TYRE PROBLEMS HIT ALSTARE	zurück

Tyre problems at today’s eighth-round World Superbike Championship race at Brands Hatch was a frustrating one for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra and left current World Champion Troy Corser unable to finish higher than sixth in both races. His team mate Yukio Kagayama was equally disappointed with a fifth in race one and seventh in race two - also due to tyre problems.

Today’s first race at the Kent circuit in England saw a tremendous battle between series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati), Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) and James Toseland (Honda), which lasted most of the 25-lapper. Bayliss made the break towards the end and took the chequered flag just over one-and-a-half seconds ahead of Toseland with Haga third ahead of his team mate Andrew Pitt.

Race two was much of the same except this time it was Haga who was the more determined and, after yet another terrific battle, he crossed the line for his first win of the year. Bayliss took second, but this time the final podium place went to Pitt, who had charged through from eighth place at the start.

Troy Corser - Race 1: 6th, Race 2: 6th:

“That was a very frustrating day today and I’m not at all happy. In the first race the rear tyre went off after 10 laps and all I could do was to try and hold on as best as I could. I was pretty happy with the front tyre, so we stayed with that one for race two. For the second race we chose the hardest rear we could, and, although it was better, it wasn’t good enough to keep up with the pace of the leaders. James Toseland was a problem in both races because he is always so difficult to pass, and when you are fighting like that, you lose time. I’m frustrated because, like Brno, I felt that I could’ve gone quicker. I’m going to use the break to do double training and get even fitter because I have to try something. I certainly don’t want to end the season not being able to challenge the leaders.”

Yukio Kagayama - Race 1: 5th, Race 2: 7th:

“I am very, very angry and disappointed today because I wanted to do well in front of my English fans and get two podiums to make up for last year. In both races I had the same problem - the tyres went off after about five laps and I had very little grip from then on. The tyres felt strange - like old tyres - and we don’t understand why completely. It was very difficult to keep going, but I wanted to finish the races. I couldn’t push any harder because I knew I would crash if I did. I chose soft tyres for both races and they should’ve given good grip, but they didn’t. We have a short break now and I am determined to get better results in the next races. I need them!”

WSB Results:

Race 1: 1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati), 2 Toseland (GB-Honda), 3 Haga (J-Yamaha), 4 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha), 5 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 6 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 7 Walker (GB-Kawasaki), 8 Barros (Bra-Honda), 9 Laconi (F-Kawasaki), 10 Xaus (E-Ducati),

Race 2: 1 Haga, 2 Bayliss, 3 Pitt, 4 Laconi, 5 Toseland, 6 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 7 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 8 Walker, 9 Barros, 10 Xaus,

Championship Points: 1 Bayliss 307, 2 Haga 230, 3 Toseland 219, 4 Troy Corser 193, 4 Barros 166, 6 Pitt 157, 7 Yukio Kagayama 126, 8 Lanzi 96, 9 Walker 96, 10 Fabrizio 87.