You can find here all the reports of Valentin Debise's American adventure within the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki team which we are happy to report in preview.
See his entire 2016 season
See the first round 2017
See the second round 2017
See the third round 2017
New victory for Valentin Debise at Miller
Valentine Debise: “La roue finit toujours par tourner. Les deux derniers week-end de courses ne se sont vraiment pas passés comme je l’aurais voulu. Des chutes, des pannes mécaniques, la totale. J’étais content de revenir sur ce circuit où se déroulait le Superbike mondial il y a quelques années. C’est également le “home track” d’un sponsor du team (Rickdiculous, école de pilotage) que je salue au passage.
The free practice sessions are going well as always. I'm doing good tricks. New tires or worn tires, everything is fine. I finished the day on Friday in first position. On Saturday morning, we have the one and only qualifying session. When we have to continue to increase the pace, we always block. I'm improving my times a little, but not enough to keep up the pace. I placed third for the start of both races.
Given the lack of pace, I decided to change the bike's settings. It's a risk but given that with the current settings I won't be able to hold the right group, I might as well try.
It's hot, the weather is dry. The track is located at altitude, not far from the 2002 Olympic Games. I got a good start, I came second. From the first lap, I couldn't get into the corners, I moved away and went back to third. I hold on as best I can and fall behind quite quickly. I can't do anything. I stay focused on my riding so as not to fall even if I curse myself for having changed the bike. I finished third quite far from the leader. I ran the race alone, like a practice session.
Sunday morning we changed the bike again. Usually I don't like to change my settings too much, but this weekend the rear tires changed dimensions. They went from 200/55 to 180/60. Which gives the same circumference in the middle of the tire, but smaller on the sides. We had to change the suspension height as well as the gear ratio to compensate. In the morning I felt much better than during the second race. Both Yamahas were on fire that day. They kept fighting with each other. This time I managed to hang on to them until halfway through the race. After that, once again, I started having trouble getting into the corners when my rear tire wore out. The balance of the motorcycle changes with new and worn tires. On the last lap, I see them hang on and fall. I pass by them quietly, I see them get up and I finish my turn peacefully. Thanks guys ! Everyone has their turn to make mistakes, it's part of the game. Even if it's not the same to win a race this way, I take it and I thank luck for smiling on me this Sunday.
Maintenant, j’y vois plus clair et j’ai de bonnes idées pour comment régler ma moto pour la faire marcher avec ce nouveau pneu arrière. Je suis impatient d’être à la prochaine course, la semaine prochaine, à Laguna Seca, en même temps que le mondial Superbike.”
