On the pace through the first half of the lap. Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam struggle to maintain the same speed in the twisty final sector of the San Juan Villicum track.
Split by just over one-tenth of a second in the standings, they are working with the team to find the best set-up compromise for Tomorrow.
The penultimate round of the 2021 Superbike World Championship is now underway for Team HRC at the San Juan Villicum circuit in Argentina. Riders Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista rounding out day one in tenth and eleventh place, respectively.
The two factory riders were out on what was quite a dirty track for free practice one this morning. A sandstorm yesterday afternoon having left the asphalt in a less than ideal condition.
The entire Superbike field faced the same difficulties, of course.So riders made the best of the situation and quickly got down to work in the relatively calm but dry conditions.
Both Haslam and Bautista worked with their respective technicians to adapt their CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE to the South American track.
The fastest time of 1’39.837, set in the final seconds.Saw the Spaniard place ninth, just ahead of his British team-mate, eleventh with a 1’39.984.
As is often the case, times began to drop during the afternoon’s second session, considering that the track conditions gradually improved.
Both Team HRC riders improved significantly on their earlier references. Bautista setting a best of 1’39.284 to position eleventh overall. Haslam just over a tenth ahead of him in tenth place thanks to the fastest time 1’39.177.
The pair plan to use Tomorrow’s final practice to work on the bike set-up to try. And be faster through the last two sectors of the track before doing their best to score a solid qualifying position during the Superpole.
Quotes
Alvaro Bautista 19
P11
“Honestly, I expected to find the track in a much worse condition after yesterday’s sandstorm. But it wasn’t that bad. This morning was worse than the afternoon, but eventually, it settled down.
We have been trying to improve in the direction changes because I lose a little grip and so am always a little late. And we want to pick up the pace, primarily through the second half of the track.
We made a few chances in the second session, but we haven’t seen enough improvement yet. We hope to do so Tomorrow because we’re suffering a bit more here concerning other tracks. Tomorrow, we will try to get a little bit closer to the frontrunners.”
Leon Haslam 91
P10
“The circuit was dusty today, and we spent the sessions learning and getting up to speed. It is our first visit here with the Honda, and I feel we gathered much information, but we still have work to do.
Through the first half of the lap, we’re not far off, but we have some problems through the tighter corners, something we already know, so we need to come to some compromise Tomorrow.”
