Katsuaki Fujiwara rode from 11th place on lap one to fifth on the final lap to secure his first points of the year and prove the competitiveness of both himself and his 2009 Ninja ZX-6R machine.
The Japanese rider was back to his old self this weekend, with the bike and rider feeling the benefits of a recent Valencia test session, as he passed many of his fellow riders after a slow start from the front row. He had qualified fourth, two places behind his team-mate, Joan Lascorz.
The Spaniard, riding in his and his team’s home race, was desperately unlucky to find his rear tyre punctured, having been in the running for the win despite a track surface that started out slightly damp, even though the race direction declared a dry race.
Many riders took it very steadily in the first few corners but Lascorz chased down early leader Michele Pirro to take the lead, then he was passed by eventual race winner Cal Crutchlow. Lascorz finished 19th after pitting to take on a new tyre, hoping in vain to gain at least a single point.
Katsuaki Fujiwara:
“Today was much better than before and I am very happy for all in the team. They have worked well and the bike is much improved. I think most of the riders, like me, were quite nervous of the early conditions, and went easy until we realised if it was wet or dry. I had to make up a lot of ground but to finish top five was a good result. We have a much better level of performance as a base now. We are not quite there yet, but we have a good pace now and can compete.”
Joan Lascorz:
“I was riding with the leaders but I had to stop as the rear tyre had a puncture. We fitted a new tyre and I went out and set fast laps but we had lost too much time. It’s a big disappointment to lose points in this way because things were looking good for a strong result. It was not our fault and so there was nothing we could do about it.”
