NIETO AND NEUKIRCHNER UNDER THE LAP RECORD IN VALENCIA!
Spaniard Fonsi Nieto and German rider Max Neukirchner have
tested the 2007 Alstare Suzukis at the Ricardo Tormo circuit
for the first time. Both riders made many changes to the positions
of the bars, footpegs and levers so that they could start
to get comfortable with the bike, before beginning to push
hard. The weather for the tests was generally good and Fonsi,
Max and the team were able to to do a lot of good groundwork
and gather useful information. Both riders put in a considerable
number of laps (over 70 for Neukirchner and over 80 for Nieto)
and managed to go under the lap record - on regular race rubber.
Nieto posted a best time of 1:35.5 and Neukirchner a time
of 1:35.00. Neukirchner’s quick lap is faster than Biaggi’s
best race lap earlier this season.
Fonsi Nieto
This test was all about me getting comfortable with the bike,
so we did a lot of work with the handlebars, levers, footpegs
etc. My initial feeling is that the bike is very good and
I have a lot to learn. I started with the Biaggi settings,
but I didn’t get on with them, so we’ve changed
them quite a lot - more in the Kagayama direction I guess.
The Alstare Suzuki feels more of a racebike than my bike of
last year and it has a lot of potential. I am not thinking
about lap times at this test, because I want to learn this
bike first. The Alstare team are great to work with and everybody
is very friendly. I am getting to know them all very quickly
and already we have a very good relationship. The World Superbike
Championship is not an easy race series by any means, but
I am really looking forward to this new challenge.
Max Neukirchner
I know I’ve ridden the Alstare Suzuki before, but this
is a different situation for me here. We spent most of the
time getting the bike right for me. That meant changes to
the riding position, bars, levers , footpegs etc. I enjoyed
riding the bike in the last race of the year, but now it’s
time to get the bike dialled in for me properly. There is
a lot to do, but we are all working well and making good progress,
so we are all pretty happy at this stage. I know most the
Alstare guys from before, but I am working with some different
mechanics this time, so I have to get used to them and they
have to get used to me. I’m already enjoying myself
with the team and I think we will leave Valencia in a positive
frame of mind.
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