Jacobsen takes stock of first WSS win

After the first of two long summer breaks had been completed PJ Jacobsen (Core” Motorsport Thailand Honda) returned fit and free of arm pump at Sepang. The American rider made the most of it at a circuit he could only finish eighth at last year, when he had been riding for the same Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres WSS team that he started the season with this year.

Jacobsen’s rise to join the race winners’ ranks has only taken him three Honda rides with his new Core” Motorsport Thailand team to complete, with Sepang proving to be his 20th WSS start in total. His previous six podiums – four for Kawasaki and two for Honda pre-Sepang – were never quite converted into wins. This fact clearly motivated Jacobsen’s front-running style – and last corner determination – in the Malaysian heat.

“I got second and third at the last two races so I think it was just that time to step up and make everybody stop questioning me; if I can run with these guys,” said Jacobsen shortly after winning the first WSS face by any American rider.

His recent surgery during the first WSS ‘summer break’ since the Misano round in mid-June helped to prevent the fade he has shown late in previous races this year. “I had arm pump surgery back home and I think it paid off. I have been doing a lot of riding and I felt very fit in the race. Sweating a lot, but not really tired.”

As well as his recent improvement in race fitness, Jacobsen also feels that the team’s Ten Kate prepared Honda CBR600RR just works well for him, partly due to his physical size. “I think the Honda suits my style really well,” he stated right after his win Sepang. “I am a really small guy, so hopefully it just keeps improving and we will see about the next race.”

Jacobsen will have a long wait to shoot for WSS race win number two, with the next round not taking place until September 20^th, at Jerez in Spain.