FIM Superbike World Championship Monza, Italy May 13, 2007 Race Two Results: 1. Noriyuki HAGA (Yamaha YZF-R1), 18 laps, 32:05.318 2. James TOSELAND (Honda CBR1000RR), -2.691 seconds 3. Troy BAYLISS (Ducati 999F07), -2.841 seconds 4. Roberto ROLFO (Honda CBR1000RR), -3.188 seconds 5. Max BIAGGI (Suzuki GSX-R1000K7), -3.551 seconds 6. Troy CORSER (Yamaha YZF-R1), -13.034 seconds 7. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suzuki GSX-R1000K7), -17.246 seconds 8. Regis LACONI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -18.410 seconds 9. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Honda CBR1000RR), -29.017 seconds 10. Jakub SMRZ (Ducati 999F05), -29.686 seconds 11. Michel FABRIZIO (Honda CBR1000RR), -30.371 seconds 12. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suzuki GSX-R1000K6), -31.982 seconds 13. Ruben XAUS (Ducati 999F06), -32.165 seconds 14. Robertino PIETRI (Yamaha YZF-R1), -92.292 seconds 15. Dean ELLISON (Ducati 999RS), -141.840 seconds 16. Marco BORCIANI (Ducati 999F06), -3 laps, DNF, mechanical 17. Steve MARTIN (Honda CBR1000RR), -7 laps, DNF, mechanical 18. Josh BROOKES (Honda CBR1000RR), -9 laps, DNF, mechanical 19. Mauro SANCHINI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -11 laps, DNF, mechanical 20. Alessandro POLITA (Suzuki GSX-R1000K6), -13 laps, DNF, mechanical 21. Marek SVOBODA (Yamaha YZF-R1), -17 laps, DNF, mechanical 22. Fonsi NIETO (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -17 laps, DNF, mechanical 23. Lorenzo LANZI (Ducati 999F07), DNS 24. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yam YZF-R1), DNS 2007 FIM Superbike World Championship Point Standings (after 12 of 26 races): 1. Toseland, 229 points 2. Haga, 194 points 3. Biaggi, 191 points 4. Bayliss, 164 points 5. Corser, 135 points 6. Lanzi, 107 points 7. Xaus, 106 points 8. Neukirchner, 81 points 9. Rolfo, 77 points 10. Kagayama, 60 points 11. Fabrizio, 59 points 12. Laconi, 51 points 13. Nieto, 46 points 14. Smrz, 44 points 15. Brookes, 40 points 16. Muggeridge, 28 points 17. Nakatomi, 19 points 18. Martin, 14 points 19. Giovanni Bussei, 11 points 20. Polita, 8 points 21. Ellison, 5 points 22. Borciani, 3 points 23. TIE, Svoboda/Morelli/Pietri/Carmelo Morales, 2 points More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: HAGA BECOMES THE FIRST DOUBLE WINNER OF 2007 HAGA UNTOUCHABLE IN FRONT OF HIS TEAM’S HOME CROWD Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) brought a perfect homecoming present to Italy for his Monza-based team after scoring the Superpole win, a new lap record and – most importantly of all – the first ever double win this year. His astonishing pace was challenged for a period in each race, but eventually his class and seemingly perfect set-up told in the end and he notched up the wins by the margin of 8.4 and 2.6 seconds respectively. His new lap record is 1’46.064, set on lap six of race two. He is now second in the overall championship rankings, with 194 points. Championship leader James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) extended his championship lead to 35 points, despite scoring only a fourth after a bad tyre choice in race one, and a hard-won second spot in race two. RACE ONE The first 18-lap event was a classic of its kind, with hard passes and mistakes on the high-speed track causing many anxious moments. Haga, on pole, dropped to sixth on the grid, then shot forward to share the lead with Toseland, until the Englishman (on a too-soft ‘B’ compound tyre) was forced back to finish fourth. Troy Bayliss, well down at one stage capitalized on the desperate bad luck of one-time leader and virtual podium certainty Roby Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) who was forced to retire in sight of the flag, and the Aussie rider rode through to take second. Third went to Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) despite an off track excursion for the Roman rider, after setting a – temporary – new lap record of 1’46.172. RACE TWO The second race was an even closer battle for the last two podium slots, a virtual widescreen epic on the last couple of laps, as a slowing Toseland was engulfed by Bayliss and Biaggi but still managed to ride to second place. Bayliss was third and Rolfo fourth, with a huge rear end wobble from Biaggi at the Ascari chicane robbing him of a potential second place, especially after what looked like a contact with Bayliss as each jostled for position on the final run to the Parabolica. