Munich/Milan, 24th June 2013. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team is preparing for its next home round. The seventh round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship will be held this weekend (28th to 30th June) at the iconic “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari” at Imola (ITA). The workshop of the BMW factory race team is located at Crespellano, only 60 kilometres from Imola. This season so far, factory riders Marco Melandri (ITA) and Chaz Davies (GBR) have shared four victories between them on their BMW S 1000 RRs. In the Manufacturers’ classification, BMW is currently second with 211 points. In the Riders’ classification, Marco is fourth with 156 points. For him, Imola is also a ‘home’ race as he lives nearby. Chaz follows directly behind in the points standings, in fifth with 133 points. After Sunday’s races, the teams of the Superbike World Championship will stay at Imola to conduct an official Dorna one-day-test on Monday. Imola also hosts the fifth round of the 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup. Sylvain Barrier of the BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team heads to Italy leading in the Riders’ classification. The Frenchman retook the series lead at the last round at Portimão (POR) by celebrating his second victory of the season with his new DDC-equipped BMW HP4. His team-mate Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) is on his way back to being 100 per cent fit after he had fractured his left heel at the Italian Monza round. Imola from the rider’s point of view: Marco Melandri: “We head to Imola during a really important period of the season. From a technical point of view we have found a good direction and I would like to be on the podium in my ‘home’ race. I really like this track, even though it’s difficult, quite technical and demanding, also regarding the riders’ fitness. There is hardly any time to catch your breath, and the humid heat we’re having at the moment will not be helpful. Physically, I feel fine though. After Portimão, I was finally able to train without any problems for the first time this year. Now I want to get back the results I was denied due to various reasons.” Chaz Davies: “My target for Imola is to be back on the podium. The last few races have been a bit difficult for different reasons but even so, we’ve learnt quite a lot that could be useful for other races during the season. So it is a matter of taking this knowledge and using it to get a better result. I think we have a good chance to achieve our target to be back on the podium. I quite enjoy Imola. It is a circuit that seems to suit my style and I have always had decent results there. It is also one of the typical old Italian tracks, being inside the park and close to the town, so I am looking forward to it.” Imola from a sporting point of view: Serafino Foti (Sport Director BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team): “There are at least two reasons which make Imola a special event for us. Firstly, the team workshop is only a few kilometres away, so Imola is our home race, the second one of the season. Secondly, as it is an Italian round we can expect a large number of passionate spectators. Especially for Marco, who lives nearby, racing there always means to be surrounded by friends and fans. The Imola track is not easy at all. It is a very technical circuit and a demanding one for riders and bikes. “For this reason it is important that Chaz has recovered well after the crash in Portimão where he suffered an elbow injury and various bruises and is fully fit for this demanding race. We’re well prepared and focused. We know that this also goes for our competitors and they will attack, too, but we’re quite optimistic. The Portimão round was a positive one. The results and the general performance allow us to continue the season with enthusiasm. “Sylvain had a perfect weekend in Portimão, as he won the race and retook the lead in the Superstock championship. Now he needs to continue this positive trend. Greg is getting better and in Imola he will be stronger. Of course we know that Imola is the home race for some of our competitors. It will no doubt be a challenging weekend but we are confident.” Imola from a technical point of view: Andrea Dosoli (Technical Director BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team): “The two weekends without racing after Portimão were fundamental for all the guys in the team for recharging the batteries and preparing for an important and busy event in this championship. The Imola races and the Dorna test on Monday mark the end of the first part of the season and we are all motivated and focused on doing well. The ‘Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari’ is a technical racetrack. It has up and down sections where the rhythm is often broken by several slow and fast chicanes. It is a difficult and demanding layout, for the riders as well as for the bikes. The blind ‘Piratella’ corner and the ‘Acque Minerali’ turns are something special. Good handling and braking