Updated Post: Muggeridge Claims World Supersport Pole At Valencia

Updated Post: Muggeridge Claims World Supersport Pole At Valencia

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Categories:

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.765
2. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.910
3. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.314
4. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.383
5. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.427
6. Jurgen Van den Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.522
7. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:38.676
8. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.752
9. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.007
10. Tobias Kirmeier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.044
11. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.223
12. Stefano Cruciani, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:39.282
13. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.370
14. Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.380
15. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.538
16. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:39.694
17. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:39.802
18. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:39.968
19. Kai Borre Andersen, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:40.039
20. Craig Jones, Triumph Daytona 600, 1:40.140


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

FUJI JUST MISSES FRONT ROW

2004 Supersport World Championship. Round 1, Valencia, Spain February 27-29 Circuit Ricardo Tormo 4.005 kms. Weather: Dry, cold.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Katsuaki Fujiwara just missed out on a provisional front row grid position, despite taking things steadily on the opening day of the championship at Valencia.

Despite sunshine for most of the day, it was bitterly cold and then cold and windy in the afternoon timed session. Fujiwara ended the day with a lap of 1:39.457 – just a whisker outside the top four. Stephane Chambon struggled to control his new GSX-R600 in the strong winds in the timed qualifying session and finished with tenth quickest time and fellow Alstare Suzuki rider Vittorio Iannuzzo had problems with his bike’s set-up and ended thirteen fastest overall.

Provisional pole today was set by Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) with a time of 1:39.065, followed by the Hondas of Karl Muggeridge and Broc Parkes, with Fabien Foret (Yamaha) completing the provisional front row of the grid.

Katsuaki Fujiwara – 5th, 1:39.457: “Today I spent some time trying two different types of rear suspension and generally trying to find a good bike set-up. At the moment my two bikes feel quite different and really I would like some more testing time. But, step by step, I think it’s getting better. Our bike is a brand new bike and so it would be impossible to have it absolutely perfect so soon. I think we are lacking a bit of top speed and the same level of engine power as our rivals here at Valencia, but this will improve. This afternoon, it was very windy and I had problems controlling the bike -especially into turn one where the wind wanted to push me further into the turn. I hope it is not so windy and cold tomorrow and I can get onto the front row of the grid.”

Stephane Chambon – 10th, 1:40.362: “In the morning I was steady and didn’t push too hard because I am still learning this bike and of course the tyres. In the afternoon timed session, I would’ve liked to have pushed harder, but the wind was too strong for me. Because I am quite small and do not weigh very much, I found it really hard to manoeuvre the bike and so I eased off a little. That was what dropped me down the order, but as long as the wind is not so strong tomorrow, I am sure I can go faster. At this stage of our bike’s development, I think that our bike feels as if it is little less powerful then our competitors. But, despite that I think we can still make a good result.”

Vittorio Iannuzzo – 13th, 1:40.684: “Thirteenth doesn’t look too good, but the times are pretty close so I am not worried yet. Also, I didn’t push very hard today because I was happy with my bike. It felt a bit tall and so we have a few changes to make before tomorrow’s qualifying. If I can get a better feeling with the bike, I’m sure I can go a lot quicker. I do hope that the wind is not so strong tomorrow, because that will not be good for any of us.”


More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Muggeridge and Parkes Dominate Final Qualifying

Ten Kate Honda riders Karl Muggeridge and Broc Parkes stamped their authority on a cold and windy final qualifying session, securing first and second places on the grid respectively. Each was close to the track lap record, despite the far from ideal track conditions, with Muggeridge quickest of all with his 1:37.765. Parkes was almost on the same par, with his 1:37.910.

The gusting winds around the 4.005km circuit had abated from their previous day high, but a stiff breeze was still a handicap to all 29 prospective qualifiers for the opening race of the year.

It was smiles all around in the Ten Kate garage, irrespective of the weather, as Muggeridge’s plan to take pole position paid off for the popular Aussie rider. “We’ve done a lot of laps around here in testing and the set-up of the bike is as good as we can get it,” said Muggeridge. “It stops, goes and turns really well and the wind was less of a factor today. That made it easier to judge the line around a whole lap. I feel we’re really ready for the race tomorrow.”

For his team-mate, Parkes, day one of his latest WSS adventure was a real success. “The wind was still strong but not so gusty today,” said Parkes, “I worked through most of the tyres I had kept back from yesterday and we’ve got a good race set-up, so we’re ready for the race. I think it’s pretty amazing that I’m on the front row in qualifying because I’m usually a much better racer than a qualifier.”

