Preview - Phillip Island
THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM PREPARES FOR AN ACTION PACKED
WEEKEND IN PHILLIP ISLAND
Troy Bayliss and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) have landed
in Australia and are ready for another great weekend of racing
after making such a strong start last week in Qatar. Having
secured a victory and a second place finish last year at the
Island, Bayliss, who has announced he will retire after the
2008 World Superbike season, is keen to repeat that success
at his home track again this year in front of a large crowd
of spectators. Bayliss heads into this second round leading
the championship with 38 points. He has only just recovered
from his last visit to this track when he broke his collarbone
during the January winter test session. Team-mate Fabrizio
is looking to build on the fast times he set during winter
testing and the encouraging fifth place achieved in his first
round with the Ducati Xerox Team last week in Qatar.
Troy Bayliss
"This year, being my last year, I'm out to enjoy myself
and, of course, to win races. The team's goal is to win the
championship and so I'll be taking any opportunity I'm given
for a win here. It should be a great weekend, many of my family
members and friends are coming down to cheer me on so I hope
I can do well for them too. Phillip Island is a pretty special
track for me and I've had some good and bad experiences during
that time and so of course I'd love to go out on a high here.
I'm feeling really comfortable on the new 1098 F08 and with
the atmosphere in the team so I'm looking forward to what
is ahead - it will be a competitive weekend and the same can
be said for the rest of the year."
Michel Fabrizio
"I have had some good experiences here at Phillip Island
in the past few years and I have to say I like the track.
I was pretty happy with how I went in Qatar but I hope this
weekend gives me the chance to improve on how I did last weekend.
I would really like to be up at the front with the Australian
riders but we will see how we go - I'm feeling happy with
the bike and so it should be a great weekend."
Country: Australia
Name: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Length of circuit: 4.445 m
Pole Position: left
Length of straight: 835 m
Race distance: 22 giri/97.790 km
Lap records: Fastest lap: Corser (Yamaha),
1'31.826 (2007). Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati), 1'31.887 (2007).
2007 results: Race 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati
Xerox); 2. Toseland (Honda); 3. Biaggi (Suzuki), Race 2: 1.
Toseland (Honda); 2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 3. Haga (Yamaha
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