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia) was sixth in race two, fifth in race one. CHAMPIONSHIP GETS TIGHTER FOR CHASING PACK In the current championship chase behind Toseland’s total of 229, Haga has 194, Biaggi 191 and then some distance behind – but looking more ominous all the time – Bayliss has 164. Corser is now being cut adrift somewhat on 135 points, with Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) sixth on 107 points. He scored a seventh place in race one but did not score in race two. XAUS SEVENTH OVERALL AFTER DISAPPOINTING MONZA Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati) could not re-ignite his podium fire after qualifying on row four at Monza, and only took a 12th and 13th. He is still seventh overall, but the following Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Germany) is eighth, on 81 points. Rolfo’s 13 points from race two boost him in ninth, while the last place in the top ten is now enjoyed by Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) who was sixth and fifth today, after riding just behind the leading group each time out today. KAWASAKI RIDERS BATTLE HARD TO LITTLE AVAIL Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Corse Kawasaki) may have run on at the first chicane in race two but he made up for it until he ran out of rear traction in the second race. He had to retire from race one but in the final leg he was up as high as second for a time, before slipping and spinning his way back to eighth.. He is now 11th, behind Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda), who had a Monza high of eighth in race one. A desperate day of bad luck once more for Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) saw him a double non-finisher. Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda) took two ninth places at Monza; with his team-mate Josh Brookes 11th in the opener before experiencing brake troubles in the second race. Steve Martin (DFX Corse Honda) was only 16th in race one and a non-finisher in race two, after gear lever problems affected his second race. POS NO. RIDER BIKE TIME 1 41 Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 32’05.318 (194,974 kph) 2 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 2.691 3 21 Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 999 F07 2.841 4 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 3.188 5 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 3.551 6 11 Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 13.034 7 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 17.246 8 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 18.410 9 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 29.017 10 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 999 F05 29.686 WORLD SUPERSPORT – SOFUOGLU SUPREME Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) had to fight to get to the lead of the 16-lap Supersport race, but once he was there the result was not in question, and he took his fifth win in six attempts – giving him an overall championship lead of 58 points. A stunning personal battle between Fabien Foret (GIL Kawasaki) and Anthony West (Yamaha World SSP Racing) saw the French rider score second place after an elbowing match from the exit of the Parabolica corner. Gianluca Nannelli (Caracchi Ducati SC) was a fine fourth and was only overhauled in the last two laps by Foret and West. In the championship, Sofuoglu is way ahead, with Foret second on 87 points, Fujiwara third on 53 points and Nannelli fourth on 43. Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was a non-finisher after crashing at Ascari. SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP – BAIOCCO THE VICTOR AT HOME Drama and huge crashes played their part in the Superstock 1000 race, when first leader Claudio Corti (Team Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha) crashing right in front of the following Didier van Keymeulen (TTSL-MGM Racing Yamaha) and then a multi-rider crash on the main straight looked serious, until all the riders involved were reported to be not seriously hurt. Matteo Baiocco, on an Umbria Bike Yamaha, finally took the race. Mark Aitchison (Celani Suzuki) was second, with Ilario Dioniso’s Cruciani Suzuki third. In the championship chase, Baiocco now leads, on 60 points from Aitchison on 58 and Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox) on 57, with the latter tenth in the race at Monza. More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Mixed results for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland extended his Superbike World Championship lead at Monza today, while team-mate Roberto Rolfo secured his best result of the season so far. Both riders suffered mixed fortunes in the two 18-lap races at the 5.793km track in front of a crowd of 108,000 spectators. Race one saw the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda riders dominate the top three for the majority of the race. Toseland fought his way to the front immediately and entered into an exhilarating cat and mouse chase for the top spot with Noriyuki Haga. However, the British rider began to lose pace as his rear tyre deteriorated and he ended the race in fourth position behind Haga, Troy Bayliss and Max Biaggi. Rolfo