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 MagniniFilippo 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 BaseThe 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).
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