Dominique Aegerter arrived in WSBK this season after dominating the Supersport category for the last two years with the Yamaha brand. From R6, he moved to R1 and his start to the campaign was encouraging to say the least before a drop in speed. A decline due to a problem with compartment syndrome which he hoped to get rid of with an operation. But the surgery did not resolve anything so that it is further diminished that the Swiss arrives this weekend for the Most round, and at a time when Yamaha is wondering who will replace Toprak Razgatlioglu in 2024 in its official team .
The physical problem of the teammate Remy gardner within the Yamaha satellite structure in WSBK therefore falls badly. However, everything started well for Dominique Aegerter, one of the rookies in the category this year with notably Danilo Petrucci and his neighbor in the box, who are also far from being fundamentally beginners... He thus narrowly missed a first pole at Phillip Island and was in the top five of the races on two occasions. But the last rounds were more difficult for the Swiss driver who struggled to grab the top 10.
After the fourth event in Barcelona, the two-time Supersport champion finished sixth overall in the World Championship, but dropped to 9th place in the next three events at Misano, Donington Park and Imola. Alex Lowes (109 points) and Danilo Petrucci (117), who are ahead of him, nevertheless remain within his reach with respectively 8 and 16 points ahead.
In May, the pilot GRT Yamaha underwent surgery on his right forearm in San Marino to resolve this problem of compartment syndrome. But at Donington Park and Imola it turned out the pain hadn't gone away. And it’s starting to undermine him… “I am 32 years old and have been riding motorcycles professionally for 14 years, I am definitely fit and trained ", said Domi Aegerter à speedweek. " I tried different techniques and doctors, but I can't get through it in Superbike. If I drove more relaxed, this wouldn't happen. But if I'm constantly on the limit and always have to fight, then it sucks. If I was first, maybe I would ride more relaxed, like in recent years ».
Dominique Aegerter: “ my future is still a little uncertain »
On his overall situation, he adds: “ I am very happy to race with the GRT Yamaha team. I think it's very important to feel good with the team. Yamaha does a very good job, they try to help me as much as possible. We can also see the data from Toprak and Locatelli, it's very useful. They share everything, so it's good that I'm one of the Yamaha riders ».
And he would like to stay that way: “ my future is still a little uncertain. I think I performed well and have a chance to continue in WorldSBK. I will try to stay with Yamaha because I think we can achieve something great. There is a handlebar from Yamaha, but I think there are a lot of riders who want the Toprak seat. Riding in a factory team would be great but I don't know what they will decide. I can just focus on my own driving and my own goals ».
And its objectives are here: “I try to improve with each race. I would like to be on the podium. It's a big goal. I think we've had races where we weren't that far away. I will try to be the best independent rider and also, perhaps, the best Yamaha rider a few times ". See you this weekend at Must to see how the Swiss situation will evolve.
