29 Jan 2010 : Round 4, a definite improvement!
Moody #10
Race 1,
With the biggest grid of the season pushing on 31 bikes, I know I had to do a good qualifying session to get a good start.
Hitting the low 1'52'' mark was not so bad, though I was still off the fast guys pace starting the race in 8th place.
With a bit of adjustment on the back rebound the feeling was much better exiting corners during the race.
My start wasn't that great but I tried to push very hard during the 1st couple of laps to get through the crowded field, I picked a good rhythm and
it wasn't late until Andrea and I took it right down to the wire, exchanging positions nearly every corner, my pace was great but only enough to pass
Al Shamsi's Kawasaki and finish ahead of Andreas Yamaha in 6th position.
Race 2,
Well, having managed a slightly better start for race two, I was just behind my team mate Alan who had stormed passed me with a better corner speed,
I kept it very close on his tail until the front strait where I used his slip stream to get ahead into turn one and get concentrated as I saw Adriano's R6 not so
far from me.
I felt really great on the bike, getting close to Adriano and managing to pass him, I think he was surprised enough to see one of the Triumphs up for a fight!
Unfortunately my smile didn't last long as the Dunlops have clearly died on me from the bashing they had in race 1! A matter that will surely have to be negotiated
before the next race! I was lucky enough to escape a big slide and manage the rest and a possible high side, I had to keep the bike upright as much as possible which reduced my lap times considerably and helped Adriano gain his position back.
Again I have managed to finish 6th, but I have to say I was very pleased with my lap times as I hit the low 1'50'', more than 2 seconds faster than last season.
Alan #76
Race 1,
To be honest I choked at the start! with 31 bikes on the grid turn 1 was exciting to say the least and when it was all over and everyone was round in one piece I found myself laying in 9th gained no advantage from the start unlike I had planned!. It was good to have a front row seat of my team mate battling it out with Andrea but I just didn't have the legs to keep with them so it turned out to be a lonely race but best to save things for race 2.
Race 2,
Learning from race 1 I wasn't giving any quarter and emerged out of the turn 1 melee in 6th...Nice one! I kept the head down and was really surprised to see my teammates Triumph go past me at the end of the start finish straight! he had been alot faster than me all weekend and I couldn't even get a tow from him. The next lap however seen Tony pass on his 1000cc R1 and it gave me something to focus on, he would pull away on the straights but I'd reel him in again on the corners. It was all good fun until the rear tyre started to give on the penultimate lap and Andrea took the advantage of this and got passed me into the last lap. It was like last season all over again but I out braked myself in turn 12 loosing my chances of regaining my 7th place.
Its been a good weekend where both Moody and myself have taken big positve steps forward with the new Trumpets. Watch this space there's alot more to come!
