Brendan Roberts

www.brendan-roberts.com

After his horrific first turn crash at Monza, Australian rider Brendan Roberts is still recuperating after the injuries sustained when he was struck from behind by another rider.

Here Brendan explains what he has been doing since the frightful crash “Well where do I start, since the crash at Monza I’ve been recovering at home in Europe. I would have liked to go back home to Australia but due to my leg injury, flying wasn’t possible.

Besides all the odd bumps and bruises I received, there were a lot of them; the major on going problem is a torn or punctured left quad muscle, which now has a pocket of blood which doesn’t seem to want to clear. A week ago I had one of the biggest needles known to man kind stuck in me; it went into my leg and through the muscle trying to drain what it could but this was to no avail. They have to keep an eye on this and may need to do a small operation if it doesn’t clear on it’s own. The muscle is slowly repairing itself and this week I have been able to start cycling along with the swimming exercises I’ve been doing at the beach.

I hope to return to racing as soon as possible, although it depends on the movement and strength as walking is still an effort at the moment. I’ll be going to Donington as a spectator, catching up with everyone I haven’t seen for while…anything to get out of the house and close to the action.

I would also like to wish Max a very speedy recovery and I’m just sorry that my bike hit him so hard, it was a very scary crash and I think something should be done with the first turn. I was struck from behind and the side which sent me onto the grass, I was trying desperately to try and slow down but nothing was happening, I laid the bike down but knew it would be crossing the path of the other riders and sadly it did. I hope everyone who was involved will be fit and back racing soon.

If you see me at Donington, do say hello and thanks to everyone for all their support and messages through my website, e-mail and texts. They are much appreciated.”

Message from Brendan’s Mum

Hi to all

I’ve just spoken to Bren, he is doing OK. He was discharged from Monza hospital on Monday night and travelled back to Perinaldo, where he has been living with Mirco and his family.

Mirco and a friend drove to Monza on Monday to pick up the motorhome then Bren and Amie. He was discharged only on the condition he had a MRI the following day on his leg, which he did.

Wednesday he took the results to a doctor in Monaco (Aussie Sports Doctor who worked with the Bris Lions) but it did not show very much as his upper left leg is so swollen - full of fluid - and white in colour - he now has to have another MRI in a week after he gets the swelling down. The doctor thinks he probably has torn muscles but does not think he will need to operate.

Whilst in hospital he had x-rays and there were no broken bones - but showed shadows on his lungs, severe bruising - he has to have another x-ray in a week for this.

Other than now being bored, now playing the play station, he is doing OK.

Here are some web addresses - you tube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTUDoezbSqQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sockqCCiXsQ&feature=related

Will give you another update next week

Thanks

Di

After the start line crash in race one at Monza today I’ve just had news from Brendan’s mum that he has thankfully not broken anything, they are doing further x-ray’s and tests to double check.

Max Neukirchner has sustained some breaks and all of us would like to wish him a speedy recovery.

Thanks Carly

An excellent performance by Jakub Smrz in the first Qualifying Session on the Dutch Assen Circuit where Smrz has potentially qualified in second position on the grid. Jakub obtained an excellent 1.39.055 just 0.308 from provisional pole sitter, Ben Spies, (1.38.747). Brendan Roberts suffered with a few problems with the Ducati and is hoping he will improve on his time during second qualifying tomorrow, Roberts ended up in 21st position today with a time of 1.40.944.

PierFrancesco Chili

“We did a good job for Jakub Smrz who gained a very good time in the Qualifying Session, while we had some problem on front setting for Brendan Roberts. We’ll try to find a solution as soon as possible for give him tomorrow the best condition to improve his results.

