Somkiat Chantra felt the ache whereas using his Honda WorldSBK bike for the primary time after his crash at Sepang in January.
Chantra broke each arms in a crash at Sepang, forcing the Thai rider to overlook each European checks in January (which in the end proved to be of little use as each arms have been washed away within the rain), and the February check and race at Phillip Island, the place he was changed by Tetta Nagashima.
This week’s Portimão check gave Chantra the possibility to experience the World Superbike spec CBR1000RR-R for the primary time since final November’s Jerez check, however this was additionally canceled on the second day as a result of rain.
The primary day at the least gave Chantra an opportunity to experience the monitor, however it was painful when taking corners.
After the check, Somkiat Chantra stated, “Even when I may solely do about 40 laps because of the climate, it was good to get again on the bike and check it.”
“I did it in phases to see how my arm was doing. My left arm is okay, however my proper arm nonetheless cannot transfer as precisely as earlier than and it hurts slightly when I attempt to lean into corners.”
“However I anticipated it, and it is fairly regular.”
Chantra added that he was in a position to experience the CBR600RR in Thailand earlier than the check, so his purpose now could be to be prepared for the Portugal spherical from March 27-29.
“I had already been coaching on the CBR600RR again in Thailand, however the objective of this check was to get some respectable monitor time and regain my confidence within the racing bike and staff,” he stated.
“I’ll now go residence and proceed coaching. I hope I shall be prepared for the Portimao spherical.”
Chantra ran alongside Honda’s Jonathan Rea within the check, however the Northern Irishman complained in regards to the rain that has hampered all European testing since January. Chantra’s full-time teammate Jake Dixon didn’t experience this week as he continues to get better from an harm sustained within the ultimate pre-season check in Australia final month.
