#GermanWorldSBK: STEFAN BRADL ESCAPED NEARLY UNHURT FROM NASTY CRASH
It was a hectic opening day for the German Superbike rider and his Red Bull Honda World Superbike team, as Bradl injured his left elbow on Friday afternoon.
Round nine of this year’s campaign got underway under bright summer weather this morning. The championship’s visit to Germany also marks the return to action after the long summer break. However, shortly after lunch time a thunderstorm arrived the south of Brandenburg. Despite the changeable weather, Stefan Bradl had a pleasant start into his home round as the Honda rider was recorded eleventh fastest during FP1 and in doing so, he surpassed his own expectations, particularly as the 4.2 kilometres long Lausitzring circuit is new territory for him aboard his Superbike. Therefore, Bradl and his crew were confident for the second session to keep progressing in this way. But at halfway point of FP2, the Bavarian had a fall caused by an oil spil on track, bruising his left elbow.
As usual, both races of the weekend will be broadcasted live by Austrian channel ServusTV. The programme, by the way which is to see in Free-TV in the entire German speaking area in Central Europe, starts 30 minutes before the lights go out on Saturday and Sunday.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Honda CBR1000RR SP2), FP1: P11 – 1´38.794 / FP2: P16 – 1´39.884:
“The start into the weekend could not have gone any more unfortunate. After the long break, I felt very comfortable with the bike straight away. This came a bit surprisingly actually, considering that this track is new to me. Therefore, FP1 was a very enjoyable ride, our pace was good and it was the same in terms of feeling with my Fireblade at all. We were well prepared to make further progress in the second session. Of course, there were a few changes made to the bike and we started FP2 with used tyres. But we put in new tyres quickly because it was foreseeable that the rain will come soon. I was on a fast lap and had a good feeling, however, I slipped off on an oil spil because Lowe’s bike had an engine breakdown just before. The crash happened without any warnings, neither yellow flags nor than signals for possible oil on track were shown. It was a rather heavy fall and I hit the ground hard with my left elbow. The result is a bruise at the joint, which is why the movement is restricted. Fortunately, nothing is broken but we must wait and see how the situation is going to be overnight. It is very annoying because I felt so strong and beyond that, this round is my home race. I hope very much that I’m able to ride tomorrow.”
#GermanWorldSBK – Free Practice Combined Results (FP1/FP2):
1 Tom SYKES / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 1´37.712 (FP2)
2 Jonathan REA / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 1´37.504 +0.332 (FP1)
3 Chaz DAVIES / GBR / Aruba.it Racing – Ducati / Ducati Panigale R / 1´37.526 +0.354 (FP1)
12 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team / 1´38.794 +1.622 (FP1)