stability, combined with a smooth torque delivery, are essential on this track. “Our BMW S 1000 RR has proved in the past to be competitive here – for example with last year’s double podium – so we are confident that we’ll be able to offer both riders a competitive package which will be enriched with some technical updates for the engine and chassis we recently tested in Aragón. In order to close the gap to the top of the ranking we will keep working hard and continue to improve our bikes. We are looking forward to the race weekend in Imola because at Portimão we saw that our development work was starting to bring results, even if the circumstances did not allow us to collect as many points as we expected. “Coming back to Imola we obviously bear in mind the tragic accident that Joan Lascorz had there last year and we’re also thinking of the Italian rider Alessia Polita, who suffered a similar severe injury at the recent round of the CIV at Misano. I was glad to hear that Joan joined his team at their recent test and our thoughts are with Alessia and her family in these difficult times.” Imola from Pirelli’s point of view: With the repaving of about 70% of the surface in 2011, the Imola track reacquired a good level of mechanical grip which had been compromised for some time before that. This, however, also significantly increased the aggressiveness on the rear tyres, especially in medium-low temperatures. But as this year, the races are at the end of June, high temperatures can be expected. Due to this, and with a much stronger product in terms of mechanical resistance, Pirelli can afford not to use SC2 solutions, but to bring two rear tyres in the SC1 category: the standard SC1 rear tyre and a more reinforced derivative. If the high temperatures completely smooth out the severity of the track the SC0 blend can be used to meet all grip needs. As for the front tyres, the Imola circuit leaves quite a bit of room for the riders’ taste and riding style. With an extremely technical layout generally the front tyre selection is always a mixture, without any significant critical issues for soft or more robust front tyres. The riders in the Superbike class will have three slick solutions available for the front and as many for the rear, joined as always the rear qualifiers, the intermediate solutions and the wet tyres. On the front the Pirelli standard SC1 solution (R426) will be present in a soft blend, ideal for low external temperatures and/or medium harsh tracks, as well as the standard SC2 (R982), which is excellent for high external temperatures because it guarantees a solid tread strip. The third alternative for the front is the SC2 R753 compound development solution, an alternative to the standard SC2, which tends to be sturdier and therefore more resistant to aggressive asphalt. Among the solutions for the rear the riders will find the standard SC0, the R1261, ideal for tackling smooth asphalt and high temperatures because it provides maximum contact area on smooth asphalt in addition to its greater performance stability under thermal decline. Pirelli also brings the standard SC1 (R828) in a medium compound. The third option for the rear is a new development solution (R1431) in an SC1 blend which has never before been used by the riders and which was designed with the goal of providing higher tear resistance but equal grip compared to the standard SC1. In addition, Pirelli will bring around 600 more tyres to Imola, which will be used during Monday’s Dorna test, among them some more development solutions. Background: Imola is located in the Northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, about 40 kilometres south-east of Bologna. The town has a population of about 70,000. Motorsport has played a major role in Imola for many decades. The first races in and around Imola were held on public roads in the 1940s. In 1952, a permanent race track was opened on the southern outskirts of the town, which is now one of the most iconic and famous Italian circuits. When the circuit was opened in 1952, it was named the “Autodromo Dino Ferrari” after the son of Enzo Ferrari, who died at an early age. Following the death of Enzo Ferrari in 1988, it was renamed the “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari”. For several decades, Formula One was a regular guest in Imola. It was here, in 1994, that the series suffered one of its most tragic weekends when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna were both killed in separate crashes. In 1967, Imola hosted its first motorcycle grand prix and the Superbike World Championship has been coming to the circuit in northern Italy since 2001. The most recent major modification of the circuit and pit lane buildings took place in 2006, while parts of the track were resurfaced in 2011. The stop-and-go circuit is technically very demanding. It features a lot of uphill and downhill sections, as well as both fast and slow chicanes, in which the bike must brake and handle well. The changes of directions are quite challenging. In order to accelerate quickly out of the