Hickman Quickest in Opening Session at Macao
Situations have been nearly good for the opening Free Follow session of the Macau Bike Grand Prix – fifty fifth Version. With many riders returning having been away from the Guia Circuit for a while and with out having to submit lap occasions, the riders used the session to both familiarise themselves with the observe or their bikes, and typically each.
Having received 9 Macau Grand Prix races, Michael Rutter is probably the most profitable rider within the historical past of the occasion. The Bathams-backed competitor, aboard the MGM FHO Racing BMW, mentioned he loved being again at a circuit he is aware of so effectively. “I actually loved that,” he beamed as he stepped off the machine. “I’m on a brand new Superbike so I’m nonetheless studying my manner round it however to this point it feels good. I’m assured we can have it the place we would like it by Saturday.”
The quickest man in the course of the session was three-time Macau Grand Prix winner Peter Hickman. He’s on the MGM FHO Racing BMW and appeared as if he’d by no means been away.
“It took a lap or two however then all the pieces clicked,” admitted Hickman. “We’re nonetheless searching for the suitable setting right here and there however we’re not far off. The plan is hopefully to submit an excellent qualifying time within the first session after which attempt various things like tyre compounds and so on within the second.”
Final yr’s Macau Grand Prix winner, Erno Kostamo, seemed to be in a decided temper all through. He was the primary rider to submit a quick time and maintained that pace all through. The Finn is assured he can carry the battle to the opposite entrance runners. “That was an excellent session,” mentioned Kostamo. “I’ve a bit in reserve so to submit occasions like that was encouraging. I’m the present Macao champion and I don’t intend to surrender that title simply.”
Davey Todd (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing BMW) went second quickest within the session, with German David Datzer (MTP-Racing by ZERO UP Penz 13 BMW) fourth quickest forward of Phillip Crowe who rounded out the highest 5.
Extra, from a press launch issued by FHO Racing:
FHO Racing BMW Motorrad prime the occasions within the opening Macau Grand Prix observe
The fifty fifth Version of the Macau Bike Grand Prix obtained underway in the present day at 07:45am native time, the place Faye Ho’s staff FHO Racing BMW Motorrad, sponsored by MGM, made its debut on the occasion and set the tempo early, with Peter Hickman topping the observe occasions aboard the BMW M 1000 RR.
Returning to the streets of Macau after 4 years away, Hicky alongside together with his teammate Michael Rutter – each a number of Macau GP winners – shortly obtained again into the swing of issues, with Michael main the best way in the course of the opening phases of the session.
All through the observe, Michael nine-time Macau GP winner, struggled barely with the setting of his BMW, a machine he’s ridden simply as soon as earlier than arriving on the occasion. Taking the chequered flag in seventh, the FHO Racing staff is assessing the info collected to optimise the settings forward of tomorrow’s qualifying session.
In the meantime, teammate Hickman moved up the ranks from sixth, ending because the session chief, recording his quickest time on the ultimate lap (2:28.389), 0.7s forward of second place.
Not solely did Faye’s staff make its Macau observe debut in the present day, Josh Brookes additionally skilled the Guia Circuit for the very first time. Discovering his toes shortly on the 6.276km circuit, Josh impressed and completed the session twelfth, eight seconds again from teammate Hicky.
The FHO Racing BMW Motorrad staff shall be again in motion tomorrow (Friday 17 November) for 2 qualifying periods, forward of the 12-lap race on Saturday (18 November).
Josh Brookes – twelfth:
“I believe opening observe went effectively, however I discovered it tough to get pleasure from it. I believe the enjoyment will come once I can chill out a bit of extra, it’s very well-known that these occasions are fairly harmful, however on the opening laps the popularity of the hazard is heightened, so you understand you may’t actually chill out and revel in something if you’re such an beginner. You should study each nook, each bump and perceive all of it clearly earlier than you may trip in a relaxed manner. I believe when that comes then I can begin to get pleasure from myself, however yeah to complete in twelfth place, I used to be really actually pleased with, so it was higher than I anticipated actually.”
Michael Rutter – seventh:
“Coming right here, I’m used to leaping on a motorbike and getting a 1-2-3, so it’s a little bit of a shock being seventh! It’s form of what I anticipated however you hope it’s going to be a bit completely different; I’ve obtained loads to study nonetheless. Usually I arrive right here on a motorbike I’ve ridden all season, however I’ve jumped on the BMW with only one outing on it on a roads circuit, it’s a bit full of life in the meanwhile. Hopefully the faster I am going the higher it goes, that’s what usually occurs, we have to cross that line the place it is advisable to push it more durable and typically it will get simpler so I’m hoping for that tomorrow!”
Peter Hickman – 1st:
“That was my first run in 4 years right here, which was at all times going to be a bit of little bit of a shock to the system, Macau is a shock to the system with out that type of hole! This place is de facto arduous, it’s not like some other observe you’ll ever trip, it’s actually uncommon, it’s very difficult however it’s really actually good. The primary session is at all times the worst although, so it was about how I anticipated it to really feel. The BMW was fairly good to be trustworthy, we made a couple of little adjustments within the session, I usually don’t make any adjustments within the first session simply because it’s at all times the worst one, however I felt just like the gearing was fairly a manner out, so we made one little change to it and we’re going to go a bit additional with it as effectively after the session. General I’m fairly pleased with that first run, and ending P1 was a bit of little bit of a bonus on the finish!”
Faye Ho – Workforce Principal:
“This morning my dream got here true as my staff, FHO Racing BMW Motorrad made its debut on the Macau Grand Prix, to see the BMWs and the riders with the FHO emblem was one thing actually particular right here at my house occasion. I’m so happy with the early outcomes, particularly with Josh who has by no means ridden right here earlier than, to complete twelfth is spectacular and I’m wanting ahead to seeing his progress over the following few days. After all, Michael and Peter are very skilled right here and for Pete to guide on the finish of the opening day, simply units us up for the following few days as we go into qualifying tomorrow, forward of Saturday’s race.”
