Pro GRT: Binggeli brings it home at Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games

Courtesy of USA Cycling

Logan Binggeli (Saint George, Utah/KHS Factory Racing) notched his second consecutive title in the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Gravity Tour (Pro GRT) with a second-place showing at the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on Sept. 7.

Binggeli’s silver medal at the event gives him 324 points for the 10-event Pro GRT. Neko Mulally (Reading, Pa./Trek World Racing) finishes second to Binggeli in the Pro GRT men’s standings with 230 points. Making the leap from fifth place to third place by virtue of his win at the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games was Kevin Aiello (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./KHS Factory Racing), who finishes the season with 190 points. Rounding out the men’s top five are Michael Sylvestri (Truckee, Calif./ARMA Energy – Evil Bikes) and Aaron Gwin (Wildomar, Calif./Specialized Racing) with 148 and 140 points, respectively.

Amassing a total of 210 points, Anne Galyean (Frederick, Md./Trek-Integrity Racing-Deity) had already sewed up the women’s title at the penultimate event on the 2013 calendar, the Snowshoe Mountain Pro GRT in Snowshoe, W.V., but vaulting into the top five of the Pro GRT women’s standings with a win on Saturday was Amanda Batty (Park City, Utah/Go-Ride.com). Batty finishes second in the overall standings with 114 points and bumps Jackie Swider (San Luis Obispo, Calif./Arts Cyclery-Shredly) down to third place with 103 points. Swider was sixth at the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games. With the second-fastest time on Saturday, Rebecca Gardner (Marlboro, N.Y./Gardner Racing-Kona) also entered the women’s top five. Gardner finishes in fourth place in the standings with 100 points, followed by Amber Price (Westminster, Colo./BikeSource Gravity Racing) with 82 points.

Full results from the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

See photo gallery from the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

PHOTO: Logan Binggeli placed second at the Mammoth Kamikaze Bike Games to clinch the 2013 title of the men’s Pro GRT. (photo by Jan Luke)

 

USA Cycling Pro GRT Final Standings: Men 1. Logan Binggeli (Saint George, Utah/KHS Factory Racing) – 324 2. Neko Mulally (Reading, Pa./Trek World Racing) – 230 3. Kevin Aiello (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./KHS Factory Racing) – 190 4. Michael Sylvestri (Truckee, Calif./ARMA Energy – Evil Bikes) – 148 5. Aaron Gwin (Wildomar, Calif./Specialized Racing) – 140 Women 1. Anne Galyean (Frederick, Md./Integrity Racing-Deity) – 210 2. Amanda Batty (Park City, Utah/Go-Ride.com) – 114 3. Jackie Swider (San Luis Obispo, Calif./Arts Cyclery-Shredly) – 103 4. Rebecca Gardner (Marlboro, N.Y./Gardner Racing-Kona) – 100 5. Amber Price (Westminster, Colo./BikeSource Gravity Racing) – 82

For complete standings, visit the Pro GRT’s official webpage at www.usacycling.org/progrt.