We are confident for tomorrow and we hope to improve the performance of Brendan and to maintain the excellent performance obtained by Jakub Smrz keep in consideration the high level of competitiveness that has this year our championship”

RESULTS

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1′38.747
2 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1′39.055
3 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′39.128
4 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1′39.141
5 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′39.238
6 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1′39.246
7 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′39.265
8 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′39.359
9 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1′39.506
10 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′39.585

Team Guandalini Racing:Assen TT - Race Preview - 20/04/09

After the disappointing weekend the Guandalini riders in Valencia, the team are hoping for some good results at the fantastic Assen Circuit. The historic circuit, after the changes, has lost the magic that brought the title of “Temple of Two Wheels” although remains a wonderful circuit. In the past joy and sorrow have marked the career of Director Pierfrancesco Chili, including seven victories at Assed, four second places and two thirds. Last year, Guandalini’s Team got his best seasonal result with Jakub Smrz fastest on the track in the qualifying practice on Saturday and both races, sixth and eighth respectively in the two rounds. There are many expectations for Brendan Roberts after the positive signs shown in the race of Valencia. The young Australian rider has the potential to achieve a good result and it is time to demonstrate to everyone how good he is.

Mirco Guandalini

“Our Team leaves for Assen with the goal of bringing home the results we know we can get. We expect a good result from Jakub Smrz where here, last year, got two good results in both rounds. We need to capitalize on scoring from a championship. Same for Brendan Roberts who was taken by the Team with the knowledge of a good pilot, but for now has taken great pains and now that he also proves his true potential. Our results, at present, are far from what were our initial expectations, it is time for a quick reversal.”

Jakub Smrz

“I had problems in Valencia, Assen is track where I usually made my best results and I hope for same this year. In Valencia I didn’t feel comfortable on my bike and my team worked hard to try and make it right but we had problems. Especially front chattering was really bad for us. From 6 races I have 3 times 0 points which is really bad and I hope to get back where I should be, that’s top10. Honestly, I prefer the old Assen much better but I still like that track a lot and I am looking forward to race in Holland, where I spent lot of time in the past (racing in Dutch Molenaar team), I’ve got many friends and many fans as well. I just need some more good luck and get back my feeling on bike and I am sure Assen is track I could fight for podium.”

Brendan Roberts

“Assen has been a circuit I have liked since I first raced there, the flowing corners at the back of the circuit combined with the last corner chicane always brings out good close racing! My confidence is high coming from Valencia where I felt I rode much more aggressively throughout the weekend although the race results still eluded me. I’m really looking forward to the superpole, I have a better understanding off the Qualifying tyre and I hope to move more towards the front of the grid. This will be extremely important at Assen as the first section can get very tight and dangerous.”

 
Press Team Guandalini : press@daremake.com

Team Guandalini Racing:Valencia: Superpole- 04/04/09

The official qualifying during the morning ended with twenty pilots within 0.8 of a second from pole position through to 20th place. Guandalini team riders Brendan Roberts and Jacob Smrz both qualified for the Superpole session, with Brendan Roberts in 11th place immediately followed by Jakub Smrz  at 0.054 from the team mate and 0.345 from the leader Ben Spies.

Jakub Smrz in Superpole used the soft qualifying tyres, as planned, but suffered chattering problems, which only allowed him to reach 11th place, whilst Brendan ended up 15th having never used a qualifying tyre before.
 
Pierfrancesco Chili

“We are very happy with Brendan Roberts result in today’s Superpole, after the experience with the new bike and new tracks in the first two races. Our goal was also to reach a higher position with Smrz, as he did in Australia and Qatar. Unfortunately some setting problems slowed us down.”

Mirco Guandalini 

“Jakub in the first two races always started from the front row, but we was unable to capitalized a result, let’s see if starting from the third row will have a different trend. To tell the truth, from Friday and Saturday qualifying I was expecting a better result. I mention to Brendan that today showed us his riding value. I hope for a good result from both in the races. I regret for not taking part in the third Superpole session, but sometimes, this may happen with the extreme competition which was showed today.”

 Jakub Smrz

“During Superpole I suffered chattering problems, even if I ride to the limit I can’t go under 1.35’s. I tried to push harder but it was too risky and I didn’t want to fall. Tomorrow morning during the warm up session I’ll do my best to find the right feeling, together with my technicians I hope to set bike for the races.”

