TWO SECONDS MOVE HAGA UP IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Two second places at today’s German round of the Superbike World
Championship saw Yamaha Motor Italia’s Noriyuki Haga move back into
second place in the series.
Despite suffering a wrist injury in
Saturday’s free practice session, the Japanese star was able to lead
both races and scored more points than any other rider at the
EuroSpeedway Lausitz circuit. In the day’s first race Haga made a good
start and followed championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati) in the
opening laps. When the Australian made an error, the Yamaha rider led a
four-way battle for the lead with Yamaha Motor Italia team-mate Andrew
Pitt and the Suzukis of Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama. Pitt eventually
slipped back to fourth as a result of an incorrect tyre choice, while
Kagayama was able to pass the Yamaha as Haga’s front tyre grip
deteriorated in the closing stages.
Race two saw the same protagonists at
the front but Pitt, now running the same specification tyres as the
other front men, was an early casualty when he crashed on lap four. The
Australian had been sitting comfortably with the leading pack, only to
be pitched off in a lowside crash when his bike’s footpeg touched the
raised kerbing. That left James Toseland (Honda) in the lead with Haga
breathing down his neck for the entire duration of the race. Despite
his best efforts, the Yamaha rider could not find a way through and
took the chequered flag two-tenths of a second behind the Briton.
Yamaha Motor France’s Norick Abe brought his YZF-R1 home in 11th place
in race two, with team-mate Shinichi Nakatomi gaining another point for
15th. The points provided some reward for the squad, who had a
disappointing first race with neither rider scoring a point due to a
poor choice of tyres.
Today’s results mean that Haga moves
back to second in the championship, 87 points behind series leader
Bayliss with two rounds and four races remaining. Toseland is the only
other rider with a mathematical chance of the title, a further six
behind Haga, although Pitt’s failure to score sees him surrender one
place in the championship. The Yamaha man is now fifth in the series,
although only one point behind Corser. Haga’s forty points also saw
Yamaha close in on Ducati at the head of the manufacturers
championship. The Iwata company is now just 37 points behind their
Italian rivals with a maximum of 100 available in the four remaining
races.
The penultimate round of the championship takes place at the Imola circuit in Italy on 1 October.
Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia)
“I am happy with the result because yesterday I hurt my wrist and was
in a lot of pain. The doctors gave me some painkillers and I actually
enjoyed both races, because there were some good fights. In the first
race I was able to lead but in the last five laps my front tyre was
gone and I could not do anything when Yuki passed me. We made some
changes for the second and I was able to fight with James, although he
rode very well and I could not pass him. Still, I am satisfied and I
would like to thank all the medical staff who helped me get such good
results today.”
Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia)
“For the first race we chose a different rear tyre to most of the other
guys and after ten laps it was gone and I had to settle for fourth. It
had been a bit of a gamble, but the temperatures were higher than
yesterday and we felt it might give us an advantage. We made a few
changes for the second race and used the same tyres as the other guys.
I felt really strong and was able to pass Kagayama and catch up to the
leaders when I just touched the kerb with my footrest. That caused the
weight to come off the back and I just slid off. I tried to get going
again but the handlebar was broken off. I’m disappointed but the fact
that Barros and Corser didn’t score many points has limited the damage
and I know that we will bounce straight back in Imola.”
Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France)
"We had a lot of small problems in race one so it was hard to ride and
I couldn't even get a point. Between the races we changed the bike
balance by raising the rear and it was much better than race one. My
lap times were much better and I kept them better all the way to the
end, so I am quite happy.”
Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha Motor France)
“I like the track but it was impossible to get the right setting, lots
of bumps and tyre spinning. Between race one and race two I changed the
settings but it did not make so much difference.”
Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia)
“The first race was very good for us, with both riders taking points
from Toseland in the championship. We came here with the target of
getting second and third in the championship by the end of the year,
but now Andrew has dropped to fifth. Overall, though, we can leave here
with many positives. The championship is still alive and Noriyuki had
scored a lot of points despite his injury. Andrew was a little unlucky
but has ridden well and I am sure that both our riders will be able to
continue fighting at the front in Imola.”
Martial Garcia (Team Manager - Yamaha Motor France)
“We got a little bit lost because it was a long distance for the tyres
to last, so we changed the settings for the second race and Norick
could fight for tenth position after that. We have improved after the
test here because we lost a lot around here at that time, and we have
made it up a lot. I think this track is very delicate for set-up. I am
happy - no crashes, some points and now ready for Imola.”
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