Superbike: Aprilia smiles after the two Thai races

Two races with an almost identical script today marked the debut of the Chang International Circuit, Thailand, in the 2015 WSBK calendar: Leon Haslam took his Aprilia RSV4 to the second step of the podium twice, consolidating his position in the world rankings, at 10 points from Jonathan Rea, the weekend's all-in-one winner.

The double second place, on a new track, is an important result that confirms Haslam as one of the contenders for the title on the eve of his return to Europe.

“The team worked great, between the two races we made a big step forward. Rea was simply too fast today" – he said Leon Haslam – “We chose to use the harder front tyre, perhaps with the soft we could have been faster in the early stages but it didn't give us guarantees in terms of grip over distance. In any case, I'm happy with this weekend, especially because compared to Friday we have really grown a lot, and I can't wait to go to Aragon. Always on the podium in the first two stages of the season is certainly a great starting point."

Also in Thailand, the rookie Jordi Torres showed great maturity: constantly improving, the Spaniard made good use of the start from the second row achieved yesterday in the Superpole, without taking risks in the first laps but keeping himself in the podium area.
The characteristics of this circuit didn't help him: Jordi is still gaining confidence with the braking of his RSV4 and he competed on the track with the best "stackers" in the Superbike Championship.

“I'm really happy with the work we did this weekend, because despite having lost a session we managed to make a great recovery” – he said Jordi Torres – “FP2 is important for me, because in the first session I learn the new track while the second helps me set the basis on which to work, then on Saturday you have to think about being fast for qualifying and Superpole. When I found myself behind Sykes I thought back to Phillip Island, where I slipped just to overtake him, and I chose to stay calm and study him in Race1 without taking risks. This helped me in Race 2, in the end the position is still the same but I'm learning lap after lap. I always say that the Aprilia RSV4 is made to win, only when I reach this finish line will I be 100% happy."