Despite finishing the first lap in 15th position, after being run wide in the first chicane by another rider, Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) battled back to finish fourth and retain his second place in the championship after seven rounds.
Broc Parkes looked like a sure podium finisher until he lost the front end on lap nine of the Misano World Supersport race, dropping from second to 17th, before re-starting his stricken machine.
Each of the two top Yamaha riders had started from the front row, but in a race littered with crashes and retirements, and conducted in temperatures of 33°C, few pre-race plans came to a satisfactory climax in the Misano cauldron.
Parkes leaves the Misano round with both the circuit best WSS lap, set in qualifying, and the new official lap record, 1'40.187, set on lap three of the race.
Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) had work to do after qualifying on the fourth row, but recovered his speed and composure in front of his home fans to record seventh in the race, and jump up to ninth in the championship. David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport Team) fell on lap three, after tangling with another rider.
Fabien Foret (4th - Yamaha World Supersport Team)"I got pushed wide by another rider in the first corner and that put me way back in the order. Things could have been much better because I didn't come here to finish fourth. This morning our set-up was good but it was a little bit more difficult this afternoon. I think the bike may have been a bit more sensitive in the heat. I could not find the same rhythm after the first chicane incident. The biggest problem was at that point, but in the traffic you slow down and afterwards it was difficult to get a good rhythm again."
Broc Parkes (10th - Yamaha World Supersport Team)"We got out of the gate good and put some laps together but I didn't want to keep pulling Andrew along. When I went into the last right on the ninth lap I crashed as I released the brake, and the bike was gone very quickly. I thought it was just a small front-end slide but when I got on the gas I was already on my way to the ground. I picked the bike up and the handlebar was out of position, but I continued to get as many points as possible."
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team)"This is Misano, we know there is a narrow line here and a few people crossed it. Fabien was pushed wide by another rider in turn one after his start had been not that bad. Lascorz went into him and hit him really hard so Fabien was quite angry. I think he went to 15th place but he rode a good race from then on to get fourth. Fabien is second overall still and Broc third but it's hard to say anything about today except that we are disappointed with the results, after such good qualifying performances."
Massimo Roccoli (7th - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni)"I had a hard time at the start because of my qualifying position, then getting involved in a fight with another rider. When I got past him I could make up ground. From a row further forward I really think I could have got a top five or maybe even top four finish today."
David Salom: (DNF - Yamaha Spain)"I started quite good and in the second lap I was behind Foret, so I wanted to go with him. Suddenly Lagrive passed me, but he crashed and hit my bike. I couldn´t avoid crashing. It's a real pity because I am sure we could fight for a top ten finish. Luck is not with us this season."
Circuit Length: 4060
Temp: 32
Crowd: 68000
Weather: Hot and Sunny
2008 WSS San Marino - MisanoRace 1 - 22 Laps:1. Andrew Pitt - Honda - AUS 37'8.387
2. Craig Jones - Honda - GBR 0'5.347
3. Jonathan Rea - Honda - GBR 0'9.183
4. Fabien Foret - Yamaha - FRA 0'13.7845. Robbin Harms - Honda - DNK 0'15.863
6. Mark Aitchinson - Triumph - AUS 0'15.967
7. Massimo Roccoli - Yamaha - ITA 0'21.6898. Barry Veneman - Suzuki - NED 0'24.070
9. Ivan Clementi - Triumph - ITA 0'26.075
10. Broc Parkes - Yamaha - AUS 0'30.38711. Gianluca Vizziello - Honda - ITA 0'32.578
12. Chris Walker - Kawasaki - GBR 0'34.648
13. Gianluca Nannelli - Honda - ITA 0'36.040
14. Joshua Brookes - Honda - AUS 0'37.896
15. Danilo Marrancone - Yamaha - ITA 0'40.167Best Lap: Broc Parkes - Yamaha - AUS 1'40.187RIDER STANDINGS:1. Andrew Pitt - Honda - AUS 113
2. Fabien Foret - Yamaha - FRA 973. Broc Parkes - Yamaha - AUS 874. Joshua Brookes - Honda - AUS 85
5. Joan Lascorz - Honda - ESP 81
6. Craig Jones - Honda - GBR 80
7. Jonathan Rea - Honda - GBR 67
8. Robbin Harms - Honda - DNK 50
9. Massimo Roccoli - Yamaha - ITA 3410. Gianluca Vizziello - Honda - ITA 33
11. Chris Walker - Kawasaki - GBR 31
12. Matthieu Lagrive - Honda - FRA 28
13. Barry Veneman - Suzuki - NED 27
14. Gianluca Nannelli - Honda - ITA 23
15. Mark Aitchison - Triumph - AUS 20
24. David Salom - Yamaha - ESP 8MANUFACTURER STANDINGS: 1. Honda 165
2. Yamaha 1253. Triumph 48
4. Suzuki 36
5. Kawasaki 35