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Canepa to bring extra confidence at Portimao

Friday, 31 May 2013 17:26 GMT
Canepa to bring extra confidence at Portimao

STK1000 Championship leader Niccolò Canepa (Barni Racing Ducati) is back to the series after the one-off World Superbike ride at Donington Park last Sunday with Team Ducati Alstare, in which he was able to compete due to the absence of Stock classes on the British venue. The 23 year old former Superstock 1000 Champion is now fully focussed on the next round, scheduled for June 9th at Portimao's Autodromo do Algarve.


How do you feel after Donington?


"The last round at Donington was amazing, joining with Team Ducati Alstare and competing at the same level with the full-time riders was an excellent result. It was good to work with Francis Batta, the Ducati technicians and to ride the WSBK-spec 1199 Panigale with the right comfort and feedback has given me the right boost in terms on confidence and for the future."


Now it's time to return to STK1000...


"Yes, now it's time to focus on the next round. The FIM Superstock 1000 Cup is not as easy as it might look, there are at least 4-5 able to win at every race, so you can't sit back and you always have to do your 110%. I'm so happy to be part of Team Barni and for the opportunity to race for the top."


Do you like the Portimao track?


"I rode there just one time, in 2011, and my race finished on the second lap due to a technical problem, so I can't say I know it too well. It's one of the best track on the calendar, though, and I'm sure the racing will be close."


Does is work for you to have a competitive team mate?


"Having a competitive team mate is an incentive to ride even harder. We helped each other out in Monza by slipstreaming each other on the straight, trying to make up for the top-speed gap with 4-cylinder bikes. It doesn't happen all the time that team mates work together, but this is how our team is all about: we work as a whole and the results prove it, we always bring out the best out of each other and the bike and then we take our chances in the race."