SATISFYING WEEKEND FOR KALLIO RACING IN THAILAND
THE SECOND RACE OF SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP WAS RIDDEN TODAY AT BURIRAM TRACK IN THAILAND. KALLIO RACING DIDN’T HIT THE PODIUM THIS TIME AROUND AS GERMAN TEAM RIDER SANDRO CORTESE WAS LEFT FOURTH IN SPITE OF HIS HEAVY ATTEMPTS ON OVERTAKING. BELGIAN TEAM RIDER LORIS CRESSON FINISHED 14TH, BUT BECAUSE RIDER NUMBER 24 OVERTAKE WAS DURING THE YELLOW FLAG, LORIS WAS RANKED 13TH. Kallio Racing went out to repeat the podium result set by Sandro Cortese three weeks ago. After qualification Cortese started the Sunday race as fourth.
Cortese managed to climb up to second position but had to surrender to the overtaking attempts of the leading riders. Cortese fought hard behind Caricasulo who was on third position but the Italian managed to keep Cortese behind his back leaving Cortese outside the podium. Swiss Randy Krummenacher won the race leading the Championship with 45 points.
- The race was bit of a disappointment, I really tried to go for the podium. I gave everything today and I tried all the way until the last corner but unfortunately I could not make it. But still I think we can be happy with this. It was the first time for me in Thailand and I think overall it was a positive weekend. I still have to work on the hard braking points, I think I'm losing a little bit too much on those. But now we're going to Europe where I know the tracks and where feel more comfortable, said Cortese.
Young Belgian rider Loris Cresson hit the track from 15th grid and gained two positions during the race. The 19-year-old Cresson finished on 13th position.
- Today's race was really hard with the weather. I am happy with the rhythm I got and how it went, I just made too many mistakes during the race and it cost me the possibility to be in the top 10. The feeling with the bike was good, we worked a lot during the weekend to find a good setup. I'm quite happy with the balance and the feeling in the bike now. I think we made a good step with the bike and the rhythm. Now let's focus on the European race. I'm happy to come back on a race track I know (Aragon). Thanks to the team for the hard work during the whole weekend, phraised Cresson.
Team manager Vesa Kallio wasn't completely satisfied with the results from Thailand although both riders managed to collect important points for the team.
- It was an exciting race. Sandro had good pace to begin with and fought on top but didn't quite reach the podium today. Fourth position is okay and we're still fighting for top positions when it comes to Championship points (shared third position with Caricasulo). Loris had a good race as well pushing for positions 9-15 but some mistakes during the race costed him a few positions. Loris managed to collect points as well, but we will definitely head for better positions in Aragon, promised Kallio.
Next Supersport Championship race weekend is in three weeks at MotorLand Aragon track in Spain on 13th-15th of April.
Photo: Philippe Damiens
