SUZUKI MEN SET FOR QATAR OPENER
Team Alstare Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama and Max Biaggi
line up for this Saturday’s opening round of the 2007
World Superbike Championship at Qatar on brand new GSX-R1000
Suzukis and positive after winter testing.
Kagayama knows Qatar well - in testing and race action -
but new team member Biaggi will be experiencing it for the
first time in race mode: The Roman has been out of race action
for over a year but has steadily improved with every test
so far and his class cannot be denied. All the eyes of the
world will be on him during this first race and expectations
will be high.
Last year, Kagayama was on course for a terrific victory
in the first race, but was taken out by his friend Noriyuki
Haga when the flag was almost in sight. Team mate at the time,
Troy Corser, salvaged Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra’s
pride in race two with a superb win, so Qatar is regarded
very positively by the team.
Max Biaggi:
“I am very happy to be back in racing and want to say
thank you to Francis and the team for all the support they
are giving me. Although Superbike is a new adventure for me,
I am looking forward to it. There are many good riders here
- and many have a lot of Superbike experience - so I know
that my job is not going to be easy. But I’m ready for
this new challenge and will give it everything I’ve
got.”
Yukio Kagayama:
“A new season and a new bike and I am happy to be back
on the race track to race instead of just testing. Of course,
testing is very important - especially with a new bike - and
we will see how we will go in these first races. There are
many good riders in this series and I know I have to be more
consistent this year if I am to have a chance of the title.
My plan is to be fast, win races or take as many podiums as
possible and try not to crash on a race day!”
Francis Batta - Team Manager:
”We have worked hard over the winter months and we
hope that the hard work will pay off. There are always some
problems to be solved with a new bike and that’s normal.
We are very happy to have Max in our team this year and think
he may surprise a few people. Yukio has the ability to do
well, especially if starts the season like he finished it
last year. He and Max are both determined and committed and
we are all looking forward to another exciting year.”
|
