Outspoken forward of Donington Park
WorldSBK’s media day in the UK meant there’s no such factor of having fun with silence, and we simply can’t get sufficient of straight-talking wagging tongues forward of motion igniting
The 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s media day on Thursday on the Donington Park circuit in England, UK, was a hive of exercise. Located within the rolling hills of the English countryside and a stone’s throw from the historic metropolis of Nottingham, it’s again to WorldSBK’s roots, because it was the primary monitor we ever visited in 1988. Nevertheless, 35 years later, robust declarations proceed off-track in addition to on it. From this a part of England, Robin Hood – as legend has it – was the extremely expert archer and swordsman, however who will hit the goal of their battles this weekend?
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Staff WorldSBK): “I’m filled with optimism… we had been in a position to perceive new objects”
“I’m filled with optimism; we’ve had good outcomes at Donington Park up to now and coming right here after a take a look at final week at Aragon, the place we had been in a position to perceive some new objects and preserve engaged on our tempo within the hotter circumstances. I’m wanting ahead to the weekend, they’ve resurfaced the circuit which may throw some curveballs. It sounds just like the grip stage may be very excessive however the floor can also be very abrasive, however we’ll work like regular on Friday. We’ve all the time been in a position to get away with the softer tyre right here at Donington Park with the SCQ and SCX however we have to perceive tyre selection too. It’ll be a busy day tomorrow. The take a look at was break up in two elements; we tried some new electronics objects that we will use immediately and different objects that we’d not see however can be utilized by KMC to develop sooner or later. Alex has been a tremendous teammate, we’ve battled on monitor very arduous – just lately at Mandalika – and he all the time provides 110%. He’s an amazing workforce participant and the environment is nice. For me, it was regular that he continues and it’s good now it’s official.”
Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff): “Time is working out on what I’ll do”
“Final 12 months, Donington Park was good for me and up to now, it’s been an amazing place to return. I all the time get pleasure from coming right here in entrance of the house followers. I’d prefer to assume we may be higher right here, however the brand new monitor floor has a play in it. We have to put our ft again on the bottom and perceive the place we’re, the place we’re going and what we’re doing. If the circuit has the historical past it had, it ought to favour us, which might be good. However this 12 months, the extent has stepped up a little bit bit and we’ve struggled to make that subsequent little step. Right here’s a little bit of a reset for us, we will begin with a recent feeling.
“With 2024, there’s no information for what’s occurring, I simply need to deal with what I’m doing this weekend. We’ll see after right here a bit extra what’s occurring, however time is working out on what I’ll do. You must preserve ready for the second. My precedence is to proceed in World Superbike however I’m wanting in each space and at each choice, like loads of riders do, whether or not that’s right here or some other place. I wish to proceed with BMW, that’s extra of a precedence that I’ve. I really feel like we will make it occur nevertheless it’s a tough time for me to be desirous about what the potential is. I have to consider within the venture like they’ve believed in me, and I simply assume that this weekend, having a reset and regroup and to grasp a bit extra, will assist me make some choices for the longer term.”
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “From my first time right here 20 years in the past, I cherished it”
“We arrive at Donington Park and possibly it’s been a troublesome race for us up to now. Yearly is completely different, and something can occur. I’m wanting ahead to this weekend. The monitor has been resurfaced; the structure is wonderful; it’s top-of-the-line tracks on the earth. From my first time right here 20 years in the past, I cherished it. It’s a monitor that with Ducati, I’ve by no means loved as others, I sit up for attempting to have a very good feeling that we had within the first rounds of the season. The take a look at was two days with loads of enjoyable on the bike. I had actually good suggestions and I may adapt in a short time to a MotoGP™ model with the engine, the facility, the brakes, the tyres and the frames; they’re very completely different to WorldSBK. The sensation with bike was actually good. In the meanwhile, there isn’t a plan for the longer term. I’ve requested that Ducati change some objects on the bike particularly for my ergonomics as a result of I felt the bike was a bit large for me. I don’t know if Ducati made this alteration, however possibly we will re-test and take a look at once more to see If I can really feel even higher.”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Staff WorldSBK): “I’m actually blissful to proceed with Kawasaki… there’s loads of good issues coming”
“I’m actually blissful to proceed with Kawasaki into 2024. This season has not been nearly as good as we needed. Kawasaki have set themselves some fairly excessive requirements in WorldSBK. We’ve had some large competitors from the opposite groups within the final couple of years. We’re within the course of now of attempting to get again there. I used to be actually proud of the supply from Kawasaki for yet one more 12 months and it’s a simple resolution to make. Though we’re not profitable races, and I’ve made some errors this 12 months, I’m near Jonny and I really feel like I’m driving very effectively and having fun with it. I’m working effectively with the workforce. It’s by no means 100% what it appears from the skin. There’s loads of good issues coming; we all know it’s not going to be simple to show this season round an excessive amount of nevertheless it’s my residence spherical this weekend and an ideal place to announce subsequent 12 months and attempt to problem for the rostrum.”
Iker Lecuona (Staff HRC): “My supervisor has spoken with just a few groups”
“Truthfully, I do know my supervisor has spoken with just a few groups or individuals. I don’t know something. My supervisor’s coming right here once more to maintain speaking. For now, nothing is closed and I can not say something. I’d prefer to say it’ll be a bit higher than final 12 months, however the actuality is we’re in the identical place. They resurfaced the monitor. I heard one thing that the brand new asphalt wears the tyres extra and we’ve loads of issues with this, so we have to verify how we really feel on the bike and the way it impacts tyre life.”
Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Staff): “We’ve been making large progress… I’m hoping we will make an actual large step”
“I’m tremendous excited and searching ahead to coming to Donington Park. We’ve been working in a great way with the Motoxracing workforce. We’ve been making some large progress so, I’m hoping, this weekend, we will make an actual large step ahead. I get pleasure from Donington and I’ve had some success right here in BSB. I’ve obtained quite a bit to study and to show to Motoxracing and Yamaha. I need to go about my enterprise this weekend, do the perfect job I can at my residence spherical, for the followers and my household and associates which might be coming. Hopefully, we will use this weekend as a steppingstone and use it to hold me on for the remainder of the season.”
Tom Sykes (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Staff): “In a dream state of affairs, the thought could be so as to add to the podiums.
“I’m all the time excited to go racing. Coming right here to Donington, it helps a little bit bit as a result of I’ve had some success right here up to now. It’s a house spherical, we’ve had some implausible climate and hopefully if that continues, we’ll be in for an amazing weekend. The circuit’s been resurfaced so it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the lap occasions. My goal is so as to add to the success. That may be plan A. In a dream state of affairs, the thought could be so as to add to the podiums. That’s the goal and we’ll work in the direction of it. The lap occasions are actually a lot quicker. We’ve all been having a little bit prediction for the WorldSBK riders and if we’re getting round within the prediction occasions, it’s going to be quick!”
