I didn’t feel like I was pushing at all but was having to focus 70 per cent of my effort on just changing gear properly. After a few laps I was still with the other two riders and they were easy to pass - but would immediately come back past me on any of the straights. The ignition had started to cut when I was first getting on the gas on corner exit and that’s when I realised that I wasn’t getting anywhere. I did seven laps and then stopped in the box on lap eight. I was pretty disappointed because I was ready for a good fight in that race. I’d have most definitely been in the points because with the problems I was having I was still on the back of former world champion Poggiali, who eventually got 15th. Looking at the lap times I’d say I could have run with Cardenas who finished 13th but who knows!
All in all I feel we’ve made some real progress over the weekend. For now I just want to start riding the bike rather than changing things session after session. I feel like now we’ve got a good base setting I just need to concentrate on riding, refining the suspension and squeezing the engine a bit more. I’m looking forward to getting back out in the dry and picking up where we’ve left off.
I have to say thanks to the mechanics and the team for making all the new modifications for me. Hopefully it will all start to come together in China…
Chaz#57!
