Winston Media
Information
2006 World
Superbike Championship
Three days of
hard work were undertaken by the Winston Ten Kate Team at
Almeria, in what were often less than ideal weather
conditions. Apart the first day, which was mostly sunny
and close to 18 degrees, the second and the third days
were characterized by cloudy skies, which eventually
turned to a few drops of rain in the afternoon of the
third day. Nonetheless, each of the riders made the most
of their opportunities, posting high lap counts on their
new 2006 specification Honda machinery.
Ronald Ten
Kate - Team Manager
"This has been
our first test with 2006 material and I consider it a
positive step for us. We have received some new electronic
components
which have proved to be working very well. The feeling we
have is good, the times registered by our riders are all
really remarkable and this gives us positive hope for the
upcoming season. The main objective of this test was to
give more confidence
on the
2006 machines to our riders. The weather didn't help, but
apart from that, everything went in the right direction."
Karl
Muggeridge - SBK Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider - (best lap
time 1'37.3 - total laps 151)
"I consider
this a successful test for me. Everything went well and we
had consistent progress in each part of the bike we worked
on. Engine, suspension; it all seemed to be going better
and better with each passing lap. This can only make me
happy and confident for
the
season, which is about to begin shortly. The weather
wasn't what we expected but thanks to my team we have used
all three days of testing in the best way possible."
James Toseland
- SBK Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider - (best lap time 1'37.7
- total laps 183)
"We have
improved day by day. In the first day I lapped around
1'40, in the second 1'39 and in the third and final day I
have reached 1'37.
I still
have to get to know my Honda better, but I already feel
quite comfortable on it. I can feel the improvement every
time I leave the box for another few laps. I am looking
forward for the next test in Valencia where hopefully
we'll find better weather conditions. That would help us a
lot."
Sébastien
Charpentier - SS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider - (best lap
time 1'38.5 - total laps 117)
"The first two days were quite good but the third has
been really hard, just because of the weather conditions.
Every time I left the box I found different ambient
temperatures and this caused us to make many modification
to the setting of the bike. Anyway, I am very happy
because we made some good progress during these three days
here in Almeria. It was good to find myself back in the
great atmosphere created by the team, something which is
really important for me. I am also happy with the work
done with Pirelli tyres. I will surely have more
motivation during the next test in Valencia on February 6th
and 7th because we'll be going back to that
circuit to race during the season itself. It will be
really useful to gather as much information as possible so
that we can be competitive when we'll race there in the
third round of the world championship at the end of
April."
Kenan Sofuoglu
- SS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider - (best lap time 1'40.5
- total laps 68)
"I lost
the first two days of the test, but today has been
really important for me to get back the right confidence
on the bike. The lap times weren't bad at all and I am
happy with the work achieved. The bike is very good
overall and to me it seems really easy to ride. I am
looking forward to getting back on it at Valencia for
the last test of the preseason. Let's hope the weather
will be on our side, not like today."
______________________________________________________________
WINSTON TEN KATE HONDA MEDIA INFORMATION
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Matteo Vitello - Press
Officer
