Motorcycles and news

Roberts riding for the HP Suzuki Racing Team has only completed four of the eight rounds so far after being drafted in as a replacement early in the season. Due to his National Superstock commitments in the UK he also missed the round in the Czech Republic in July. Since having won the National series in Britain he is now able to concentrate his efforts on the final rounds of the European Championship.

The Grantham based rider spent his time wisely at Lausitz and clocked up a number of laps during the practice and qualifying sessions. Using the limited time to learn the bumpy circuit and get a good bike set up for the GSXR-1000 Suzuki. Eventually qualifying on the front row in fourth place he was eager to gain another good result for the Italian Team.

Like Assen, the race was once again delayed, after completing one lap it was Red Flagged after a horrifying crash involving Championship leader Alessandro Polita and Ilario Dionisi. The delay meant that the race was reduced to nine laps and run straight after the World Supersport Race.

As the lights went out Roberts charged from the line only to run wide on the exit off turn one, allowing Ayrton Badovini and Claudio Corti to pull a slight gap. Roberts was struggling for grip as he settled into third, then on lap six Badovini crashed out leaving him with a 3.2-second disadvantage on new leader Corti. With three laps remaining he got his head down but was unable to catch the Yamaha rider as he narrowed the margin by over two seconds.

Roberts was very happy with his result commenting “That’s what I call a result, from being down and out Friday morning to standing on the podium on Sunday, it has been a really tough weekend. The team have been working hard to help me as I’ve struggled everywhere, the set-up from Assen was so far out for this circuit we had to start from scratch. Although I didn’t have the pace to stay with the leaders early on, I found as the tyres started to slide I was coping better than most.”

Roberts will next be riding in the National Superstock Championship at Silverstone Circuit, 15th - 17th September on board the Astro Van Centre Kawasaki.

Overall Championship Points