MEKLAU PODIUMS AT GERMAN SBK OPENER
 With
a place in the front row of the grid at the Euro Speedway
Lausitz, Andreas Meklau gained an excellent starting position
to finish on the podium in the first race of the International
German Superbike championship season.
The 40-year-old Austrian rider from Team SUZUKI International
Europe took the chequered flag in third place after a tough,
but fair, struggle with Jörg Teuchert (Yamaha), during
which the two bikes even touched on occasion.
Meklau was third in the second heat again, following Bauer
and Teuchert across the line after Dario Giuseppetti (Ducati)
was penalised and moved five places down the list of finishers
after a complaint for allegedly leaving and returning to the
starting grid had been upheld.
Suzuki's promising junior rider Dominic Lammert (20) underwent
a meniscus operation a week previously and was unable to ride
at the Lausitz.
Andreas Meklau:
"My expectations for the weekend were fulfilled. I knew
that Martin Bauer and Jörg Teuchert were also favourites
to win here. I'm satisfied with my results in the race heats.
I had a rather mediocre start in the second heat and had to
struggle against the Ducati riders for a long time. It wasn't
until the last three laps that I was able to close up on the
leaders."
Dominic Lammert:
"Last week I had to go into hospital unexpectedly for
an outer meniscus operation following an injury. Despite the
operation I was still hoping to ride, but when I sat on the
bike I couldn't even reach the right footrest."
Evrén Bischof - Team Manager:
"Twice on the podium is a good start to the season.
In my opinion the results reflect current performance levels
in the Superbike IDM. We're definitely on the right road to
the title. It was a pity that Dominic Lammert couldn't ride;
otherwise we would surely have seen both riders among the
top five."
Heat 1: 1. Martin Bauer (A, Honda), 2. Jörg
Teuchert (D, Yamaha), 3. Andreas Meklau (A, Suzuki International
Europe), 4. Dario Giuseppetti (D, Ducati), 5. Werner Daemen
(B, Suzuki Yoshimura Van Zon Schäfer Motorsport), 6.
Gabor Rizmayer (H, Team Suzuki Hungary), 7. Pawel Szkopek
(PL, Yamaha), 8. Kai-Borre Andersen (NOR, MV Agusta), 9. Roman
Stamm (CH, Suzuki Switzerland), 10. Kari Vehniäinen (FIN,
Yamaha).
Heat 2: 1. Martin Bauer (A, Honda), 2. Jörg
Teuchert (D, Yamaha), 3. Andreas Meklau (A, Suzuki International
Europe), 4. Werner Daemen (B, Suzuki Yoshimura Van Zon Schäfer
Motorsport), Christian Kellner (D, Ducati), 6. Pawel Szkopek
(PL, Yamaha), 7.Roman Stamm (CH, Suzuki Switzerland), 8. Christian
Zaiser (A, Ducati), 9. Dario Giuseppetti (D, Ducati), 10.
Kari Vehniäinen (FIN, Yamaha).
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