[Supersport] J2 Australian Tests: Randy Krummenacher uncompromising

The first day of testing was dominated by the Yamahas of Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo, teammates in the Bardahl Evan Bros team, with a best time of 1'33.820. The French were in ambush with Jules Cluzel third on a GMT6 R94, ahead of Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing).

Raffaele De Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was in fifth place, which allowed three different manufacturers to be in the top five. Corentin Perolari was ninth in the hierarchy, three tenths behind his teammate Cluzel. Lucas Mahias et Jules cluzel had fallen without seriousness.

According to Jules cluzel, who are " On the YZF-R6 the 2019 engine is different due to changes in regulations. The bike is more rigid, firmer in suspension. But that's a good thing, because last year I was having difficulty doing a fast lap. With this type of setup, we were working on long runs to optimize the package regarding tire wear. But overall, it's still a good point, because last year I had a bike with which I lacked something for the qualifying round, but which allowed me to do good races. What cost us last year was getting to Phillip Island without having done any testing, this year we completed four days of testing in Jerez and Portimão. »

What are the differences between the R6 that Jules has this year and the one he drove last year? “A bit of everything in general, then there are small differences. The engine gives me a slightly different feeling. I haven't yet been able to evaluate it compared to the others, but I think we're good in terms of engine. In terms of chassis, I don't have the same suspensions as last year. I was in Öhlins, but it wasn't the same material. The feeling is also different on that side.

“There is also a difference in engine braking. We are trying to properly adjust this engine braking, and I think there is potential in my opinion. Honestly, this is where I think I will progress the most compared to last year. So overall there are quite a few differences in terms of feelings compared to last year. These differences are, in my opinion, positive. »

According to Lucas Mahias « The strong point of the Kawasaki, for me, is really the braking. It has incredible stability on heavy straight braking. The front end also looks really good to me. I haven't been able to fully understand it yet, but I saw that it had clear advantages compared to the R6. All I'm having trouble with right now is the middle and exit of the corner, but I've done very few laps in two days, and it takes time to understand how it works, but there's no big problem. It's not a bad bike and I think I'll have the material to fight up front ».

During the first session of this second day, the weather was favorable with around twenty degrees and sunshine, despite a fairly strong wind. The Swiss Rudy Krummenacher continued his unchallenged domination by improving his best time of the day before to 1'33.111, ahead of his teammate Evan Bros. WorldSSP Federico Caricasulo at 0.3, Jules Cluzel (GMT94) at 0.6, Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) at 0.7 and Raffaele de Rosa (MV Agusta) at 0.8. These five pilots stood out while Corentin Perolari (GMT94) was ninth at 1.2 and Jules Danilo sixteenth at 1.8. Apart from a few scattered droplets of rain and two small falls, only Jules Cluzel had a problem with his transponder which exceeded 90° for a few moments (according to the timers).

Ranking of the first session of the second day:

Corentin Perolari is delighted to discover Australia in Christophe Guyot's team. “ He introduced me to the World Supersport Championship, starting with a testing period. As the 2018 season progressed, the results improved because I improved in each race. Christophe liked it and I get along very well with his team because they are there to win, they are there to do their best, and I really like that. It's a trustworthy team. They are really great people who help me progress. I would like to start the 2019 season like I finished 2018, that would be great. Afterwards, if I manage to make podiums it will be fantastic for me. Having a teammate like Jules Cluzel motivates me to fight up front because he has the experience and is super good. Plus, French people in a French team, I couldn't dream of better. I'm going to do the best I can and have fun, that's for sure. And always work to be stronger. »

On the side of Randy Krummenacher, confidence reigned in the Team Bardahl Evan Bros Yamaha team since it had become apparent during previous winter tests that the electronics MecTronik* required from this year would hardly change Yamaha's supremacy. “ For me there is a goal, I want to win "Krummi said. “ I am quite strong on the race distance, the only challenge for me is qualifying, which we need to work on. With new electronics, Kawasaki and Honda will be stronger » says the Zurich Oberlander « if they can handle this electronics. But the Yamaha remains the best bike ».

*Extract from the 2019 FIM regulations: “2.5.9.1 Electrics and electronics

a) The ECU must be the FIM Supersport:6 approved ECU – the Mectronik MKE7. (FIM Supersport: 6 internally licensed ECU's compulsory in 2020).
b) The software and firmware must be championship approved and listed in the approved parts list”.

In the second session of this last free day, only Raffaele de Rosa had improved slightly with half an hour to go among the top 19. Jules Cluzel progressed slightly, while retaining third position, in 1'33.635. Three Yamahas then preceded an MV Agusta and a Kawasaki. A few minutes from the end, de Rosa took third place in 1'33.507. Corentin Perolari progressed to fifth position, where he slotted in between Jules Cluzel and Lucas Mahias. Finally Randy Krummenacher finished leader ahead of his teammate Federico Caricasulo, Raffaele de Rosa, Jules Cluzel, Corentin Perolari and Lucas Mahias. See you Friday for the first official tests

Results of the second session of the second day: