Cycle News

VOL. 50 ISSUE 37 SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 was moving like never before. In race two it was even worse. We missed grip on both the front and the rear. On our bike when you find good tarmac for us with good grip, like Russia, it is working perfectly. When you have a bad track for you, it is a total disaster. I think here the only good thing is that we did not have chatter, but the bike was unrideable." Guintoli confessed that his injured shoulder was tough to deal with at Istanbul. With the high speed and relatively stiff winds, he had to hang on more during a lap than usual. He managed another escapology act by losing only seven points to Sykes, and ending his day eight down from the lead. But he was a far cry from the normally happy Frenchman who clawed his way to a single podium of third in race two, feel quite positive and I am looking forward to Magny Cours where I will hopefully try to win the championship." The upshot is that Lowes now has a 49-point advantage and needs only two points from the next races to guarantee his championship. One point, and no more scores for Lowes - in addition to a full 50 points for Sofuoglu - would tie the title, but Sofuoglu (who would then have six wins) would be crowned champion yet again. With two rounds to go, it seems all over, but stranger things have happened. The final podium place in Turkey after finishing fourth in race one. "Maybe this podium is another step for me in the recovery for the shoulder, as I have not been on the podium since Imola - since my shoulder got injured before Russia," said Guintoli. "A long bloody time. I do not want to take my race suit off today because I know what it is going to look like. In the end it is not the end of the world. I still scored big points and I am still there. But it wasn't my day for the race pace." It was a brilliant first World Superbike weekend for Toni Elias as the Red Devils Roma Aprilia rider finished sixth and then fifth – and he was a much more effective force in race two. He had made a startlingly hard contact with Althea Racing's Davide Giugliano on the exit of the very last corner of the last lap of Kenan Sofuoglu was a popular home-country winner in the World Supersport race. was taken by the Pata Honda of Michael van Der Mark, on the top steps for the first time since the second round. No race in America for the 600 riders, so Magny-Cours in Early October is their next gig. P91 Briefly... brought to Istanbul was rebuffed by Pirelli who stated that they are only contractually obliged to bring two options front and rear, but they usually bring three or four options. The softest two at this round were brands new developments but after a general improvement in tire life from their new for 2013 17-inch tires, and great advances in tire life electronics, the top teams want softer and softer options. Max Neukirchner was one of the early crashers on Friday, breaking two bones inside his right hand and taking no further part from then on. When asked if he would be fit to run in America, he thought it unlikely. "I do not think so, no. We will go home and check in Germany and I think returning will be possible without operation. The doctor said in three weeks maybe I could be back. I changed direction from the left into the right and without the throttle being open I went into the right and the rear spat me off." Jonathan Rea is recovering well from his recent leg break and subsequent operation at home in the Isle of Man, awaiting the birth of his child. He also has a Pata Honda contract waiting his signature, as the team is keen to keep him for 2014. He has offers for factory or first choice rides in MotoGP, but having proved he can win on the CBR1000RR in World Superbike still, he may stay around for one more season. Ayrton Badovini was another of the early crashers, losing the front of his Ducati and then doing a semi-highside into a chicane. "Ayrcontinued on next page

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