Despite a weekend of uncertain weather, our riders were able (once again) to conquer a podium and achieve numerous good performances - at Assen.
In race one, Chaz Davies (after a strong battle with the championship leader), was hindered by front-tyre wear and could not try any decisive maneuvers during the last lap, therefore concluding the race in second place. Race 2 started in wet conditions but the sun quickly emerged and all riders were thus forced to pit-in and change tyres. Davies (despite maintaining a strong pace in the dry), had to settle for 5th place. Those who can truly rejoice after this weekend was the rookie Lorenzo Savadori, who came 6th in race 1 and near podium in race 2 (4th). Also, a strong fourth place from Leon Camier in race 1 and 9th in race 2, while Forés had to settle for a 13th and a 10th. Lastly, in the Superstock 1000, there was a third place from Rinaldi, a sixth from Salvadori and a 9th from Mercado.
Superbike: next race in Imola on May the 1st while next weekend we will be in Jerez for MotoGP.
Chaz Davies, race 1: 2nd
“Today the track didn’t have much rubber on it because of the rain and, while we were clearly competitive, we had to deal with front-tyre consumption even without pushing too hard during the race. I tried to set the pace and stay clear of the fight going on behind me, but the wind made things more complicated. It was easier to follow than to lead, and I realized that only in the last laps. I gave everything to take the win, but in turn 1 during the last lap I almost lost the front and then I couldn't try another pass. We’ll have another go at it tomorrow.”
Chaz Davies, race 2: 5th
“Unfortunately, we didn’t choose the best strategy. I thought the Kawasakis pitted in a bit too early, as the track was still slippery, but we waited too long. I’m disappointed, because another good result was within our reach. The positive thing is that, since the WUP, we were really competitive and made another step forward in the dry compared with yesterday. I’m looking forward to Imola, it’s our home race and I hope to make it a memorable one for all the ducatisti.”
Lorenzo Savadori, race 1: 6th
“It ‘was a good race. Just a shame because in the first few laps I could stay with the first and it seemed that I could keep up. We suffer a little after the middle of the race because we cannot keep the pace, on this issue we have yet to understand the reasons, once done we can do even better. I’m pleased how the race went because we made the free practice in wet conditions and the Superpole with some problems that have limited us and also a dry race. Then I wasn’t able to close the gap from the first ’cause I lost seven seconds in two laps for some small problems, but we’re getting closer and closer. I want to thank the team and Aprilia Racing for the progress we are making. ”
Lorenzo Salvadori, race 2: 4th
“I am pleased with the two results of the weekend. But we still have to fix some things. In Race 1 we had to improve a little the race pace, especially from mid-race onwards, because in the early laps we could stay with the first, but after we had some problems, so we have to do better in the second part of the race. as for race 2, it was very strange. Before hailed then the sun came out. we started with a wet track and with the rain, but after about four laps began to dry and then there was the flag to flag. For me it was all new, re-entry into the pits and change tires, never done before in the race. I am very happy especially the work is doing Iodaracing and the help of Aprilia. it remains only the question, if I stopped maybe just a ride before, maybe I would go even better. I am very pleased with the way we’re going, but I’m sure I would not be unbalanced to me to say, before the start of the season that the fourth round would be finished near the podium. I had to first test the bike before saying too much, I know certainly what is the potential of the bike and the team, we can all grow together very well, I’m sure of this. The next race will be at Imola, track I really like, where last year I won in the SuperStock class, but this year I run into another category with another bike, I will try to do my best, because more I cannot do”.
Xavi Forés, race 1: 13th
"It has been a very difficult race. On the starting grid we couldn’t start the bike and I was forced to start last from the Pit Lane without doing the warm up lap. In the early stages of the race I had to ride carefully because the tyres were still cold. I couldn’t bring them to the right temperature and this caused a sudden drop of their performance in the second part of the race. We finished thirteenth and we get some points, but of course we are disappointed because we knew we could have fight with the top five today. What I like about WorldSBK is that we still have a chance tomorrow in Race 2 and of course we will try then to do better".
Xavi Forés, race 2: 10th
"I made a great start and I was in the front group since the beginning. When the track was still wet I was really comfortable on the bike, but when it got dry it started to slide a lot. I decided to stop for a flag-to-flag because I was loosing a lot of time and positions. I got back with an intermediate rubber, but after some laps the asfalt was completely dry. I couldn’t find my rhythm again and in the and I could only catch up till tenth position. It’s a pity. For sure we were expecting something more. This morning during the Warm Up I was third and my feeling with the bike was great. This weekend as well we were really unlucky, but we hope to do better in Imola Round!"
