Ryan Vickers explains his adaptation to a WorldSBK machine
Yesterday at 06:02 AM
"I am starting to understand the electronics now and what I need from the bike..."
Ryan Vickers is arriving at the World Superbike season opener with 'less experience' than he wanted to have.
The major part of the Ducati Panigale V4 R that Vickers is still adapting to is the different electronics. The British rider has described his World Superbike Ducati as 'different to anything' he has ridden.
"It's been a big step, it's different to anything I had ridden in BSB, with the electronics," Vickers said.
"The Ducati is also a very different style bike. We haven't had the best testing, only a day-and-a-half, we missed quite a bit through wet weather.
"We had a good testing programme but weren't able to get through everything. The same as everyone. So, we came to Australia with less experience than we'd hoped for.
"I have learned the track, it didn't take long. I have a good feeling with the bike. I feel good with the team, who are working incredibly well.
"I am starting to understand the electronics now, what I need from the bike, and what it's capable of," he said. The electronics level can be so high. But it can also be so low when you don't get it right.
"It's understanding what you need at the right time, and being able to change the bike at every point of the circuit as well.
"In BSB it's gear-by-gear. It's different for me, and something I must get used to feeding back on."
One of the major ways that Vickers has been learning his new World Superbike machine is through studying the data of his fellow Ducati riders.
"We overlay data from other riders, typically Nicolo Bulega, because he is the best on a Ducati," Vickers explained.
"The crew chief has access to the setup sheets of the other riders. The team work well and they give me the option to look at other people's data to learn.
"I actually haven't followed anyone on a Ducati yet. So I haven't had any reference on the track."
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