“You also learn from a fast teammate. In Assen, it was Federico who put in the better final lap to win the race. But, I think I learned more finishing second that weekend than I had winning races previously. Sure, I want to win every race. However sometimes, not winning opens your eyes to ways in which you can improve as a rider.” Caricasulo also clinched an emphatic win in Jerez, which is his second of the season. “It’s normal for me to have a fast teammate on the other side of the pit box,” declared the 23-year-old Italian. “When I raced for GRT Yamaha my teammate was Lucas Mahias and I learned a lot from him. The same is true this year with Randy.” “In Assen I learned a lot from Randy. I think he learned from me in Imola, so the current situation is one that works to the advantage of us both.”

Managing the Bardahl Rivalry- A Daunting Task?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

The riders are aware of their rivalry. The two acknowledge that it is a beleaguering task for their team managers at Bardahl. “I guess it’s quite difficult for the team. On the one hand, they get to enjoy both of us winning races and sitting one-two in the championship standings, but on the other, it can’t be easy managing two riders who are fighting with each other for the race win every weekend,” adds Krummenacher. “Things in our pit box are pretty normal, even with the two of us battling against each other every weekend,” said Caricasulo. “Everyone just gets on with their job; we are all working towards the same goal, so it’s a normal situation. At the moment there are no problems with us being together in the pit box.