2008 Superbike World Championship
Preview: Round 1, Qatar - 23 February
NEW ERA FOR TEAM ALSTARE SUZUKI
The first race of the 2008 Superbike World Championship sees
the dawning of a new era for Team Alstare Suzuki. After ten
years with the same sponsor, it’s all change for the
new season. And the changes don’t stop there, for this
year’s Alstare Suzuki team also features two new riders.
With crowd favourite Yukio Kagayama staying though, the new
three rider line-up is a fascinating blend of youth and experience.
All three riders have enjoyed their winter tests and are fit
and ready for the championship’s kick-off this coming
weekend.
Yukio Kagayama
Last season was one to forget and I am determined not to have
so many hurtful crashes. The winter tests have gone well and
now it’s time to see how well we will stack up against
our competitors in a race situation. I think that the competition
will be even harder then last year, but I am excited about
the prospect of lots of tough racing because this is what
I enjoy!
Fonsi Nieto
It took a while to get used to the Alstare Suzuki GSX-R, but
every time I rode the bike I became more and more comfortable
with it. Testing is one thing, but now it’s time to
see how we go in a race. There are so many different factors
in a race compared to testing and it’s going to be very
interesting for sure. Of course, this year is going to be
very hard because the series has become stronger and there
are many good riders and bikes out there, but I am looking
forward to the challenge.
Max Neukirchner
My new experience started with the winter tests, but I feel
I know the team and mechanics now and we are working together
really well. The Suzuki I rode last season was nothing like
the Alstare Suzuki, so there has been lots to learn. But I
am so happy to get this chance with a team like Alstare Suzuki
and I am determined to give it everything I have. There are
so many good riders this year, but I think I can get some
good results and have some fun at the same time.
Francis Batta - Team Manager
We have done a lot of work over the winter months and I seemed
to have spent a lot of time in meetings trying to get everything
organised for this season. It’s been tough, but now
I’m looking forward to being at the racetrack and getting
involved in the racing again. We have an interesting rider
line-up this year - a good mixture of experience and youth
- and it’s going to be fun working with the three different
characters throughout the long season ahead and see how they
perform. We are under no illusions about how hard this season
will be, but we at Alstare Suzuki like this kind of a challenge
and will be giving it 100 per cent - as usual.
|
