WSS: Team Alstare Suzuki Lausitz Friday notes

XAVI DEFIES THE PAIN TO TAKE 4TH.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Xavi Simeon posted the fourth quickest time on the first day of qualifying at the Eurospeedway Lausitz today, despite suffering from tendon problems in his left ankle. The pain was so great that Xavi was only able to complete a few laps at a time before having to stop and ease the discomfort. Some years ago he had a problem with a tendon in his left ankle whilst he ws jogging, but the problem later disappeared. Last week, he aggravated the tendon and that has caused this latest flare-up. After this afternoon's qualifying session he went to the Clinica Mobile for attention and left with a strong support round his left leg. He will wear this overnight and then go back to the Clinica Mobile tomorrow for further treatment.

Niccolo Canepa (Ducati) finished with the quickest lap in qualifying, with Claudio Corti (Yamaha) second and Didier Van Keymeulen (Yamaha) third.

Xavi - 4th, 1:42.501
The bike is working pretty well round here though I found it a bit hard getting it to change direction in the series of bends after the start straight due to the pain in my ankle. At the moment, I can only do a few laps at a good speed, before the pain begins to affect my concentration. Unfortunately it is the left ankle, so I need it for changing gears. Also I push up from, and down on to, the footrest when I want to change direction and after a few laps, it gives me a lot of trouble. I have been to the Clinica Mobile for some and they put a special bandage round my left leg to try and help. I have to keep it on overnight and then see the docs again tomorrow to see if there is any improvement. The only good news is that series leader Baiocco is down in fifteenth place at the moment.

-credit: tas