#AusWorldSBK Race I: HARD FOUGHT POINT IN VERY FIRST 2017 RACE
In his debut race after the move to the Superbike world series, Stefan Bradl couldn’t get beyond a 15th position despite a courageous ride at Phillip Island.
After a difficult test, earlier this week at the Phillip Island circuit, Friday’s free practice sessions brought some lights at the end of the tunnel. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old German rider remained realistic with his expectations for the Superpole, these sessions decide about the starting grid, and Saturday afternoon’s opening race for the championship. Bradl qualified for the very first points haul this year in P15 on the grid. During the race in good conditions too, however, he soon became powerless and he couldn’t do more than to finish the race in 15th position after 22 gruelling laps.
Heat two at the opening round is scheduled for Sunday afternoon with starting time at 3:00pm local time (5:00am CET).
#6 Stefan BRADL (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Honda CBR1000RR SP2), 15., WM-Position 15 (1 Punkt):
“We definitely can’t be satisfied with the outcome of the first race. It was foreseeable that it won’t be an easy task but I’m just doing a test rider’s job here. By the way, this also applies to my team mate Nicky (Hayden). We still have even more weak points with our bikes than we like. Apart from breaking zones, there are not many other advantages now so today’s result didn’t come unexpected. In a strong competition like we see in this series, you can’t expect happy coincidences to recover positions. So, we must consider Phillip Island as a test race, because tomorrow our situation will not be different.
“The biggest problem is that we don’t have any grip as soon the tyre starts to drop. Beyond that, the electronic works uncontrolled. It often come to situations which are not understandable for me. The connection between traction control and throttle connection doesn’t work at all and in my opinion, it is completely redundant. In this way, you can’t race sensibly. Nicky has the same comments: the bike is strong in breaking, but that’s it already.
“Today’s performance was a real sharp slap for us. Whilst the top riders are going faster with each day, we turn in a circle and do not make any progress. For me, as a newcomer to this category, at least I know now how the tyres are working during a race distance. On the other hand, Nicky, who already has more experience as a Superbike rider, is just as a sitting duck as I’m. This fact underlines the current situation of our project. Of course, we’re still in a very early phase with, but something must change very quickly because otherwise we will face a big problem soon.”
WorldSBK Phillip Island – Starting Positions after Superpole:
1 Jonathan REA /GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R/ 1´29.573
2 Tom SYKES / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 1´29.605 +0.032
3 Marco MELANDRI / ITA / Aruaba.it Racing – Ducati / Ducati Panigale R / 1´29.734 +0.161
15 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team / Honda CBR1000RR SP2 / 1´31.850 +2.277
WorldSBK Phillip Island – Results Race 1 (22 Laps):
1 Jonathan REA /GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R/ 33´52.290
2 Chaz DAVIES / GBR / Aruba.it Racing – Ducati / Ducati Panigale R / +0.042
3 Tom SYKES / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / +1.050
15 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team / Honda CBR1000RR SP2 / +28.936
WorldSBK Championship Standings:
1 Jonathan REA / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / 25
2 Chaz DAVIES / GBR / Aruba.it Racing – Ducati / 20
3 Tom SYKES / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / 16
15 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team / 1