Yamaha WorldSBK riders to take on last European round in Magny-Cours
All the riders have set sights on a triumphant run in Magny-Cours, France, this weekend.
The Pata Yamaha WorldSBK duo Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark will be heading to the final European leg of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship at Magny-Cours this weekend. The circuit that combines both fast and slow corners with challenging chicanes. Both riders have set sights on the podium as they continue to improve from their overall third place in the championship standings.
GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK riders, Sandro Cortese and Marco Melandri, are also heading to Magny-Cours. Cortese has fully recovered his injury as seen in his performance in Portimão. Melandri, on the other hand, had a difficult start in Portugal but managed to pick up the speed and claim a top-ten finish.
Ten Kate Yamaha’s Loris Baz is excited to be racing in front of the French fans for the first time since returning to the championship in Jerez. The Frenchman had an unfortunate crash at last weekend’s Bol d’Or but is set to bounce back this time in Magny-Cours.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
Photo credits: Yamaha Racing
“I’m looking forward to getting to Magny-Cours this weekend, for the final European round of the season before heading to the two overseas races in Argentina and Qatar. The weather has been a bit unpredictable in the past, and it looks like it’s going to be the same this weekend, but I’ve enjoyed some good results in all conditions there in the past. The goal this weekend is to challenge for the podium in all three races and give the French fans, who are always so enthusiastic and welcoming, something to cheer about,” says Lowes as quoted from Yamaha Racing.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
Photo credits: Yamaha Racing
“I can’t quite believe we’re heading to the final European round at Magny-Cours this weekend, the season seems to have flown past! I like the track and I’ve had some decent results there in the past, so I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead. Top-three is the target, as I’m determined to return to the podium after a disappointing Race 2 in Portugal. Hopefully, the notoriously changeable weather will be kind to us again this year!”
Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
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“I’m looking forward to heading to Magny-Cours, as it’s a great track. I’ve only raced there once before, last year on the Supersport bike, so it will be new to me on the Superbike. Hopefully, the weather will be okay, at least for the two free practice sessions on Friday, to allow me to learn the track as quickly as possible. After a solid weekend last time out in Portimão I can’t wait to return to the track this weekend in France, where I hope I can do the same.”
Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
Photo credits: Yamaha Racing
“Magny-Cours is a really nice track for me; very difficult and technical, with some fast corners, some slow corners and some chicanes that look very similar from the outside but require a very different approach. The weather is traditionally very unpredictable, and the grip can be the same, changing from corner to corner. I hope we can find a stable condition for the weekend, as I think this track will be better for me than Portimão and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Loris Baz (Ten Kate Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?
Photo credits: Yamaha Racing
“if there’s a positive to take from the Bol d’Or crash then it’s that it didn’t take as long to recover as it normally would after finishing a 24-hour race. It will be great racing in front of my home crowd in Magny-Cours, although we know from the Bol d’Or test that it will take a few laps in FP1 on Friday to get a feel for the WorldSBK specification R1 and the Pirelli tyres again.”
“The plan for this weekend is the same as it was for Portimão, but we need to ensure we do better in qualifying than we did in Portugal. If we can do that and get a good start in the races, then I think we can fight for a podium finish. Of course, it’s Magny-Cours, so we also need to keep our fingers crossed for good weather, especially as the bad weather seems to be following me around at the moment!”
Photo credits: Yamaha Racing
Michelle Liew
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