World SuperBike 2001 - Round 2 - Quotes
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Colin Edwards - Race 1 - "That was about as perfect as a race can get," said Edwards.
"Michelin have given us a really good race tyre and there was no way I was going to waste it on the first few laps in a rush to get to the front and get away. "I had the perfect machine set-up and tyres and was happy to watch my pit board and not go too fast too soon. After winning the first race of the year at Kyalami last year I'm so happy to have repeated that." - Race 2 - "That was about as perfect as races get. The machine set-up and the tyres could not have been any better. This sort of thing happens (machines failures) and its as simple as that. I was having a good race and made a good move on Ben for the lead only for the engine to go. "There's a long way to go in the season and if I'm to have an engine stop on me at any time I'd rather it was in round two than in round 13 with a possible title in sight." Ben Bostrom - "I feel really strange because I really wanted to win this race at all costs, it’s a fantastic feeling and I hope it happens again as soon as possible. In race 1 I got a bad start and paid for it right until the end. We tried to find a different set-up during the break and the guys did a great job. In race 2 things were a lot easier. It seemed that I was losing the rear every so often, but my Dunlops held up well. It was tough to keep Colin behind me, but I never gave up not even when he passed me. I’m really sorry he retired, it would surely have been a great battle right until the flag". Troy Bayliss - "It was a really emotional weekend. In race 1 I got a good start and it was difficult to keep Edwards behind me. When he passed me I tried to follow his line as much as possible", said Troy Bayliss. "For sure I would have preferred to win but it was important to get a good finish and score points because this is going to be a very long championship. In race 2 I didn’t give up for one minute and after passing Corser I was only thinking about getting on the podium. I’m really pleased for Ben. The next time I’m sure he’s going to be one of my toughest rivals". Troy Corser - "I'm pretty happy to come away from Kyalami with two podiums and the title lead. I know the lead is only a couple of points, but the next track is Phillip Island and I think I can get two wins there. It was very hot out there for the first race and very humid for the second. In fact, there were a few spots of rain on my visor on the inspection lap before the second race and I though that it might rain. I would've enjoyed a wet race, but in the end the rain stayed away until everything was all over. In both races I had some tyre problems. In the first race, it felt like the rear tyre was out of balance. In the second race, the rear was vibrating a little and then it was sliding a round after about half race distance. There were a few scary moments in race two with Troy (Bayliss) at Wesbank corner. At the exit he was so close that my tyre hit his leg! But, it wasn't too much of a drama - just racing. But once he had got past and I lost the tow, I couldn't catch him again. I'm looking forward to Phillip Island and racing in front of the Aussie fans." Pierfrancesco Chili - “I was able to stay on the pace during the day and the bike ran consistently to finish in sixth place in the first race and in eighth place in race two. I am pleased we have got some more points to reward the team’s hard work. We are still fine-tuning the new GSX-R750 and hopefully we can do better in the next race in Australia.” Regis Laconi - "During the first few laps of race 1 I almost lost it with lack of grip, it was as if I had made a couple of mistakes but nothing happened and I pushed hard until the end of the race, but I had lost contact with the leaders. I got a good start in race 2 even though I lost ground a bit on the first lap. I managed to recover and finish the race in a good position especially if I think of all the hours I've spent in the Clinica Mobile and the tonnes of ice I've been using. In Australia the muscles of my leg will be OK again and I really want to have a good race on a track that I like a lot. I'm going to be working hard with my physiotherapist to get fit for Phillip Island". Neil Hodgson - “I’m really pleased with my result, it was disappointing to have a problem in the first race, but to come away with a fourth place is just an amazing feeling! “I’m looking forward to having some time off before the next round, Kathryn (Neil’s fiancée) and I are having a holiday in Australia, which will give me a chance to get adjusted to the conditions and time zone and to be fully refreshed for the next race.” Tady Okada - Race 1 - "The machine and tyres were fine and I knew I could make my move when I wanted and get closer to the front of the race, then the machine began cutting out, I tried to continue but it would have been impossible to finish the race. I'm disappointed for the team's sake, they work so hard for me but I know success will come our way." - Race 2 - "I'm not sure what happened and it will be a few days before the machines are taken apart back in Japan but this is a huge disappointment for me, I felt very comfortable on the machine and was certain I could catch the top three. "I will have to wait for Phillip Island now but it's one of my favourite circuits and I know we will have a better machine there." Ruben Xaus - "I go back to Spain with a couple of good results, after race 1, when I felt I had very little grip and so I preferred not to overdo things, I asked the team to change my 996R’s set-up a bit and we managed to increase the grip of my Michelins. This allowed me to push a lot harder and to have more top speed. I’m trying to accumulate as much experience as possible and I am really happy because today I was right on target". Stephane Chambon - “I am pleased with the work we have done today and the points we have gained. It is only my second Superbike race and I am still getting used to the bike. The whole team is working very hard and we are continuing to make progress on the bike’s setup. I am looking forward to the next round and I am sure we can do even better.“ James Toseland - “I’ve really enjoyed racing here this
weekend, I would have liked to finish the second |
Race 1 Report - Race 2 Report - Quotes - Race Images