18/09/2017

SBK: BITTERSWEET IN PORTIMAO FOR OUR RIDERS. WITH WINS SLIPPING THROUGH THE FINGERS OF OUR RIDERS DE

Still summer in Portimao, Portugal so we had glorious sunshine throughout. Under the sun, the commitment of the riders was never in question, always giving 100%. Shame I that the same cannot be said for their luck, with both Chaz & Marco fighting for the win, but still coming up with important podiums. In the end, what matters is the determination and the professionalism of our riders, who now have the new X-803 to ride with!

After the presentation of the new X-803 helmet at Misano, we can now show off the new version of the Superbike Edition race helmet in Ultra Carbon. Made with the support of the world’s best drivers it looks to be the most advanced X-Lite yet designed not only to support our riders, but also allow you to feel the same level when you ride, don’t miss out! 


SUPERBIKE

CHAZ DAVIES RACE1 2nd

"To be honest, this was the best that we could do today. Rea has been on another level here so far, but I felt pretty confident about our pace going into the race. We got off to a good start, picking up five positions in the first few corners, but unfortunately I didn’t feel particularly comfortable from half-way point onwards. We had a few warnings and, even if I wasn’t riding too hard, I felt that we were still on the limit. At that point I was still pulling away from Marco but not catching up with the front, so I just tried to play with my style a bit to see what I could learn for Race 2. We need to understand how to improve to get the best out of both myself and the package."


MARCO MELANDRI RACE1 3rd

“It was tough out there today, because during the race we couldn’t use the tyre we’ve been working with all weekend. Safety comes first, but this gave us some issues with our electronics’ setup, especially with power delivery and engine brake. I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to, struggling with grip throughout. When I saw that Camier was coming back strong, I tried to give my 100 percent without making mistakes, but for sure we’re looking to improve our performance for Race 2 in order to be able to fight at least with Chaz until the end. It’ll be crucial to get a good start because it’s not easy to pass on this track, but usually we’re strong in this aspect so I’m confident.”


LORENZO SAVADORI RACE1 8th

"I struggled with the rear grip in Race One which affected my rhythm, and it was difficult to make a pass or defend. I was OK for the first few laps, but by lap four it was losing grip.

I hope we can work on something tonight that will let us use the rear for longer and to let me push harder. For sure we have made some good steps this weekend, and we just need to keep working and I hope we can have a good result in Race Two."


XAVI FORES RACE1 9th

"It's very difficult to handle races like todays. I did a good start, but I immediately realized that the rear slipped so much and this made me lose contact with the first. In these conditions more than one race becomes a survival test. For tomorrow we try to improve the grip in the back and be more competitive."


MARCO MELANDRI RACE2 3rd

"I’m happy because the team did a great job and today my Panigale R was more competitive, especially in terms of grip, but unfortunately we still couldn’t take full advantage of our potential and we struggled during the race. I started off well but soon had an issue with the thumb-activated rear brake and went wide at turn 10. Also, the bike was wobbling a lot on the straight. As I was trying to recover positions, I lost time fighting with some riders who didn’t have our pace and hindered us a bit so, when I managed to get behind VD Mark, he was too far by then. In tomorrow’s test we’ll focus on improving stability, and in the next races I want to step on top of the podium again."


LORENZO SAVADORI RACE2 6th

"Race Two was a better result for sure, but my feeling on the bike today was worse. I struggled with rear grip again. I lost a lot of time at the start, but from the middle to the end of the race my pace was quite strong and I could have challenged for P4 I think.

We did not make many big changes between Race One and Race Two, but for sure we saw an improvement in pace. Tomorrow's test will be very important for us, and we have a lot of new ideas to try before we head to the end of the season."


LEANDRO MERCADO RACE2 7th

"I am quite satisfied of today. Seventh classified, another top ten in such a hard race is not a bad result, and honestly, after yesterday’s tumble we are all going back home in a better mood.

My start was a good one, and in the first half of the race I was even able to gain some positions. Then, as it often happens, during the second half of the race we just have to deal with the same problem as always: the rear tyre worns to nothing and the situation changes radically: from an all attack race we switch into a securing a position one. In fact, the last six laps were quite hard and I missed a position when Savadori passed me quite at the end and there was nothing I could do.

That is our weak spot and we will keep on working on it. I wish to thank my team for the great job they have done during the whole weekend."


SUPERSPORT 600


FEDERICO CARICASULO 7th

"I was very confident about my rhythm in the race and felt I could stay with the front riders but we chose the wrong tyre. We went with the SC1 rear tyre and everyone else in the top ten was on the SC0 and it was impossible to stay with them. It is a shame because my pace during practice on the SC0 was really good and I believed I would be able to fight for the race win. Unfortunately, that didn't happen so I tried my best to achieve the best result I could. I am looking forward to Magny-Cours already!"


SUPERSTOCK 1000


MIKE JONES 4th

“It was a good weekend for us. Coming off a podium in Germany, to be fast on such a different track is really positive and confirms the steps forward we made with my riding style. We’ve been strong both during practice and the race. I’m a bit disappointed with the way it panned out, as I was racing for the full distance and conserving the tyres. The red flag ruined my strategy a little bit, but both me and the team are going in the right direction and I’m looking forward to Magny Cours.”


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