PRINZ MAKES IDM SUPERBIKE COMEBACK

[totalmotorcycle]

#PRINZ MAKES IDM #SUPERBIKE COMEBACK


Team Suzuki Press Office - June 21.

Nina Prinz made her return to the German IDM Superbike Championship, after two years away, with two fifth-placed positions in the Superstock 1000 class at Oschersleben at the weekend.

Although still carrying an injury from her accident at the Qatar Superbike Championship round last month, the 30-year-old German showed determination aboard the HPC-Power Suzuki GSX-R1000.

She said: "We lost a lot of time on Friday during practice due to some electrical issues but we found a good set-up. In the first race I wasn´t aggressive enough and lost ground, but fifth place is ok. I had a crash three weeks ago in Qatar and tore a tendon in my left shoulder, which is why I had trouble when trying to lean the machine quickly. I feel satisfied with my performance and grateful to Suzuki for letting me have this guest appearance here in Germany. Many thanks to the HPC-Power Suzuki Racing Team. They gave me a top motorcycle."

In the IDM Superbike class Roland Resch (RRRR Suzuki Racing Team) took top honours among the Suzuki pilots. The Austrian, who hadn´t practiced at Oschersleben unlike many of his rivals, found a good rhythm on Friday, although the 28-year-old had a small setback when he had to switch to his back-up bike for the races.

"My second bike doesn´t quite have the same power output," said a frustrated Resch. "The competition was promptly taking advantage on the straights. I was not fully alert in the beginning, but I managed to pick-up the pace and move forwards. It was a tough race with many battles for positions. In the end, two backmarkers slowed me down and cost me a higher finish."

Marc Buchner of the HPC Power Suzuki Racing Team ended 20th and 17th and team-mate Barry Burrell finished behind expectations in 15th in race one. The Brit was doing better in the second moto until a technical problem forced him to retire early.

In the Supersport class Jed Metcher (Team Suzuki Mayer) and Sarah Heide (Team Suzuki Laux ADAC Sachsen) flew the Suzuki flag aboard their GSX-Rs. Australian Metcher was doing well with a sixth place in the first race, putting a qualifying crash behind him; and finished ninth in moto two.

Heide, who was content to place 13th and 11th, said: "I was able to constantly improve my riding and lap times. We had a nice suspension set-up and the bike worked superbly. I am getting near the top 10."

Jesco Günther did not compete at Oschersleben. The 28-year-old and Team Suzuki Mayer parted company before the race. Günther was present at Oschersleben and drove the Suzuki race taxi, but talks are underway to let Günther compete again aboard a Suzuki.