Kawasaki’s Loris Baz2014 Kawasaki Racing TeamThere’s no doubting the performance of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R in World Superbike – factory rider Tom Sykes took the 2013 title aboard one.
But as Sykes continued to achieve optimal results throughout 2013, his teammate, Loris Baz, struggled. The Frenchman was affected by a back injury, which prevented him from competing in the final four rounds of 2013 World SBK.But ahead of the mandatory testing ban, which began Dec. 1 and ends Jan. 15, Baz was back with the Kawasaki Racing Team for three tests. Though he wasn’t quickest on the the time sheets, he says his physical conditions are improving.Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R Superbike) says: “My back is really good now, I’m working hard on it with my coach Dominique Simoncini and I’m following a physiotherapy program. I’m feeling great. Testing went really well, I’m happy because we could end up 2013 in a strong way and that gives me confidence for next season. We did a big step forward with electronics and general feeling with the ZX-10R. Kawasaki Japan gave us some new parts which worked well and suit my riding style better.”Of course, after two years of not-so good results, much will be expected from the former STK600 Champion in 2014. But he does not feel any pressure about the 2014 SBK.Loris Baz says: “I don’t feel any pressure on my shoulders, I’m simply excited. I knew the level we reached in the second half of the season, but unfortunately the injury did not allow me to show my potential. We surely need to get a good start of 2014 and be consistently up front, my goal is to finish the season within the top-3.”Over the winter break, Baz will continue working on his physical condition, hoping to be in top shape for 2014 World Superbike.Loris Baz says: “I have no plans yet, but of course I will keep training hard during the winter. Today I’m going to Aix-en-Provence with my friend Jeremy Guarnoni to ride Supermoto bikes. I will spend Christmas at home and do also some snowmobile skiing. I can’t wait for January 16th as we’ll be testing at Almeria, I love riding my ZX-10R and I want to keep improving before the start of the season.”
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly Podcast—Motos and Friends.
My name is Arthur Coldwells.
This week’s Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha motorcycles. Discover how the YZF-R7 provides the perfect balance of rider comfort and true supersport performance by checking it out at YamahaMotorsports.com, or see it for yourself at your local dealer.
This week’s episode features Senior Editor Nic de Sena’s impressions of the beautiful new Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST that is loosely based around the original FXRT Sport Glide from the 1980s. Hailing from The Golden State, these cult-status performance machines became known as West Coast style, with sportier suspension, increased horsepower, and niceties including creature comforts such as a tidy fairing and sporty luggage.
In past episodes you might have heard us mention my best friend, Daniel Schoenewald, and in the second segment I chat with him about some of the really special machines in his 170 or so—and growing—motorcycle collection. He’s always said to me that he doesn’t consider himself the owner, merely the curator of the motorcycles for the next generation.
Yet Daniel is not just a collector, but I can attest a really skilled rider. His bikes are not trailer queens, they’re ridden, and they’re ridden pretty hard. Actually, we have had many, many memorable rides on pretty much all of the machines in the collection at one time or another.
From all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
