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sunday 24 january 2010 15:01
World Supersport test – Portimao, 22-24 January 2010
Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s new World Supersport signing, Michele Pirro, continued to impress this afternoon at Portimao in Portugal where he finished third fastest after a three-day pre-season test.
With team-mate and 2007 World Champion, Kenan Sofuoglu sitting out the test due to a fractured ankle, it was left to the 23-year-old Italian to undertake sole testing duties for the team at the 4.592km Portuguese circuit.
Over the three days of the test, Pirro has evaluated new electronics and suspension components for the Honda CBR600RR, as well as helping Pirelli to develop the latest generation of Supersport tyres.
Michele Pirro – 96 laps, 1’45.587s
Since I first rode for the team last November, the bike has improved a lot and I have a much better feeling. Electronics, suspension and the engine have all improved and I’m very happy with the work we have done over these three days. Unfortunately, the weather has not been so good and the track has been wet a lot of the time, so I was not able to push as hard as I wanted. It has been an important test though, and it confirmed to me that we can compete for the top positions when the season begins next month. I would like to thank the team for all the hard work they have done to help me. My confidence is building all the time and I believe we can hope for a good result at the first race in Australia.
Kenan Sofuoglu
I tried sitting on the bike on Thursday evening and on Friday morning with some careful strapping and a special boot. I knew it would be difficult, but we had to try and unfortunately it was not possible for me to ride here at Portimao. If I had damaged my ankle further I would have missed the first race for sure. It’s much better for the championship and for my body to be fit for Phillip Island. It certainly hasn’t been easy to watch everybody else here but this time it has been better for me than riding. I will go home now and keep my leg in plaster for another 10 days and keep cycling to stay as fit as possible. It will be difficult in Australia after more than two months without riding the bike, but Michele and the crew have been working hard here and we made a good test in Valencia in December. Michele has been doing a great job and certainly put his name in the picture for the season ahead. But I’m very confident in myself and the CBR600RR and cannot wait for the first race.
Ronald ten Kate – team manager
After consulting with the doctors at the Clinica Mobile, we took the decision for Kenan not to ride here. It’s always a pity to miss out on a testing opportunity but he has been fast in our other two winter tests and he’ll be fully fit again for Phillip Island. Michele has done a great job here – he’s consistently improving himself and working better all the time with his crew. I believe there is a lot more to come and at least he won’t be an unexpected surprise at the beginning of the season.
World Supersport test, Portimao – combined times:
1 Eugene Laverty (IRL) Honda 1’45.104s
2 Joan Lascorz (ESP) Kawasaki1’45.292s
3 Michele Pirro (ITA) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’45.587
4 Miguel Praia (POR) Honda 45.834s
5 Katsuaki Fujiwara (JPN) Kawasaki 1’45.988s
6 Chaz Davies (GBR) Triumph 1’46.610s
>> Pirro impresses in Portugal
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Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s new World Supersport signing, Michele Pirro, continued to impress this afternoon at Portimao in Portugal where he finished third fastest after a three-day pre-season test.
With team-mate and 2007 World Champion, Kenan Sofuoglu sitting out the test due to a fractured ankle, it was left to the 23-year-old Italian to undertake sole testing duties for the team at the 4.592km Portuguese circuit.
Over the three days of the test, Pirro has evaluated new electronics and suspension components for the Honda CBR600RR, as well as helping Pirelli to develop the latest generation of Supersport tyres.
Michele Pirro – 96 laps, 1’45.587s
Since I first rode for the team last November, the bike has improved a lot and I have a much better feeling. Electronics, suspension and the engine have all improved and I’m very happy with the work we have done over these three days. Unfortunately, the weather has not been so good and the track has been wet a lot of the time, so I was not able to push as hard as I wanted. It has been an important test though, and it confirmed to me that we can compete for the top positions when the season begins next month. I would like to thank the team for all the hard work they have done to help me. My confidence is building all the time and I believe we can hope for a good result at the first race in Australia.
Kenan Sofuoglu
I tried sitting on the bike on Thursday evening and on Friday morning with some careful strapping and a special boot. I knew it would be difficult, but we had to try and unfortunately it was not possible for me to ride here at Portimao. If I had damaged my ankle further I would have missed the first race for sure. It’s much better for the championship and for my body to be fit for Phillip Island. It certainly hasn’t been easy to watch everybody else here but this time it has been better for me than riding. I will go home now and keep my leg in plaster for another 10 days and keep cycling to stay as fit as possible. It will be difficult in Australia after more than two months without riding the bike, but Michele and the crew have been working hard here and we made a good test in Valencia in December. Michele has been doing a great job and certainly put his name in the picture for the season ahead. But I’m very confident in myself and the CBR600RR and cannot wait for the first race.
Ronald ten Kate – team manager
After consulting with the doctors at the Clinica Mobile, we took the decision for Kenan not to ride here. It’s always a pity to miss out on a testing opportunity but he has been fast in our other two winter tests and he’ll be fully fit again for Phillip Island. Michele has done a great job here – he’s consistently improving himself and working better all the time with his crew. I believe there is a lot more to come and at least he won’t be an unexpected surprise at the beginning of the season.
World Supersport test, Portimao – combined times:
1 Eugene Laverty (IRL) Honda 1’45.104s
2 Joan Lascorz (ESP) Kawasaki1’45.292s
3 Michele Pirro (ITA) Hannspree Ten Kate Honda 1’45.587
4 Miguel Praia (POR) Honda 45.834s
5 Katsuaki Fujiwara (JPN) Kawasaki 1’45.988s
6 Chaz Davies (GBR) Triumph 1’46.610s
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