NRT completes two-day WorldSSP pre-season test, impresses with Top 10 result

The Indian-owned NRT made its track debut in the two-day pre-season Supersport World Championship test at Phillip Island at the start of the week. The team ran two Indian flag-inspired livery Yamaha YZF-R6.

The bikes were ridden by experienced campaigner Julez Cluzel and rookie Thomas Gradinger. While the former on pace right away, the latter had to get himself in tune, not only with the bike but also the circuit.

In the end, Cluzel finished ninth overall in the combined standings with a best time of 1m34.227s which as within a second of the front-runner Randy Krummenacher - also on the Yamaha R6.

“We had a good first test,” said Cluzel. “After three months of not riding, and with this being the first time the team and I have been together, I think we have had a good two days. At the end, we were only 0.6 from the pace but I know we can improve on this.

“We struggled in the first session but our times improved in the afternoon session when the used tyre went on, this tyre gave us our fastest time all day. I have mixed feelings though, as our target is to be the fastest, and I know we can do this, but its disappointing as we didn't show our best lap time due to the red flag. I know there is more to come.”

Gradinger, meanwhile, could only manage 19th from his run with a best time of 1m35.670s, but was able to improve in the four sessions he ran in. "First of all I'm really happy to be back on the bike, five months without riding is really strange,” said Gradinger.

“The first two days were quite hard as we tried a lot of different settings with the suspension but we didn't get the right feeling for me. Now we have three days to reflect on the weekend but I'm not worried as I think we will do well. Let’s see what the race weekend brings.”

The team will be back on track soon with the season-opener scheduled for this weekend at the same venue. Owner Vafi Khan is aiming for a Top 5 result in its debut season after running under Nerds Racing Team in multiple Middle Eastern championships.

Story: sportsflashes.com/en/news/nrtimpressesonitstrackdebutinworldssppreseasontest/182681.html

[Image courtesy: NRT World Supersport] #WorldSSP #Motorsport #Bike #Yamaha #NerdsRacing #SSP #YamahaR6 #India #smalltribesrule #PhillipIsland #Australia