Barrier leader of Yamaha’s

In the first free practice session, Sylvain Barrier was 6th overall and first of the Yamaha R1s. Gregg Black had a minor technical problem and he was 20th.

Claudio Corti was the fastest on his Suzuki, in front of Jezek (Honda) and Nemeth (Honda). Xavier Simeon (Ducati) crashed, but ended up 4th in front of Giugliano (MV Agusta) and Barrier.

The « Garnier Racing Team Junior » is from Brazey en Plaine in Burgundy (France) and was created last winter by Michel Garnier. Its purpose is to enter Gregg Black and Sylvain Barrier in the 2009 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, with the hope of finishing in the top 10.

Gregg Black was born on August 26, 1988, in Derby (United Kingdom). In 1992, he moved to Hiesse (France) then started racing in 2002, in Supermoto. He finished 7th in the 125cc French road racing championship in 2004 and 4th in 2005. Then he moved to the Superstock 600 European championship. He finished 4th in 2007 (2nd at Monza and Lausitz), and 9th in 2008 (6th in Assen and Brno).

Sylvain Barrier was born on October 20, 1988, in Oyonnax (France). In 1999, he moved with his family to Mauritius. In 2003 he was the winner of the Republic of Mauritius 50cc Championship. He raced in continental France the Promosport 1000 (standard bikes) in 2005, with a 2nd place finish at the Circuit Carole for best result. He finished 3rd in the Superstock 600 European Championship in 2006, and in 2007 he was 6th of that championship (2nd at Assen and Brno). Last year, he finished 6th in Magny-Cours and in Portimão in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup.

Gregg Black: « It was not so good. We had to change one footpeg. My leathers are too tight and that didn’t help. The track was a bit slippery.”

Sylvain Barrier: «I am fine. I had a little bit of stress in the beginning, as this is the start of the season. The shock setting is better, but not perfect. The track is dirty, and the feeling is not good on the maximum angle. The engine is still a little bit too violent when accelerating.”

Michel Garnier (team manager): «Sylvain is 6th and Gregg 20th. Sylvain did a good job. Gregg is learning the category and he had a small problem with the footpeg. So far, it’s not too bad.”

Friday free practice session results:
1   71 Corti C. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′38.428
2   69 Jezek O. (CZE) Honda CBR1000RR 1′38.637
3   44 Nemeth B. (HUN) Honda CBR1000RR 1′39.006
4   19 Simeon X. (BEL) Ducati 1098R 1′39.046
5   34 Giugliano D. (ITA) MV Agusta F4 312 R 1′39.312
6   20 Barrier S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 1′39.389
7 112 Fores J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1′39.474 ….
…
20 25 Black G. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1′40.864 …