First podium for Barrier and the Garnier Racing
This is only the second race for Sylvain Barrier and the Garnier Racing Junior Team and already the first podium with the French rider finishing third of the Assen Superstock 1000 event.
Gregg Black, with an injured hand, finished courageously in 21st position.
Javier Fores (Kawasaki) took the early lead and he was first after one lap, in front of Claudio Corti (Suzuki) and Sylvain Barrier. Gregg Black was 21st. Then Sylvain was logically overtaken by the official Honda of Maxime Berger and the factory Ducati of Xavier Simeon. He had a beautiful fight for third position with Javier Fores and Claudio Corti. Barrier did a great job, with style and efficiency, to climb for the first time of his young career on the podium of a Superstock 1000 cc race.
After difficult practice sessions because he injured his hand in a crash, Gregg Black finished to a good 21st position which is very promising for the future.
Sylvain Barrier: “My start was not so bad. But then somebody squeezed me when overtaking me a little bit too tight. I had to brake late to come back because the others were quite far. It took me some time to have a good rhythm. Berger bumped into Corti and I passed both of them. Then Berger passed me again. I charged with Corti to catch Fores. I had to brake late because Fores had a faster engine. I braked really hard coming into the last chicane to secure my third position. Thank you to the team and to Martial Garcia. I will try to continue like that.”
Gregg Black: “I had a correct start, but then I was squeezed in the third curve. My hand was hurting and I had to be careful. I had a good rhythm, one second faster than during practice, which is positive. The setting was better. Once I went straight into the chicane. I relaxed a bit by the end of the race to confirm my position, as the next rider behind me was quite far away. We have to keep working for Monza. My goal is to score points.”
Michel Garnier (team manager): “Sylvain started from the front row and he was very concentrated. He had an average start, then went in 5th position and managed his race well. He was safe and caught Fores, it was a very nice fight. I am happy, this is only our second race, and we can display two front row starts and a podium. For Gregg, it was difficult all weekend long. He started from the 5th row and did good lap times despite his injured hand. He finished the race brilliantly. The team is satisfied. All this goes in the right direction. We have to keep on working hard.”
Results of the race:
1 21 Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 22′19.407
2 19 Simeon X. (BEL) Ducati 1098R 3.431
3 20 Barrier S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 4.240
4 112 Fores J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 4.369
5 71 Corti C. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 7.504
6 65 Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 10.191
7 87 Jones G. (AUS) Yamaha YZF R1 10.604
8 34 Giugliano D. (ITA) MV Agusta F4 312 R 11.050
9 77 Burrell B. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 11.287
10 16 Schouten R. (NED) Yamaha YZF R1 11.378
11 29 Beretta D. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 18.964
12 8 Antonelli A. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 20.246 …
21 25 Black G. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 28.241 …
FIM Cup Superstock 1000:
1- Berger (Honda) 41 points, 2-Siméon (Ducati) 40, 3-Corti (Suzuki) 36, 4-Fores (Kawasaki) 26, 5-Burrell (Honda) 18 – 6-Barrier (Yamaha) 16 ……
3rd round of the FIM Cup Superstock 1000: May 10 at Monza (Italy)
