•    28. März 2006    Collin & "EBS-Sturm-Racing Team" in Italy

Day 9:

We all met in the breakfast room and Robbie was making his special French Toast that Ross had taught him to make.
We had a lot to organize and I was there for quite some time.
Then I drove back up to Schorndorf

Day 8:

We woke up to good weather and I was happy about that.
It was Saturday and the pit area was filling up with riders. I waited a bit for the track to get better, (it was to flat for me) and it was about 12h that I fired up my bike and went out on to the track. I did a bit of riding and warmed my self up. Then I did a 30 min took a break for a while and did a 53 min tank test again. The put the sprinklers on while I was riding and it was interesting to see how my concentration worked. I had to concentrate on the track and ignore the water which was hitting me every now and again. It was a good training session.
After that I was pretty empty and washed my bike.
Had a shower then we left, direction Germany again. We got to my second family Sturm at about 0h30. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. Robby drove the whole way up.

Day 7:

Woke up at 8h10 and looked out the window. It was cold and windy and it started to rain lightly. Fortunately it was my/our day off :o)
We had breakfast then Ross and I went into Mantova to look around. Robbie did`nt feel like it so he stayed behind fixed a few small behind on the truck. It is a big city and full interesting Buildings and Churches. We had lunch in a Cafe and visited an Internet Shop to call up our E-Mails. We went and bought some food for supper.
Now Its TV time and bed.

Day 6:

Today I was awake pretty early and could`nt wait to go riding. The track was, as always, to good. I waited before I went riding until the track got a bit rougher. It was awesome, I went out there and did a moto. My Suspension is working extremly well, Thanks Hubert :o). Hubert Hoffman from Race-Tech I have to say he is one of the very few people I know who can work magic when it comes 2 suspension.
I had a break and did another moto. The riding is going very well and I cant wait for the racing to start. Robbie is looking good on The 450 and Ross who is on the 250 2-stroke was doing a lot of riding trying to get used to the big bike. He has a very smooth riding style. We did some sprint training and I was quite surprised at just how quick I was going.
The KXF 450 is an awesome bike and I really have to thank Kawasaki ...
It was then time for a shower. After that it was time for me to Cook up a meal for us.
We watched a bit of TV then Dream land....

Day 5:

We woke up and went shopping for Water and a few things 2 eat. Then we were off back 2 Mantova. I got there and put the parts into and on to my bike. Got ready warmed up and Off I went. I did a 40 min moto. Had a break for 1 std and did a 47 min moto. Watched the boys ride a bit and helped out some. We then all took our bikes to the wash place and got wet :o) Old style no high pressure washer, just a hose and soap with a rag. We loaded up and went to shower.
I got back and Cooked up a meal for us tonight. We r now watching TV but im almost off into dream land.
SO take care!

Day 4:

We had the day off yesterday and luckily so because it rained the whole day :o) We first washed the truck... Ok Robbie washed and we helped him with our thoughts :o) Look at the picture! Then we left for Cremona. At the Cremona track it was WET ,yyiiigguut, so we didnt hang aroung there for long. We went to Cremona city where we went into a big shopping center with a Media Markt :o) spent alot of time there and hung out in our Camper. Later that night one of Sturms truck came down with some spare parts for me:o) We had a really lazy day.We slept over in Cremona.

Day 3:

We woke up to the sound of a grader that was busy fixing the track. We waited until they finished doing the track and off we went :o) It was an awesome amount of fun.
I had a standard muffler break but Lucky one of Sturm's trucks are comming down to Italy with a load and he is picking a package up from Pfeil with the needed spare parts. We will get it tomorrow.
It was good to be on the bike again after the two week, forced, Wheather break I had comming back from the States.
My bike new suspension from Race Tech (Hubert Hoffman) is so good to ride with it's amazing. I was having a bit of problems going into corners. The front of the bike was feeling like it was riding high. Now It`s so easy to control the bike on the entrance to the corners and the whole way through. It`s just a pleasure to ride. The Motor is fast even though Ive done nothing it. The whole package is really good. I will be putting a HGS pipe from Silent sport on and that will make the bike race ready.
Tomorrow we are going to Girona to ride :o) Looking forward to that aswell.
So every one take care and I will speak to you tomorrow

Day 2:

Today we were up at 8h15 we had to wait a bit before we could ride. 10h30. The track had a bit of frost on it this morning at 7h30, but the sun was already out :o)
I was looking forward to getting on my bike again. I am enjoying my riding imensly. I did some motor's today with our team. We started 20 sec apart and It was also a test 2 see how much Fuel our 450 use in 40 min. All in all it was an awesome day and I am Really Happy to be in such a good team.
Jürgen and Robbert are extremly good to work with and we have built up a great friendship. Ross had a get off to day that left him seeing double but he was riding really well. Robby has adapted really good to the 450 and it took me 4ever to pass him :o) Tomorrow we aregoing to another track "Gerona".
Now its time for FOOOOOOD! Take care!

Day 1:

I drove down to my sponsor the family Sturm on Friday Morning. We had to put my suspenssion in from Hubi (Hubert Hoffman) put some stickers onto the bike. We packed and got every thing into the truck. It was Robbie and Josef Sturm, Ross Branch and Florian Viedemann and my self who left Kissing at 19h30. Robbie drove until we reached Italy then he found a place to sleep. Robbie woke up at 8h20 and we were off again. We stopped and bought some water and bread rolls.
When we got to the track it was Sunny, blue skies. The track was awesome and we got riding. I had a brand new bike so I had to ride it in...

That meant I could few laps then I had 2 wait a bit, tighten the spokes the nuts and bolts ect ect. I was so happy to be on the bike again Geeeees. Stopping every 10 min wasnt my idea shredding the track up. But after the third time out there I could go as long as I wanted. I rode 20 min then I did a 45 min motor.
Josef was having a whale of a time riding. We almost had to drag him off his bike :o) We had a shower Josi and Flo packed up. Now we r waiting for Robbie and we r going to eat.
Robert Sen. drove down also and got here at about 11. Yyyuummmyy  :o)