Oulton Park British Superbikes: Atsushi Watanabe pleased with Friday performance

Reigning Japanese Superbike Champion, Atsushi Watanabe, has had his best start to a British Superbike weekend by scoring the ninth fastest time in Free Practice 2 yesterday.

The Rizla Suzuki man has had a busy two weeks between the last round at Mallory Park and this weekend, testing out in Japan in preparation for next weekend’s Suzuka Eight hour.

But even though he admitted to being tired, the 31-year old Bournemouth resident managed a time of 1.38.452, 1.7 seconds off Karl Harris at the peak of the time sheets.

Watanabe said: “I flew back from Japan on Wednesday and drove straight to Oulton Park.

“In the morning the track was a little damp and then dry and I remember how exciting a circuit this is.

“Apart from maybe needing a little more sleep I feel OK and in the afternoon, after speaking with Team Manager Jack-san, I pulled the pin off the grenade and went much faster… and this is good.

“My Rizla Suzuki is feeling better. In the morning my rear is a problem but good technicians fixed and it was much stiffer and better in the afternoon.

“I try both my bikes and we improve handling and agility through the day.

“I ask for better brake stability feeling into some corners and know the team will provide me the answer.

“I am happy to be ninth and will be happier when I’m even higher up.”

Watanabe’s team-mate Tom Sykes finished the day two spots ahead of his Japanese counterpart, but said he could have gone much quicker if he hadn’t been held up on a flying lap.

“It is the first day of practice so we worked our way up to speed.

“I tried a few tyres and we have a good option that I posted my fastest lap on right at the end after it had completed a full race distance – and while being held up by a slower rider.

“It was a little frustrating as I could have been a fair bit faster.”