Preview - Monza
A TRIP TO MONZA FOR THE FIRST OF THREE "HOME"
RACES FOR THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM
The Ducati Xerox Team looks forward to the first of three
"home" races on the 2008 Superbike calendar, to
take place this weekend at the Monza park circuit. A special
track for both the Ducati Xerox riders, the weekend is sure
to be as thrilling as ever, with Troy Bayliss and Michel Fabrizio
both hopeful of being able to rely on the fantastic support
that the Italian fans and Ducatisti always provide.
Bayliss cites Monza as one of his preferred tracks and his
results here over the past years, which include six wins,
speak for themselves. After his double win at Assen a fortnight
ago, Troy hopes for another successful weekend here.
Team-mate Fabrizio underwent surgery ten days ago to resolve
a painful case of forearm flexor muscle compartment syndrome,
otherwise known as arm-pump, and has therefore spent the last
days receiving further therapy in order to be fit to race
at the Milanese track this weekend.
Troy Bayliss (1st in championship, 178 points)
Troy has an impeccable record at the Monza track, taking
the double win in 2001, 2002 and 2006 and two podium place
finishes last season too.
"Monza is one of my favourite circuits. This weekend
I will take it as it comes really. I'm quietly confident about
the races and although the 4-cylinders are undoubtedly going
to go well, I don't think we'll be at a big disadvantage regarding
speed. Monza is a very special track for me and the fans are
amazing here too and always want to see me do well so I'd
love to come away with another couple of great results."
Michel Fabrizio (13th in championship, 37 points)
In front of a home crowd, Michel hopes for two strong finishes,
despite recent medical problems having affected his riding.
"My arm is feeling much better, I have no problems regarding
movement and I can straighten my hand out completely, something
I was unable to do before the surgery. It all went as planned
and now I'm concentrating on training and getting further
physiotherapy so as to be fit and ready to race. It'll will
be great to be at Monza, riding in front of the Italian fans,
my "home" crowd, as part of the Ducati Xerox Team."
Country: Italy
Name: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
Circuit length: 5.793 km
Pole position: Left
Corners left: 5
Corners right: 8
Length of race: 18 laps = 104.274 km
Lap records: Fastest lap - Biaggi (Suzuki) 1'46.172 (2007).
Superpole - Haga (Yamaha) 1'44.941 (2007).
2007 results: Race 1 - 1. Haga (Yamaha);
2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 3. Biaggi (Suzuki). Race 2 - 1.
Haga (Yamaha); 2. Toseland (Honda); 3. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox)
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