corners, the riders need a bike with a lot of power low down. The chicanes are lined with perilous kerbs, which unsettle the bike as the riders cut over them, meaning stability is key. It is also important for the bike to handle well over crests and in the fast, flowing section with the two “Acque Minerali” corners. Overtaking is difficult in Imola, as the track is very narrow in parts. The riders must be very aggressive if they wish to improve their position during the race. As the circuit has been resurfaced on numerous occasions, it now has four different surfaces, meaning the grip level changes frequently, while the track is also very bumpy in places. More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: KRT Superbike Duo Head To Imola For Round Seven Kawasaki Racing Team riders Tom Sykes and Loris Baz enter the seventh round of the SBK championship in confident mood after finding even more improvements in testing with their Ninja ZX-10R machines. A two-day test session at Motorland Aragon, shortly after the most recent race of the season at Portimao, showed both riders that there are still untapped areas of potential in their machines’ capabilities and overall race set-up. With both Tom and Loris already operating in the upper echelons of the championship table, with Sykes second and Baz sixth, Imola is a definite opportunity for each rider to narrow the points gap and aim for silverware in the process. Sykes has already shown that Imola is a circuit he can race well at, having scored second in both races at the Italian city centre venue in 2012 while riding his Ninja ZX-10R for the official team. On the back of a podium finish and a no-score at the previous Portimao race, Sykes is keen to get back into action to push for more race wins to add to his total of three in the season so far. Baz is also ready for the challenge of Imola, as he aims to got on the podium once again in 2013, which is in effect his first full season of competition at full SBK level. He rode for the KRT team for half of last year and this year he has been not only fast but consistently so, as he frequently finds himself reaching his and his team’s target of top five places or better. Federico Sandi (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) and Sweden’s Alex Lundh (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) will be in action once again, at what is a home round for their team and for Sandi. The Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki), Lorenzo Savadori (Team Pedercini Kawasaki), Romain Lanusse (MRS Kawasaki) and Leandro Mercado (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) are just some of the top riders who will once more use Ninja ZX-10R power to take on all comers in this exciting category of racing. Tom Sykes: “Imola is a track where even on the older model of Ninja ZX-10R I was competitive. Last year the bike was working great and even though we used a harder tyre than race winner Carlos Checa we pushed him quite a lot. We all have many reasons to have memories of Imola, partly because we have had good results there in the past, but also because my previous team-mate Joan Lascorz suffered a serious injury there last year. I met him at a recent test and it was very nice to see him again. Overall Imola is a circuit I hope we can be strong at once again. I think the riders that have been battling at the front so far for most of this year will be battling it out at Imola again.” Loris Baz: “I have been training to be ready for Imola and I think we have done a good job since the beginning of the year. We are always fighting for the top five. I want to be in this position again but be a bit closer to the front, with the front group. I am not exactly sure how many more improvements we made in our bike in a recent Aragon test, but there were definitely some good improvements. I will try to fight for the podium in this race but if it is not possible then I will try to stay inside the top five, which is always our target.” More, from a press release issued by Team SBK Ducati Alstare: Team SBK Ducati Alstare heads to Imola for this weekend’s seventh SBK round Imola (Italy), Tuesday 25th June 2013: team SBK Ducati Alstare and its riders Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini prepare to compete in round 7 of the 2013 World Superbike championship this weekend at Ducati’s home track in Imola, Italy. Checa and his team hope to be able to build on the solid progress made almost three weeks ago at Portimao in Portugal. Having concluded race two in sixth place, the team is confident and ready to work hard in order to obtain strong results on the Italian track. Imola has proved to be a rich hunting ground for the Spaniard in recent years; he has won five of the last six races. Badovini would like to complete two good races in front of the Italian public and Ducatisti at what is a home track for both the young Ducati rider and the Italian manufacturer. The circuit, officially known as the ‘Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola’ is located only about 40km from Ducati’s HQ in the