Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Xavier Simeon continued his steep learning curve of his GSX-R1000 Suzuki by taking a superb fifth place at Monza today. Xav had qualified eighth fastest and was seventh at the end of the first lap. The fast guys at the front didn’t take long to pull away, but Xav kept a consistent rhythm and moved up the order after both Claudio Corti and his Yamaha team mate Michele Pirro crashed out. Matteo Baiocco (Yamaha) won the race by the narrowest of margins - only four thousandths of a second separated him and runner-up Mark Aitchison (Suzuki) at the end of the 11-lap race. Third went to Illario Dionisi (Suzuki), with Didier Van Keymeulen (Yamaha) fourth.
Xav - 5thThe bike felt better today then yesterday or Friday. In the beginning I was able to keep up with the other riders up front, but when they upped the pace I couldn’t stay with them. At the moment, I feel I am still learning about my bike and I want to improve my feeling with it and the team. The team is working very well and I am happy with my fifth place today and feel that a podium is now not far away. It is something to look forward to and I will be trying as hard as possible to get one before too long.
Circuit: 5.793 kms.
Crowd: 108,000 (3-day)
Weather: Dry, sunny/cloudy 26-28C
Results:1. Baiocco (I-Yamaha),
2. Aitchison (Aus-Suzuki),
3. Dionisi (I-Suzuki),
4. Van Keymeulen (B-Yamaha),
5. Xavier Simeon (B-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra),
6. Jerman (SLO-Yamaha),
Points: 1. Baiocco 60,
2. Aitchison 58,
3. Canepa 57,
4. Dionisi 50,
5. Pirro 45,
6. Corti 45,
7. Van Keymeulen 45,
8. Xavier Simeon (B-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 38,
9. Mahr 26,
10. Jerman 21