MJW Kick Kawasaki – Hawkstone Park Red Bull Pro Nationals

www.mjwkawasaki.com

Another Win in for Davidson and  MJW Kick Kawasaki www.mjwkawasaki.com     Rob Davidson and the MJW Kick Kawasaki Motocross team gained another stunning overall win at the Red Bull Pro Nationals race at the weekend at the stunning Hawkstone Park circuit. Rob who has been competing in the Rookie class all season was on great form at Hawkstone at the weekend and moved up to second place in the Championship.   Rob Davidson – “I was really looking forward to getting to Hawkstone Park to get some points back on the Championship lead. I really like the track and I managed to be quickest in qualifying so that really set me up for a good weekend.   I didn’t manage to get the starts that I was hoping for but I was happy with my riding and to come away with the overall win after taking a 4th, win, 3rd and 5th in the four races was a great feeling.   My MJW Kick Kawasaki was working really well all weekend and big thanks must go to K-Tech and also Mark for all the engine work, plus Kawasaki for providing such a mega bike.   Overall it’s been a good weekend and I’ve managed to work up to second in the Championship standings and closing in on the leader. We have one more round to go and it’s all still to play for, I will be working hard up to that point to try and get the best result I can. A huge thanks again to all the sponsors and my parents for all their help and hard work.”   Team Owner Mark Woodage – “It’s great to see Rob win another Red Bull Pro national round. Rob, myself and the team have all been putting in maximum effort in the last few weeks, and after the disappointment off Rob’s first British Maxxis Pro race the other week and a DNF with a failed bike part, whilst lying 12th place, we all felt a big push towards the end of the season was needed to fight for this title.   Rob has now moved up too second in the Championship with only one round remaining so it’s all to play for, but with it being a very long shot, we will all give it 100% and who knows.   Will Keogh is nearly 100% fit now after he sustained a practice injury, dislocating his shoulder, so we are hoping to get Will back at the final Red Bull this month.   Will Jeonney has been riding his new KXF250F and has entered a few strong local club events to get up to speed taking several wins. I believe already our youth squad for next season will be very competitive. It’s great to see the KX85 response at the Kawasaki Motors UK test days, where we will shortly be announcing our youth squad and academy children.”    Twitter – @MJWKawasaki      Facebook – www.facebook.com/MJWKawasaki       2013 Team Sponsors 2013 Team Sponsors AIROH HELMETS – CHEMJET CLEANING PRODUCTS – CGH IMPORTS – DOMINIO GRIPS – DUNLOP TYRES – GAERNE BOOTS – FAT CAT MOTOPARC – FLY RACEWEAR – FRO SYSTEMS – HEL BRAKELINES – KAWASAKI UK – KICK ENERGY DRINK – K TECH SUSPENSION – MJWSPECIALISTS ENGINES – OHLINS SUSPENSION – PRO CIRCUIT – PLUMCO LTD – RACEFX – RENTHAL SPROCKETS – SAMCO HOSES – SILKOLENE OILS – SURF AND TURF – TALON WHEELS –  TOO FAST MEDIA GROUP – TOPTUL – TWIN AIR – TWS PARTS – VAN CRAFT – VOLKSWAGEN-VANS WEST YORKSHIRE    Pics by DoubleRed   2013 Race Dates   Rd7 7th 8th September – Pontrilias – AMCA Masters Rd6 7th 8th September – TBC – BYMX Rd7 21st 22nd September – Culham Moto Parc – All Classes – Redbull Pro Nationals Rd8 6th October – Farleigh Castle – MX1 / MX2 / VETERANS – Maxxis British Championship   CR PR Freelance www.carlyrathmell.com

 

Robinson, Texter Complete Clean Sweep of Springfield Mile in Round 11 of AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles

Courtesy of AMA PRO Racing

 

