Already-crocked Pata Honda man Sylvain Guintoli says a crash at the end of the second day of World Superbike testing at Phillip Island woke him up a bit after he managed to get his laptimes down to the low 1’32s.
The reigning world champion, who is still suffering with injury following his big Jerez test get-off, is making up for lost time at the Australian track and working on a number of electronics and chassis settings over the two-day period.
He didn’t further injure himself in the crash at MG corner but has some work left to do with the Fireblade during Friday’s free practice sessions as the likeable Frenchman is almost 1.5s off Alex Lowes’ pace.
We’re working hard and I’m actually feeling quite upbeat tonight, despite being quite a way down on time. It was important to get back on the bike here because obviously at the last test I didn’t get any track time, so almost no winter testing,” said Guintoli.
“I missed out on some good conditions in Jerez and I had to rebuild my confidence as well after that massive crash there. I had a little off today as well, which, in a way was quite good and it kind of woke me up at the end of the second day.”
