News & Views

Joan Lascorz and Katsuaki Fujiwara were both on target for a superb double podium finish at Phillip Island, but only Joan was to take home some silverware, finishing second overall.

He and Katsuaki looked set to fight it out for second on their Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R machines when the Japanese rider went past into second place, only to fall at the fourth turn on lap 18 of 21.

The race had previously been started and then halted after some serious oil leaks coated the circuit, with Joan disputing the lead at the time. In a full distance re-start, the race changed in character and Joan again rode hard to take second place and 20 points.

With Fujiwara pushed wide at turn one on the restart Kawasaki honours fell to Lascorz and the experienced and hard riding Frenchman, Fabian Foret, making it two Kawasaki's in the top five.

Joan Lascorz: “We had a perfect qualifying but in the race we experienced some chatter. I was not sure why, but I tried my best. It is not so bad at this race to be second and score lots of good points, and at the next race we should be even better. Katsuaki used a different rear tyre choice from me and he seemed more comfortable on the final few laps. He was just unlucky to fall. I am looking forward to the next race already.”

Katsuaki Fujiwara: “I made a good start but I was pushed wide at the first corner and lost a few places. My bike was really consistent and we made a good choice on the rear tyre. The set-up was really good. I had just passed Joan and was trying to go forward when I lost the front, in mid-corner. I got on and scored some points but I should have been on the podium.”