Please cite AMA Pro Racing/Dave Hoenig

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 1, 2013) – When you’re hot, you’re hot. After winning Saturday’s AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles Grand National Expert Twins main event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Brandon Robinson (TJ Burnett Farms/Kawasaki) proved he wasn’t done yet as the Oxford, Pa. product completed the perfect weekend with another Springfield Mile victory on Sunday to close out the Labor Day weekend doubleheader. This time, however, victory didn’t come so easy for Robinson, as the 23-year-old had to fend off fierce competitors on every lap in order to clinch his third GNC victory in 2013. “It was a long, hard-fought battle right from the beginning,” Robinson said. “I was riding the high line towards the end and I knew I needed to get myself in a better position going into the final laps. Once I did, I was leading going down the backstretch on the final lap and I knew if I could just maintain the lead going into turn three, I would be able to hold it after turn four and that’s exactly what I did. I had a great bike all weekend and I owe this win to my team. The bike was amazing through the turns and they really made my job easy this weekend. It was back and forth the whole race, which definitely made it a lot more enjoyable for the fans. To do the Springfield double, man, that’s just awesome!” The 25-lap shootout had so many lead changes and intense battles in the front group that it was almost exhausting to simply watch. Jared Mees (Rogers Racing/Harley-Davidson) got the holeshot to start the race but the Clio, Mich. native wasn’t able to hold the position. Fellow Michigander Bryan Smith (Crosley Radio/Kawasaki) took the point and officially led the first two laps by the narrowest of margins. However, it wasn’t long before eventual winner Robinson would get his first taste of the lead as he ripped it from Smith on lap three. Over the next several laps, Robinson tried to break away from the pack as he had done in Saturday’s main event but was never able to gain an appreciable gap on the field. On lap seven, six riders were close enough to Robinson’s rear tire that a blanket could have been draped over them all as they crossed the stripe. Smith would go on to reclaim the lead on lap eight before Robinson stole it right back on lap nine. Robinson’s second stint up front was also short lived, as a charging Kenny Coolbeth Jr. (Harley-Davidson Motor Co./Harley-Davidson) decided it was his turn on lap 10. Coolbeth was only able to hold the lead for a single lap before surrendering it back to Robinson just before the race’s midway point. Robinson and Smith would go on to exchange blows for the remainder of the race, exchanging the lead six more times before Robinson was able to sail by both Smith and eventual third-place finisher JD Beach (TJ Burnett Farms/Kawasaki) to take the lead for the final time on lap 24. In all, the three race leaders swapped the lead an impressive 12 times. Robinson’s doubleheader sweep wrapped up a remarkable Labor Day weekend of racing. Smith’s impressive second-place performance was also his second of the weekend and he certainly helped his cause in the Grand National Championship points chase with back-to-back runner-up efforts. Beach closed out a Kawasaki dominated podium in another strong showing that saw the Philpot, Ky. product clinch his second third-place finish of the weekend. Coolbeth and Elma, Wash.’s Brad Baker (Dodge Brothers Racing/Harley-Davidson) would go on to finish fourth and fifth, respectively, with newlywed and defending Grand National Champion Jared Mees falling to the rear of the lead pack on the race’s final laps to finish sixth. Baker was able to protect his overall Grand National Championship points lead, but the gap to second-place Smith has been narrowed to 10. Baker now leads Smith in the championship 184-174. With Sunday’s victory, Robinson passed Henry Wiles (Lloyd Brothers Motorsports/Harley-Davidson) for third in the overall Grand National Championship point standings and sits just three points behind Smith with two rounds of competition remaining. AMA Pro Basic Twins It’s safe to say that Shayna Texter (Crosley Radio/Kawasaki) owned the Springfield Mile in 2013. Like GNC Expert Brandon Robinson, Texter concluded a Labor Day weekend sweep of her own in the debut weekend for the AMA Pro Basic Twins class. The 22-year-old female phenom took home another win on Sunday, in a demonstration that was just as impressive as Saturday’s 11.452 second win. As she did on Saturday, Texter took the lead on the very first circuit of Sunday’s 12-lap contest and refused to give up any ground to her competition, building on her lead during each of the race’s 12 laps to finish 4.239 seconds ahead of second-place Attica, N.Y. product Cody Johncox (Sunnyside Cycles/Harley-Davidson). “It’s an absolute dream come true to come out to Springfield and get two wins,” Texter said. “I can’t say enough about my team this weekend. The only issue we had with my motorcycle this weekend was a little bit of dirt stuck in the wheel. I have to thank all of the fans for coming out and supporting me. I also can’t thank the IMDA enough for putting this event on each year.” Johncox and Timonium, Md.’s Jason Isennock seemed to have developed a bit of a rivalry at Springfield this weekend as the two flip-flopped positions on the podium in each race of the two main events. With his second-place performance, Johncox got the best of Isennock on Sunday. However, Isennock’s third-place effort, after admitting his motorcycle wasn’t even built until the week leading up to the event, is an impressive feat in and of itself. Bellville, Ohio’s Tyler Butts (Mid Ohio Honda/Harley-Davidson) and Howard, S.D.s Mikeal Strable (Bill Built/Kawasaki) finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to round out the top five. Noteworthy The fans attending the Springfield Mile were treated to an on-track spectacle on Sunday, but it wasn’t in the form of racing. Just prior to opening ceremonies, national fan favorites Jared Mees and Nichole Cheza (Global Products/Harley-Davidson) were married on the front straight of the Springfield Mile. The entire ceremony was streamed live on AMA Pro Live and the recording can be viewed at http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/multimedia/video.cfm?mid=4112. Robinson’s twin wins in Springfield also made him the champion of the K&N Midwest Challenge. The special award presented by K&N went to the top three points earners from last month’s Peoria TT and this weekend’s doubleheader. The $750 first-place prize went to Robinson (59 points), with the second-place Beach’s 55 points earning him $500 and third-place Baker’s 52 points good for $250. Next Up AMA Pro Flat Track presented by J&P Cycles will visit the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. on September 29, 2013 for the Santa Rosa Mile. For tickets and more information regarding the event, please visit http://www.circlebellmotorsports.com/.

