Suzuki Neukirchner Beats Valencia Record
Spaniard Fonsi Nieto and German Max Neukirchner both put the 2007 Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki GSX-R1000 though its paces during their test at Valencia in Spain with Neukirchner beating the lap record on regular race rubber.Both riders made many changes to the positions of the bars, footpegs and levers so that they could start to get comfortable with the bike, before beginning to push hard.
The weather for the tests was generally good and both riders and the team were able to do a lot of good groundwork and gather useful information in more than 150 laps.
Nieto posted a best time of 1:35.5 and Neukirchner a 1:35.00 - which is faster than Max Biaggi's best race lap there earlier this season.Fonsi Nieto, "This test was all about me getting comfortable with the bike so we did a lot of work with the handlebars, levers and footpegs. My initial feeling is that the bike is very good and I have a lot to learn. I started with the Biaggi settings but I didn't get on with them so we've changed them quite a lot - more in the Kagayama direction I guess. The Alstare Suzuki feels more of a race bike than my bike of last year and it has a lot of potential. I am not thinking about lap times at this test, because I want to learn this bike first. The Alstare team is great to work with and everybody is very friendly. I am getting to know them all very quickly and already we have a very good relationship. The World Superbike Championship is not an easy race series by any means but I am really looking forward to this new challenge."
Max Neukirchner, "I know I've ridden the Alstare Suzuki before but this is a different situation for me here. We spent most of the time getting the bike right for me. That meant changes to the riding position, bars, levers and footpegs. I enjoyed riding the bike in the last race of the year but now it's time to get the bike dialled-in for me properly. There is a lot to do, but we are all working well and making good progress, so we are all pretty happy at this stage. I know most the Alstare guys from before but I am working with some different mechanics this time, so I have to get used to them and they have to get used to me. I'm already enjoying myself with the team and I think we will leave Valencia in a positive frame of mind."
