Cameron Beaubier Talks IDM German Superbike Superpole

Andrea Wilson | August 1, 2015

Cameron Beaubier qualified fifth for tomorrow’s IDM German Superbike doubleheader at Schleizer Dreieck on August 2. Beaubier, along with Brit Kev Coughlin, are filling in for injured riders Max Neukirchner and Damian Cudlin on the Team Yamaha MGM squad.

Beaubier, currently tied for the lead in the MotoAmerica Superbike championship with Monster Energy Graves Yamaha teammate Josh Hayes, is well accustomed to a Yamaha R1. But obviously there’s been a bit of a learning curve with the German championship—a new team, a new track, and for today’s Superpole session: tires and Superpole settings.  

“I had a much better feeling this morning than I had yesterday, it’s nice to sleep on it and come back refreshed with just the track in my head,” Beaubier said. “I was getting to know the bike yesterday, the team and the tires and all that and I felt good this morning.

“Still we’re struggling a little bit with the confidence, turning the bike around and things like that. Overall it was an okay day. I was expecting a lot more in the Superpole, but we had a red flag at the beginning and the tires are only good for two laps. I came in and went back out, I felt like I was going faster and wanted to take it easy on the warm up lap and then hammer the next lap. I’ve never used qualifying tires and Superpole settings before. I didn’t really take advantage of the grip I had.

“It was kind of a bummer, but I think for the race it’ll be okay. I just need to get a good start and a few laps with hopefully some guys in front of me and ride two good races. I wished my time was a little better, but I can’t really expect more. Everything is so new, but I’m having fun.”

Beaubier’s teammate for the weekend Coughlin qualified eighth and so far Yamaha MGM Team Manager Michael Galinski is happy with the results.

“We are really satisfied, because both riders didn’t see the track here before and both did a really good job,” Galinski said. “It’s a shame that Kev [Coughlin] just crashed out during the Superpole, but he is okay. We’re fifth and eighth on the grid. Cameron [Beaubier] is feeling really well. Everything is new for him like using a qualifying tire, because in America they do the Superpole with normal race tires. Here the first flying lap on the qualifying tire needs to be perfect and I think this is pretty hard if you’re not used to it. I’m sure he can make it onto the podium in both races tomorrow and if Kev will be able to get into the top five we would be super happy.”

 

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Andrea Wilson | Managing Editor 

Andrea has been shooting everything from flat track to road racing in her job as a professional freelance photographer, but she's made the move to a full-time staff position at Cycle News where her love of all things motorcycling will translate well. Wilson has proven her worth as more than a photographer as she migrates to the written word with everything from race coverage to interviews.