No replacement for Neukirchner at Brno

Following Max Neukirchner’s crash on his comeback ride at last weeks Imola test, the Alstare Suzuki squad have elected not to replace him at this weekends Brno race.

Neukirchner suffered four broken vertebra when he lost control of his Suzuki GSXR1000 under braking on the second day of the test. Neukirchner was taken to Bologna hospital and then transported back to Germany for treatment. The 26 year old is now fitted with a body cast and has been instructed to have full rest for a minimum of 30 days.

With a five week summer break after this weekends Brno race the team have elected not to make a rush decision to replace Neukirchner and will field just one rider Yukio Kagayama.

Kagayama currently sits 12th in the championship standings with a best result of third at the opening round of the series in Qatar. In what is expected to be his last season racing for the factory Suzuki team, Kagayama is clearly targeting improved results and sees Brno as a good opportunity. In 2006 he took a dominant double win at the Czech circuit.

Kagayama said:
“I feel very sorry for Max. It is a great pity that he hurt himself in the first time back on the race bike. This season has not been a lucky one for our team and also we have not found it so easy getting the bike to where we would like it.

“The bike seems very sensitive and finding a good base set-up at every track has been difficult sometimes. We tried many things in our recent tests, but I do not think we found a good solution or direction. Brno circuit is a flowing track, so I am hoping that it will suit our K9 GSX R1000 better. I like the track and I will fight my hardest for the best possible results – as usual.”