“We have gone very well here in the winter tests, but in a way that has just meant more pressure on the shoulders of the riders,” said Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate. “Today they proved that they could handle the pressure. We are very pleased that both riders got under the 1:38 barrier and so close to the absolute track record. We can’t wait for the race.”

The race itself, a 23-lap affair, takes place at 13.20 CET.
World Supersport Championship
Round One – Valencia
27 – 29 February

1. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.765
2. B. Parkes, AUS, Ten Kat Honda CBR600RR, 1:37.910
3. F. Foret, FRA, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:38.314
4. S. Charpentier, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, 1:38.383
5. K. Curtain, AUS, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:38.427
6. J. vd Goorbergh, NED, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:38.522
7. K. Fujiwara, JPN, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:38.676
8. C. Kellner, GER, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:38.752
9. W. Daemen, BEL, Honda CBR600RR, 1:39.007
10. T. Kirmeier, GER, Hoda CBR600RR, 1:39.044



More. from a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda:

Yamaha Belgarda Racing
Yamaha Italia World Supersport Team Newsletter
Date: February 28th 2004
Circuit: Ricardo Tormo, Valencia (Spagna), m. 4.005
Final Qualifying
Weather: Dry, mostly sunny, cold
Crowd: 5.000

FRONT ROW FOR FABIEN! ROW TWO FOR JURGEN
Despite the bitter cold and strong winds, Yamaha Italia World Supersport team riders Fabien Foret and Jurgen van den Goorbergh mastered the conditions to end up on the first and second rows of the grid. Fabien qualified third quickest and Jurgen sixth in today’s timed session and both are now confident of good results in tomorrow’s 23-lap race. Aussie Karl Muggeridge (Honda) set the day’s fastest time, with a lap of 1:37.765, just ahead of his team mate Broc Parkes. Joining Fabien on the front row will be one of his fellow countrymen Sebastien Charpentier (Honda), with Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) on row two, alongside Jurgen, Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki) and Christian Kellner (Yamaha).

FABIEN FORET – 3rd, 1:38.314
It was my goal to finish qualifying with a front row grid place and that’s what we achieved, so I’m happy. My other goal was to get my YZF-R6 Yamaha comfortable to race and we are nearly there. The rear still needs a bit of adjustment, but we’re close to what we are after, so I think we’ve had a productive couple of days. We’ll try just a few little changes – a click or two here or there – in the warm-up tomorrow morning and see if we can improve the bike, but we aren’t going to make any drastic changes. If the little clicks do not help, we’ll revert to today’s final set-up. The tyres may be a problem, because what we probably will run may not last the distance, so it’ll be important to ride smoothly and try and keep them in good shape. At Valencia, it’s important to make a good start because passing is not so easy. Today, the wind was once again a problem, so I hope tomorrow’s conditions will be a bit better.


JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH – 6th, 138.522
Today went more or less as I expected, but I know I’ve got something more left for tomorrow. I don’t think I can expect too much so soon after three weeks off the bike, but my R6 Yamaha is working better and better. It’s only my third day on the the bike with the new (Ohlins) suspension, so I think we’re doing pretty good. My goal was to be on the first or second row and I succeeded. I know which tyres I will use tomorrow, but I need the suspension to be working well so that the tyres don’t wear out too soon. It’s the same for everybody, sop we’ll just have to see how it all works out in the race tomorrow.

MATTEO BAIOCCO – 14th, 1:39.380
Team Lorenzini by Leoni rider Matteo Baiocco ended final qualifying in 14th position and will start tomorrow’s 23-lap race from the fourth
row of the grid.


Latest Posts

MotoAmerica: Scholtz Confirmed With Former Squid Hunter Racing Team

Squid Hunter Racing Transforms Into Strack Racing With Yamaha...

WorldSBK: Championship Resumes This Coming Weekend At Catalunya

Destination Barcelona: WorldSBK gears up for its 450th Round What...

Ducati Wins In Motocross Racing Debut

Historic debut of the Ducati Desmo450 MX in the...

MotoGP: Ducati Signs Aldeguer For 2025 And Beyond

Ducati Corse Announces Two-Season MotoGP Agreement with Fermín Aldeguer The...

American Shedden Racing In CIV PreMoto3 Italian National Championship

American Shedden Racing in Italy’s CIV Italian Speed Championship...