Brendan Roberts

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

SUNDAY, RACE DAY :   SOLID START FOR ROBERTS

Brendan Roberts gained two creditable finishes in his first ever World Superbike races this weekend at Philip Island, Australia. Roberts who won the FIM 1000 Superstock Cup last season, has made the difficult switch to the World Superbike series with Guandalini Ducati.

The young Australian made huge progress over the weekend as he slowly learned the new superbike trade, the new team, bike and system of how it all works. Roberts gained a 17th and 19th place respectively in the two 22-lap races only just missing out on the points in race one.

Having worked hard all weekend to find a good base set-up for the two long races, Roberts was eager to get back out racing on track, commenting “It’s been a long winter and it was only decided late in the year as to what I would be doing in 2009. I found the races very hard but enjoyable, with Superstocks we only ever rode a maximum of 12-laps, so two 22-lap races was extremely daunting. The quality of riders this year is at such a high level and I’ve really been thrown in at the deep end with it all. I had a great weekend and we learned so much together as a new team. I know as the season progresses things will start to become a little easier and work more freely. At the minute it’s a lot to take on board and I have to learn it all, quickly. I’m just really pleased that I stayed on and finished both races. My next aim for Qatar is to try and qualify for Superpole and get in the points. I would like to thank the entire Guandalini Racing team for all their hard work this weekend and I’m sure soon the results will come.”

Roberts’ team-mate Kuba Smrz completed a very successful weekend at the opening round, securing a 9th and 7th place respectively.

RACE 1

1 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R
2 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R
3 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R
4 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
5 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR
6 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR
7 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09
8 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR
9 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R
10 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1
17 24 Roberts B (AUS) Ducati 1098R

RACE 2

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R
3 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR
4 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09
5 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
6 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R
7 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R
8 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-
9 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR
10 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1
19 24 Roberts B (AUS) Ducati 1098R

Brendan Roberts made huge progress on the second day at Philip Island and missed out on the new qualifying session by only 0.3 of a second, after dramatically reducing his lap times from the opening day’s session yesterday (Friday). His team-mate Kuba Smrz was still on blistering form and qualified on the front row for the two 22-lap Superbike races.

MIRCO GUANDALINI –

“We are on good form from the beginning of the weekend and to be on the front row is very good for both the races. The new Superpole procedure isn’t easy because you can choose different tyres each one with different compounds, and the performance you’ll get, could change in a radical way. This new kind of Superpole is very spectacular and really good, I like it a lot”.

FRANKIE CHILI –

“I’m very proud to be involved with the team, they have worked hard on everything in practice and it’s paid off. The mechanics and riders had a lot of stress with this new Superpole session because it needs a lot of concentration and brain power to be able to gain good results. This morning we had some electrical problems on Kuba’s bike in Qualifying Practice, but now is everything ok. I expect for tomorrow Neukirchner, Spies and all Ducati Factory riders will be favourites for the race but also our team will be in the fight”

RESULTS

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1′31.069
2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1′31.402
3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′31.596
4 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1′31.600
5 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′31.837
6 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′32.112
7 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1′32.537
8 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09 1′32.649
9 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1′31.843
21 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1′33.588

www.daremake.com

At the end of the first day, Team Guandalini are sitting at the top of qualifying sheets with Jakub Smrz who set a time of 1.32.312 just in front of Noriuki Haga in a 1.32.569. Smrz has found a good race set up and was consistently putting in fast lap times throughout the qualifying session.
Brendan Roberts continued working hard to find a good base setting on the Ducati 1098 and continued to improve over the first practice session and into the first qualifying sessions. The young Australian completed the first days session with a best time of 1.35.123 in 23rd position but only 2.8 seconds off his team-mate Smrz who is sitting on professional pole position.
RESULTS : Qualifying 1

1 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1′32.312
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1′32.569
3 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′32.623
4 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′32.673
5 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1′32.704
6 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1′32.928
7 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′32.932
8 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1′32.939
9 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1′32.971
10 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1′32.991
23 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1′35.123

The Superbike season starts this weekend at the picturesque circuit of Philip Island, Australia, which is located South East of Melbourne in a beautiful landscape overlooking the Ocean.

