Toni Elias jumped into the deep end of things when he debuted in World Superbikes this weekend at Istanbul replacing axed rider Michel Fabrizio in the Red Devils Roma team.
With no prior experience on the Aprilia RSV4 nor with the Pirelli tires and with no Superpole experience and missing two sessions due to rain, the former 2010 Moto2 World champion and MotoGP rider definitely held his own in both races finishing sixth - after a contact on the final corner with fellow Aprilia rider Davide Giuliano in race 1 and taking fifth in race 2.
Elias also proved his worth against former Gresini team mate Marco Melandri keeping him a bay for a long period of time in race 2 with his hard braking skills and he also managed to pip other BMW rider Chaz Davies on the final lap.
Elias’ has high hopes after his first outing with the team and wants to continue in World Superbikes in 2014 and talking about his debut said, “I am really happy with my first week end in Superbike. With such little experience I could not ask for more, even if now I’m thinking about improving my results. In race one I had a soft approach but I managed to recover at the end and then I fought until the finish line.”
Race two went differently. I found my old determination back and I made an aggressive start. Lap after lap I’m now knowing how to manage my bike and, I must say, even other riders’ approach.
“Starting from Laguna Seca I hope to show something more. I thank again all my team and Andrea Petricca for the possibility they have offered me. I’ll promise to prove that I’ve deserved it.”
Elias will have a certain advantage at the Mazda Speedway has he knows the track having raced at Laguna Seca while he was in MotoGP, and his best result was a 6th place in 2009.
from TWOWHEELSBLOG
