Positive start for Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team and Steven Odendaal in Estoril day 1

First day of free practice for the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team and Steven Odendaal at the Estoril circuit, which marked the start of the second round of the 2021 WorldSSP season. Under the Portuguese sunshine the South African rider and the reigning World Champion team performed well, finishing seventh in the combined standings of the two sessions. 

During the morning's FP1 session, the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team and Odendaal began to explore the various set-up options for Estoril, using the same pair of tyres for the duration of the session, unlike several of their rivals. Despite this, Steven, author of sixteen passes, managed to close the session in fourth position, a few tenths from the top. 

In the afternoon's FP2 session, which was characterised by a slight increase in temperature and wind, Odendaal continued to work on his Yamaha YZF-R6, putting in 16 laps on both new and used tyres. At the end of the session the South African rider has shown signs of growth and took seventh place, the same as in the combined classification. 

After a first day of work, the Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team is ready to race again. Tomorrow it will be time for the Superpole (11.25 Italian time), which will determine the starting grid for the two scheduled races, then the lights will go out for Race 1, scheduled for 16.15 Italian time. Tomorrow's programme will be visible live on channel 205 of the Sky platform. 

FP1 + FP2 #EstorilWorldSBK results 
P1 – Dominique Aegerter (Yamaha) 1’40”571 
P2 – Jules Cluzel (Yamaha) +0.164 
P3 – Federico Caricasulo (Yamaha) +0.177 
P4 – Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki) +0.316 
P5 – Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha) +0.339 
P7 – Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team, Yamaha) +0.495 

Steven Odendaal: "Today we started to work on a new track, but the feeling on the bike was good from the start. We have to improve in some areas of the track, but looking ahead to tomorrow I am absolutely optimistic. The team is working hard and I thank them: I'm sure we'll find what we need to fight for the podium again".