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Two solid performances following a post-Superpole penalty proved that Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado and the Barni Racing Team have reason to be confident as Round 2 of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship takes place in Thailand next weekend.

Due to using two qualifying tyres in the first Superpole session, therefore infringing regulations, Mercado was demoted to the back of the grid for both races of the Australian season-opener. However, this didn’t stop the reigning FIM Superstock 1000 Cup title holder from scoring in both encounters, with 12th place in Race 1 and 11th position in Race 2.

Before the Phillip Island event commenced, Team Manager Marco Barnabo spoke exclusively with WorldSBK.com.

“Competing in World Superbike is a great challenge,” Barnabo began. “Australia is the first race in the top category for both the team and its riders, but it’s a pleasure to be here. We are working calmly, looking not to make mistakes or to put added pressure on the rider.”

It would be down to inexperience in the class that the Superpole tyre error was committed, but confirming the ‘calm’ mentioned by Barnabo, a pair of points-scoring positions were still achieved. However, strategy remains the key point.

“Without doubt, World Superbike is much more difficult,” Barnabo continued. “In Superstock 1000 we did around ten laps per race on a single (standard) tyre. Here in World Superbike, there is a lot more strategy to it. We’re working on tyre life.

“Having such a good relationship with Ducati is absolutely essential in this process. We have worked with Ducati since 1996, which is almost 20 years, so there is real continuity in our collaboration which is very important.”

The next event at the new Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand is set to throw up various opportunities, with the whole grid travelling there for the first time.