25 May 2016 Ouyang Fu disappears into the distance as Huang Zhi-Yu struggles with injury - ZIC Superbike 600cc race

At noon, 2016 Pan Delta Superbike 600cc class 22 bikes appear on ZIC track for their own race. Superbike has been a main stay of Pan Delta races. It has the most number of participants and it is the highest level of road racing competition nationally. Before today 600cc and 1000cc bikes race together but it is difficult for young drivers in a mixed race. From this race onwards, the two classes will race separately first, then the 32 fastest riders will race against each other in the final race. This format is a much better way for young talents to develop and grow.

This race not only affects the riders individual results, it is also the entry ticket for tomorrows mixed race. There are 22 riders in the 600cc race and Ouyang Fu is on pole position with a time of 1:40.247. Yuan Ji-Bo is second with a time of 1:41.927. They are all on Kawazaki ZX6R bikes. Huang Zhi-Yu is third with 1:43.331 on his Yamaha R6. The top 3 riders are all veterans of Pan Delta.

At 12:20 after the warm-up lap the race begins. Ouyang Fu makes a good start and leads the two bikes into the corner. All are very experienced riders and there was no accident. After a lap, Ouyang Fu continues to lead, Yuan Ji-Bo and Huang Zhi-Yu follow him a second or so behind. On lap 2, one of the bikes fall off the track and is in the sand trap, fortunately the rider is unhurt and walks away. On lap 3, Ouyang Fu begins to stretch his legs and extends his lead to more than 3 seconds. Another lap and the gap is extended to 4 seconds.

On lap 5 and Ouyang Fu is starting to lap backmarkers. The gap soon grows to more than 4 seconds among the 4 leading riders. The gaps among the leaders are big by superbike standards so it seems position changes will be hard to come by.

An 8 laps race is a relatively short distance for superbikes. Soon the chequered flag is shown and Ouyang Fu crosses the line to take the flag. Yuan Ji-Bo, Ma Sai and Huang Zhi-Yu follow in this order. Ouyang Fu puts his right hand index finger above his head in celebration.

After the race, Ouyang Fu said,"Today the race was very smooth, apart from the two opening laps, because I did not start from the pole and I was not used to that. Everything was fine. In the past we ran behind 1000cc bikes and we followed them. This time I led the race and felt very special. This division is very good for us. It gives us our own space to show what we can do. At the same time we also become the focus and do not live under 1000cc shadow. It is a good thing for us."

Yuan Ji-Bo said,"This is my first class win and it has a lot to do with luck. My main rival Huang Zhi-Yu injured himself yesterday so his speed was hindered. For me, last year I won the overall championship in the modified class but this year I am down in the stock class, I still need time to practice and adapt. I am supportive of this division. Previosly we raced with 1000cc and they have slow bikes while we have fast bikes, they pass us on the straight while we pass them in the fast corners. Actually it was very dangerous. Todays race was quiet and better."

Huang Zhi-Yu suffered an injury yesterday, he feels some regret. "My arm was hurt, today I have some trouble in handling the bike. I am very dissatisfied with my single lap times. I should be able to manage 1:40. I hope I can recover soon and get more practice."