GixerGaz
22-02-2007, 18:12
http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7764&stc=1&d=1172164331http://www.gixerjunkies.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7765&stc=1&d=1172164331
The first round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship got off to a promising start for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda as both James Toseland and Roberto Rolfo secured personal best times in the first qualifying practice. The opening round is taking place at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, where the teams are enjoying warm and sunny conditions.
Despite experiencing technical difficulties with his number one bike, James Toseland secured the best lap time in the morning free practice. He followed this up by recording the second best time in the official qualifying session this afternoon - beating his personal record at the Qatar track with a time of 1:59.056. The former World Superbike Champion was just 0.037 seconds behind fastest rider Noriyuki Haga, with the top six separated by less than half a second.
Toseland's team-mate Roberto Rolfo proved that he means business this year by further improving his time at the 5.4km circuit. The Italian rider finished the session with a best lap of 2:00.258 to secure ninth place. Rolfo's performance today was over a second faster than his lap time during the testing at Qatar at the end of 2006. He is hoping to improve further still before Saturday's race.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager:
"During the morning everything was looking good for James. He was fast around the track and there were no problems with the bike - it was just getting better and better. However, this afternoon his number one bike developed a technical problem that we couldn't solve during the session. We had to use his second bike, which he didn't use at all this morning. It was not ideal as it is set up quite differently. Tomorrow we will hopefully have his number one bike sorted out and we will be back in business. I am really pleased with Roby. Over the winter he just kept getting better and better and now today he has shaved off 1.5 seconds from his testing time to finish in ninth place. He is just chipping away at his time, getting constantly better"
James Toseland:
"It's been a good day. I was quickest in this morning's practice, but this afternoon we had a problem with the number one bike. So, I had to use my second bike for the whole of the qualifying session. It would have been a lot better to be on the number one bike, but to come out with a time of 1.59 flat - which is my personal best at Qatar - is not bad at all. I'm really pleased."
Roberto Rolfo:
"The first day has been really good for me. This morning we worked on the bike to make sure it was set up right for the track. I like this circuit and I did well here in testing, but not well enough. This morning I was immediately quicker and I understand what I need to do to improve. I managed to get a good line and secured a time of 2:00, which I have never done here before so I am feeling good. I think that if can concentrate even harder tomorrow I can keep improving."
The first round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship got off to a promising start for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda as both James Toseland and Roberto Rolfo secured personal best times in the first qualifying practice. The opening round is taking place at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, where the teams are enjoying warm and sunny conditions.
Despite experiencing technical difficulties with his number one bike, James Toseland secured the best lap time in the morning free practice. He followed this up by recording the second best time in the official qualifying session this afternoon - beating his personal record at the Qatar track with a time of 1:59.056. The former World Superbike Champion was just 0.037 seconds behind fastest rider Noriyuki Haga, with the top six separated by less than half a second.
Toseland's team-mate Roberto Rolfo proved that he means business this year by further improving his time at the 5.4km circuit. The Italian rider finished the session with a best lap of 2:00.258 to secure ninth place. Rolfo's performance today was over a second faster than his lap time during the testing at Qatar at the end of 2006. He is hoping to improve further still before Saturday's race.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager:
"During the morning everything was looking good for James. He was fast around the track and there were no problems with the bike - it was just getting better and better. However, this afternoon his number one bike developed a technical problem that we couldn't solve during the session. We had to use his second bike, which he didn't use at all this morning. It was not ideal as it is set up quite differently. Tomorrow we will hopefully have his number one bike sorted out and we will be back in business. I am really pleased with Roby. Over the winter he just kept getting better and better and now today he has shaved off 1.5 seconds from his testing time to finish in ninth place. He is just chipping away at his time, getting constantly better"
James Toseland:
"It's been a good day. I was quickest in this morning's practice, but this afternoon we had a problem with the number one bike. So, I had to use my second bike for the whole of the qualifying session. It would have been a lot better to be on the number one bike, but to come out with a time of 1.59 flat - which is my personal best at Qatar - is not bad at all. I'm really pleased."
Roberto Rolfo:
"The first day has been really good for me. This morning we worked on the bike to make sure it was set up right for the track. I like this circuit and I did well here in testing, but not well enough. This morning I was immediately quicker and I understand what I need to do to improve. I managed to get a good line and secured a time of 2:00, which I have never done here before so I am feeling good. I think that if can concentrate even harder tomorrow I can keep improving."