A Moment of Silence
The Pucker Factor; though firmly encased in humor it is a term that every rider around the world knows and race spectators empathize with. It is the moment when your own personal safety zone gives way, when the illusions of control fall and all that you are left with is the hope that you possess enough skill and luck to pull through. It is the moment when your body tenses involuntarily with anticipation of pain, when your senses are flooded with adrenaline to cope with the onslaught of information needed to circumvent or minimize the forthcoming damage. "Don't brake until you see God," is the advice given to fledgling racers to teach them to push past this mental barrier. However every so often, even at the highest levels, a racer's luck runs out and the forces of gravity and friction are simply too much. Sometimes skill doesn't win out in the end.
Andrea Antonelli was not a name on the lips of every Superbike fan leading up to July's Moscow race. When the lights went green on Sunday his was just one helmet amongst the many, a young gun trying to carve an identity for himself within the SuperSport barrel of crabs. By all indications he was on his way. Antonelli's credits had already spanned the European Superstock 600 and FIM Superstock 1000cc classes. In 2012, despite the need to hop between manufacturers, he managed to finish the season in the top 10. The feat earned him a ride aboard the GoEleven Kawasaki to pilot a very competitive ZX6R for 2013. Moscow represented his best start ever, fourth on the starting lineup and 3rd fastest during practice. Russia looked to be the Italian's opportunity to truly shine, but sadly it was not to be. Born on January 17 1988, Andrea Antonelli departed from us on July 21, 2013 under adverse race conditions. His passing serves as a reminder that the men and women whose names and accomplishments we debate and idolize are truly that - men and women, just as fallible and just as human as any of us, who risk their lives each weekend.
Sylvain Guintoli - In the aftermath of Andrea's tragic passing, Sylvain Guintoli emerged from the weekend as the new (and returning) championship leader. With much on the line after a costly DNF, and the weather making riding conditions treacherous, the French rider nursed his RSV4R home to a 6th place finish in Moscow's only superbike race. The much needed 10 points were enough to push him 4 ahead of championship rival Sykes, but he will need much more this weekend in the United Kingdom. Last year saw Guintoli languish in 16th place for race 1 before mounting a brilliant comeback to steal the checkers for race 2. Against the formidable Kawasaki Guintoli's title hopes are not diminished, but they are fluttering.
2012 - Ducati 1098R (Customer)
2011 - Ducati 1098R (Customer)
2010 - Suzuki GSXR1000 (Customer)
Tom Sykes - Under such appalling conditions it would have been no great dishonor for Sykes to have fallen for a DNF on race day. Indeed such notables as Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty ended their weekend with bruised egos and bodies alike. However this would not be the fate of the former championship leader. Instead he would find himself sidelined in the early laps beside his smoldering machine, watching his points lead follow the deluge of water as it drained away from the track. With a further 25 points removed after race 2's cancellation Tom start's Silverstone on the back foot. Just as worrying is that the British rider's record at Silverstone aboard the green machine leaves something to be desired despite drastic improvements that took him to runner up in 2012. Sykes will be hoping that pre-season testing and improvements will have brought the Ninja a long way for 2013 if he is to make up for lost ground.
2012 - Kawasaki ZX10R (Factory)
2011 - Kawasaki ZX10R (Factory)
2010 - Kawasaki ZX10R (Factory)
The Pucker Factor; though firmly encased in humor it is a term that every rider around the world knows and race spectators empathize with. It is the moment when your own personal safety zone gives way, when the illusions of control fall and all that you are left with is the hope that you possess enough skill and luck to pull through. It is the moment when your body tenses involuntarily with anticipation of pain, when your senses are flooded with adrenaline to cope with the onslaught of information needed to circumvent or minimize the forthcoming damage. "Don't brake until you see God," is the advice given to fledgling racers to teach them to push past this mental barrier. However every so often, even at the highest levels, a racer's luck runs out and the forces of gravity and friction are simply too much. Sometimes skill doesn't win out in the end.
Andrea Antonelli was not a name on the lips of every Superbike fan leading up to July's Moscow race. When the lights went green on Sunday his was just one helmet amongst the many, a young gun trying to carve an identity for himself within the SuperSport barrel of crabs. By all indications he was on his way. Antonelli's credits had already spanned the European Superstock 600 and FIM Superstock 1000cc classes. In 2012, despite the need to hop between manufacturers, he managed to finish the season in the top 10. The feat earned him a ride aboard the GoEleven Kawasaki to pilot a very competitive ZX6R for 2013. Moscow represented his best start ever, fourth on the starting lineup and 3rd fastest during practice. Russia looked to be the Italian's opportunity to truly shine, but sadly it was not to be. Born on January 17 1988, Andrea Antonelli departed from us on July 21, 2013 under adverse race conditions. His passing serves as a reminder that the men and women whose names and accomplishments we debate and idolize are truly that - men and women, just as fallible and just as human as any of us, who risk their lives each weekend.
Sylvain Guintoli - In the aftermath of Andrea's tragic passing, Sylvain Guintoli emerged from the weekend as the new (and returning) championship leader. With much on the line after a costly DNF, and the weather making riding conditions treacherous, the French rider nursed his RSV4R home to a 6th place finish in Moscow's only superbike race. The much needed 10 points were enough to push him 4 ahead of championship rival Sykes, but he will need much more this weekend in the United Kingdom. Last year saw Guintoli languish in 16th place for race 1 before mounting a brilliant comeback to steal the checkers for race 2. Against the formidable Kawasaki Guintoli's title hopes are not diminished, but they are fluttering.
2012 - Ducati 1098R (Customer)
[]Race 1 - 16th
[]Race 2 - 1st
2011 - Ducati 1098R (Customer)
[]Race 1 - 6th
[]Race 2 - 6th
2010 - Suzuki GSXR1000 (Customer)
[]Race 1 - 12th
[]Race 2 - 7th
Tom Sykes - Under such appalling conditions it would have been no great dishonor for Sykes to have fallen for a DNF on race day. Indeed such notables as Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty ended their weekend with bruised egos and bodies alike. However this would not be the fate of the former championship leader. Instead he would find himself sidelined in the early laps beside his smoldering machine, watching his points lead follow the deluge of water as it drained away from the track. With a further 25 points removed after race 2's cancellation Tom start's Silverstone on the back foot. Just as worrying is that the British rider's record at Silverstone aboard the green machine leaves something to be desired despite drastic improvements that took him to runner up in 2012. Sykes will be hoping that pre-season testing and improvements will have brought the Ninja a long way for 2013 if he is to make up for lost ground.
2012 - Kawasaki ZX10R (Factory)
[]Race 1 - 8th
[]Race 2 - 12th
2011 - Kawasaki ZX10R (Factory)
[]Race 1 - N/A
[]Race 2 - N/A
2010 - Kawasaki ZX10R (Factory)
[]Race 1 - 18th
[]Race 2 - 14th
