First WSB points for Aoyama on Superbike debut
One of the most eagerly-awaited riders in this year's Superbike World Championship which got under way at Phillip Island two weeks ago, was Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama. The last-ever 250cc GP champion in 2009, "Hiro" began his new adventure on production-derived machines for the first time at Phillip Island, and managed to come away with a handful of points in his debut appearance.
On board the new 2012-spec CBR 1000RR Fireblade 2012 prepared by the Honda World Superbike Team, Chiba-born Aoyama scored a total of 15 points with an eighth and a ninth place in the two races, but more importantly in the race he was able to sort out the various problems he had encountered in qualifying, in which he was the final grid starter in 16th place. Opting for the softer rear tyre in both races, the Japanese rider fought through to the top ten in race one, while a small set-up change allowed him to make it a double in his debut SBK outing.
"I think it's not so bad for my first Superbike weekend. We had a not-so-easy start on Friday when I had one crash and we had a lot of problems. That didn't help us to go much faster and we tried many things but couldn't improve. In the races we managed to finish in the top ten with eighth and ninth and I want to say thanks to all the guys who worked for me. It was a tough weekend but ended up not too bad. I'm looking forward to the next race in Imola - of course I've never ridden there, so it's going to be tough for Friday. We have month to improve the bike a little bit and, if I can find a better feeling, I can push a little bit more and this is what I am looking for. Anyway, considering the situation now, it's not so bad!"
