Schumacher happy despite slow superbike ride

OSCHERSLEBEN, Germany (Reuters) - Michael Schumacher finished way down the field in practice for a German superbike race on Saturday but the retired seven-times Formula One world champion said he was still satisfied with his performance.

Schumacher, who had originally tried to race in the low-key championship (www.idm.de) under a false name, finished first practice in 37th place on his Honda and could not take part in the second session because of a technical problem.

"I'm being very positively received here and what I really like most is the pleasant cooperation," the 39-year-old German told Reuters TV ahead of Sunday's race.

"What also makes me happy of course is that my team mate (Austrian Martin Bauer) saved the team in an impressive manner today and got a superb pole position in the last round, under conditions which for sure were very difficult."

He added: "My intention was to start as the last rider (on Sunday) anyway so it all fits together pretty well what just happened here."

The former Ferrari driver, who retired from Formula One at the end of 2006, competed in his first proper motorcycle race in Italy in March.

He has said however that he is no intention of racing seriously on two wheels: "There'll be no second career on motorbikes," he told reporters at the time. "This is just a hobby."

(Writing by Kevin Fylan in Berlin, editing by Alan Baldwin)