Brendan Roberts

“I felt more confident with the bike and I know the track from previous year, so my approach was more relaxed and I know where to focus my attention. I was very nervous for the superpole, especially the second mini session, because with the qualifying tyre I didn’t find the right feeling. For Tomorrow race I have to keep concentration for all the length and especially with the old tyre when it’s easy to make mistake.”

Valencia: Superpole : Results1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1′33.270
2 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1′33.955
3 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1′34.082
4 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′34.259
5 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′34.755
6 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′34.903
7 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′35.056
8 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1′35.346
9 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1′34.536
10 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′34.655
11 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1′34.684 
12 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1′34.742
13 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1′34.823
14 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1′34.863
15 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1′35.082 

Press Team Guandalini : press@daremake.com

Team Guandalini Racing:Valencia: Races- 05/04/09

Valencia - RACE 2

Jacub Smrz had a very bad start in Race 2 loosing seven positions in the first corners and another one during the second lap. The remaining length of the race was spent trying catch the front group but a problem with the front forks saw him gain no higher than 14th place, finishing just a 0.1 of a second from Jonaathan Rea.

On the other side, a good start from Brendan Roberts, enabled him to gain several positions on the first lap seeing him sitting in 12th place, but the consequences of the crash in race 1 and physical weakness slowed him down finishing the race 0.8 off Parkes in 18th place.

The next race is Assen circuit, where the team hope to get a good result.
 
Valencia - RACE 1

Race 1 to forget for Guandalini team caused by the crash of both pilots. During the first lap, Brendan Roberts was forced on the gravel due to Rea’s crash, loosing precious time to re-join the race. As back on the track Brendan starts riding constantly on 1.35.6 gaining positions from last to the group of ten pilots preceding him. On lap 12 his recovery was stopped on turn 8 by a high side. Pilot was taken in the medical centre in an ambulance and after a check up only few minor injuries were diagnosed and that he would be ok to ride in the second race. Jacub Smrz was riding in 13th position at the end of the first lap and after being passed by Max Biaggi. Trying not to loose distance from the proceeding pilots a low side caused by lost of grip in the front stopped his race.

Valencia: Races: Results

1 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati
2 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati
3 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki
4 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati
5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda
6 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki
7 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha
8 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia
9 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati
10 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki 1 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati
2 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati
3 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki
4 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati
5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda
6 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki
7 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha
8 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia
9 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati
10 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki
RET 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati  14 96 Smrz j. (CZE) Ducati 
RET 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati  18 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati

www.brendan-roberts.com

www.daremake.com

You have arrived in the World Superbike Championship after having won the World Superstock 1000 Championship last year riding the Ducati 1098 for the Junior Team.
What the differences between the two bikes?

The biggest difference between the two motorcycles is the tyres, to get the confidence to use the extra grip has been difficult to learn so far this year. The Ducati’s engine and suspension are surprisingly similar to the superstock machine from 2008.

There are many competitive riders as well as the official teams lined up, however, both Jakub Smrz and Regis Laconi showed there is also space for private teams. From Valencia the first engine updates, do you think the gap between the official team and private teams will rise or maybe you believe the private Ducati team could progress here?

I believe the updates for the factory teams will help a little, but some other teams are already on well developed motorcycles so you will see some teams move a step forward while others will stay the same. From seeing the results of both Kuba and Regis, it gives hope to all private teams, even other manufactures with the results of Leon Haslam from Phillip Island. This makes me more determined to reach the level of where I know I can be, nothing is ever easy and especially with the number of fast riders in this year’s championship, I have so much to learn but persistence will pay off.

The Guandalini Team are aiming high with organisationand structure and this year have chosen to employ, other than Smrz, another young promising rider like yourself. What are your impressions of the team?

When I first met Mirko Guandalini and some team members at the workshop in January I got the feeling of a determined team with a friendly family environment. They have all been right there giving me words of advice when I’ve needed it, which has been very helpful. All my mechanics have been awesome and we get along great, we laugh and joke when the time is right and work when we need to also.

