Muggeridge Joins Kagayama in Germany

Team Suzuki Alstare Brux rider Yukio Kagayama will be joined at this weekend's World Superbike round at the Nurburgring in Germany by former Supersport team rider Karl Muggeridge after Max Neukirchner has been advised not to ride by his doctors.

Neukirchner underwent two operations a few weeks ago and his doctors have advised him to give the race a miss and continue his rehabilitation. It is a particular blow for the German, for not only as it is it his home race, but last year he took two podiums at the event and has been looking forward to repeating the feat.

Yukio Kagayama:

"Last year I missed the race because I broke a bone in my hand after crashing in the Saturday free practice session, so this year I hope that I will be able to do both races at the very least! We have had a long break since the last race and I am itching to get back on my bike again and hungry for some good results. It is a shame that Max will not be racing this weekend and I would like to wish him a speedy recovery. Nurburgring is not an easy circuit because there are many changes of elevation and some slow corners, but I hope we can find a good bike set-up early on, have a good Superpole; and then a good day on Sunday."

Karl Muggeridge:

"Firstly I would like to wish Max all the best and say 'get well soon mate.' This coming weekend is a nice opportunity to work with Alstare again. The last time was when I raced Supersport for them in 2001 and it's good to see that many of the mechanics are the same ones I knew then. That will make my life easier when we start working with the bike on Friday for sure. The team is not putting any pressure on me at all and have told me to just ride the bike and do the best I can. I have spent some time with the Alstare mechanics and have seen the differences between the bike and the Suzuki I raced earlier this year. I think that the biggest difference will be the handling and the electronics: These days it takes quite a lot of time to understand the electronics and the changes that can be made and the quicker I can understand them, the better it'll be. I'm really looking forward to the weekend, even though I know it's not going to be an easy one, but whatever happens I will give it my best shot."

Max Neukirchner:

"Firstly I would like to wish Yukio and Karl all the best for this weekend and hope the results will be good. I will be at the Nurburgring and supporting the team, even though it's going to be a bit frustrating just watching. A few weeks ago I went to my specialist and then had two operations - one on my back and one on my side. The operations went very successfully and now I am able to carry on my rehabilitation with static cycling and swimming again. I had some screws put in my back and a metal plate in my side and now I do not have to wear a body cast anymore, which makes life more comfortable. It has been a bit frustrating at times, but now I am much happier because I can train again and can look forward to getting back on my bike. I will come to the Nurburgring and discuss everything with Francis about the next couple of months and I hope to also meet a lot of my fans."

2008 results
Race 1:
1 Haga (J-Yamaha)
2 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati)
3 Max Neukirchner (D-Alstare Suzuki)
4 Corser (Aus-Yamaha)
5 Checa (E-Honda)
6 Xaus (E-Ducati)
8 Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki Alstare)
10 Karl Muggeridge (Aus-Honda)
Yukio Kagayama (J-Suzuki Alstare) DNS.

Race 2:
1 Haga
2 Corser
3 Max Neukirchner (D-Alstare Suzuki)
4 Bayliss
5 Checa
6 Fabrizio (I-Ducati)
9 Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki Alstare)
12 Karl Muggeridge.
Yukio Kagayama (J-Suzuki Alstare) DNS.