First test session in Phillip Island: perfect start of the season
Russian team Yakhnich Motorsport successfully completed the first test session on the updated asphalt of Phillip Island Circuit where in a week there will be the formal opening of the World Superbike Championship. Sam Lowes and Vladimir Leonov have worked out marked programs and taken first places among members of World Supersport class.
Rookie of the team Sam Lowes has showed the high pace on the first day, although it’s only the second full-fledged passage on Yamaha YZF-R6, which russian and italian engineers of Yakhnich Motorsport had prepared. Sam speaks so highly of his bike, it was evident that he enjoys riding and potential will be disclosed.
Vladimir Leonov has another objects as he has already ridden R6 for five years and his goal is to select optimal settings. It was taken long to prepare machineries for the first round of the World Supersport – reconfigure chassis and suspension for new Pirelli tires and Phillip Island asphalt, also adjust electronics. Almost all last season – debut for Yakhnich Motorsport in WSS – russian rider with engineers had explored «electronic stuff» and now it can be manipulated as they desire. Despite the chill, Vladimir completed test as the second fastest rider of Supersport class.
Both Yakhnich Motorsport riders had long passages that day. Lowes doubles efforts after yesterday’s fall because he has to make a break instead of increasing rolling. He had 80 laps to the end of Friday , half of them with the result – 1.34. For comparing last year fastest riders of WSS had 1.35. During the long passage (which was 22 laps) Sam came two times with the perfect result – 1:33:8. Leonov didn’t pass the full distance, but he has improved results (compared with last year) - improve average time for a second and fixe around 1:34:4. Rivals in Supersport class were backward on 0.2 seconds.
But riders of official Kawasaki team including the current World champion Kenan Sofuoglu didn’t go out to the Circuit. That's why everybody are waiting for Monday impatiently – the day of official test session WSBK/WSS – for comparing results as there will be all teams on the Circuit.
Sam Lowes: “I’m absolutely glad with my bike and team, and with pace. I could get fasters results without any effort and on simulator I still have 1:34:0 after 15 laps. I feel very comfortable at the beginning of the season and optimistic. With this bike and team we start from the excellent position.”
Vladimir Leonov: “Today I feel better. And we started from “yesterday”. I need to finish setup. But we now what we should change for increasing efficacy. I’m upset cause I didn’t get full stimulator. I’ll work it next week.”
Starting from Jerez de la Frontera YMS team actually gained one more important player - Torleif Hartelman. He is technical coordinator of Yamaha Motor Europe road-racing department, he is charged with feedback between YMS and Europe office of the factory. After two days: “Here, in Australia is perfect weather and our riders acclimatized very fast, they work harmonious and professionally. We are waiting for more new spares. We know were to move and what we have to do. I have feeling that the team will start the season with top positions.”