Schumacher rode his KTM990 to an impressive 4th place
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SEVEN-TIME Formula One champion Michael Schumacher finished fourth in his
first competitive motorbike race at the weekend - and then dismissed the growing
rumours of a full-time motorcycle racing career.
The 39-year-old, who was third in qualifying, recorded the second-fastest lap
in 10-lap KTM Trophy race at Misano, Italy.
He was blocked in at the first corner and slipped down to 14th place but
battled back through the field to finish just outside the podium places.
Schumacher rode a 990cc KTM Super Duke in the event and said: “At the start
I was a bit too careful, I didn't begin well and I was well behind. Then I
found my way and started overtaking and it was great.
“But there will be no second career on motorbikes, this is just a hobby.”
The former Ferrari ace set a fastest lap of 1min 49.612secs in the process,
which was only beaten by race winner Andrea Padovani, who posted a best of
1min 49.508secs.
He added: “This is not the start of a second career. Even if I do a race from
time to time that does not mean anything else than I do it because I want to
enjoy myself. I just enjoy motorbiking. I do not have any ambitions to step
into any kind of racing series.”
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