Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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straightaway speed and just kind of beating me through the corners a little bit. And then we had this weird problem where we got a chatter with the rear end and I kind of went off the back at that point, which was a bummer, because I think that I could have stayed there for a little while, certainly not the whole race. For them, they go as fast as they can go right from the start. That's the pace that stands. Are you using your settings or the WSB settings on Izutsu's bike? Kind of trying to mix some things up. We've been kind of dead in left field all year with suspension anyway. So we're more than willing to accept any good ideas from them. It seems like Chris [WalkerI and I have things pretty close right now, but neither of us are happy with them. It seems like both of us just have the same set of problems. It just seems to, the wheels seem to hover rather than plant. Definitely seems to get worse once it gets warm. That was our biggest triumph at Monza. In the afternoon, we went just as quick as we did in the first race. And that was really good because we ended up finishing a lot closer to the front because of it. How hard is it to learn the tracks? Q lt's very tough, especially when it was wet out both mornings [at Monza]. Monza was pretty easy to learn. I'm sure of these other ones are going to be tougher, especially when you get some elevation involved. Flat tracks are easier to learn - you've got less to deal with it. Then again, I've never seen so much speed at a circuit. It was amazing. That's another difference. The tracks are always wider and usually more grip. So there's definitely more issues. They've got better tires that grip more. And you can just lean on the thing. So you always kind of feel like a hero when you start going around because the tires feel so good, that when these guys go by you and it kind of deflates you a little bit. But it's definitely a different show over there, too. It's definitely getting better here in the states, especially at some of our more popular events like Road Atlanta and Laguna. [In Europe] the fans are just fanatics. It's kind of weird because the riders are almost that way, too. They kind of match the scene. They're real jerks on the racetrack. They'll just run you off in the grass, so you can't even think if you're showing them a wheel. They're real bastards about it. Not everyone, but most everyone. And the fans are kind of like the same way. They're real pushy. Real enthusiastic. After A the second race, they all flooded onto the track and I was trying to go through the crowd. And I didn't know what to think. And these guys started basically pulling me off the bike. I was going to lose the clutch and the bike was going to go crashing into people. Meanwhile they got two other people trying to pull my knee sliders off. Did you have any idea how Ben as treated in Europe? A Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Lit.l"l..erally, the poor guy can't make his way out of the garage because it's just a mob scene. Through the pits, he'll just run his scooter wide open and just dodge traffic so people can't grab him. He's almost got to scare people to get them out of the way. He's definitely well-received. It was kind of nice being me over there. I could sneak around incognito. I could pretty much make my way through the pits without too much hassle. Does this make you want to get over there that much more? A It does and it doesn't. For sure .n.everything that goes along with it is really cool. I'd rather not go and be doing it like this. Things definitely have to change. I feel like I ride bikes because I want to win. And if I don't win, it's somehow unfulfilling. HOW'S the atmosphere compared to here? Q Q A In Europe, I didn't leave the track nrrom the time I got there on Wednesday morning till like basically Sunday night. Never left the track. The hospitality area is basically the size of this. It's incredible. They had it so good. Just great food all the time, it was really easy. It made everything really nice. You could focus on everything. The whole atmosphere promotes everyone to try harder. Whereas here, my biggest problem here, other than just a few race tracks that we go to, is all the people on the track. You go out, here at Atlanta or Sears Point, you will not get a clear track. You'll pass three or four guys a lap. It's so unprofessional I can't believe it. My complaint was that we had the understanding that hopefully the riders would be taken off if they got lapped before the halfway point. And that hasn't happened all year long. What would actually elevate this series is to have it a little more professional, have a little clearer track, so you can actually concentrate on what you're doing rather than scaring the daylights out of yourself, almost rear-ending people. There is a rule, I think it's 112 percent [of the fastest qualifier's time]. I'm not quite sure, because it usually works out that that's 10 seconds off the pace You can be about 10-12 seconds off the pace. For sure you can do that on a Sportster. eN IF ITALIAN PASSION, PERFORMANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY AREN'T REASON ENOUGH ... HOW ABOUT 751 MORE REASONS? Stop by your local Aprilia dealer today and check out the Aprilia Spring Sale. For a limited time, get $750 OFF any new 2001 Mille, Mille R, Falco or Futura. Or take advantage of 5.99%*APR FINANCING. aprilia RSV Mille R RST Futura SL Falco RSV Mille *Short term financing available at participating Aprilia dealers. FinancIng subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify. Financing rates and terms will vary and are subject to change without notice. May not be combined with any other offer; void where prohibited; offer may be discontinued or extended without prior notice. US dealers only. eye I e n e _ s • MAY 29, 2002 19