Ten Kate Junior Team opens season with a podium placing
14-04-2010
Ten Kate Junior Team opens season with a podium placing!
In Portimao Maxime Berger got second position. On the Portuguese course the French rider has attained the second place as well as a 1'45.282 course new record. After starting from the second position Maxime has led the race, heading 7 laps out of 12, and taking turns with the winning rival.
Unfortunately it was a very bad weekend for TEN KATE JUNIOR TEAM's standard-bearer Florian Marino, who, after starting from pole position, fell off at the first lap. His getting back to the race, after calling at the pit lane to fix his bike, has unfortunately yielded him not even a point in the championship list.
M
axime Berger, Superstock 1000
"I wish I had started the season with a win. The podium top placing was the goal I had been chasing since Friday and my race pace would have enabled it. Because of a risky braking off at the end of the stretch I didn't manage to engage the right gear and I found myself in the escape route, luckily still into the saddle.... I got back in second position but it was too late to remedy my mistake. My date with the 25 points is just put off to Valencia".
Florian Mariono, Superstock 600
"This fall has spoilt my start with TEN KATE JUNIOR TEAM. My goal was improving remarkably last year's seventh place, so as to start my first season as a regular rider on a high note.Unfortunately, after an excellent start the back of the bike skidded off at the first curve to the left just after I had well controlled a slight diversion from the course. I've paid dearly for my mistake...."
Domenico Francese, Teammanager:
"Here in Portimao we have been leading the STOCK 1000, with both fast lap and course record, and this shows our Honda CBR1000 is on top of its category. Unfortunately a little mistake in the last lap has prevented us from getting to the first place, which however remains our goal in every round. As to Florian, in all test sessions the sixteen-year-old rider showed to be a reference for his category. I do hope his fall at the first lap will be a great teaching for the future".