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RESULT:
1 F.Foret FRA (Ten Kate Honda) 38’11.646.
2 S.Chambon FRA (Alstare Suzuki Corona) 38’11.962.
3 C. Kellner GER (Yamaha Motor Germany) 38’18.922
13 R. Ulm AUT (BKM Honda Racing) 38’52.000.
C. Cogan FRA (BKM Honda Racing) Retired.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1 F. Foret (Ten Kate Honda) 25 points,
2 S. Chambon (Alstare Suzuki Corona) 20 points,
3 C. Kellner (Yamaha Motor Germany) 16 points,
13 R. Ulm (BKM Honda Racing) 3 points.
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RACE:
Weather: Dry, 20 C. Track: Dry, 30 C.
Robert Ulm was determined to collect points this meeting and achieved
just that when he finished in 13th place ahead of Karl Muggeridge, Ellison
and Teuchert, collecting three points for BKM. "I enjoyed riding
for the first time this weekend. The set up that we went into the race
with was a success. Should we have found this at the beginning of the
weekend we would have had a better opportunity as that was a very hard
race to come from the back of the grid. The most difficult to pass was
Ellison and then I ran out of time to improve any further. I aimed to
get points and that is what I have done, I feel like I have repaid the
team and Honda for their efforts this weekend and now we can look forward
to the next race." Said a pleased Ulm. The Austrian found just under
half a second in the race (0.253 seconds) putting in his best time early
on in the race, on lap six.
Christophe Cogan had all hopes dashed before he could make any attempt
to improve in today’s race when a technical problem forced him to
leave the track at the second corner of his second lap. The bike came
to an abrupt halt but Cogan was able to keep it upright avoiding injury
to himself or damage to the CBR600. "I am so disappointed both for
me and the team as I was feeling positive about the improvements we had
made in this mornings warm up. I will have to wait for the next round
but I believe we have made a break through this weekend and my aim will
be to keep moving in that direction." Added a disappointed Cogan.
BKM are starting the season under a cloud of uncertainty and this first
round has been one to test, not only the riders, but the team as a whole
as the budget is still in negotiation and therefore limited. "I am
very pleased with Robert Ulm’s solid ride and the fact that we have
collected points. It is a well-deserved achievement after this challenging
weekend. I am also disappointed for Christophe and we are looking into
the problem that caused him to retire. Our belief in his ability could
not be proven today, but we hope to change that at the next round. The
solidarity within the team has been outstanding despite the limited budget
that has played a major part in restricting our progress this meeting.
I will remain positive and will continue to do all that I can to put BKM
at the front." Added Team Manager Michael Bartholemy.
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QUALIFYING POSITIONS FOR THE RACE:
1 F. Foret FRA (Ten Kate Honda) 1’37.674
2 S. Chambon FRA (Alstare Suzuki Corona) 1’38.539
3 A. Corradi ITA (Team Italia Spadaro) 1’38.730
23 R. Ulm AUT (BKM HONDA) 1’40.662
24 C. Cogan FRA (BKM Honda) 1’40.940.
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FINAL QUALIFYING:
Weather: 21 C. Track: Dry 30 C.
The final qualifying session may have concluded but the work continues
in the BKM garage as the mechanics and technical staff combine data with
technicians at Dunlop and WP suspension to find a set up for tomorrows
race. The team is of course disappointed with their grid positions for
the race with, Austrian, Robert Ulm in 23rd place (1’40.662) and
team mate Christophe Cogan alongside him in 24th place (1’40.940)
but remain positive that they can go forward.
Both Cogan and Ulm are both in similar situations as the perfect set
up eludes them. "I can only say that we have all the great ingredients
necessary, the engine, tyres and suspension. Now we must put them
together to produce the winning combination. Tomorrow will be hard
but it is another day." Said Ulm.
"It is frustrating for us all but more so for me as I know how hard
all the team are working to help me find more speed, I hope we find a
solution for the race." Added Cogan. An accident was narrowly avoided
when in the final frantic minutes of the session the two BKM riders collided,
neither rider was effected and the bikes were not damaged.
"It has been a very difficult weekend so far for BKM. The team has
handled all obstacles appropriately and is working well together with
our riders. We are continuing to find the best solution to the problems
we face and work will not stop until we find it or until the chequered
flag drops at the end of the race tomorrow. It is true that this job can
be one of the hardest but the challenge drives us to compete." Added
Team Manager Michael Bartholemy.
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Results Timed Practice First Session:
1 F. Foret FRA (Ten Kate Honda) 1'38.156
2 A. Corradi ITA (Team Italia Spadaro) 1'38.730
3 S. Chambon FRA (Alstare Suzuki Corona) 1'38.920
19 R. Ulm AUT (BKM HONDA) 1'40.662
23 C. Cogan FRA (BKM HONDA) 1'41.353.
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FREE PRACTICE: Weather: 15 C. Track: Dry 14 C.
Robert Ulm was the only BKM rider to be on track for this mornings
free practice session. The Austrian who has raced in the World Superbike
series in both 2000 and 2001 is adjusting well to the close competition
of the Supersport class in what is recognised as one of the most fiercely
contested classes in the world. He was able to make good use of this session
testing new settings while Christophe Cogan was denied the right to
participate as a penalty for not attending the riders briefing on Thursday.
The French rider missed the briefing when he was unavoidably detained
on his journey to Valencia. Cogan returns to the Belgian based team having
previously ridden for them in the WSS class in 1999 and 2000. Christophe
has made a full recovery after he sustained compound fractures of both
his left Tibia and Fibula during a horrific crash in the final stages
of the 2001 24 hour B'ol d'Or race.
FRIDAY QUALIFYING: Weather: 22 C. Track: Dry 28 C.
Robert Ulm the Austrian rider was ashamed of his lap times today as he
was forced to focus on improving the bike rather than putting in a fast
lap. Suffering with chatter from the front he had to make frequent pit
stops as the mechanics and telemetry technicians worked to remove the
problem. "I am riding a good Honda and I have good Dunlop tyres but
I was loosing a lot of time in the turns. So I could not attempt a fast
lap in that session, obviously it's more important to get the bike handling
then we can improve on the speed. Our improvements will allow me to find
more time as I do not want to let the team down especially on a track
that I like and when I have been on the front row here when I rode in
Superbikes."
Christophe Cogan running number 13 this year was still awaiting confirmation
on acceptance of his licence as the days first qualifying session commenced.
His club had failed to send his licence and despite it being in order
all licences must be produced to allow participation. He missed the first
eighteen minutes of the session reducing the entire days track time to
just 27 minutes "I have never had to show my licence before therefore
I did not foresee a problem as I know that my licence up to date. I am
glad to be back with BKM and our good relationship helped when we were
forced to work under pressure in that session due to the short amount
of little time. We did manage to make the changes I desired but my concentration
was directed on sorting problems so I did not get a good lap. Tomorrow
it will be very different as my head will be clear and I can concentrate
on racing the circuit and getting a better time."
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