Borgo Panigale area of Bologna. On Monday, immediately after the race weekend, Team SBK Ducati Alstare will take part in an official test day arranged by the championship organisers at the same track. Carlos Checa: “I think I’m physically fit now. In recent days I’ve been working hard but also enjoying some relaxation time. I’m feeling good and so hope that I won’t have to think about my shoulder any more while riding. We worked well during the Portimao weekend and on race day I was a lot more comfortable on the bike. So we’re coming to Imola at the right time. It’s one of the tracks that I really like and where I’ve always been fast. It’ll be the first time I’m riding the 1199 there and I hope that I can get back to being the best Carlos Checa, to bring the Panigale to the position that it deserves. I’m feeling really enthusiastic.” Checa’s Superbike form at Imola: 2012: Race 1 – winner, Race 2 – winner 2011: Race 1 – 3rd, Race 2 – winner 2010: Race 1- winner, Race 2 – winner 2009: Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 – 10th Ayrton Badovini: “I can say that I have high expectations this weekend. The races will be hard from a physical point of view of course but I have been able to prepare better than I have for previous rounds so I’m feeling confident. Also, Imola has always been a pro-Ducati track and I hope that this is the case this year for us and the new 1199 Panigale. It’s my home track and I’d like to complete two good races in front of the Italian public. It’s always great to have the support of the fans that give us further motivation… and then I live so close by that at night I can even go and sleep at home!” Badovini’s Superbike form at Imola: 2012: Race 1- 15th, Race 2 – 15th 2011: Race 1- 9th, Race 2 – 10th CIRCUIT DATA Country: Italy Name: Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari Imola Length of circuit: 4.959 km Pole Position: left Race distance: 21 laps/103.656 km LAP RECORDS: Best lap – Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’47.552 (2012). Superpole – Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’46.748 (2012). 2012 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. 1. Checa (Ducati); 2. Sykes (Kawasaki); 3. Haslam (BMW). Race 2 – 1. Checa (Ducati); 2. Sykes (Kawasaki); 3. Haslam (BMW) More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda Superbike Team: Pata Honda seek Imola success Pata Honda riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam are preparing for this weekend’s (28-30 June) two seventh-round World Superbike championship races at Imola in Italy. The historic 4.936km Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari has witnessed some classic Superbike battles over the years, with both Rea and Haslam sharing in success and visits to the podium. A big fan of the challenging and undulating circuit, Rea won at Imola in his first race back following a long injury lay-off in 2011 and technical issues have almost certainly deprived the 26-year-old Ulsterman of further podium visits. Haslam, meanwhile was on the Imola podium twice last season and is confident that further improvements in the strength and mobility of the leg that he injured at Assen in April will allow him to be more race-ready this weekend. Jonathan Rea: We’ve had a few frustrating rounds lately, with little problems affecting our results. The bike is competitive though, so hopefully the guys have had some time back at the workshop, analysing the data with my comments, to make some progress. I’m looking forward to seeing that progress this weekend at a circuit that I really enjoy. Imola has a bit of everything and we get really close to the fans in some places, which really adds to the special atmosphere. I’ve had a good break to recharge the batteries and reflect on the first half of the season. Hopefully, we can maintain our podium form and develop the package so we can start to really challenge for race wins. Leon Haslam: It’s been a long and really repetitive road trying to get my leg back in the kind of shape that I can ride with it, but we’ve definitely made some more progress since Portugal. I had one of the screws removed last week and that’s reduced the pain when I’m on the bike. I did a race school at Donington soon afterwards and it definitely felt a lot better. I’m confident that I’ll be able to race at Imola, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s given me mixed results over the years – my engine blew in 2010 when I was chasing the championship, but I got a double podium there last year. I love the place, so I’m really looking forward to riding there. More, from a press release issued by SBK Press Office: Imola the next stop for World Superbike riders Rome (Italy), Tuesday 25 June 2013 – Round 7 of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship will take place this weekend at Imola’s Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. After six events and twelve races, the “Master of Consistency” Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) heads to the second Italian Round of the season with a 28 points advantage over Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and an extraordinary average of 17.75 points per race – despite his only win so far in the first race of the year – and no DNF. Speaking of consistency, Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) has won 5 of the last 6 races held on the iconic track near Bologna. The 40 year old Spaniard, who is almost back to full fitness, after the shoulder issues that have been hampering his performance since Round 2 at Aragon, will be riding an air restrictor free Ducati 1199 Panigale R, as per FIM regulations about the performance balance between twin and four-cylinder machines (article 2.4.8.1.3.). Fond memories but no win yet at Imola for Tom Sykes, who scored a surprising first pole position of his career in 2010 onboard the previous model of ZX-10R. With the current Ninja, Sykes has finished twice second last year, after dominating for half the race and eventually surrendered to race winner Checa. No love lost between Imola and Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), who always finished no higher than 4th and, as Sykes and former team mate Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), is back from a mixed feelings Portuguese Round. Melandri never had good results on his home track in WSBK, but he’s looking forward to a strong performance to keep himself in contention for the World Title. Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) climbed on the podium in 2011, when he crossed the line 3rd in race 2 behind winner Checa and Noriyuki Haga. The Japanese star will make a one-off return to WSBK after 20 months since his last appearance, as he will be riding a Feel Racing BMW S 1000 RR run by Team Grillini Dentalmatic. Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) has been the only rider, apart from Checa, to win a race at Imola in the last three Seasons (2001, race 1). The Ulsterman was close to get a well-deserved double win, but an electrical problem forced him to a disappointing retirement, leaving the winning spot to the Spaniard. Rea’s team mate Leon Haslam is continuing his recovery to be as fit as possible for the Italian Round, despite the still injured left tibia. Standings – provisional (round 6 of 15)*: 1. Guintoli 213; 2. Sykes 185; 3. Laverty 174; 4. Melandri 156; 5. Davies 133; 6. Baz 119; 7. Rea 105; 8. Fabrizio 101; 9. Giugliano 79; 10. Cluzel 72; 11. Camier 62; 12. Neukirchner 53; 13. Checa 50; 14. Badovini 45; 15. Haslam 29; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Aprilia 253; 2. BMW 211; 3. Kawasaki 209; 4. Honda 112; 5. Suzuki 104; 6. Ducati 82. * Possible updated results could be defined by the International Disciplinary Court which is dealing with the appeal lodged by Aprilia Racing Team and rider Sylvain Guintoli, following the decision taken by the FIM Stewards in Monza (Italian Round, last 12 May) to cancel the drop of position sanction (from third to fourth place in race 2) imposed by the Race Direction on rider Tom Sykes. World Supersport World Supersport is back to business at Imola for race number seven of 2013. Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki duo of Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret is on a mission to slow down the impressive momentum of Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha), winner of the last four races and current Championship leader with a 39 point gap on both riders. The three WSS stars had a key role, although in different wa39 ys, in last year’s race at Imola: the Reigning Champion, who moved off well from second place on the grid, missed the brake point at the last chicane on the opening lap, while he was leading the race, and did not return to the track in the correct way. The 28 year old was penalised by Race Direction first with a ride-through, and then, as he didn’t make his way back to the pit-lane, he was disqualified with a black flag. A disappointing retirement for the Turkish rider, who was taking part in the race despite a multiple injury. Once Sofuoglu was out of the timing screens, the battle for first place was a matter of tenths of a second between Foret and Lowes: Frenchman was able to achieve the race win, despite the tenacity of young Brit, who did everything he could to fill the small gap with the front. Following the encouraging performance at Portimao, Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) is aiming to be in the mix up front again, while team mate Lorenzo Zanetti is looking forward to redeeming the poor results of the last two rounds. Irishman Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda) is training hard to improve his stamina in order to keep his pace competitive for the whole race distance, after showing some positive form in the early stages of the previous races. Standings (round 6 of 14): 1. Lowes 120; 2. Sofuoglu 81; 3. Foret 81; 4. Vd Mark 62; 5. Zanetti 55; 6. Scassa 53; 7. Antonelli 46; 8. Kennedy 44; 9. Rolfo 38; 10. Marino 31; 11. Morais 30; 12. Russo 28; 13. Leonov 26; 14. Coghlan 22; 15. Ivanov 18. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 130; 2. Yamaha 128; 3. Honda 91; 4. MV Agusta 44; 5. Suzuki 12; 6. Triumph 6. Superstock 1000 The 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup is proving to be a close racing challenge, as the top-4 is within ten points only. After his second race win of the season at Portimao, defending Champion Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) got back on the lead with just one point over Eddi La Marra (Barni Racing Ducati) and seven on Niccolò Canepa – La Marra’s team mate. Thanks to a good consistency in race results, Frenchman Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) has managed to keep himself in contention for the title. Leandro Mercado, fifth in the standings, is still looking for his maiden STK1000 race win while 1st place at Monza Lorenzo Savadori is aiming to make up for the crash of the Portuguese race. Standings (round 4 of 10):1. Barrier 70; 2. La Marra 69; 3. Canepa 63; 4. Guarnoni 60; 5. Mercado 49; 6. Savadori 33; 7. Lanusse 29; 8. Jezek 29; 9. Bussolotti 26; 10. Lussiana 25; 11. Andreozzi 15; 12. Bergman 15; 13. McFadden 13; 14. Magnoni 11; 15. Gildenhuys 10. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 81; 2. BMW 81; 3. Kawasaki 70; 4. Honda 8; 5. Suzuki 5. Superstock 600 The highly spectacular race at Portimao saw a new STK600 race winner, Franco Morbidelli (San Carlo Team Italia), who proved to have the nerves to edge his rivals after a tight 4-way battle. The Italian lies now third in the standings, 23 points behind Championship leader Gauthier Duwelz (MTM Racing Team Yamaha), who was 2nd last time out for a mere 0.062 seconds gap on the finish line. Bastien Chesaux (EAB Ten Kate Junior Team) and Tony Covena (Nito Racing Kawasaki) are still looking for their first victory in the series, although their performances so far in 2013 have allowed both riders to keep their title chances alive. Standings (round 4 of 10): 1. Duwelz 77; 2. Chesaux 56; 3. Morbidelli 54; 4. Coveña 52; 5. Morrentino 33; 6. Mulhauser 32; 7. Nestorovic 31; 8. Gamarino 31; 9. Salvadori 27; 10. Nocco 25; 11. Tessels 19; 12. Casalotti 19; 13. Tuuli 17; 14. Tatasciore 16; 15. Vitali 15; etc. European Junior Cup The Pata European Junior Cup powered by Honda will be back on track this weekend for the fourth race of the season. Michael Canducci (Colors Experience) still leads the way with a two-point margin over Jake Lewis (Jake Lewis Racing) and five over Robin Anne (Anne Formation). The young Frenchman was able to score his first win after an exciting 8-way ultra-close finish on Adrien Pittet (Swisscare). Standings (round 3 of 8): 1. Canducci 43; 2. Lewis 41; 3. Anne 38; 4. Pittet 29; 5. Bendsneijder 25; 6. Sebestyen 25; 7. Levy 23; 8. Raymond 23; 9. Fernandez 20; 10. Arenas 20; 11. Manfredi 18; 12. Fernandez 17; 13. Rusmiputro 15; 14. Mykhalchyk 13; 15. Flitcroft 12. More, from a press release issued by Althea Racing: Althea Racing Team – Imola SBK preview The seventh round of the Superbike World Championship will take place at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo and Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, over the weekend of June 28, 29, 30. The Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari is an auto and motorcycle racing circuit near the Italian town of Imola, 40 km east of Bologna and 80 km east of the Ferrari factory in Maranello. The circuit and its adjoining facilities underwent renovation and upgrading works that started in November 2006 and were completed in September 2007. The works were overseen by Hermann Tilke, a well-known German architect specialized in the construction of racing circuits. The circuit is named after Ferrari’s late founder Enzo and his son Dino who had died in the 1950s. Before Enzo Ferrari’s death in 1988 it was called ‘Autodromo Dino Ferrari’. Unlike many circuits, Imola actually runs in an anti-clockwise direction. Circuit main characteristics: Length: m.4.936 Pole Position: left Left turns: 13 Right turns: 9 Superbike – lap record: Tom Sykes – Kawasaki – 2012 – 1’47”552 Superbike – best lap: Tom Sykes – Kawasaki – 2012 – 1’46”748 The last two races in Portimao didn’t exactly go to plan for Davide Giugliano and his team. In the two Portuguese races the Althea Racing rider and technicians were unable to confirm the progress that they’d been making in the previous rounds. This second Italian round therefore comes at the right time and provides the team with the opportunity to demonstrate that Portimao was a one-off and that Davide and his team can fight with the official riders for the positions that count. Davide Giugliano: “I really like Imola. I still hold the Superstock 1000 record at the track, while in Superbike things didn’t go as planned last year and unfortunately I was forced to retire from both races. We have carefully analysed what happened at Portimao and both me and my team really want to get straight back in the mix and fight for the front positions. I know that many of our fans will be there; they’ll come to Imola to lend their support and this is yet another source of motivation for me – I want to do well and give it my all.”