Ryan Vickers says that in the future, long lap penalty lanes need to be “improved or considered” after “almost crashing” in race two at Hungary’s World SBK.
The Vickers showed a strong pace at Balaton Park on Sunday. They were unable to finish race 1 as they announced the Red Flag.
The British riders were fighting in the top ten in Race 2.
The world’s superbike rookie then said his Hungarian pace was the result of his first improvement since the Emilia Romana round, but not only received a long lap penalty, he also expressed his dissatisfaction with the track’s condition where the penalty lane is located.
“It’s been a big step since Misano. We’ve improved,” Ryan Vickers spoke to Worldsbk.com after Race 2 at Balaton.
“We arrived here at a good level and learned on the bike. We were in the top 10 in all session bar 1.
“We got the best results on the unclear tracks of the sprint race.
“An amazing final race fighting for the P6. We were fighting great riders.
“Unfortunately, I got a long rap because it is hard to know how much time you give them as you go through Shikane.
“I tried to exaggerate the gap with the rider behind me, but obviously it wasn’t a moment, so I was a little annoyed by it.
“There are long laps, crazy bumps on the start, there are things that need to be improved or seen, I almost crashed.
“That was a shame, we went through gravel. I went back to the track after a good time. The pace was amazing.
“Unfortunately, I crashed a bit at the end. I was definitely mad. I was pushing the limits.
“I thought maybe I could catch the guys for the P12, I was closed. I was a little faster. I won’t stop pushing the checker flag – but we learn every time.”
The Super Pole Race came in 7th place for the Vickers. The Vickers admitted that despite his experience with BSB, the mixing conditions were not his preference.
“As a British rider, I think I might fit those requirements,” he said.
“But that’s what I like most!
“It doesn’t happen very often where we go out on a damp slick tire truck, and that’s my only point.
“It’s fine if you have full wet or wet tires on a dry truck.”
The Vickers credited the Motocorsa team for helping them make the right decisions about their tire selection.
“Thanks to the team, we made the right decision,” he said.
“I wanted a mid-way front and a smooth rear. I think that might have been better, but the team said, ‘I trust us.’
“The truck dries quickly. The new tarmac here is slippery. We were able to pass the riders in the wet parts of the track. There were some moments in the mouth.”
After summer vacation, Vickers says he is still improving with his comforting and understanding of the bike.
“Continue to understand the bike. We’ve changed things, the handlebars.
“I know more about how to ride it, how to brake, where to sit, and where to sit. There’s a certain type of riding.
“The use of electronic devices has been improved.
“We have improved this weekend, and we can learn from this and continue to improve our emotions.
“We are in the ballpark with the chassis, and we are not much different and we are familiar with bikes.
“We can follow the top Ducati riders more than we can do at the beginning of this season.”