#2017Suzuka8hours: STEFAN BRADL DEBUTS AT THE LEGENDARY ENDURANCE RACE
Instead of going into holidays after the last race prior to the summer break last weekend in Laguna Seca, the 27-year-old German is going on a world trip, flying from California straight to Japan.
With the prestigious eight-hour race at the Suzuka Circuit, Stefan Bradl is facing a completely new challenge ahead of him. Bradl joins Dominique Aegerter and Randy de Puniet in the factory-assisted F.C.C. TSR Honda team, riding a Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2. Teammate Aegerter from Switzerland already competed four times in Suzuka and he finished twice on the podium. In 2014 in second place with the same team. Therefore, the 26-year-old from Bern will be a valuable support for Bradl, who does not have any endurance experience and track knowledge from the challenging Suzuka Circuit so far. During a test this week, Bradl will definitely get a first taste of what he will expect at the meanwhile traditional date for the «Suzuka 8hours» during the last weekend in July.
The «Suzuka 8hours» has been a fixed date in the calendar of the FIM Endurance World Championship for many years. With the venue at the Suzuka Circuit, just around the corner of all the famous Japanese manufacturers, this event is of particular importance in two wheels racing. This year, the eight hours are set to celebrates its 40th anniversary too.
Stefan BRADL:
“I’m already curious about what I will tackle in Suzuka. Until now, I have not got that much information and I also don’t know many things about this event in general. Fortunately, with Dominique (Aegerter) we have an Suzuka experienced rider in our team who has been part of this event for several times already. Beyond that, a three-day test this week will be a fundamental base for a good preparation. Our team will test all three days, starting on Tuesday to Thursday whilst I will be there only for the last two days since my arrival in Suzuka is on Tuesday evening. In any case, it is a completely new experience for me as I don’t know the track too. I’m very curious about that fact and I think the way of approaching such an event differs fundamentally from the races as I’m used to. But for now, I don’t want to speculate further, but led the whole thing to me. Our test will be very revealing, for sure.”