BMW Motorrad Motorsport - WSBK - Phillip Island - Races
Phillip Island – Races.
Sunday, 27 February 2011.
Weather conditions: Rain in the morning, overcast in the afternoon.
Temperature: Air: 17 – 21 °C, Track: 19 – 35 °C
Number of riders participating: 22 from 13 teams
Fastest lap Race 1: Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing) 1:32.034 min
Fastest lap Race 2: Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing) 1:32.012 min
It has been a good start to the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship for Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. In race 1, Leon Haslam (GBR) secured the team its first podium finish of the season. The team leaves Australia with 33 points in the team standings (fourth overall). Leon lies fourth in the riders’ championship (27 points), Troy Corser (AUS) lies 14th (six points).
In race 1, both riders made good starts. After one lap, Leon was still defending his fourth position, while Troy had passed Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz. After just a couple of laps, Troy suffered badly from a lack of grip and chattering. He was not able to hold his position and finished tenth. Leon had some tough battles with Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri. On lap 17 he passed Marco and was able to defend third until the chequered flag. Leon made a brilliant start in the second race and was first into turn 1. He struggled with the bike’s set-up and therefore was not able to defend this position. He finished the race fifth. Lying fourth, Troy found a false neutral on lap nine and fell back to eleventh. In the second half of the race he faced massive tyre degradation and finished the race only 19th.
Leon Haslam:
Result Race 1: 3rd, Gap to 1st: 00:10.719 min / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:32.266 min
Result Race 2: 5th, Gap to 1st: 00:10.885 min / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:32.560 min
“As a team we have made huge steps forward from two weeks ago. We still have some issues that need looking at in more detail to ensure we can become regular podium finishers, but on the whole we should be happy with the two races. The first race was great; we encountered some issues in race, two but still managed to finish in the top five, so we are definitely happy. A huge credit goes to the team for their efforts this weekend, but we now have to sit down and work out in detail how we plan to make that next step forward.”
Troy Corser:
Result Race 1: 10th, Gap to 1st: 00:25.822 min / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:32.287 min
Result Race 2: 19th, Gap to 1st: 00:55.738 min / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:32.355 min
“We started the race well, I felt good on the bike, but sadly I found a false neutral going into Honda corner and I went off the track. I rejoined down the field and then really struggled for grip. As the race progressed the tyre became really worn and I was losing traction everywhere, I simply couldn’t do the times I wanted. We have identified some points that need addressing before Donington Park, but certainly I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Bernhard Gobmeier (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director):
“Today has been a very rewarding end of what was a tough weekend. Leon did incredibly well and took a well-deserved podium finish for our team. Troy really had to fight with the bike. We now have to analyse the data on his side. I am proud of the entire team – both the guys here at the track, and also the people in Stephanskirchen and Munich. We all fly back home tonight happy and satisfied. But we are hungry for more. These results will not be a one off. We will not have a rest. In four weeks we will race in Donington, and preparations for the first European races have already begun.”
