KTM launched its first ever FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup race on the newly released 1190 RC8 Street Superbike on Sunday at Valencia with Austrian Rene Maehr at the helm.
Participation in this highly competitive racing series is part of the company's research and development program. The 1190 RC8 performed well, was competitive and without technical problems even if the race came to a premature and disappointing end for rider Rene Maehr of the KTM Maehr Superstock team.
Maehr was strong in qualifying with 10th place and just 1.1 seconds off the pole position. But his race was short lived when he lost the front end in just the third lap on the Spanish circuit.
Rene Maehr: "I feel really disappointed because until I lost the front end in the first corner I felt really good. I feel sorry I was not able to finish my first race with the RC8. On the other hand I'm happy that we were able to be constantly fast in the practice and able to learn a lot." Maehr is certainly motivated looking ahead to the next race of the series, saying he always had a good feeling on the bike. The first race experience was also a positive one for the entire team.
Philipp Habsburg, Head of KTM R&D was also positive, saying: "It's easy to see the premiere of the RC8 in the FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup in a very positive light. Everything went well right from the first practice - Rene, the RC8, our entire team. We all worked together very well and in a good spirit. Seeing Rene and the RC8 in the gravel was bad, but with what we have learned in this short time we are already looking forward positively to the next race in Assen. Everyone is extremely motivated to continue the exciting and fruitful development of the 1190 RC8."
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