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines.  Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Richier surprises in Czech Republic

Courtesy of Youthstream Media

PACOV (Czech Republic), 01 September 2013 – Loads of elevation and loamy soil sums up the circuit of Pacov which hosted round eight of the FIM MX3 World Championship where surprise contender Frenchman Florent Richier, on his first MX3 appearance this year, took victory ahead of two typical MX3 front runners; UFO Racing MX Team’s Klemen Gercar and Orion-RS Petrol Team’s Frantisek Smola. Yesterday’s top qualifier Orion-RS Petrol Team rider Frantisek Smola was super charged at the start of race one, when he fired out of the gate to take the holeshot. Chasing the Czech Smola was red plate holder UFO Racing MX Team’s Klemen Gercar and RSC BUSKA / Ados Team’s Florent Richier. Throughout the race the trio were riding nose to tail, each looking for an opportunity to take over the lead. As they approached midrace, Richier saw an opening and took it, the Frenchman Richier went on to win, celebrating with a ‘Heel Clicker’ on the final lap. Meanwhile Smola was dealing with pressure from the championship points leader Gercar, while the battle was intense, the local rider Smola managed to hold on for second, finishing less than one second ahead of Gercar in third. Meanwhile Martin Michek didn’t get off to the best of starts but the Czech rider fought hard and managed to take fourth place, a massive fifty five seconds ahead of fellow Czech rider Jiri Cepelak in fifth. Race two was full of suprises; race one winner RSC BUSKA / Ados Team rider Florent Richier took the holeshot and led the way ahead of Hillinger MX Team’s Matthias Walkner and RSC BUSKA / Ados teammate Martin Michek. While Richier proceeded to check out, Walkner and Michek engaged in a battle for second. Michek did eventually make a pass on Walkner to take over second but unfortunately crashed a few turns later and dropped back to third. With one lap to go, Richier slowed down and allowed both Walkner and Michek to go by without a fight allowing the current world champion Matthias Walkner to win, just ahead of fan favorite Czech Martin Michek. Richier continued on to finish third and later admitted he purposely slowed down to allow his RSC BUSKA / Ados teammate Martin Michek take more championship points. Meanwhile Klemen Gercar managed to pass Orion-RS Petrol Team’s Frantisek Smola in the closing stages of the race to finish fourth leaving Smola to round out the top five. Despite the strange turn of events, Frenchman Florent Richier took the overall just ahead of teammate Martin Michek. Red plate holder Klemen Gercar rounds out the top three. Click here to obtain the complete results Photos of the whole event are available here The best moments of the eighth round of the FIM MX3 World Championship will be broadcast worldwide on MX-LIFE.TV and the 26 min magazine produced by Youthstream at the end of the event will also be broadcast on Fox Sports in Latin America thanks to the new agreement between Youthstream and the leading sports cable television network in Latin America, Fox Sports. By clicking here you will be able to download the complete TV coverage of the Czech round. MX3 Round of Czech Republic – QUICK FACTS Circuit length: 1950m Type of ground: hard pack Temperature: 23° C Weather Conditions: changeable, rainy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon Crowd attendance: 7000 LINKS Youthstream FIM MX3 Round of Czech Republic

Start MX3 in Czech Republic Richier in action Podium in Pacov

Foret Second And Coghlan Third But Sofuoglu Crashes Out

Courtesy of Kawaski Racing Team

WSS, Nürburgring, Germany, 1 September 2013
Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India riders Fabien Foret and Kenan Sofuoglu had very differing fortunes the Nürburgring as Kevin Coghlan (Kawasaki DMC-Lorenzini) scored his first WSS podium in third.

 

 

Foret finished an eventual convincing second and was in a podium place for the whole 19-lap race, tucked in behind Sofuoglu on lap one until Lowes went past a lap later. By half race distance Foret had a 3.4 second advantage over the following rider, and realising he could not affect the pace of the race winner Sam Lowes he rode to take the 20 points for second place.

Sofuoglu set a new lap record twice, the final new best coming on lap eight, a 1’58.072 in his pursuit of race leader Lowes. Kenan, behind in the points battle before raceday started, was determined to win and simply pushed too hard. He was unable to restart after he fell at turn 11. Kenan ended his day 54 points behind Lowes with only three rounds to go, but the next race is on home soil in Turkey, where he expects to challenge hard for the race win.

After coming from a bad start to take a podium finish Kevin Coghlan (Kawasaki DMC-Lorenzini) gave himself and his team a first podium in their current form. The Scot has come close to a top three finish before but this time it was his turn to make the leap upwards. He pushed hard when it counted to hold off the attentions of Lorenzo Zanetti on the final lap.

