Webb reviews ‘amazing’ first weekend of WorldSSP action
Danny Webb and team manager James Toseland both take huge positives from their first weekend of the season at Phillip Island
The United Kingdom had plenty to be hopeful and happy about in the FIM Supersport World Championship, as Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) took a hearty 12th place on his debut in the class. Webb, who returns to the world stage in 2020, showed his potential as he scored a handful of points on his debut; the achievement particularly noteworthy considering that the team was only set up a few months ago.
Webb was able to get his race pace down to the 1’34 bracket, the same pace as many of those ahead of him, although his consistency in the 1’35s also placed him ahead of those who have more experience than him in the class. Webb was running as high as tenth during the opening laps of the race, whilst there was nothing wrong with his top speed, as 286.5kmh placed him third in the top speed rankings on Sunday.
Speaking after the race, Webb commented on pre-race nerves and his strong team around him: “I have been nervous about this race weekend since I knew I was going back to racing at this high level. But thanks to my team around me, as they made it more relaxed and calmer for me. We worked a lot through the winter and to come away with a 12th in my first race back and the team’s first race in Supersport is amazing. We have a good starting point now and will be working to improve from here. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team for the amazing job they all did, and I am looking forward to the rest of the season and working on moving further towards the front.”
Team manager James Toseland also expressed his delight at the team’s first WorldSSP appearance: “What a weekend it was for me and the WRP Wepol Racing team in our first race together at Phillip Island! To score four points in our inaugural World Supersport race was an outstanding performance from everyone involved. We had a two-day test at the Australian circuit before the race weekend started and that really helped us get everything together and close the gap with the much more experienced teams.
“We all stayed focused on our goal which was to finish inside the points on race day and Danny rewarded us with not just 1 point but 4 points on Sunday and crossed the line in 12th place. The pressure was increased with a compulsory pit stop half-way through the race, but Danny had a great start and road brilliantly consistent each lap to finish well within the points.”
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