Win for Roberts at Opening Round
Australian Brendan Roberts got his season off to a fantastic
start this weekend in Valencia securing the first win of the
season. Riding once again for the Ducati Xerox Junior Team
in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup on the Ducati 1098R the youngster
dominated the weekend’s proceedings. Setting the fastest
time in all but one session, he qualified in pole position,
his first since 2006, setting the fastest lap during the race
and confidently taking the race win.
Roberts who was fighting a serious wrist injury throughout
2007 showed his true form today and demonstrated why he was
British Superstock Champion in 2006. He was unable to show
his true colours last season but after training hard through
the winter and also allowing more time for his wrist to heal
he was eager to get back out racing again.
Having tested the Ducati 1098R only a few times prior to
the first race it was the ideal start for Roberts and one
he hopes to carry through the remainder of the season. In
glorious sunshine at Valencia, Spain he gained a fantastic
start and lead the race for the entire 13-laps. He was being
put under pressure by Italian Davide Giugliano on the Suzuki
who was keen to try and make a move on the Australian and
go for the lead early in the race. Roberts, however, had other
ideas and rode a smooth and very confident race bridging a
gap of nearly four seconds by the time the chequered flag
came out.
Commenting a delighted Roberts said “It’s such
a nice feeling to be back on the top step of the podium again.
This is my first win in the dry in the European Superstocks
since 2006, after my injury last year I found it difficult
at the majority of the races to fully push to my limits as
I was still in a lot of pain. I’m so pleased for the
team that I have been able to do this and that they had the
faith in me to keep me on the Ducati again this season. They
have all worked incredibly hard, all last year and this weekend
and this is my thanks to them and I hope that it will continue
through the season. I’m on such a high and really pleased
that it’s started this way, I hope that I’ll be
able to do the same again at the other races but I’m
just taking one step at a time. My wrist is still sore and
I’ve been told I’ll never get full movement back
but now its feeling better so fingers crossed!”
Race Results
1.Brendan Roberts (Ducati 1098 R Xerox Junior Team) in 21m17.585s;
2. D. Giugliano (Suzuki) + 3.795s;
3. X. Simeon (Suzuki) + 6.865s;
4. A. Polita (Ducati) + 7.272s;
5. C. Corti (Yamaha) + 7.680s
CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION
1. Brendan Roberts 25 points;
2. D. Giugliano 20;
3. X. Simeon 16;
4. A. Polita 13;
5. C. Corti 11
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