The circuit is very hard for both riders and tyres due to the variety of curves that characterise it, starting from famous hairpin bend until the long left turns that destroy the left side of rear tyres. Guandalini’s team tackles this season with a new Director, Pier Francesco Chili, thanks to his strong Superbike experience will try to help the two young riders in the team: Australian rookie Brendan Roberts and Jukub “Kuba” Smrz at his second season with this team.

After the positive results obtained in the at the first test in January in Portimao, Portugal, the team will see a galvanized and ready Smrz after an intense winter training schedule trying to get in a top position at the soonest possible opportunity and Brendan Roberts, who will starts his adventure in World Superbikes in front of his home crowd, trying to gain experience and assert his title of 2008 Superstock 1000 champion.

The new formatted Superpole session, this emulates what is seen in Formula 1 and other disciplines such as the Formula Indy and the British Superbikes Championship. There are three mini-sessions of 12 minutes each, and in each stage riders are narrowed down to finalise the overall qualifying positions. Each session will determine a qualifying position and slowly these are narrowed down over three sessions to the final eight riders, which determines the final positions on the grid.

The strategies of the various teams will be capital in order to place the riders at the front of the start grid and the experience of Frankie Chili assisted by Mirco Guandalini will be very important for our team. The new 2009 liveries are very striking and captivating, with the numbers 96 for Jakub Smrz, and 24 for Brendan Roberts who will fight for the Rookie of The Year 2009 title.

www.daremake.com

www.brendan-roberts.com

Recently crowned FIM 1000 Superstock Cup World Champion, Brendan Roberts has confirmed to ride for the Guandalini Ducati team in World Superbikes for 2009. Roberts clinched the deal to ride alongside Jakub Smrz and under the watchful eye of ex World Superbike rider, the likeable Pierfrancesco Chili.

Roberts who sealed the Championship win at the final round at Portimao has landed himself the ride in the premiere World Superbike class and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of friend and fellow countryman Troy Bayliss.

Riding the RS09 Ducati for the team the youngster is looking forward to his forthcoming season and his rookie year in the Superbike series. Having done some testing on the F08 Ducati this season Roberts is eager to get back racing and although there is some tough new challenges next year, he is keen to take it on.

Having some time out back home in Australia Roberts commented “I’ve been given a fantastic opportunity next year and I’ll be riding in the Superbike class against some of the biggest names in the sport. It’s going to be tough as I have to learn a new bike, plus a couple of new tracks and there are a handful of extremely good riders coming from the UK, which will add to the mix of it all. I’m really excited and happy I’ve been given the chance to ride for the Guandalini team and extremely looking forward to the first test in January.”

-END-

www.brendan-roberts.com

Brendan Roberts was today crowned FIM 1000 Superstock Cup Champion after defying the odds going from fourth in the Championship to take the overall win. The new Portuguese circuit, Portimao, was a tester for all the riders this weekend as the track was only finished a couple of weeks ago. Roberts dominated throughout the weekend and took the fastest lap, pole position and the overall race win to take the Championship title.

Disaster struck Roberts at the last round at Magny Cours, where the young Australian was unable to finish the race after a gear box problem, dropping him to fourth in the Championship table. The 23-year-old originally from Adelaide, Australia, knew that he had to win in Portugal this weekend and hope for the best, his dreams came true and Roberts secured the race win and the Championship title for the Ducati Xerox Junior Team.

Riding the Ducati 1098R Roberts was eager to show people his true colours and was on flying form throughout the weekend at Portimao. Roberts topped the time sheets in both qualifying sessions and was eager to fight off his opposition during the 12-lap race. After a last minute tyre change on the grid due to the changing weather conditions, Roberts got a great start and was leading into the first turn, but slipped back to third after the opening lap behind Chris Seaton and Championship leader Xavier Simeon.

