AIRWAVES DUCATI CONFIDENT AHEAD OF SEASON OPENER
Airwaves Ducati commence their 2008 season at Brands Hatch
in round one of the British Superbike championship this weekend.
Following a successful winter of testing which saw the team
travel to Almeria and Calafat, the Airwaves backed GSE Racing
team will compete for the first time aboard their new Ducati
1098R’s on the 2.3 mile Brands Hatch GP circuit.
Shane Byrne has performed exceptionally well in testing,
completing in excess of 956 miles and posting consistently
quick times. Although the adverse weather conditions prevented
any testing at the official BSB Pirelli test at Snetterton
last week, Shane is confident that he will perform well at
his favourite circuit.
“I am feeling really positive, the team has worked
really well and everything has gone to plan. We have worked
through a number of things and we have taken some big steps
forward with the Ducati 1098R. There are a few other things
we need to work on at Brands Hatch but we have been consistently
strong and the only unknown now is how we will match up against
the competition at a race weekend! I personally feel as fit
and strong as I can be and I am looking forward to getting
going; the first round is going to be interesting for sure!”
Leon Camier spent the early part of the winter break in Australia
recuperating from his Cadwell Park crash. His testing was
encouraging in Almeria and, although he suffered a minor set
back when he crashed on the third day at Calafat, he is confident
for a good performance at his local circuit this weekend.
“I feel ok, although my shoulder is still suffering
the affects of my fall at Calafat. I am looking forward to
getting to Brands Hatch and although I have had limited testing
time I am still feeling confident. On my last outing on the
Ducati 1098R it was starting to feel more like my bike with
a set up I was comfortable with. I believe that if my shoulder
holds up I will be up there fighting for the top positions
this weekend.”
Team manager Colin Wright commented after Calafat that they
had achieved everything they set out to do in pre season testing,
specifically familiarising the new riders with the Ducati
1098R and Pirelli tyres. He has been pleased with how Leon
and Shane have slotted into the Airwaves Ducati team and is
looking forward to the season ahead.
“We know that this year will be another highly competitive
championship and we are all looking forward to getting underway
this weekend. It has been a long winter but we have been pleased
with the progress Leon and Shane have made with the Ducati
1098R in testing. For a fourth year Wrigley's Airwaves will
remain as our title sponsor and we also welcome Jewson as
a new major partner to the team; all of us at GSE Racing are
looking forward to working with our partners to regain the
BSB title in 2008."
Round 1 of the British Superbike Championship takes place
at Brands Hatch this Sunday, April 6th.
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