SERT’s two-rider set-up stymied by rain in EWC Suzuka qualifying

Yoshimura Suzuki Endurance Racing Team Motul will have it all to do in Sunday’s third round of the FIM Endurance World Championship after the rain-affected Red Rider Qualifying sessions for the Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours. The championship-leading squad has dropped to a two-rider line-up following Sylvain Guintoli’s withdrawal after a hand injury sustained in testing. With just two riders – Kazuki Watanabe and Gregg Black – only two qualifying groups could be used by the team, with Watanabe a Red Rider and Black Yellow.

Sadly for the squad, both Red Qualifying sessions were wet, meaning slower times. Despite Watanabe setting the second fastest time in Q2, the average of his and Black’s time was naturally slower than the times of rivals with an average taken across three sessions, with the Blue and Yellow sessions relatively dry. “The conditions were really not favourable for us,” explained Team Manager, Damen Saulnier.

“Gregg did good times, but Kazuki rode in the rain. Since we only have two riders, our ranking in practice is not good. “The main thing is going to be the race.

The fact that we only have two riders in such a tough race means we have to adopt a special strategy. But it will be difficult for all the teams. Our goal is to keep an eye on our rivals in the championship, to score as many points as possible and to go to the Bol d'Or still leading the standings.” The SERT squad had already been dealt a double-blow with first Belgian Xavier Simeon withdrawn after contracting COVID, then Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli withdrawn following a hand injury.