Troy marked his Alstare Suzuki race debut with a perfect start in the opening round of this year’s Superbike World Championship in Qatar today.

He was comfortably leading the race when it was red-flagged (because of rain) after ten laps. By the time it was restarted, the track had dried out again and this time Troy ended third, behind team mate Yukio Kagayama and Regis Laconi (Ducati). But Troy was very close behind Laconi, so he knew that when the times of the two parts were aggregated, he would be the winner.

It was Troy’s first SBK race win since 2001 and Suzuki’s first win since the same year. Yukio took second spot, with Laconi third.

Troy led the second race and was once again looking in control until the oil flags came out after seven laps. Troy took it cautiously at the scene of the spillage and nearly crashed, but Yukio sailed through with hardly a problem. Troy tried to attack his team mate straightway, but Yukio had pulled out a bit of an advantage and was going strongly.

As the race wore on, Troy’s tyres began to wear out and he had no choice but to let Laconi past. Yukio won the race, with Laconi second and Troy took third. Troy’s first and third puts him second in the points standing, just four points behind his team mate Yukio, so all in all it was a perfect start for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra and Troy and Yukio.

TROY - Race 1: 1st, Race 2: 3rd - "Well the only thing that would’ve been a better result today would’ve been if I had won both races! And, I might not have been far off doing that!

"But for the team, it was a perfect result with each of their riders winning one race apiece and ending the day first and second in the championship.

"It’s a bit of a dream start for us, but I think it’s a pretty just reward for all the work we’ve done so far. I knew we were going to be competitive straightaway and I knew that Yukio would be a threat here, because he’s one of the few riders who has ridden here before - and it showed.

"I felt very comfortable and relaxed in the first race and the stoppage was just a bit of hiccup. Once we restarted that one and it was dry, I knew exactly what I had to do (stay close to Regis) and take the win. I had to be reminded of my last SBK win, but I have never lost that winning feeling, believe me. I was so happy for Francis, Patricia and the rest of the team because I know what sort of effort has gone into making this all possible.

"In race two, there was a chance of a double, but oil on the track and a slightly strange tyre feel kinda stopped that. If I had chased second, there was more then a good chance I would have crashed, so I settled for third instead. This is a long, hard championship, so I am happy to take a third and be just four points behind Yukio in the standings. I knew before the season’s start that he would be a threat - and he has proved he is. I think Ducati are going to get stronger and this year is going to be great for race fans everywhere. Now I’m off to Phillip Island - one of my favourite circuits and one I know very well - and there’s a chance of another couple of podiums for sure. Here’s hoping!."