Misano Preview
SUPERBIKE BATTLE SET TO HEAT UP AT MISANO SCORCHER
The World Superbike Championship moves on from the torrential
rains that forced the abandonment of Silverstone's race 2
to what promises to be another scorching weekend of action
at the recently revamped, resurfaced and renamed Misano World
Circuit track.
The former Santamonica circuit more or less retains the same
layout as before but now the riders will be lapping in a clockwise
direction as it hosts its first international event since
reopening for business in spring of this year.
Misano has always been a favourable track for Italian manufacturer
Ducati, winners of 23 of the 30 encounters in the fifteen
years of WSBK action there.
Troy Bayliss, 4th in championship (189 points)
Troy Bayliss has always had a particular affinity with the
Misano track the eight times he has raced there since 2000.
The 38 year-old Aussie has won four races and finishing second
three times. First Superbike testing at the new Misano in
May also went well, with Troy topping the timesheets.
"Now you have to get into a good rhythm at Misano because
it's a very one-line sort of track and the bike has to be
working well to get the most out of it. The track's got good
grip but it's quite bumpy. Some guys will come to grips with
it, some will struggle, it depends on how they're feeling
with the bike, but I felt very comfortable there. Misano has
always been good for me and I can't see why it can't be again
especially after the last test we did there. Actually the
launch pad for the rest of the season started at Silverstone
and the plan is to continue. I'm going to attack as much as
I can and gradually make up the points on the guys in front
of me. I actually thought the gap was more after Silverstone
but when I found out it's only 48 points, I was quite happy
because it's still possible to win the title!"
Lorenzo Lanzi, 6th in championship (116 points)
Lorenzo Lanzi's best result at Misano is a fifth place, which
he obtained in 2005. However the 25-year-old Italian likes
the new Misano circuit and set third quickest time there in
the two-day test one month ago.
"I like the new track, it's a lot more technical than
before, even though it will be more difficult to pass in the
race. It also seems a bit slower than before, and for us that's
a big penalization for us, in particular when exiting the
corners. At this point of the season I'm not really interested
in my position in the standings, what is more important is
that I get back on the podium like in the opening race at
Qatar or at least be in a position to fight for the podium.
As the track is a good one for Ducati, this weekend should
be an ideal opportunity to produce some good results."
A DUCATI FOR WORLD CHAMPION SWIMMER FILIPPO MAGNINI
Filippo Magnini, Italy's two-times world 100 metre freestyle
swimming champion will receive a special gift on Friday during
the first day of World Superbike action at the Misano World
Circuit. Thanks to his sponsor Arena, he will receive the
keys of a brand-new red Ducati 1098, the latest Superbike
to come out of the Borgo Panigale factory, from WSBK champion
Troy Bayliss.
LANZI JOINS OTHER SBK RIDERS AT CERVIA AIR BASE
The top SBK riders will once again meet up with their counterparts
of the air. On Thursday morning Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox)
will join James Toseland, Noriyuki Haga, Max Biaggi and Fonsi
Nieto as guests of the air squadron based at nearby Cervia
for an exciting photo session that will feature the fastest
planes of the Italian Air Force. This is a date that the riders
always look forward to, as they gear up for a dose of supersonic
adrenaline in the skies before their weekend appointment with
the track.
WORLD DUCATI WEEK 2007
On the occasion of the fifth edition of the world meeting
of Ducatisti, which will be held from June 28 to July 1 at
the new Misano World Circuit, the Italian manufacturer has
organised numerous initiatives to keep two-wheeled fans happy
over the four days. The number of participants for the Party
on a Red Planet is increasing rapidly and inscriptions keep
flowing in from all over the world for this memorable event.
For further information, please consult the official www.ducati.com
website.
Championship Points (after 7 of 13 rounds):
Riders - 1. Toseland (Honda) 237; 2. Haga (Yamaha) 214; 3.
Biaggi (Suzuki) 201; 4. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 189; 5. Corser
(Yamaha) 151; 6. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 116; etc. Manufacturers:
1. Honda 251; 2. Yamaha 237; 3. Ducati 234; 4. Suzuki 201;
5. Kawasaki 88.
The Circuit
Name: Misano World Circuit
Length: 4.180 km
Pole Position: right
Race distance: 2 x 25 laps / 101.500 km
Statistics : new circuit
2006 Results : Race 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati
Xerox); 2. Toseland (Honda); 3. Kagayama (Suzuki). Race 2:
1. Pitt (Yamaha); 2. Barros (Honda); 3. Haga (Yamaha).
TV Coverage (UK): Eurosport 2 - Saturday
16 June, 1700 Superpole (delayed). Sunday 17 June, 1150 Race
1 (live), 1520 Race 2 (live). TV Coverage (Italy): La7 - Saturday
16 June, 1600 Superpole (live). Sunday 17 June, 1150 Race
1 (live), 1520 Race 2 (live). RaiDue, 1730 Races 1 & 2
(highlights).
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