It was a weekend from hell in terms of not only temperature but also results for Ondřej Ježek, at Buriram, Thailand with both Saturday and Sunday’s World Superbike races being recorded as DNF due to technical failures, for the Brno rider.
During all free practice and qualifying sessions Ondra was hopelessly anchored at the back of the pack with a considerable gap even to the second last rider. “It’s futile, the bike doesn’t do what I want it to and it’s simply impossible to get it to turn and then out of the corner ” Ondra complained all weekend.
In Saturday’s race, he was additionally let down by mechanical failure, losing a bar grip. “It started to move on the third lap but I wanted to finish the race because there were only nineteen riders in the field and maybe there could be a chance for points. Four laps before the flag I lost it completely and as I was still in nineteenth position, I retired “
“I didn’t even want to start the race on Sunday, as it was clear I was going to being riding around at the tail end again. Nothing could be done with the electronics, so the bike would be exactly the same as on Saturday.” Actually, it was even worse.
“Before the warm up lap, the bike was troublesome and wouldn’t start, I finally left the pit-lane and got going, but the electronics went mad, switching maps, traction levels, engine braking by itself. It was dangerous as it was, so I pitted but to make matters worse I was disqualified when I went back on track, as it was clear I couldn’t be classified anymore. “
The question now is, how will this terrible situation be addressed?
“We should have complete and functional electronics for the next round in Aragon and I expect to see a marked improvement in the performance of the mechanics also. If this improvement is not coming then how can I promise fans they will see me race in Brno ? ” added the very disappointed Ježek.
The Superbike World Championship continues 13 – 15 April in Aragon, Spain
Race One Results:
1. J. REA GBR Kawasaki ZX-10RR 31’24.203
2. X. FORÉS ESP Ducati Panigale R + 1.550
3. C. DAVIES GBR Ducati Panigale R + 2.118
4. L. CAMIER GBR Honda CBR1000RR + 2.981
5. A. LOWES GBR Yamaha YZF R1 + 7.258
RET. O. JEŽEK CZE Yamaha YZF R1
Race Two Results:
1. C. DAVIES GBR Ducati Panigale R 31’23.406
2. M. VAN DER MARK NED Yamaha YZF R1 + 2.185
3. A. LOWES GBR Yamaha YZF R1 + 3.884
4. J. REA GBR Kawasaki ZX-10RR + 6.554
5. X. FORÉS ESP Ducati Panigale R + 8.973
DSQ. O. JEŽEK CZE Yamaha YZF R1
Current Championship Standings:
1. J. REA 69 points
2. M. MELANDRI 67 points
3. X. FORÉS 60 points
4. CHAZ DAVIES 57 points
5. A. LOWES 48 points
19. O. JEŽEK 1 point
Foto: mpafoto