Roberts got tied up in a battle for second position and also the Championship, with Simeon and the two battled with each other, swapping positions for a couple of laps, Roberts finally made the move stick and he began to hunt down fellow Australian Seaton for the lead. Making a comfortable pass on lap eight Roberts had to remain focused for the remainder of the race. Cutting down his lap times he stretched out nearly a three second lead at the chequered flag, winning the Championship by seven points after going into Portimao with a nine point deficit.

A delighted Roberts commented “I’ve not had it as easy as I would have liked this year and I knew I really had my work cut out this weekend and knew that if I had any small chance of winning the Championship I had to win the race. The Ducati Xerox Junior Team have worked so hard all year to provide me with the best bike and I’m so grateful to them for everything they have done and glad that I was able to repay them with their second consecutive Championship title in two years. It all went down to this weekend and I knew I had to perform and get a good result. After the nightmare that I had at Magny Cours I was just praying that it would all go right for us this weekend, thankfully it did and I managed to secure the number one plate for myself and the team. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the last couple of years and glad after my serious wrist injury last year, that I was able to get back to top form. I’m not sure yet on my plans for next year but hope to let everyone know soon.”

-END-

DUCATI XEROX JUNIOR TEAM

Autodromo Internacional do Algarve (Portugal), Sunday 2nd November 2008 – with Brendan Roberts’ win in the tenth and final round of the Superstock 1000 World Cup, the Ducati Xerox Junior Team has taken the 2008 title. Unfortunately Domenico Colucci came off during the ninth lap due to an incorrect tyre choice.

Brendan Roberts’ race was faultless and he made the right tyre choice on a track that was still wet in parts. The Australian talent took a risk, taking the decision to race with a slick tyre while on the grid. He rode a careful first few laps, sticking with Seaton who led for the first half of the race, and gradually increasing his pace to take the lead four laps from the finish. Once Simeon, Roberts’ main adversary, came off, Roberts built up a fair lead ahead of the chasing pack to win his third race of the season. After the team’s victory last year with Niccolò Canepa,
Ducati consolidates its position this season as winners of the 2008 riders and constructors titles.

BRENDAN ROBERTS – “This morning when I saw the clear sky I knew it would be a good day. In the warm-up the track was still wet but as time passed it started to dry out quite a bit. On the grid, on my team’s advice, we changed to slick tyres knowing that in the first laps my rivals would have the advantage. It was a difficult race because Seaton was very fast and Simeon, even though he was in intermediates, never slowed for a second. When they told me that Simeon had fallen, I continued to push, not losing concentration, and in doing so I won the race and the title. I am extremely happy and want to thank Ducati, Serafino Foti and the whole team. They have been fantastic and I am grateful to everyone for having faith in me.”

Domenico Colucci did not trust the track conditions and so made a conservative tyre choice. The Italian, riding with an intermediate front tyre, was fast in the initial phases while the track was still wet but then lost ground during the latter stages. With the front totally destroyed, Domenico came off during the ninth lap without causing himself injury.

DOMENICO COLUCCI – “In the warm-up the track was wet and I could see there were still puddles. I didn’t follow the advice of my team and made a conservative tyre choice, with an intermediate front and slick rear. Once the track dried out that was it for me, end of the race. I am very happy for Brendan, he is a great rider and deserved the title.”

SERAFINO FOTI – Team Manager Ducati Xerox Junior Team “I am very happy with this second consecutive title, a great result for Ducati, the team and for Brendan, a really talented rider. We have always believed that the win was possible and our work throughout this long and difficult season has paid off. I am sorry for Domenico because he too could have had a great race today. Thanks also go to everyone who contributed to the construction of this fantastic new facility.”

Race result
1.Brendan Roberts (Ducati 1098R Xerox Junior Team) in 22m23.040s in an average of  147,706 km/h; 2.C.Seaton (Suzuki) 2.995s; 3.M.Berger (Honda) a 3.938s……

Rider classification
1.Brendan Roberts 147 points; 2.M.Berger 140; 3.A.Polita 137; 4.X.Simeon 136; 5.M.Pirro 102….15.Domenico Colucci 26……

Manufacturers classification
1. Ducati 195 points; 2.Honda 182; 3.Suzuki 175; 4.Yamaha 135; 5.Kawasaki 50; 6.KTM 3