SYKES FASTEST ON CADWELL 1ST DAY
Rizla Suzuki's Tom Sykes set the pace today at the arduous
Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire ahead of round nine of
the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, dominating both
free practice sessions.
The Huddersfield ace has been on top form since taking his
debut win at Oulton Park and adding two more to his tally.
He looked comfortable aboard his Rizla Suzuki which has been
working well and is determined to keep his successful momentum
going. Dry weather allowed Sykes to work through settings
on both his machines during free practice and perfect his
set-up ahead of qualifying tomorrow.
Double Japanese Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe put in
an impressive performance at the difficult 2.18-mile track.
He was running in the top 10 for the bulk of the session and
finished in a healthy 12th place. The Suzuka Eight Hour podium
finisher has been getting to grips with his braking points
and has more to come going into qualifying.
The new Formula One-style qualifying session will take place
on Sunday at 1400. Race one is on Bank Holiday Monday at 1345
and race two at 1630.
Tom Sykes:
"I'm really pleased with how today went. My team has
been working hard and my Rizla Suzuki is performing well.
We have just been making small changes, fine-tuning really,
and it is all going in the right direction. I like Cadwell
Park. It is a real rider's circuit and I think the new qualifying
will keep things interesting for the fans and give us riders
a bit more space on track. Bring it on."
Atsushi Watanabe:
"When I first came to Cadwell I thought it was a 'scary
circuit' but now I am learning and it isn't so bad. I need
to work on my braking points and then I can go faster. I want
to stay inside the top 10 and I was there during both sessions
today. My aim for tomorrow is to go forward to the final qualifying
session with a clear track. British fans will see what Watanabe
can do."
Jack Valentine - Rizla Suzuki Team Manager:
"Today has gone well for us and I'm very happy with
how everyone has performed. Our Rizla Suzukis are on top form
and haven't missed a beat, Tom is on fire and Atsu is really
starting to show what he is capable of.
"Tom has been working on some geometry changes to get
his Rizla Suzuki turning even better. He has covered race
distance on a set of tyres and is still producing fast, consistent
lap times showing he has good race pace so it has been a very
productive day on track for him.
"Cadwell is about the toughest circuit that we will
visit this year and Atsu is rising to the challenge. He has
been running consistently in the top 10 and that is his aim
for this weekend. He just needs to get as many laps under
his belt as he can and I think he will do us proud. I feel
there is more to come from everyone and we just need to keep
that going into tomorrow."
Free practice results:
1: Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 1:27.945
2: Leon Haslam (Honda) +0.111
3: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.511
4: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +0.600
5: Karl Harris (Yamaha) +0.901
6: Leon Camier (Ducati) +0.971
7: Michael Rutter (Ducati) +1.075
8: Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +1.652
9: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +1.789
10: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +1.903
12: Atsushi Watanabe (RizlaSuzuki) +2.057
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