Munich/Stephanskirchen – The FIM Superbike World Championship returns to Europe after contesting its USA round. Misano Adriatico, situated in close proximity to the Republic of San Marino, hosts the sixth round of the 2011 season during the forthcoming Whit weekend from 10th to 12th June. Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport travels to the Adriatic with fond memories: Last year the team had good reason to celebrate at the Misano World Circuit after works rider Troy Corser (AUS) scored the team’s first pole position before claiming its second podium placing. Four weeks ago Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport completed a successful two-day test at Misano. In addition, the team took the opportunity of setting up the BMW S 1000 RRs entered for Troy and his team-mate Leon Haslam (GBR) for the race weekend. After five of 13 race weekends, Leon (95 points) occupies fifth place in the riders’ championship; Troy is 14th on 49 points. In the constructors’ classification, which counts only each single best race result, BMW lies fourth with 117 points. In total Leon and Troy have to date this season scored 144 points for Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. In Misano the team will welcome a prominent guest: Bobsleigh World Champion and World Cup winner Manuel Machata will visit Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport. BMW is a technology partner of the German Bobsleigh Federation (BSD). Leon Haslam: “I am looking forward to Misano. We tested there a few weeks ago, and that test went off very well. We found a good set-up for this upcoming weekend, and put in some pretty competitive lap times. I think we are well prepared for Misano. It can only go better than the last race weekend in the USA. We definitely need to take some more steps forward. Fingers crossed we will do so in Misano, but after our test I am confident. Misano is a fast and flowing circuit. Troy had a successful race there last year, so I’m sure we can have a good result again. I am looking forward to the circuit. The temperature is normally warm, and that always plays a part. As long as we can find the right set-up I am feeling pretty confident.” Troy Corser: “I like Misano, and have always had good results here. We tested here after the Monza race, which was very encouraging. We found a good set-up, so I am looking forward to the race weekend. I think Leon and I should have a pretty strong race. In the USA it was a bit of a let-down having those tyre issues in the first race after starting so strong. In the second race I made a mistake and went down, which was a shame as we could have had a good race. The track in Misano is pretty fast, with the back straight being very important. The grip is quite good, but I think the temperature will be high at this time of year, so it could physically be a tough race. You don’t get much rest except on the back straight, where you have about four seconds before turning in again. The rest of the track consists of a combination of corners, so you need to be very fit. But I am fit enough and the bike works well here, so I think we should get a good result.” Bernhard Gobmeier, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “After the disappointing weekend in Salt Lake City we need to make up for lost ground in Misano. We are optimistic about the race; after all, Troy last year gave the team its first Superpole before claiming a podium placing for us. We plan to build on that.” Background: Misano Adriatico is situated in Emilia-Romagna on Italy’s Adriatic coast, and lies within close proximity of Rimini. This spa town has around 12,000 residents. The “Autodromo di Santamonica”, a 3,488 kilometre circuit, was opened in 1972. Subsequently the complex was renamed “Misano World Circuit”, and variously upgraded to its current 4,226 kilometre length. In 1993 the circuit was lengthened for the first time – to 4,060 kilometres. Simultaneously a new pit complex was constructed, which was further extended in 1996/97. The winter of 2006/2007 saw the next major phase, during which the circuit was totally upgraded and a change in direction to clockwise was introduced. This facilitated improved run-off areas. The FIM Superbike World Championship round at Misano is considered a classic, having been a fixture on the calendar since 1991. The MotoGP World Championship, too, regularly visits the Adriatic venue. Although Misano is situated on Italian soil, both world championship events are run under the flag of the nearby city-state San Marino. The “Misano World Circuit” includes some challenging chicanes which demand good turn-in from bikes. In addition the circuit has interesting braking points which lie deep within corners. High top speeds are possible on the straight after “Tramonto”, demanding courage and precision for the “Curvone” section. Overall the circuit flows well, and places a premium on good acceleration. In 2010 Misano saw Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport achieve another important milestone: Works rider Troy Corser (AUS) scored the team’s first pole position and its second podium in the FIM Superbike World Championship. Troy’s lap time of 1:35,001 minutes achieved during the Superpole session marks the fastest-ever Superbike lap on the current Misano layout.