Team Bimota Alstare news
2014 World Superbike Championship
Round 2, Motorland, Aragon, Spain
Friday practice and qualifying, 12th April
Today saw Team Bimota Alstare taking to the racetrack for the first time in the World Superbike Championship. In almost ideal conditions, riders Ayrton Badovini and Christian Iddon took to the 5.344 kilometre Motorland Aragon racetrack aboard the stunning BB3 racebike and ended the day in very positive frame of mind.
Ayrton Badovini – 17th, 2:01.463 (5th EVO Class)
“Really I am happy today because we’ve had no major problems at all, and that is great considering that we’re working with a brand new bike. Of course there’s a lot of work to be done but, at the moment, all the problems are small ones and that makes us all feel very positive about the future. We’re only a second or so adrift of the best EVO lap time and that gap would’ve been less if Canepa hadn’t crashed at the end of the second session. I had to ease of the throttle because of the yellow flags, but that lap would’ve been quicker and therefore closer. The bike has potential and we’re all excited about the next couple of days and improving it a lot more.”
Christian Iddon – 21st, 2:02.709 (8th EVO Class)
“Generally, today was not too bad and probably the biggest problem was me! I haven’t really ridden a 1000cc bike for about four years and my first job is getting to know the bike and put in the laps before I can push hard. The bike has potential for sure and I’m really looking forward to working on improving it. It handles well and the chassis feels very stable in both fast and slow corners. As long as the weather stays OK, I’m sure we’ll keep going forward and get better and better each time out.”
Francis Batta (Team Manager)
“Today has been the first time that we’ve really been able to find out where we are. I’m happy because, despite the fact that everything is new, we’re improving all the time. If Canepa hadn’t crashed at the end of the second practice, I’m sure Ayrton would have been much closer to him in lap times. The bike’s base is good, the handling seems to be good and the power delivery is smooth. The potential is there and it is up to all of us to work hard and realise that potential. I feel positive about our prospects and am looking forward to this wonderful challenge.”
