Norick Abe shocked by competition level in WSBK

World Superbike
By blue2bikes
February 21 2005

Former 2004 MotoGP star Norick Abe was shocked at the level of competition when he took part in the official World Superbike testing session in Qatar this week, in preparation for this weekend’s first round of the series.

Norick, who joins the series this year riding for Yamaha Motor France, managed to take eleventh fastest time overall on the final day of testing. He said, “The level is very tough, and for me it was the first time I have had to ride with the other riders. Everybody is so close, and it’s not just the top riders who ride fast - this was a surprise for me. When I made a little improvement my position I would go up, but when I was unable to make a good lap time I went down a lot - the top fifteen are so close.”

It comes as a surprise to everyone who watches or takes part in this series that the racing is close and fast, unlike the MotoGP, where only a handful of riders are close to each other.

Although the Suzuki is at present dominating the circuit, everyone is learning this new venue. All the riders are on a level plain with the exception of those riders who have never raced on Pirelli tyres before - it’s still good to see that the new YZF-R1 Yamaha is in the top three, with two more taking up the fifth and sixth positions. As mentioned in an earlier report, this may well be the year that Yamaha comes out on top in at least two events this year, but having to overcome the big Suzukis will be no easy task.

Don’t forget that the first round of the WSBK takes place this Saturday, and will be shown on Eurosport - a race not to be missed.