Riccardo Russo (Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) was sixth today while David Salom (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) improved from 11th on the grid to 9th despite making an incorrect rear tyre choice. Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) scored a top ten, right behind Salom, while Luca Scassa (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) found set-up issues holding back his pace and he finished 13th, scoring points.

The next round is at Istanbul Park in Turkey, on September 15th.

Kenan Sofuoglu: “I was pushing too much. Sam was really fast in race pace and I tried to stay with him. I found out that I did not set up the bike really perfectly. I think and in some places I was losing time, but Sam was really fast anyway. His pace was better than what I expected but I just did not give up. I knew I could finish second easily but I preferred to try to win the race and I knew I could crash so I chose to try to win the race. I knew it would be difficult. There is now a home race for me in Turkey and I will try to win the race again.”

Fabien Foret: “I tried to stay with the two boys at the front but I had my moment also where I was close to crashing, two laps before Kenan did and at the same corner. For me that was it. The pace was quite high so I could not catch up so I just concentrated on riding too the finish. I did not think today I could not do any better than I have done.”

Kevin Coghlan: “I had a bit of a bad start but then I managed to work my way through and in the last couple of laps I had enough pace to get past Russo and Zanetti. We have had some pace all year and some crashes mixed in with good results but the team have been supporting me and pushing me on. I hope we can get a podium or two more before the end of the year.”

 

WSS results
Nürburgring

Sykes Wins First German Race And Regains The Championship Lead

Courtesy of Kawsaki Racing Team

WSBK, Nürburgring, Germany, 1 September 2013
Tom Sykes took his official Kawasaki Racing Team Ninja ZX-10R to a win and a fourth place finish at the Nürburgring to regain the championship lead after a raceday that Loris Baz was forced out of

 

 

In race one Sykes was the leader for every lap in the final race classification, and although he had been passed by Marco Melandri near the end of the scheduled 20 laps, the red flag was shown for an oil spill and two subsequent crashes just behind the leading trio.

Sykes was awarded the race one win on the count back rules, which discount the lap the race was stopped on. As he was the leader on lap 17, Tom took the win.

In race two Sykes found his machine set-up not quite as effective as it had been in race one and although he was in the leading group throughout he could not get to the front. Another red flag, for a crashed machine’s spilt oil, stopped the race at the 18-lap stage this time, with Sykes fourth and only 1.189 seconds behind the winner.

KRT rider Loris Baz had been on strong form all weekend but suffered a high-speed crash going into the final chicane in morning warm-up. He was taken to hospital where it was found he had suffered a fractured C2 vertebra but without suffering any neurological complications or spinal injury. After reaching hospital he was awake, alert and making jokes with his medical team. He will remain in hospital in Germany for 24 Hours to allow a specialist to see him on Monday. A decision will be taken then to see if he needs further treatment or just time to rest and recuperate.

Mark Aitchison (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) finished each Nürburgring race in 11th place. Federico Sandi (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) did not finish either German race.

In the championship fight Sykes now leads Sylvain Guintoli by one point, 287 to 286, with four rounds and eight races remaining.

Leandro Mercado (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) scored his first ever win in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup category in the 11-lap race in Germany and in doing so is now third in the championship, with two races remaining. Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) took fourth place today while Romain Lanusse (Team MRS Kawasaki) went fifth.

Tom Sykes: “It is very difficult to tell if I could have come back at Marco in the last two laps of race one but when he passed me I was preparing to push the pace a bit more. I am sure all three or four of us in the front group were able to improve our lap times right at the end but the decision to stop the race has gone in our favour for a change. I will take the result and I am very happy for the 25 points. It was the first time all weekend we have had a small issue with the bike set-up. I went to bed last night expecting probably a few more points in race two but it is racing and things like this happen. It seems that we had some limitations in that race, which is a shame because over race distance I was 100% confident in myself, in the Ninja ZX-10R that we could make 1’54 laps even at the end. We proved that through practice this weekend. I think we know where we can improve and I am very happy to have the people around me that I have. It was important to keep Sylvain Guintoli behind me in that second race as we saw how every point counts last year. It adds to the end of season points basket and after this weekend we are leading the championship again.”

 

WSBK results
Nürburgring

HANIKA WINS AGAIN AT SILVERSTONE!

