Sylvain arrives as a real contender

Date published : 08 Mar 2010 - 13:30:45

Suzuki Alstare rider Sylvain Guintoli had a fabulous welcome to the 2010 season in Australia, coming so close to a podium in race two and winning the Pirelli award for the fastest lap in the process. The lap that gave Sylvain the new Pirelli Best Lap' prize was a 132.236, while his team-mate Leon Haslam won the equivalent award in race one, with a 1'32.193.The leader for eight laps in the second PI race, Sylvain was only 0.837 seconds from victory in his fourth career WSB race. A new star has arrived under French colours and Sylvain is a welcome one from a country with a high degree of form in Superbike racing. Guintoli has had a very long international career for a rider of 27, but he is a relative newcomer to Superbike racing, having spent most of his career in GPs. He was a BSB force immediately in his first season in 2009, but a serious injury early in the year, after a collision with another rider, prevented him from adding to his amazing starting statistics - one win and three other podiums from his first four races. Sylvain, who lives in the UK, feels right at home in WSB racing now that the season has started for real. "I knew I was going to be loads faster in race weekend than in testing," said Sylvain. "This winter I concentrated on doing the best job in the set-up and I think we did a good job. I felt comfortable with the pace and when you ride like that it is such a great buzz."