Repsol KTM Team riders are still in the process of getting the hang out of their new bikes. At the second day of the practice, it is apparent that the drivers are trying hard to unravel the secrets of the KTM that they will be riding this season.

Riding a new racing bike takes a lot of commitment and hard work. Though, they won’t be bothered by the nerf bars and fenders just like in cars, still they have to establish connection. So far, how are they coping with their new bikes?

Julián Simón has this to say: "Today we carried on the work related to the front end. We still have some difficulties when taking curves, and so that is why I worked on the front end set up, but I am still not as comfortable as I would like to be. We did some work with a new more open steering that we had leftover to try from yesterday, it is a bit more like the one I had on the previous Honda.”

“With this change we saw straight away that I could set the same times as yesterday and so we began to try new things on other parts of the bike, with new geometries, different springs on the front and back, but in the end this was taking us backwards, in the end though it allowed us to get some things clear at the end of the day and get a good base," he added.

"Today we were able to do more laps and get used to the bike better. I am having problems getting used to the chassis on the KTM, as I am having problems with stability which makes it difficult when I try to take a curve. But well, we are getting used to it and we carried on trying different set ups on the chassis. The important thing now is to get a good pace on both the curves as well as when braking, and bit by bit we will get better," said Esteve Rabat.

"This morning went better than yesterday but better than in the afternoon. We began with yesterday’s set up and that was when I set my fastest time, a 49.7. After that we used a shorter handlebar and other things that did not work out for me, because when we changed the handlebar we also changed the set up on the suspension and the whole bike was not so good. I was not very comfortable so at the end of the day I got the longer handlebar put back on,” narrated Marc Marquez.

Marquez added: “But the wind got up in the afternoon and at one point a gust made me fall. I was unhurt but it was too late, by then the track was very cold and I did not get back on the bike. But well things have gone quite well in spite of everything and I am pleased.”

[credit: Paddock Talk]

                              
Phoenix, Arizona was pretty much convinced how great James Stewart is as he notched a victory during the second round of the Monster Energy® AMA Supercross. Stewart also took points lead duringthe FIM Championship with a remarkable triumph at Chase Field. It seems like Stewart was invincible all throughout the race without any problems with his bike and his brake dust shields.

According to Kawasaki.com, Stewart went on with a smooth-sailing race after a perfect start. He was in the lead in the entire 20 laps of the main event to put his Kawasaki KX™450F as the highest riser of the podium for the first time this season. On the other hand, Timmy Ferry, Stewart’s teammate, fell short on the race.

“I had a good start and we made it past where we did last weekend so that was a plus,” said Stewart. “I was definitely pumped going into that first corner and I knew I didn’t want to tip over. I knew Chad (Reed) was going to make a charge, that’s what he does and I just let the race come to me. I think he almost made a pass on me, but I wasn’t too worried, it is a long race and a long season and we have to be smart about it. I rode as hard as the track would let me. Every race, every lap it gets tougher and tougher, but I’m not worried about my endurance. I feel good, I’m super stoked. I’m happy for everybody at Monster Energy Kawasaki, this is our first win for Kawasaki in a while and for me it is satisfying. It’s good to get a solid race under our belt and also a win, it definitely feels good.”

“With the little berm on the inside line it was definitely getting rough going into it,” said Stewart. “The toughest part was when you get to lappers. The outside was obviously slower and I have to thank Mikey (Williamson) for the timely signal, because I went to the outside to get around them and he may have got past me if I went to the outside again.”

“I think if I could have just moved over two feet or predicted the future, I would have known what to do,” said Ferry. “I had a good start and was running near the front when a guy in front of me hit a block and kicked it out on the track. I didn’t have anywhere to go and I just went down. There wasn’t much I could do about it.”

Results:
1. James M Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Monster Energy Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Tampa, Fla., Yamaha
3. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
4. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
5. Ivan Tedesco, Tallahassee, Fla., Honda
6. Mike Alessi, Victorville, Calif., Suzuki
7. Nathan Ramsey, Menifee, Calif, Yamaha
8. Joshua Hansen, Murrieta, Calif, Yamaha
9. Charles J Summey, Huntersville, N.C., Yamaha
10 .Timmy Ferry, Largo, Fla, Monster Energy Kawasaki
19. Jeff Gibson Blacklick, Ohio, Cernic’s Kawasaki