Walker: I’m going slow what ever I try’

Chris Walker is facing an uphill battle to restore his shattered confidence before for the next WSB test at Valencia, Spain.

He came away from Australia’s first tests as the slowest of all the WSB riders on his factory Kawasaki, a full 2.2s off the pace.

He said: ” It’s very frustrating not being able to ride a bike as quickly as I know I can. People keep telling me to relax but when I do that I end up going slower – so then I try to be aggressive and the same thing happens.

” I seem to be lacking something fundamental that’s stopping me from gelling with the bike properly.

” Phillip Island was hugely disappointing in terms of the lap times but at least I have learnt the track, got more information about the bike to learn from, plus me and my guys who work on the bike understand each other a bit better. ”

” It all helps and I know we’ll be in good shape the next time we go to Australia. The first time I go to a track I’m always slow but when I return I usually go quicker. ”

We’ll bring you regular updates from the next tests in Valencia, from February 22-24 including your opportunity to join in a live webchat with Neil Hodgson after his first day’s testing at 5pm on Friday, February 22, 2002. Keep checking for more details.