After making the decision to move over from MV to Kawasaki machinery, and after completing tests at the Pannonia-Ring last week, this German round was a significant one for the Schmidt Racing Team.
Lausitzring learning curve for Kyle and Schmidt Racing
The team are working flat out to develop the new ZX-6R and make it a competitive entry into this seasons World Supersport series. Unfortunately, Robert Balogh’s team were left to compete with just Kyle Ryde, as Nico Terol preferred to sit out this ninth round of the Championship.
Friday Free Practice
Kyle went out on track on Friday morning, in sunny and warm conditions, to take part in the opening timed practice session. Setting a best time of 1’44”783 to go into twenty-sixth place.
In the days second session, Kyle continued to work with his technicians to improve both his riding and his bike and was able to lower his lap time by more than a second. With a fastest time of 1’43”422, Kyle concluded the day in twenty-first position and went through to compete in the following days Superpole 1.
Robert Balogh – Team Manager:
“I’m pleased because the bike is performing well and looks to be reliable. Kyle is really comfortable on the Kawasaki and this is very important. Of course, we need to continue to work to improve and get closer to the front, but I think it’s only a matter of time and this means we’re optimistic about both the upcoming weekend and the future.”
Kyle Ryde:
“It was a good day for all of us. I was fast on the Kawasaki, much faster than when I was riding the other bike and so for this I have to thank Robert and my team.
We’re increasingly quick every time we go out on track. This track is not an easy one, actually I think it’s the toughest on the calendar. It’s easy to learn, but then very difficult to go fast. Tomorrow, if it’s dry, we can be inside the top fifteen. If it rains though it would be my first experience of riding the Kawasaki in the wet and so I have no idea how that would go.
Thanks to my team for all their hard work”.
FP3 & Superpole
On Saturday morning, the track was only partly dry for the final free practice session, making things difficult for the Schmidt Racing Team rider Kyle Ryde, who had never before ridden the Kawasaki ZX-6R in wet conditions. With a time of 2’08”985, the Jacksdale rider finished in thirty-first place.
Superpole 1
In the afternoon, conditions at the German track improved in time for Superpole 1 and, on a dry track and with the help of his technicians, Ryde was able to improve on his best time set yesterday. Thanks to a best of 1’42”839, Kyle closed in seventh place.
Robert Balogh – Team Manager:
“Today Kyle was able to improve further and I’m pleased with his performance. Tomorrow he’ll start the race in seventeenth position and that’s a positive result, considering this is only our second day with the Kawasaki in the Supersport championship.”
“Tomorrow’s race will allow us to further understand our ZX-6R and our goal is to reach the points zone. I’m also pleased because the Kawasaki technicians are really helping us and this confirms that we made the right decision and it bodes well for the future.”
Kyle Ryde:
“This morning’s practice was very difficult, mainly because of the track conditions but also because it was the first time I was riding the Kawasaki in the wet. In the afternoon, in Superpole 1, things went a lot better on what was by then a dry track. I improved my lap time and finished in seventh place.”
“The bike continues to improve and I’m pleased and confident ahead of the race. Thanks to my team for all their hard work.”
Sunday’s Race
An important round for the Schmidt Racing Team and its rider Kyle Ryde, as it the first race that Robert Balogh’s team is competing with Kawasaki machinery.
The results in practice proved encouraging. Kyle made constant progress before obtaining the seventeenth fastest time in qualifying, meaning that he lined up on row six of the grid for the 19-lap race that took place on a dry track.
The Schmidt Racing Team rider started well, making up two positions and lapping in fifteenth position through the early stages. Kyle then found himself part of a group of four riders, fighting for the points zone and continuously exchanging positions. In the final laps, Ryde was unable to push as hard as he would have liked due to some chattering in the forks, and he thus closed today’s race in seventeenth position.
Robert Balogh – Team Manager:
“I’m not totally satisfied with today’s race, because we were aiming for the points zone. Kyle made a good start, but then he didn’t increase his pace and we’ll need to study the data to understand why that was.”
“In general, we’ve had a good weekend in which we’ve worked a great deal to develop our bike.We’ve had no technical malfunctions or crashes and this leaves me feeling optimistic about the future, in which I’m sure we’ll be able to obtain the kind of results we’ve set ourselves”.
Kyle Ryde:
“The weekend hasn’t been too bad. We made good steps throughout the sessions but I was hoping for a better result in the race to be honest. Unfortunately, we had a small issue with the suspension and tyres, with a lot of chattering.”
“It’s strange because I hadn’t experienced it all weekend. I think that, in battling with other riders, I forced the front tyre more than usual and this resulted in the chattering. As a result, I simply couldn’t go faster today as I’d have crashed”
“Anyway, I know we have the potential to be faster and improve our results.”
The next round of the Supersport world championship will take place over the weekend of 30 September – 2 October at the Magny-Cours racetrack in France.