SS1000: Imola: Garnier Racing Team Junior Sunday report

BARRIER PROGRESSES IN THE STANDINGS, PAGAUD BEGINS WELL

During the penultimate round of the FIM Cup Superstock 1000 in Italy, Sylvain Barrier finished 5th and progressed to the 6th position of the championship. Randy Pagaud continued to learn after he started well the weekend in difficult weather conditions.

If Saturday was wet, Sunday was much more beautiful and sunny on the famous Imola track. The 2010 champion of the category Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) started very well from the pole position and had a great fight with Lorenzo Zanetti (SS Lazio Motorsport Ducati) that he eventually dominated to win the race. Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) was a lonely third until the finish line, allowing him to secure the second position of the championship. Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Racing Team Junior) had a long fight with Davide Giugliano (Suzuki Team 06) and Eddi La Marra (Honda Team Lorini) the latest crashing in the last lap because of an unintentional contact.

Randy Pagaud (Garnier Racing Team Junior) for his first race in Superstock 1000 did very well. He was 18th out of 27 at the end of the first lap. He went then to the 17th position and stayed there until the chequered flag. For his first experience, this is very positive.

The final race will take place next weekend at Magny-Cours, in the Burgundy country of the Team Garnier. It will be the opportunity for Sylvain Barrier to do well and for Randy Pagaud to confirm his brilliant Italian race.

Michel Garnier (team owner): "I am a little bit disappointed with the 5th position. We took part in the earlier official test session here, and we were then 2 seconds quicker than Zanetti. In the race, Sylvain missed his start and went in the middle of the pack. He fought with La Marra. As Antonelli retired and Baz didn't race, we are not where we should have been. Randy did a super start because he was very concentrated. After that during the race, he missed a gear in the penultimate lap; otherwise he could have been in the points. What he did on this difficult track is good. Congratulations to Maxime Berger for finishing second in the FIM Cup Superstock 1000."

Sylvain Barrier: "I didn't want to push too much during the race because I didn't want to risk a fall. The settings of the bike were chosen during the half dry half wet practice, and they were not perfect for a dry track on Sunday. The bike was requesting a lot of physical efforts. I just didn't want to take chances."

Randy Pagaud: "I was a bit tense at the start because it was the first time in this category. I made a good start and gained a few positions. I was with a good group that was faster than me during the practice. The end of the race was not as good as I hoped. I could have scored some points. Overall, I am happy of the weekend. I progressed well."

-source: garnier-racing-team.fr