Broc Parkes fourth in tight Brno race

Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) fought hard for a podium finish at Brno but had to settle for a fourth place, and third in the championship standings overall.

Parkes did not get his customary strong start from pole position, dropping back to 7th in the pack at the start of the race. He then had to expend energy in the early laps making up places to make sure he was in contention near the end. Parkes was unable to jump out of corners with the same sharpness that had helped him to his fifth pole position in a row after qualifying on Saturday, and was unable to attack in the final few laps.

The race was won by Jonathan Rea, from Andrew Pitt and Josh Brookes.

In the championship standings Broc is now third, on 100 points with Pitt on 133, Brookes 101 and Broc's injured team-mate, Fabien Foret, on 97.

Parkes' team-mate Fabien Foret remains in Hospital under observation following a crash on Friday which left him with cracks in his C6 and C7 vertebrae. He is due to be released shortly but will be out of action for up to three months. The Yamaha World Supersport Team are currently considering alternative riders whilst Foret is recovering.

Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) got into the top ten after a disappointing qualifying session yesterday and now sits inside the top ten in the championship standings, ninth on 40 points. David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport Team) held on for the race to score the final point on offer for 15th position.

"I'm not too happy really. I felt I couldn't battle with other riders today, in the exits of the corners the other riders pulled a bit on me. My start wasn't too good either but I was with the front guys anyway after a few laps. When I got back right to the front group I couldn't fight for the win. I was hoping for a podium on the last lap but I was on the limit, so I was done."

"We had some problems with the rear tyre during the warm-up, but we solved those and we decided to stay with the gearing we had because it helped the tyre wear. But after the race it is always easy to say we should have done something different. The pace was OK but on braking Broc could not pass. It was our plan to follow the top group anyway but then you have to be able to pass at the end of the race."

"Today it was a very good race because the bike was very fast, the settings were OK the grip was good. For me qualifying was terrible and I am sorry for the team because they had to work really hard over these three days. Next Sunday in Misano there will be some Italian championship races, and that will let me prepare my mind for Brands Hatch."

Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time

1 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 37'35.093

2 Andrew Pitt Honda AUS 0'0.020

3 Joshua Brookes Honda AUS 0'1.433

4 Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 0'1.853

5 Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 0'2.237

6 Gianluca Nannelli Honda ITA 0'12.032

7 Russell Holland Honda AUS 0'12.221

8 Matthieu Lagrive Honda FRA 0'12.787

9 Vesa Kallio Honda FIN 0'15.334

10 Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 0'15.780

11 Chris Walker Kawasaki GBR 0'23.645

12 Gianluca Vizziello Honda ITA 0'23.758

13 Ivan Clementi Triumph ITA 0'24.074

14 Didier Van Keymeulen Suzuki BEL 0'24.621

15 David Salom Yamaha ESP 0'26.866

1. Andrew Pitt Honda AUS 133

2. Joshua Brookes Honda AUS 101

3. Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 100

4. Fabien Foret Yamaha FRA 97

5. Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 92

6. Joan Lascorz Honda ESP 81

7. Craig Jones Honda GBR 80

8. Robbin Harms Honda DNK 50

9. Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 40

10. Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 38

11. Gianluca Vizziello Honda ITA 37

12. Chris Walker Kawasaki GBR 36

13. Matthieu Lagrive Honda FRA 36

14. Gianluca Nannelli Honda ITA 33

15. Ivan Clementi Triumph ITA 21

23. David Salom Yamaha ESP 9

1. Honda 190

2. Yamaha 138

3. Triumph 51

4. Suzuki 47

5. Kawasaki 40

- Yamaha -