Charpentier Leads World Supersport Championship Into Valencia

Charpentier Leads World Supersport Championship Into Valencia

© 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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Winston Ten Kate Honda’s World Supersport squad returns to Europe in buoyant mood this weekend for round three of the series at Valencia in Spain. The team’s riders Sébastien Charpentier and Katsuaki Fujiwara have been in imperious form at the opening two events, dominating practice and qualifying sessions and taking a victory each. The pair sits in first and second place respectively in the championship, with Charpentier in the ascendancy after second place in the Qatar opener was followed by his impressive win at Phillip Island. Fujiwara, meanwhile, won the first race and has shadowed his team-mate throughout as he continues to familiarise himself with the 2005 CBR600RR and his new team. Ronald ten Kate team manager: “It’s just a case of ‘more of the same please’ at Valencia! I’ve been so pleased with Sébastien for his focus and determination and Kats for the way he has adapted to a new machine and a new way of working. We don’t really have any major changes to the bike for this weekend, just one or two small items to try to improve the general base setting. The test here in March proved that the package is quite fast here so we’re simply looking to continue our string of victories in this class.” Sébastien Charpentier championship position 1st, 45 points: “I was so pleased to get that win in Australia after the frustrations I suffered at the first round in Qatar. The team has been great to work with and the CBR is just amazing. We have been concentrating mostly on the front of the bike so far this season and this will be very important here in Valencia. We had a good test here in March when I was able to make many fast laps in a race simulation. As long as I can qualify well again, I hope we can repeat this in Sunday’s race and try for another win.” Katsuaki Fujiwara championship position 2nd, 38 points: “Conditions on race day in Phillip Island were very difficult and I found it very hard to control the bike so I was not happy with fifth place. But each time I have gone out this season, in test or practice or qualifying sessions, I am getting to know the CBR better. It is a very good bike and I am lucky to have joined a very professional team. I want another win here at Valencia and because the test here was very positive, I am hopeful. But the other Hondas are also very strong so we must continue to work hard.” Valencia World Supersport event schedule: Friday 22 April 09.35-10.20 free practice, 13.15-14.00 qualifying; Saturday 23 April 10.00-10.45 free practice, 13.45-14.30 qualifying; Sunday 24 April 09.50-10.10 warm-up, 13.20 race (23 laps, 92.115km). Championship points after two of 12 rounds: 1 Sébastien Charpentier FRA (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 45, 2 Katsuaki Fujiwara JPN (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 38, 3 Kevin Curtain AUS (Yamaha) 33, 4 Fabien Foret FRA (Honda) 27, 5 Broc Parkes AUS (Yamaha) 19, 6 Stephane Chambon FRA (Honda) 17, 7 Michel Fabrizio ITA (Honda) 16, 8 Javier Fores ESP (Suzuki) 13, 9 Tauto Lauslehto FIN (Honda)13, 10 Jurgen vd Goorbergh NL (Ducati) 11.

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