We have come to the end of the 2022 season and as we all know, teams have a lot of work to do before the start of the 2023 season in Philip Island at the end of February which is so close. This is by no means a criticism of Dorna, just something we all have to face from the last fall-out of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will do it and we look forward to 2023 with the confidence that we can mount a real title challenge.
Of course, we always wanted to challenge for the podium and look to win but I cannot tell you how proud I am of everyone in the team for what we have achieved. I also have personal pride having started my own racing career on Triumphs many years ago, if anybody is counting that was 45 years ago. I must be old.
To be the first team to win a World Supersport race with a Triumph and also the first win by a new generation Supersport machine is a tribute to our team and the 765 RS Street Triple. In the years the sport based 675 Daytona raced, the machine achieved 7 podiums. The fact that we have won a race, 2 times second and 2 times third, giving us 5 podiums in the first year is a real testament to the Street Triple. Even more so when you take into account that this is not a sports-based road bike but a true high-bar road machine. A great road bike and it says even more about how good it is that we, in the true ethos of production-based road racing, fitted a 675 Daytona fairing and turned it into a winner.
At this point I would like to emphasise we could not have done this without our valuable partners. A special thanks to Bitubo and their head technician, Devis Sgarbossa, who was a big factor in making our results a reality. Many thanks to Spark for the exhaust development, Galfer for supplying brake discs and brake lines helping the bike to stop so well in conjunction with SBS brake pads. Fuchs Silkolene for the lubricants to keep the bike running smoothly and all our partners who all played a part.
A special thank you to our title partner Dynavolt whose batteries have never once let us down. People might find this hard to believe but we have used the same batteries on the bike for 2 seasons, that’s how good they are. Givi do not provide anything technically for our bike but they are a great company and lovely people to work with. All these loyal people will be continuing into 2023 and it is a pleasure to continue our association. I must also say a huge thank you to Steve Sargent and everyone at Triumph for making us feel like part of the Triumph family.
Our many other partners also deserve a special mention for their support, Evo Tech, Spider, STM, GB Racing Covers, NGK, Spraybay, CRC Reactive parts and Mectronik. I thank you all.
Our loyal staff, my right-hand woman Sarah who does all our PR and logistics, our crew chiefs Andrea Balerini and Simon Green, our chassis technicians Dan Dadley and Calin Tudor, George Buckmaster, he may be my son but he has worked so well in the workshop and at events to keep the wheels turning. I cannot thank you all enough.
This column may read like one big thank you, which is exactly what it is. We have achieved a lot this year but we know we must continue to work in the best way to improve more in 2023.
To our riders. Stefano Manzi, he demands a lot but gave us a lot in return. Hannes Soomer, although he and all of us wanted him to do better he was a joy to work with and a true gentleman. Racing is a hard sport and for a few reasons we cannot keep the same rider line up in 2023 but this is in no way because we did not want to work with Stefano and Hannes, it was just not possible. Thank you both for your commitment this year.
Simon Green is leaving us at the end of the season to spend more time at home and he will work in the British Championship. In his place we welcome back Stuart Millen. Stuart was with us at the last round in Philip Island and we can see he will fit straight back in and be an asset in our efforts to improve. Thank you, Simon, for all you have done for our team.
Just a mention that the disappointing last round in Philip Island in no way takes away what we achieved this year. For sure Stefano had the pace to challenge for the win. He had caught the 4 in the leading group when he ran just a fraction wide and Caricasulo went for a gap that was never there. No penalty is so surprising but in any case, it would only be a long lap that would have changed nothing and we dropped to 6th overall in the championship, overtaken by the rider that knocked him off. Never mind, we will be ready to challenge in 2023.
We will announce our rider line up very soon and I sincerely hope you can support us with this and look to 2023 with excitement. I certainly do.
Cheers
Simon
Dynalion Electric Bicycle Product Display Store-USA
