Glenn Allerton got the 2014 World Superbike season at Phillip
Island off to a great start with a third place in Race 1 in the EVO
Class. Riding the BMW Motorrad Italia BMW S 1000 RR EVO, Allerton
overcame an injured arm and thumb to score two great results. He
now sits in fourth place in the EVO class standings.
It was a late call up for Allerton who replaced the twice World
Superstock Champion Sylvan Barrier on the BMW Motorrad Italia S
1000 RR. Barrier was unable to take his place on the bike after
sustaining a cracked pelvis in a crash at official testing at
Phillip Island on Monday.
Allerton is well acquainted with the S 1000 RR having taken out
the 2011 ASBK title on his BMW S 1000 RR.
The BMW Motorrad Italia S 1000 RR competes in the new EVO class,
which uses a stock engine, electronics package and main frame. The
rules allow similar modifications to the full WSBK machines such as
brakes and suspension for increased performance.
The weekend started positively for Allerton who quickly came to
grips with the EVO S 1000 RR and his new team. Unfortunately a
crash on Saturday afternoon after setting his best ever lap at the
famous Island circuit, saw the bike damaged and Allerton with a
badly bruised right thumb.
In Race 1 Allerton got off to a good start and concentrated on
being in contact with the leading EVO Class riders Davis Salom
(Kawasaki) and Niccolo Canepa (Ducati). The three riders held a
tight and entertaining battle throughout the race with Allerton
just fading in the final laps due to intense pain.
In Race 2 the track temperature had risen and Allerton had
problems with getting grip and increased pain with his injured
hand. The fifth place in Evo was a solid result.
Glenn Allerton: "I am very happy with my first
race and in part also of the second.I have been consistently fast,
although in the crash yesterday I injured a finger that has
bothered me today especially in race two.In the first race I
achieved a very good result while in the second heat and pain in
the finger slowed me down, but I still managed to get into the
points.I'm glad to have been part of a very professional team and
for me this was a great experience, for which I want to thank BMW
Motorrad Italia Superbike Team and also my team, the Next Gen
Motorsports BMW team, which allowed me to compete in World
Superbike."
Gerardo Acocella - Team Director: "It's been a
tough trip for our team that has had to work so much because of two
crashes that have seriously damaged our bike.Unfortunately
yesterday Allerton was hurt a finger and today was not 100%.He got
a good result in race one, while the second suffered from
exhaustion and heat.We are happy because the bike has proved to be
competitive and in both races today Glenn was close to the fastest
riders in the class. I want to thank for their support BMW Motorrad
Australia and the team at Next Gen BMW Motorsports Road Racing that
has allowed Allerton to be part of our team this weekend. "
Miles Davis - BMW Marketing Manager: "After
Sylvain's unfortunate accident we were contacted by the team who
were interested to have Glenn ride the BMW Italia EVO bike. As
Glenn has been on the BMW since 2011 he is well known by the team
and after a few discussions Glenn was confirmed as the replacement
rider. It was great to see Glenn do so well, especially in race 1,
despite his injuries. In race 1 I was hoping to see him pull one of
his trademark turn 4 passing maneuvers and finish as the top EVO
bike but he was in too much pain. BMW Australia is very proud of
Glenn's efforts and thankful to BMW Italia for the opportunity. We
hope Sylvain has a quick recovery and is able to fight for EVO
class wins at the next round.
For further press / media information contact:
Scott Croaker
Product Communications Manager
783 Springvale Road
Mulgrave VIC 3170
Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 9264 4150
mailto: scott.croaker@bmw.com.au
Miles Davis
Marketing Manager Motorrad
783 Springvale Road
Mulgrave VIC 3170
Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 9264 4021
mailto: miles.davis@bmw.com.au