Vladimir Leonov talks about Monza round
SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
MONZA, ITALY
ROUND 4, 10-12 MAY 2013
The Russian team Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha has spent one of the most impressive weekends in Monza (Italy). Since the 4th stage of the World Superbike Championship was in constantly changing weather conditions, all teams had to correct their work. In Monza we saw some incredible events. The Supersport race restarted three times because of crashes and some other consequences that had been difficult to predict. After all this weekend turned out the triumph for Yakhnich Motorsport because Sam Lowes won the race – second time this season – and Vladimir Leonov rode his R6 to 7th position started from the 7th row. Having returned to Moscow, Vladimir shared his impressions about the race.
Last year you came out on the Monza Circuit with Yakhnich Motorsport for the first time as a regular World Championship rider. What were your feelings before the race this time?
Comparing last year now I’m more confident. Going on the track I was thinking only about defeating. Before I had some doubts, now I knew that goals are reachable. But things happens, that’s racing!
How long have you known Monza? How’s your relations with it?
This is my third weekend here. In 2011 it was CIV Race and in 2012 the World Supersport debut. Frankly, it’s always tough for me here. All time we have been working over the engine improvement. In terms of aerodynamics which is very important on this track, I also have some disadvantages because of my height.
What changes do you find remarkable this season in compare to 2012?
A lot of riders have changed their bikes to Kawasaki and Honda. There is a fable that Ninja engines more suitable for Monza. But the race doesn't only consist of slipstreams. There are a number of techniques which help to overcome with them, for example, late braking as well as electronic strategies which are the strong side of the Yamaha. However, it's also very difficult to compete with strong riders on well-prepared bikes.
Sam's and your results proved your suggestions.
Yes, there had been talks before the weekend that Monza wasn't Yamaha’s track, but Sam had shown that it's not true.
How did you prepare for the race as during qualifications weather conditions changing from rain to sun?
There are things that teams can't foresee mainly because a rider can loose his feeling as one day the session is good and next the weather change and he get another sensation. So you have to start from zero. This was the second round when we realized that the first day results wouldn't be informative for us since we know that weather conditions would change. Nevertheless there is always a possibility of a heavier shower. That's why Sam and I made only few laps on Friday.
What was the reason of your not very good results on Saturday?
The weather changing influenced on my feelings. On Saturday morning it was cool and everything promised to be successful and then it became warmer. The asphalt changed. We continued looking for appropriate tyres, exploring their durability. As soon as we changed tyres to produce some fast laps, it started raining again and we decided not to risk.
Finally, the race has finished, you improved your starting position (21) to brilliant 7th! How did you do?
Practically all the race my lap time was really good. At the beginning Matt Davies held in time, he overtook me on straights and blocked the lines in corners. It lasted 2 or 3 laps then I left him behind and quickly caught the large group of riders, then overtook one by one, each lap. Three laps to the finish we grappled with Luca Scassa, it was the quite long duel: Scassa has the same tactic as other Kawasaki riders. In last lap I slipstreamed him and went out from the Parabolica in front.
There were three red flags. Guess it was the first time in the history. How did you manage with this?
Fortunately, I managed. Only the third time, I had the ride through the gravel as all started to fall like skittles. The first start was not quite good, the second – better and the third ended in the first chicane. The most difficult is not to blow out. You feel huge stress before the start till the first corner, and you can take it easier later, but in Monza’s first chicane it’s always different lines.
You should deal with your fears. You shouldn’t have a sense of fear at all. Main rider’s enemies are bad memories, they can corner you and to significantly slow down. There are a lot of questions in your head “what if…?” Of course, experience stress. I try not to live with the past and look to the future with optimism.