BAYLISS (DUCATI XEROX) NOTCHES UP SECOND CONSECUTIVE DOUBLE
WIN OF THE SEASON AT A PACKED MONZA
Monza (Italy), Sunday 7 May: Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox)
extended his World Superbike winning streak to five as he
notched up another two wins at Monza to add to his race 2
triumph in Australia and his double at Valencia. The 37-year-old,
whose return to the championship this year after three years
in MotoGP, has been nothing short of sensational, now leads
the table by 36 points from his closest rival Troy Corser
(Suzuki), who twice finished on the podium today. The wins
were Troy’s fifth and sixth at the high-speed Autodromo,
and his third double win at Monza to go with the same results
in 2001 and 2002.
“I love coming to Monza and I’ve got fond memories
of the place ever since I first arrived here with Ducati in
2000 but to win like I did today is pretty special. Ernesto
Marinelli, my main man, had a few solutions this morning to
solve the bike’s stability, he’s normally right
and we didn’t really have any problems at all”
declared Troy after race 1.
“The second race was a bit harder, because the guys
got a bit of a jump and Corser and Haga made a good first
few laps, while I was with James for a bit and it was difficult
to get past. Eventually I caught the two in the front. Troy
and I played a bit of cat-and-mouse but the most important
thing was that we got away from Nori and it came down to us
two in the last few laps. I love to do well here in front
of all the Italians, there’s just something special
about the place, I’ve done the double here today and
the last time I was here I was lucky enough to get the same
result. I think I’ve got the best team in the paddock
and a big thanks to everyone for these wins today”.
Two disappointing races for Lorenzo Lanzi, who was unable
to repeat his Valencia form after struggling to get to grips
with the Monza circuit from Friday onwards.
“After the excellent results at Valencia, I thought
I could do better at Monza because I had always done great
races here with the Superstock and the 749” commented
Lorenzo. “But the fact that I had never been here before
on a Superbike maybe conditioned my entire weekend. I tried
to be the best Italian on the track, and came close but it
wasn’t to be. I clearly had problems right from the
Friday morning and I had to struggle. We will now try and
get back to the front at Silverstone”.
RACE 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Barros
(Honda); 3. Corser (Suzuki); 4. Haga (Yamaha); 5. Pitt (Yamaha);
6. Muggeridge (Honda); … 9. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox). RACE
2: 1. Bayliss; 2. Corser; 3. Haga; 4. Barros; 5. Toseland
(Honda); 6. Pitt; … 11. Lanzi.
POINTS (after 4 of 13 rounds): Riders –
1. Bayliss 175; 2. Corser 139; 3. Toseland 97; 4. Barros 95;
5. Haga 93; 6. Pitt 79; 7. Lanzi 59; 8. Rolfo 46. Manufacturers
– 1. Ducati 176; 2. Suzuki 149; 3. Honda 124; 4. Yamaha
113; 5. Kawasaki 57; 6. Petronas 4.
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