Matt Bond, 30/03/07 – 01/04/07
FIM European Superstock 1000 Cup
Round 1
Friday – First Practice
Lovely and wet, oh how much fun! Typical British round at the start of April, but anyway it was same for everyone so it was simply a case of soften up the bike, jump onboard and go round the track at some sort of pace, but safely. And after the crash I had in testing the last word in that sentence was the most important!
I literally spent the session just riding round and getting a feel for the bike and just focused on being smooth and consistent throughout the lap. Despite a few scares and a few slides around Coppice, I was somewhat surprised t be in 17th! I thought I was dawdling round slower than anyone! Well that is what it seemed like after Van Keymuelen came past me sideways into the Old Hairpin…..nutter!
Friday – First Qualifying
At least it was dry this time round, but the bike just would not help me throughout the session. I just could not get on the gas hard enough without the bike stepping out and being sideways everywhere. It may have looked good, but without a steering damper either it was just plain damn scary! The constant wheelies didn’t help matters either, even if they were extremely fun!
I began to try to string it together but pushing was just not helping and made the bike even more unrideable. It reflected in the lowly place I found myself, at least we had another qualifying the next day, I was going to need it!
Saturday – Second Practice
A few more adjustments to the suspension made the bike ten times better and so much easier to ride. It made the bike feel like it actually wanted someone onboard it compared to the previous days sessions.
The newfound confidence was there and it helped me get the bike into, through and out of the turns much faster, and although the time improved marginally, I still needed some more vital seconds. I felt good though and looked forward to the second qualifying.
Saturday – Second Qualifying
“Well that was a painfully stupid thing to do” was all I could hear myself saying after being flung off the bike on the exit of Goddards, and damn did it hurt! That’s one just welcomed me to the world of the 1000cc race bike, and didn’t I know it! I cant remember exactly what happened but I tried a different line and it just simply didn’t work. I opened the throttle and then found myself looking at the sky, swiftly followed by a smack on my arse! In addition, I broke my skid lid, which I really didn’t want to be doing! I began to get the feeling the Donignton Park does not really like me. Worst thing following the crash was that I could hardly walk, which could prove to be a hindrance. Trip to Clinica was in order.
Sunday – Warm Up
I could still ride the bike, and it did not hurt too much. And the suspension was spot on thanks to Steve Jordan. I felt okay whilst on track for all of a lap, and then it just went funny! The bike was misfiring at the top revs so pulled it into the pits n left it for the team to fix .
Sunday – Race
I got a decent start, despite banging into one of the R1’s but I still didn’t care, it was just like motocross back in the good old days! I went manic for the first lap, just out braked, and slid past as many people as I could on the opening lap. It seemed to work, and all was going good until the flags came out. I’d been enjoying a battle with Barry Burrell, good to see nothing changed from 600’s, and tailed him past almost everyone in front of us, shame it didn’t last!
The restart went okay, then the clutch started playing up , and I couldn’t change gear. It was annoying as I just lost confidence in the bike and after overshooting turns and failing to stop for the hairpins on the last lap I just bought the bike home and was happy to be in one piece. Albeit a fairly bruised and battered piece.
I should be well recovered by Valencia so fingers crossed it goes better!