WSB: Guintoli returns to action at Lausitzring test

Sylvain Guintoli returned to action today for the first time since the nasty crash that ruled him out for four rounds of the 2016 World Superbike season.

The Frenchman joined his PATA Yamaha team, alongside team-mate Alex Lowes, for a test at the Lausitzring, which hosts the next round of the championship as the series resumes next month.

TOP STORIES

• Roland Sands works his magic on Ducati XDiavel
• Danilo Petrucci: Grin it to win it
• Whatever happened to Johnny Cecotto?
• Poll: Who’s your money on for the upcoming British GP?

Guintoli has been out of action since he sustained a broken left ankle in a horrific highside at Imola in May. While he has ridden a road bike since the incident, today’s test marked the first time he’d been back on the WSB-spec YZF-R1 since the crash.  

“I didn’t know how I was going to feel today, because it was quite a big crash and it’s been a long time since I’ve been on the bike but I feel okay,” he said. The test here is just about building the speed back up but it’s going well. I enjoyed riding the YZF-R1 and I did quite a lot of laps, so it’s about continuing to rebuild the confidence and the rhythm with my riding again now.

“I’ve never been to Lausitz before so we also need to learn the track as it’s a bit different, and very bumpy! We need to learn how to go fast with the R1 and not the YZ450F! Physically I felt good today, my ankle is holding up well so I’m pleased and we’ll just continue the development tomorrow.”

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.