West Positive After First Day of Qualifying at the Nurburgring
04/09/2009 19:31:47

Friday, September 4

After a six-week summer break it was back to business for Stiggy Racing Honda Supersport rider Anthony West as he set the seventh fastest time in his first outing in unfavorable wet and cold conditions at the Nurburgring in Germany today.

Anthony West - an expert in the rain - managed to significantly lower his times in every lap despite running his machine on rough wet settings. The team will be testing new parts for their CBR600RR machines this weekend, and the Australian remains confident of being able to close the gap to fastest man Cal Crutchlow in the qualifying session.

The single 60-minute practice session proved not enough for Gianluca Vizziello to master the German weather conditions and push out a fast lap time. His fastest time leaves him a couple of seconds off the pace, but the Italian rider is looking to improve the set-up of his machine and lower his lap times in qualifying session.

Anthony West - 2'15.861s:

“It's a bit of a shock to be riding in these cold conditions after spending my summer break in Australia. Today's session did not go as well as I would have liked it, but I am not too far off. We have found the first rough set up for the wet at the moment. Will have to see what the weather does tomorrow and we'll keep running to learn the track and make laps. I am confident I can improve a lot here on this track."

Gianluca Vizziello - 2'19.883s:

“It was important for me not to crash in these circumstances today. We have to understand the behaviour of the bike in these conditions. It looks like the weather is not going to change this weekend. The team is looking at the data now to see where we can make the improvements for tomorrow's session. I still have some difficulties with the acceleration of the bike. We are on the right path, but will have to improve to make the connection with the front of the field."

Johan Stigefelt - Team Manager:

"We have a good day here considering the cold and wet conditions. After a six-week break everyone is coming back into action. The riders pushed hard to improve their times today. Anthony had some issues with the setting of his machine, but he is confident there is a lot more to come in tomorrow's session. Gianluca just needs some more time on-track to improve his lap times. We have some new engine parts to test here this weekend and I hope we will be able to get both riders to perform well in the race."

Results Supersport Free Practice 1:

1. C.Crutchlow 2'13.170

2. K.Sofouglu 2'13.480

3. G.McCoy 2'15.119

7. Anthony West, Stiggy Racing Honda, 2'15.861

21. Gianluca Vizziello, Stiggy Racing Honda, 2'19.883