IRTA
- Jerez
1.
Losail
2.
Jerez
3.
Estoril
4.
Shanghai
5. Le
Mans
6. Mugello
7.
Catalunya
8.
Donington
9. Assen
10. Sachsenring
11.
Laguna Seca
12. Brno
13. Misano
14. Indianapolis
15. Motegi
16. Phillip Island
17. Sepang
18. Valencia
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News 16/03/2008
IRTA Test : Jerez
Seby dominates the first battle of
the season in wet conditions at the IRTA Jerez Official Test. SFW came
second at +0.427 with Vouks third at +0.513.
Seby, the
runner up from last year, opened the first competitive activity of 2008
with a comprehensive victory in the IRTA qualifying shootout, which
took place at an uncharacteristically wet Circuito de Jerez.
Seby needed just five laps onboard his Kawasaki to ensure that the BMW
would be heading to Romania, clocking an early lap of 1:38.188 that was
unrivalled by any of his fellow MotoGP riders. Whilst the winner of the
30 minute timed session is rarely the man lifting the World
Championship trophy at the end of the season, the early dominance was a
clear stamp of authority by the 23 year-old and will cause his rivals a
few sleepless nights ahead of the first race in Qatar.
The session began with Seby undertaking the first five of his total 15
laps, with his opening outing putting him at the head of the standings.
It also saw his first head-to-head battle with SFW, with some 'mind
games' taking place on track just five minutes into the 'Grand Prix
Zero'. After setting down his marker in his 11th lap with a lap of
1:37.818, Seby then returned to the pits and watched his rival at work,
eventually re-emerging for a further four laps worthy of the winner.
In contrast to the 2007 edition of the event, there was to be no late
drama in Jerez for SFW. Whilst the Dutch put himself up into second
place by the middle of the session, a final push never materialised for
the Dutch Devil. Twice a winner of the preseason prize, SFW had to
settle for the unrewarded runner-up spot with a time over 0.400 slower
than that of his Romanian rival.
Vouks also had a late but unfruitful attempt at a Seby-challenging lap,
finishing third fastest after topping the timesheets at the begining of
the session.
A wet weather specialist, 2 times World Champion Skider fancied his
chances of a competitive time, although the drying-out track didn't
give him enough of an advantage to really challenge Seby. The Suzuki
rider set his quickest time at the midway point in the session, but
still held off the likes of Gabi46 and DavyB in the top six.
Gabi's team mate, LuKe, was 7th while the surprise of the test came
from the young Romanian Mircea, who came in 8th. Yvos and
Bradders completed the top ten.
Interviews:
Seby Lords Of Shadow (winner,
1:37.818):
"Congratulations and thank you for playing to everybody.
GG to SFW and Vouks for podium and also to Mircea who did very well in
this test.
It feels very good to ass rape SFW like this after those winter tests
and also Skider's ass cuz he's the champ.
This was an official test so I've done some practice of my own and
being a wet test I had more motivation because I've won the last 2 wet
races last year.
0.427 is a big advantage in the qualifying award after only 1 lap from
19.
Even if this wasn't a race and there are no points, it was official and
the war has already begun and I'm happy that I started the season with
a good result. It's also the first time I win the IRTA test in 5 years
so I'm very pleased. Now time to focus on the first race of the season."
SFW Team Yamaha UK-NL
(2nd, 1:38.245):
"GG to Seby, great lap time in the wet.
For me it was a good session, I was able to do some good lap times but
wasn't able to do a great one. Another thing that I'm pleased with is
that I've finally got comfortable in the wet and made some good
progress in the setup.
My fellow team members have also done well and specially proud of Dolz
for putting in a solid performance right after he raised from the dead."
Yvos Arkos Connection
(9th, 1:39.576):
"GG Seby and also SFW and Vouks of course, well done team-m8, good
start!
Wet is not my favorite condition and physics, but well, I'm happy about
my final position here.
I did that time in the very first launched lap, so I was so happy about
it (PB), I was unable to concentrate for the last 25 mins...
Season has started now, but we will wait for the 1st race in Qatar to
see what are the forces in presence, in dry conditions."
Statistics:
Seby has taken a
0.427 advantage over the nearest rival in the
Qualifying Award.
18 more rounds until we will know the winner of the Qualifying Award
and it seems the battle will most likely be between Seby, SFW, Skider,
Vouks and Gabi461.
Join us in 1 week's time for the first race of the season at Losail,
Qatar.
Report by Seby
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