WSBK Superbike Magny-Cours: protester Kawasaki protects Rea and calls the FIM to its responsibilities

At Kawasaki, there is a name that has become at Magny-Cours at least as famous as that of rider Jonathan Rea. It must be said that he was mobilized by the latter in a video taken after the finish of the Superpole race. A document that the Akashi factory probably wanted never to appear. This name is Guim Roda, the team manager of the team in green, to whom Rea asked, via his chief mechanic, to check the last lap of the one who had beaten him on the track, Razgatlioglu . An approach which then, and belatedly, gave him victory on the green carpet. In view of the reactions in and outside the paddock, the same Roda is now creating a bubble around his driver and the barrage for his team, courageously recalling the responsibilities of the FIM...

At Kawasaki, while we were packing up our belongings to leave Nièvre, we had not finished with the business of claim held against Yamaha rider Razgatlioglu, at the end of the Superpole race of the round WSBK from Magny-Cours. A protest which was successful since the Turk had been downgraded in favor of his pilot Sale who thus recovered three precious points in a very close title race. But these three units are expensive up front…

Guim Roda offered an explanation via KRT's official Instagram account: “ after the last lap of the race, our technician Raul, who was watching the race in the pits on the monitor, told me he believed Toprak had passed the track markings on the last lap. I had him check it to be sure. ", begin Stem. " Because in Assen our Ana Carrasco was punished by the race management for pushing another driver off the track limit, unfortunately that was the case and it was bad luck. Ana complained about it, but I told her, “A rule is a rule.” We need to watch out for them in the future and be smarter”". We take note that Stem makes no mention of the intervention of Sale in the closed park with its chief engineer Fish, to make “ checks »...

Kawasaki: “ it is the decision of the FIM, which acts in complete independence« 

Stem continues: " in the last lap of a race it is very important to respect the rules and not cross the boundaries, and one of the most important things is not to leave the track. On this part of the Magny-Cours track and at the level where Rea and Toprak are fighting, it would be an advantage. Maybe just a small advantage, but still an advantage. All I had to do was refer to the regulations and file a complaint with the race management. ».

Then Stem give the hot potato to the END... " Ultimately, the decision is not up to me. It is the decision of the FIM, which acts in complete independence. It's the same for everyone. Toprak ran an incredible race and everyone at KRT has great respect for the dedication and incredible work they have done this year. The show that Johnny and Toprak put on for the fans was incredible and I'm sure it will bring us closer and closer to more exciting races ". This last remark risks being wishful thinking because at Yamaha , we definitely didn’t appreciate the maneuver…