2007 Superbike World Championship
Round 6, Monza, Italy
Circuit: 5.793 kms. Weather: Dry, sunny/cloudy 24-27 C.
STEADY START FOR TEAM ALSTARE
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Yukio Kagayama and
Max Biaggi made a steady start to the weekend here at Monza,
finishing ninth and eleventh respectively after first qualifying.
Yukio had some clutch and engine braking problems and Max
was getting used to the Monza circuit for the first time on
a Superbike. Series leader James Toseland (Honda) led the
way today smashing the lap record by nearly a second. Noriyuki
Haga (Yamaha) was second quickest, with Karl Muggeridge (Honda)
third and Regis Laconi (Kawasaki) fourth.
YUKIO - 9th, 1:46.972
I am not so happy how today went and I hope we can improve
tomorrow. This morning I had some problems entering the corners,
so we made some changes to the clutch and the engine braking,
but it was worse in thew afternoon! Normally this problem
is easy to fix, but we were not able to find the solution
this afternoon in timed qualifying. However, we did improve
the chassis feeling and if we can solve the other problem,
I am sure I can push harder.
MAX - 11th, 1:47.205
Monza is a new track for me really, because the last time
I was here was a long time ago. I have never ridden a Superbike
here, so I have to learn the track before I can begin to push
hard. Although this track is not difficult to learn, you have
to know the correct braking points if you want to go fast.
It is so important to find your braking points and it’s
easy to lose tenths of a second if you don’t know what
you are doing. We had a little stability problem today, so
we’ll make some changes to the bike for tomorrow. I
always ask a lot of myself, so I don’t really feel any
extra pressure on me here.This is my first WSBK race in Italy
and I want to do well for my team and all the fans.
Friday qualifying
1 Toseland (GB-Honda) 1:45.953, 2 Haga (J-Yamaha) 1:46.316,
3 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda) 1:46.462, 4 Laconi (F-Kawasaki) 1:46.548,
5 Brookes (Aus-Honda) 1:46.686, 6 Xaus (E-Ducati) 1:46.775,
7 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati) 1:46.918, 8 Rolfo (I-Honda) 1:46.960,
9 YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1:46.972,
10 Nieto (E-Kawasaki) 1:47.125, 11 MAX BIAGGI (I-Alstare Suzuki
Corona Extra) 1:47.205,
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