage a reasonable result and good pace at the end is definitely a positive we have to take from today. We learnt a lot during the race which should stand us in good stead for Race 2, and we will use it to shape the direction we go in.

We were lucky that both riders were physically fit after their crashes, and it was just a difficult day for a lot of people. To come away with 6th for Eugene and 11th for Lorenzo was a good, if lucky, result and we’ll do our best tomorrow.”

Source: Milwaukee Aprilia recover good points finish from tough Superpole at Magny-Cours

Pata Yamaha Pull Out the Stops in a Wet Race 1 at Magny-Cours

Pata Yamaha Pull Out the Stops in a Wet Race 1 at Magny-Cours

The Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team secured two positive results after putting in maximum effort in tricky conditions on Saturday at Magny-Cours, round 11 of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship. Alex Lowes rode to a solid fifth-place finish in a wet Race 1, enjoying some superb battles along the way on a difficult drying track. His teammate Michael van der Mark had a crash on lap 2 but remounted and charged his way sensationally through the field to secure ninth at the chequered flag.

Lowes finished Friday’s dry practice in ninth overall, but only two-tenths off his teammate in second in one of the closest opening days of the season. On Saturday morning, the rain poured down in Magny-Cours but Lowes used FP3 to find a good wet setup with his R1 and in SP2, in typical style, he pulled out a great lap to qualify in fifth for Race 1. The rain had stopped and the sun came out just before the race, although everyone stuck with wet tyres, but when the lights went out he did not have the best of starts and was in seventh and behind his teammate van der Mark by the first corner. Responding brilliantly, the 27-year-old enjoyed a great battle in the early laps with his teammate, passing him at Turn 5 on the second lap and not looking back. Next up was Leandro Mercado and then Chaz Davies as Lowes continued his charge through the field and made his way up to third by lap 6.

The damp track made conditions extremely tricky and Lowes battled hard, with first, Marco Melandri and then Leon Camier, before settling into fifth. Determined to secure a good result after a tricky weekend in Portimao, the British rider rode consistently well to bring his R1 home in a rather lonely fifth to secure  11 vital championship points, which means he remains fifth in the standings with 180 points. Lowes will start Sunday’s Race 2 from the middle of the front row in second position and with the forecast saying it should be dry, he is hoping to be able to fight for his third podium of 2017.

For van der Mark, unfortunately, there was an issue in SP2 that meant he could not extract the maximum performance from his Pata Yamaha R1, which saw him qualify in tenth. When it came to the race, van der Mark had a blistering start, passing his teammate and moving up to sixth by Turn 1. He then passed Xavi Forés for fifth and became embroiled in an excellent battle with Lowes on the second lap. Passing each other a number of times, van der Mark just got on the throttle a little early attempting the cut back on his teammate at Turn 5 and lost the rear.

Luckily there was no major damage to his Pata Yamaha R1, with the 24-year-old managing to remount and re-joining the race, albeit in 19th place and five seconds behind the man ahead of him. Undeterred, the 2014 Supersport World Champion got his head down and started a sensational charge through the field that saw him overtake nine riders in the next six laps. With some clear track ahead of him, van der Mark settled into a good rhythm and focused on securing the best result possible. With four laps to go, he managed to catch and pass Chaz Davies for ninth to cap off a simply astounding comeback, in the process securing seven championship points. This result means he remains sixth in the overall standings with 173 points, seven behind his teammate and 17 ahead of Forés in seventh. Van der Mark will line up for Sunday’s Race 2 on the second row in sixth, confident of his pace whether it is going to be wet or dry after his brilliant ride in Race 1 and the blistering pace he showed to finish Friday’s practice sessions in second overall.

The Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team are in action at 9:30 am local time in Magny-Cours on Sunday for Warm Up, with the 21-lap Race 2 scheduled for 1 pm. Check out the full race results.

Alex Lowes – Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team – 5th +41.210

“The race was a strange one! It was getting drier and drier as the race went on, which made it very tricky. I have always struggled here at Magny-Cours in the wet, so I am pretty happy to have finished in fifth. I had a good battle with my teammate and a few riders at the start, but then it became quite a lonely race towards the end. That can actually be harder than battling in a group in the wet, so I just focused on being as consistent as possible. I hope the sun comes out for tomorrow’s race but whatever happens, I will be ready to give it everything from the front row!”

Michael van der Mark – Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team – 9th +1:09.271

“We had a bit of an issue in SP2 which meant I could not go as fast as I would have liked, so I had to start from tenth on the grid. Luckily, we found out what the problem was and I had a pretty good start during the race. I passed a few guys straight away but I was struggling on corner exit with the rear spinning. I thought it was because the tyres needed to warm up but after 3 laps it was still an issue and into the hairpin, I was a bit too aggressive and lost the rear. It was a small crash, luckily, the bike was okay but I had to comeback from pretty much last place! I had a good feeling with the bike but with the rear spinning, I could not make any speed. I had to fight back from 19th and was making progress lap after lap, catching quite a lot of people, so I am happy to have finished in ninth after a crash. We just need to find some improvements in the setup because I feel really good but could not make up any time coming out of the corners. Hopefully, tomorrow will be dry and I will get to start from the second row, plus I was fast in the dry on Friday. It will be challenging for everybody because no one has really done a long run, but I am looking forward to Race 2 whether it is wet or dry!”

Paul Denning – Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team Principal

“A wet race at Magny-Cours is always very challenging, there is so little grip, demonstrated by the fact the lap times were around 20 seconds slower than in the dry. It makes it very complicated for the riders to understand how hard to push. There were so many accidents in FP3 and qualifying earlier, our guys did well to come through the sessions and qualify in strong positions for the first race. Following a disappointing Portimao weekend, Alex needed to finish well without taking unnecessary risks and, he rode a very strong, solid race after a great battle with Michael in the first couple of laps to finish in fifth and score good positive points. The mistake Michael made at Turn 5 is a very easy one to do but we were fortunate that the R1 was relatively unscathed and that Michael was able to pick the bike up and mount such a positive charge through the field. It was a very unusual race, it is not often that the gaps are so big, but let’s hope there is the chance of some dry weather for tomorrow so that Pata Yamaha and the whole WorldSBK grid can ride to the limits and put on a show!”

Source: Pata Yamaha Pull Out the Stops in a Wet Race 1 at Magny-Cours