BMW superbike rider Troy Corser scored another first for the German manufacturer with pole position for the Misano round of the World Superbike Series. Unfortunately, the Australian could not covert into a race win, but did score BMW’s second WSBK podium.
Corser with the trophy on the WSBk podium at Misano "Photo by Kel Edge"
Corser led race one for the first sixteen laps and looked on course for BMW’s maiden WSBK. In the intense racing he slipped back to third – repeating the result he had in Monza last month. Even though he wasn’t able to win Corser showed the BMWs are now genuine podium contenders.
“The bike has come on a lot recently and most of it is to do with a new set-up at the rear. It’s something that I’ve wanted to try for some time, but it’s not something that we felt we could try during a race weekend,” said Corser.
“We tried it at the recent Mugello tests and now I have bike I can ride easily without thinking about it – and that’s a great feeling.”
In race two the BMW team changed the set-up of the bike to improve rear grip, but the plan didn’t work. Although Corser led the first six laps, he struggled to stay in front because he was having difficulty getting the bike to turn and stop in the corners. Race one winner Max Biaggi on the Aprilia took the lead and left Corser to fight for second place with a group of riders. Corser ran wide in the closing stages and ended finishing 10th, not a true reflection of teh BMW’s improved pace over the race distance.
“They wanted to improve the rear grip, so changed the front forks a little, but the plan didn’t work and the bike was actually harder to stop in the corners and this is why I started going backwards,” said Corser.
Corser leading the pack "Photo by Kel Edge"
“It was a shame, because otherwise I felt that another podium was on the cards. Our tyres don’t like it when the track temperature goes over 30C, but I think that’s probably the same for everybody.”
“Today Max and the Aprilia were a good package. They can be beaten, but our bike needs to be perfect to do it. As I said, I’m really happy with the bike now and I am enjoying leading races and challenging at the front. My goal is to try and finish third in the championship. I don’t know if that’s realistic, but that’s what I’m aiming for.”
