Hiemer snatches second in opening SM1 Grand Prix
KTM factory rider Bernd Hiemer started the Supermoto S1 season in style on Sunday with a 1-2 victory in the two races for overall second place in the opening Grand Prix of Italy to share top points with leader Thierry van den Bosch of France.
Nevertheless the German rider allowed himself to be a little disappointed not to be on the top of the podium. In the case of shared points the rider who wins the second race is declared the overall winner. The race was held under sunny skies after rain on Saturday had prevented an competition on the offroad section of the track.
Great start to the season
"It was a great start to the season and much better than last year," Hiemer said. "My lap times and speed were super. In the first race I had a perfect start and at the halfway mark I had seven-second lead. I didn't get away so well in the second race. I was in second place but I just wasn't able to find an opportunity to overtake."
Perfect control by Hiemer
It was Van der Bosch that made a perfect start in the second race had while Hiemer was not able to overtake him he masterfully controlled Thomas Chareyre and Italian Ivan Lazzarini, indicating that he now has an excellent feeling for his KTM machine. Bernd is aiming high this season and wants to improve on his forth place finish in the S1 World Championship in 2007. The good result in the first Grand Prix is a major confidence booster for him, he said.
Busy program
Hiemer has plenty on his program before the next GP with tests plus starts in the Italian and German national championship to keep his riding skills at razor's edge. The next Grand Prix is the Grand prix of Europe scheduled for May 25.
Overall Results and championship points
1. Thierry van den Bosch, France, Aprilia (Race One 2; Race two 1) 47 points
2. Bernd Hiemer, Germany, KTM (Race one 1; Race two 2) 47 points
3. Thomas Chareyre, France, Husqvarna 36
4. Ivan Lazzarini, Italy, Aprilia 36
5. Matthew Winstanley, Britain, KTM 36
Third place for Pignotti in opening Supermoto 2 Grand Prix in Turin
Italian Attilio Pignotti launched his challenge in the 2008 Supermoto 2 class in style at the Grand Prix of Italy in Turin on Sunday piloting his KTM to third overall in the season's opening race.
The Italian was third and fourth for his podium place picking up a handy 38 points behind Davide Gozzini (Italy) and Adrien Chareyre (France) in first and second but with equal championship points. The result was very promising for Pignotti who is not yet completely fit after surgery to his left shoulder, which has hampered his physical training preparation.
Difficult conditions
The races were also difficult. Although the sun came out on Sunday, rain disrupted the program on Saturday and riders were not able to ride the offroad section of the track. Given the circumstances, Pignotti and the KTM Italy team were well satisfied with the positive start to the season for both rider and machine. The SMR performed well and had no problem with the settings.
Impressive performance
On Sunday Pignotti was able to gain a good position at the start of each heat and looked impressive on the track. His performance indicated that he will be one of the favourites for this year's title.
Overall Results and championship points
1. Davide Gozzini, Italy, TM, 47 points (Race one 2; Race two 1) 47 points
2. Adrien Chareyre, France, Husqvarna, 47 points (Race one 1; Race two 2)
47 points
3. Attilo Pignotti, Italy, KTM (Race one 3; Race two 4) 38 points
4. Luca Minutilli, Italy, Aprilia 36 points
5. Massimo Beltrami, Italy, Aprilia 32 points
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- KTM-Sportmotorcycles Mattighofen-
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