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RESULT:
1 F. Foret FRA (Ten Kate Honda) 43'00.008
2 P. Riba ESP (Ten Kate Honda) 43'00.450
3 A. Pitt AUS (Fuchs Kawasaki) 43'00.547
12 Kevin Curtain, AUS (BKM Honda) 43'21.012
Cristiano Migliorati, ITA (BKM Honda) DNF
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1 Yamaha Belgarda 122 points
2 Fuchs Kawasaki 116 points
3 Wilbers Suspension 113 points
4 BKM Honda 90 points.
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Weather: Dry, 19C. Track: Dry, 26C.
BKM Honda Racing - Hold on to their fourth place in the Championship.
RACE:
Kevin Curtain fought through to take 12th place, securing the
teams fourth position in the championship. Scoring points from a starting
position of 25 is a great achievement and the team worked well to produce
this favourable outcome.
The Supersport Race was as frantic as ever with the lead changing almost
on every corner, the lap record was broken on more than occasion. And
the BKM number one rider was a credit to his team, Kevin Curtain, rode
a storming race fighting all the way through from 25th to 12th place,
just pushed from 10th in the closing stages. Kevin's positive mood was
obvious, despite the disappointing position he would have to start the
race from, he managed to find over a second in warm up, perhaps there
we saw a glimmer of hope for Team BKM. Curtain battled from the start
riding with such determination, evident when he matched his best time,
an accomplishment when having to work through the pack.
Kevin comments: "It was desperate measures all the way, overtaking
on the brakes, you should see my tyres they did a great job but they have
been used to their limit. There was no let up for me but I was determined
to give my all and I am pleased that from a difficult start this weekend
I have managed to keep us in fourth position in the championship. Assen
is another race and only days away - I'm looking forward to it."
Cristiano was forced to retire when he made a last minute decision to
change his final gearing and found that he had made the wrong choice.
Migliorati comments: "I admit that my head has not been focused this
weekend and I am disappointed with myself. I am glad the next round is
not too far away I hope to be able to do better for BKM at Assen as I
like the circuit."
Team Manager Michael Bartholemy comments: "To score points and keep
our position in the championship is important. I couldn't have hoped for
more from Kevin, to come from 25th to take 12th in such a fiercely contested
race was a great achievement. As a team we have proved that we can overcome
obstacles placed before us proving again that BKM will always remain hungry
for success and I would like to thank all the team for their great work.
Now as always we will look to the future and the next race at Assen where
we will take up the challenge again as the championship is still not won
and a."
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QUALIFYING POSITIONS FOR THE RACE:
1 F. Foret FRA (Ten Kate Honda) 1'30.620
2 P. Riba ESP (Ten Kate Honda) 1'30.907
3 A. Pitt AUS (Fuchs Kawasaki) 1'30.947
25 K. CURTAIN AUS (BKM HONDA) 1'32.032
31 C.MIGLIORATI ITA (BKM HONDA) 1'32.864
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FINAL QUALIFYING: Weather: 22C. Track: Dry, 31C.
With just sixteen minutes to go, oil on the track caused five bikes to
crash on Hotel corner. They went down like dominoes, one after another,
and BKM were not to escape the carnage. Vermuelen was closely followed
by Teuchert who in turn was being cashed by the fallen Steve Plater. Kevin
Curtain was aware of the yellow flags but could do nothing to avoid the
oil and as he went down he had to make haste to get out of the way of
another rider, Fujiwara, another casualty of the oil covered track. Unhurt
Kevin returned to the garage for the re-start, rejoining the session on
his second bike. Although he lapped faster on his second bike he will
start tomorrows race from 25th place.
Kevin comments: "As I went down in the pile up I was frantically
kicking my bike away from me when I looked up to see Fujiwara and his
bike hurtling towards me. I wasn't hurt from the crash but I could have
been if I had not seen Fujiwara coming and got of his way. We were all
shouting for the red flag! My second bike is set up the same as my first
so the re-start was not a problem it's my qualifying position that is.
I'm pushing really hard in the corners to the point of making errors and
I'll find time on some and loose it on others. I'm hoping for rain tomorrows
race."
Although Cristiano's improvements to the suspension set up helped him
to find another second in qualifying it was not enough to help him climb
the standings. A technical problem meant that he had to switch to his
second bike. Migliorati comments: "It was bad timing I know, just
as we were about to go out with the qualifying tyres we found a minor
problem with my first bike and I had to take the other bike, this I do
not prefer. I will endeavour to ride a strong race tomorrow but from this
starting position, I would not like to predict my finishing position."
BKM have had a trying day and their usual high moral will be hard to
maintain. The BKM Team Manager, Michael Bartholemy, knows he must remain
positive and will draw from his ten years of racing experience to do so.
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Results Timed Practice First Session:
1 A. Fergusson AUS (Alpha Technick Castrol) 1'30.732
2 F. Foret FRA (Ten Kate Honda) 1'30.801
3 P. Riba ESP (Ten Kate Honda)1'30.870
20 Curtain AUS (BKM HONDA) 1'32.297
29 C.Migliorati ITA (BKM HONDA) 1'33.136
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FREE PRACTICE: Weather: 16 C. Track: Wet - drying, 16 C.
The teams positive mood as they arrived at the Oschersleben circuit in
Germany is over shadowed by the fact that they were not able to attend
a comprehensive test day here last week. The majority of the competition
were present and to good results and with a class as closely contested
as the Supersport Championship, circuit knowledge is paramount.
So when Kevin Curtain woke to find a rain soaked Oschersleben he was smiling.
However, the rain was not to stay and although a good wet setting was
found the weather changed and the track started drying. The team's mechanics
were busy as they worked to find a setting for the ever-changing conditions.
FRIDAY QUALIFYING: Weather: 22 C. Track: Dry, 28 C.
The sun came out and provided the Supersport class with a dry qualifying.
Migliorati happy with the weather was disappointed that he was not able
to find an ideal set up at this bumpy circuit but is positive for tomorrow
and knows in what direction he must go with his set up to find a better
lap time. Cristiano comments: "We're close but the bikes not 100%
yet. I can find more time when we have made the changes I need."
Kevin was happier with his overall set up needing only to make minor adjustments
to help him climb the leader board tomorrow. His ability to learn circuits
fast is still no match for outright track knowledge but he is adamant
that he will find more time. Especially with the gauntlet being laid down
by his old nemesis 'Crusty' Adam Fergusson who has taken pole position.
"The odds were against me with not testing here last week and it
is obvious that it helps. I'm happy with the tyres and the WP Suspension
and can keep with the top guys around the corners, I know what to do tomorrow."
Added Curtain.
Michael Bartholemy comments: "It was a great disappointment that
we were forced to miss last week's test here. We are however always hungry
for success and will use all our resources to help both Kevin and Cristiano
to move up the standings. We have learnt a lot today and can use this
knowledge as we look forward to tomorrow's final qualifying session.
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