The Superbike World Championship arrives in Brno this weekend for the ninth round of the series, at the Czech Automotodrom.
The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team enters the Czech round leading the Supersport Championship and currently sitting third in the WSB standings. Andrew Pitt has dominated the last rounds of the Supersport series but team mate Jonathan Rea is eager to show his full potential and make his contribution to the impressive Ten Kate Honda tally. The British rider was slightly disappointed with his third place in Misano and is very keen to claim his first victory, starting at the Brno track this weekend.
After spending the last rounds struggling to find the optimum rubber and set up for his bike in race conditions, Carlos Checa is equally motivated to get back on winning pace and claim a place on the podium again. Despite Bayliss currently leading the standings, there’s only a narrow margin between second and fifth place, so the key focus for the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team lies on bringing some important points back home. After a successful completion of the FGS test in Vallelunga last week, the team is confident in their ability to perform on the 5.403km long track.
Ronald ten Kate – Team Manager”The Brno round is an important one in the Superbike World Championship as we are past the half way mark in the series now. After two disappointing races we need to improve our results and bring some points back home in order to defend our current Superbike World title status. The track in Brno is well suited for our bikes and we should be able to use the full potential of the Honda CBR1000RR to get some important results.”
“We should be able to continue our winning streak in the Supersport Championship and collect some more points in our quest for the World Title. After the test in Vallelunga we found some new parts that should propel the team further forward.”
Carlos Checa – CBR1000RRAfter a difficult race weekend in Misano, Carlos Checa lost his second place in the standings to Max Neukirchner by three points. Issues with the grip of his bike have plagued the Spanish rider throughout the last two rounds of Championship but after the Vallelunga test the team remains confident they can get the CBR1000RR back on pace and collect some of those important points.
“The Brno track will be difficult for us, specially when it comes to the handling of the bike in the slower sections. However, we have gathered some important data during the Vallelunga test and will put some new ideas into practice this weekend. I am confident we can straighten out the issues we have been dealing with and improve our pace.”
Ryuichi Kiyonari – CBR1000RROver the last couple of rounds, Ryuichi Kiyonari has had difficulties with the set up of his bike and hasn’t been able to demonstrate his full potential. He was the fastest Honda in the Vallelunga test and is eager to improve his results in the Czech round this weekend.
“I need to set a good result this weekend. My progression has gone down after the race in Monza but my motivation is stronger then ever. I made some mistakes in my tyre choices in the last races, but after we tested a better front tyre in Vallelunga, my feeling with the machine has definitely improved. I hope I can continue this progress at the Brno track. We haven’t made big chances to the bike, but my lap times have improved and I have taken my mind off thinking about the set up. Now I can concentrate on riding and gain some results.”
Kenan Sofuoglu – CBR1000RRKenan Sofuoglu focused on improving his riding style aboard the CBR1000RR during the Vallelunga test and managed to narrow the gap to his team mates. Last year Sofuoglu dominated the Brno track on the Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR machine and claimed fastest lap, best lap, pole position and the race win in the Czech round. Despite a difficult season in which he has struggled to find harmony with a Superbike, Sofuoglu remains focused and motivated to prove himself at Brno this weekend.
”I am looking forward to the next round in Brno. I like the track a lot, but it will be a big challenge for me to ride the Superbike there. After the test in Vallelunga I feel like I have gained some ground and am closer to my team mates’ lap times. I hope I can continue this progression and improve my results, starting this weekend.”
Andrew Pitt – CBR600RRAndrew Pitt continued his winning streak and clinched another victory in Misano, his fourth win this season. Pitt extended his lead in the Supersport Standings to 113 points and now sits 16 points clear of closest rival Fabien Foret. With Brno amongst one of his favourite tracks, Pitt is ready for another Supersport battle this weekend.
“I am feeling confident for the next round in Brno. I have never ridden the Supersport machine there, but I like the circuit a lot. We had some good results in the last races so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t continue. We should have a good weekend.”
Jonathan Rea – CBR600RRJonathan Rea finished an impressive race in Misano and claimed third place, despite issues with his machine. After a successful test in Vallelunga in which he sat top of the sheets at one time, the young rider is eager to remain on the podium and fight for the top honours on his first outing at the Brno track.
“We have left the Vallelunga test in good shape and are ready for the race in Brno. I have never been on the circuit before but it should suit my style. I’m quite motivated to keep the bike on the podium and take a good result.”
