STRONG START FOR ALSTARE SUZUKI
 Despite
the incredibly strong winds at the World Superbike Championship
opening round at the Doha circuit in Qatar today, Team Suzuki
Alstare riders Fonsi Nieto and Yukio Kagayama took strong
third and fifth fastest times overall.
Max Neukirchner experienced some handling problems but also
didn't want to risk anything in the difficult conditions so
he kept things steady to finish 10th.
Aussie Troy Corser (Yamaha) ended first qualifying with the
day's fastest lap, 1:59.627, two tenths of a second quicker
than his fellow countryman Troy Bayliss (Ducati). Nieto had
been fastest in the morning untimed practice session and ended
third quickest in the afternoon with Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha)
fourth.
Fonsi Nieto - 3rd, 2:00.307:
"I'm happy with the first day of practice here in Qatar
and think that what we did today was a good result. It was
hard today because of the very strong wind and, because the
wind was not consistent, it made things quite difficult today.
I'm particularly happy because Corser, Bayliss and Haga all
tested here recently, so to be up with them today is very
satisfying. Both the wind and the sand make it easy to miss
your line and once that happens, you lose time. We did a lot
of good work on the bike today and hope to carry that on tomorrow.
I hope that the wind is not so strong and we can make good
progress throughout the day."
Yukio Kagayama - 5th, 2:00.599:
"The wind today was unbelievable! I don't think I've
ever raced in such strong winds before and certainly not winds
that stayed at the same strength all day. It made many parts
of the track a problem, especially the second last corner
for me. I think the wind pushed me off line five times in
five laps at that turn and that meant that I lost time. Also,
I was hit in the visor many times by small stones and that
made life a bit interesting! For tomorrow, I think we'll keep
the same chassis set-up but make some adjustments to the engine
and the electronics to make the bike smoother and easier to
ride. I just hope the wind is not so bad!"
Max Neukirchner - 10th, 2:00.904:
"It was very windy out there today and I had many problems
in many parts of the track because of that. It was not easy
braking for the turns because sometimes the wind was behind
you, sometimes across you and sometimes in your front! The
last four turns were a particular problem for me and I know
that I lost quite a bit of time there. But despite all that
we did some good work today and found a good direction for
the bike. Unlike most of the other riders here, this is my
first time at the track since the race last year, so I have
some catching-up to do. I hope the wind is not so strong tomorrow
so that I can push harder and improve my time."
Thursday Results: 1 Corser (Aus-Yamaha)
1:59.627, 2 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:59.853, 3 Fonsi Nieto (E-Suzuki
Alstare) 2:00.307, 4 Haga (J-Yamaha) 2:00.476, 5 Yukio Kagayama
(J-Suzuki Alstare) 2:00.599, 6 Xaus (E-Ducati) 2:00.695. 10
Max Neukirchner (D-Alstare Suzuki) 2:00.904.
|