Courtesy of KTM

Czech rider Karel Hanika emerged top Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup rider once again in Round 10 of the championship to further consolidate his overall lead in what was an action packed, multi rider scramble for glory at Britain’s Silverstone on Saturday. Diego Perez of Spain finished second and countryman Marcos Ramirez was third in a thrilling finish on the sweeping 5.9 km British circuit.

Karel Hanika, 17, has been outstanding all season and apart from one DNF has never been lower than second in any of the other nine rounds. His win at Silverstone comes on the heels of a great race in Brno in Round 9 in front of his increasing number of Czech fans.

Saturday’s race was in the balance right to the last corner with no less than six riders in with a chance of claiming the top step. Then Jorge Martin of Spain and Dutch rider Scott Deroue came together in the dash for the lead and exited in the gravel instead of the start-finish straight. It was a big disappointment for Martin, another stand out rider in the 2013 competition. He has been a major challenger to Hanika throughout the season and has picked up two wins and a total of five podium places in the 10 rounds.

But while Haneka rode his usual smart race onboard the KTM RC250 RB Moto3 bike, it was still no walkover. He was challenged hard and often and with just four laps to go it was Deroue in the lead with Martin and Hanika behind. While they led the charge in the final lap the reality was that any one of about eight riders could have emerged the winner of the 14-lap race.

Rookies contest Round 11 on Sunday afternoon as part of the MotoGP program at the British circuit and Hanika goes into the race with a substantial 76-point lead in the competition.

Results Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Silverstone, Round 10
All riders on KTM RC250 RB machines
1. Karel Hanika (CZ), 32:35234 min
2. Diego Perez (E), +0.310 sec
3. Marcos Ramirez (E), +0.439
4. Enea Bastianini (I), +1.371
5. Joan Mir (E), +1.448

Standings Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup after 10 of 14 rounds
1. Hanika, 210 points
2. Jorge Martin (E), 134
3. Manuel Pagliani (I), 99
4. Bastiani, 96
5. Perez, 89

 

 

 

 

Karel Hanika surges ahead in the points after Round 10

Second place for Diego Perez

Marcos Ramirez rides to third at Silverstone

Perez & Ramirez join winner Hanika on the podium

Wet Weather Strikes But Sofuoglu And Foret Earn Front Row Starts

Courtesy of Kawasaki Racing Team

WSS, Nürburgring, Germany, 31 August 2013
Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India competitors Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret will start second and third respectively thanks to the lap times they set in dry condition on Friday at the Nürburgring.

 

 

Sofuoglu was unable to shoot for pole position today, despite a strong ride in this morning’s free session, as rains arrived shortly before the second and final qualifying session this afternoon. Like every one of the 39 riders in qualifying, Kenan therefore had to rely on his Friday qualifying time to take second on the gird.

Foret always hopes to have good weather to start any race weekend but in 2013 he has been particularly unlucky in this regard. This time around it was dry and he was fast from the start and will be third of the grid for Sunday’s race. He did not ride in the wet final qualifying session.

Weather conditions are set to be dry which offers up the prospect of strong finishes for the Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India riders who sit second and third in the championship at present.

Kevin Coghlan (Kawasaki DMC-Lorenzini) was on good form as he rode to seventh in practice, with David Salom (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) 11th and Luca Scassa (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) 13th. Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) was 15th, despite losing some track time on Friday morning.

In the Superstock 600 European Championship race three Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R riders dominated, with Franco Morbidelli and Alessandro Nocco making it a San Carlo Team Italia 1-2, with Christian Gamarino
(Team Goeleven Kawasaki) third. In the championship the leader Morbidelli has 114 points. Gamarino has 108 in second place after eight of ten rounds.

Kenan Sofuoglu: “I feel quite good after we found some problems yesterday, so I am quite happy today. Qualifying was wet this afternoon so we could not push any harder but this morning’s free session was dry and I really worked on my set-up. The bike is already going in a good way. I worked a lot with a dry set-up and my race simulation was really more than I expected. I am just waiting for tomorrow now because my bike is ready, I am ready and I hope I can fight for a race win.”

Fabien Foret: “It has been a good weekend so far because we started on a high level and also we enjoyed good Friday weather conditions for once. The bike was working OK to start and we just made it work better all the time. I enjoyed riding it this morning and I was quite confident with it. I did not really use new tyres and my lap times were still good. I am looking forward to tomorrow now. For sure Kenan and Sam both have a good pace but we will see how it goes. I feel quite strong too, so we will see how we can go tomorrow.”

 

WSS results
Nürburgring