The fact to have an experienced man like Pierfrancesco Chili helping you, do you believe it could help you to improve with your racing? How are you feeling right now with him?

Frankie has been a big help to me, the words he says during a session have helped me in the focus of what I need to do. A man of Frankie’s caliber you will always learn from, he has so much experience that if I learn a little from him ill improve immensely. 

You have a team-mate who is tough and motivated and seems you are quite tight-knit, what are your thoughts on your new team-mate?

Kuba and I talk openly about all our issues with the circuit and settings, which I really like, in the past I’ve either had communication problems or team mates that were not willing to share information. I knew Kuba before coming together in Team Guandalini, but our friendship has certainly grown this year.

Now to Europe and to circuits which you know away from Phillip Island and Qatar, last year you dominated in the Superstocks in Valencia qualifying sessions and race, are you hoping for a good result here at the weekend?

This I can only hope for, but it is not certain as there is many experienced riders going to a circuit they would know very well just like myself. I believe Valencia will be easier as I know the circuit and I can concentrate on settings from the first session rather than learning where I need to go. The result is a difficult thing to say, but I have some personal goals I would like to achieve so this is my main aim. 

The World Superbike Championship returns to Europe this weekend at the Circuit de la
Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, Spain. The circuit is inside a stadium and gives spectators the chance to see the whole track and together with Assen (Netherlands), Phillip Island (Australia), Donington (England) and Losail (Qatar), is one of the few tracks to accommodate both Superbike races and MotoGP. The track is 4kms in length and is a very challenging yet fantastic circuit.

Brendan Roberts

“I’m looking forward to returning to Europe and Valencia and it gives me some confidence knowing I have some track experience. The races is Australia and Qatar have both been very difficult for me as I’ve had to re-learn Phillip Island and learn Qatar, as well as learning how the bike works and getting to know the team! I’ve always enjoyed riding at Valencia and I hope on a Superbike I can put things into place quickly and get some good results. I need to ensure that I get a good qualifying position and then get my head down in both the races and get some strong results for myself and also the Guandalini team.”

Jakub Smrz

“Over the last two years I’ve not been very lucky at Valencia, but it is a circuit that I like. I’m really pleased with my results at the opening two rounds and hope that I can continue that progress this weekend in Spain. I’m feeling fast and positive and looking forward to getting back out on track again and improving my race results some more. We are definitely going in the right direction.”

Pierfrancesco Chili

“We have been working hard since the season begun to get everything right. Now we are returning to Europe with our new garage lay out and also the new hospitality units. We are aiming on improving Kuba’s lap times during the race and for Brendan I am expecting a big jump and improvement as he’s back on a circuit that he now knows and has more knowledge at.”

www.guandaliniracing.com
www.worldsbk.com

Australian rider Brendan Roberts rode two solid and consistent races again at Losail in Qatar but failed to secure points but did finish both races in 21st and 19th place respectively. Roberts who has moved into the extremely competitive World Superbike class from the European Superstock Championship last season made his debut appearance at the Qatar Track.

Slowly learning his new trade on a Superbike, Roberts once again managed to take a big chunk of time off from his first practice session on Friday morning and throughout the weekend improved on his times and speed. He narrowly missed out on the new Superpole session once again and ended up qualifying in 24th place leaving him with a lot of work to do in the two long races.

Roberts commented after the races “These are definitely hard races and a lot longer than what I’ve even been used to in the Superstock class. I am enjoying it but it is frustrating as I want to be up there in the points, it’s difficult as everyone’s time are so close there is absolutely no room for error and you really do have to be on the top of your game. I was a bit wary about Phillip Island and Qatar, as although I’ve ridden at Phillip Island before it was around five years ago. I’m quite looking forward to getting to some of the European tracks and see how I get on there. I know I have a lot of work to do and the entire Guandalini team are working exceptionally hard to push me forward and move me in the right direction. Hopefully things will carry on progressing at Valencia, which is a track I do like.”

Roberts’ next race is Valencia World Superbikes on the 4th & 5th April.

To view how he is getting on visit www.worldsbk.com