put in his best performance to date with an impressive display of riding that thrilled his home crowd. The Italian rider maintained station in the leading pack for the entire race and was heading for a podium finish when a problem with the fuel supply forced him to retire on the final lap. Race two saw the fortunes of the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda riders take a turn for the better as they joined the front runners in two separate battles. Toseland was involved in a race-long tussle with Haga for the top spot, while Rolfo entered into a three-way battle with Bayliss and Biaggi for the third place on the podium. Bayliss just got the better of the Italian duo, but was unable to close in on Toseland despite a convincing attack in the final seconds. Toseland crossed the line in second place to further extend his championship lead with a 229-point tally. Rolfo came in fourth ahead of Biaggi to secure his highest-ever World Superbike finish. He remains in ninth position in the standings with 77 points. Ronald ten Kate: “At the end of the day I think we can be reasonably happy with the results. In race one we had some big problems with tyre wear on both riders’ bikes and also with Roby’s fuel supply. Yesterday we changed the engine on hs bike and in the morning session we watched very carefully to see how much fuel it was using. It looked to be the same as the previous engine, so we didn’t think there would be a problem. For whatever reason this was not the case and the bike used a lot more fuel than we had anticipated. For the second race we just adjusted the fuel setting and the injection side of things and it was perfect – we didn’t have any problems. “I am very, very happy with Roby and I hope this will boost his confidence so that he can become a front runner for the rest of the season. James is still leading the championship and in fact he has extended his lead even further. This is particularly good when you are up against a rider like Haga, who has been on top form this weekend. Next we go to James’ home country and I am hoping for a huge crowd to offer him support in his quest for the double win.” James Toseland: “Trying to keep up with Noriyuki in race two was tough – I don’t know what he’s eaten today but whatever it is I want some of it! In race one we went for the gamble with the medium tyre but it didn’t pay off. For the last five laps the tyre had gone and I just couldn’t keep up with the pack. For race two we changed to the harder tyre, although we didn’t have the perfect set-up to go with it. That last lap was pretty tough but if I’m honest it felt good to get Troy back for that move at Assen, albeit for second position and not first! It was a great race.” Roberto Rolfo: “Race one was going so well for me, but I just needed it to be one lap less to be perfect! I have found a very good feeling on the bike at Monza this weekend. After the second race in Assen we modified the set-up of the bike to better suit my riding style. The start of race one was very, very good, but in the end it wasn’t to be. Race two also started well and I really enjoyed the battle with Bayliss, Corser and Biaggi. We changed positions many times in each lap and it was great to race with the front runners. I want to thank the team because they have supported me and done everything that I have asked in changing the bike set-up. I think we have found the right set-up for me and I cannot wait for the next race.” More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: BAYLISS BATTLES TO TWO PODIUMS FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM AT MONZA Monza (Italy), Sunday 13 May: Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) battled his way to a couple of hard-fought podium finishes in front of an 108,000 strong crowd at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. Troy finished runner-up in the first race and then almost picked up the same result in the second encounter as Yamaha’s Noriyuki Haga took a double victory. There was little joy for team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi, who finished seventh in race 1 and then had an electrical problem on the grid which meant he was a non-starter in race 2. Bayliss is still in fourth place in the table after gaining just three points on championship leader James Toseland (Honda). “It was really hard work out there today, hats off to everyone on the podium, they were all riding brilliantly” declared Troy. “I didn’t get off to a very good start in race 2 and had to be very forceful in the early laps. I then did my best laps in the second part of the race, but honestly I’m just happy to have been on the podium two times this weekend because we knew it was going to be very difficult here. Our bike is exactly the same as last year and we’ve managed to be nearly seven-tenths faster just through the settings. That’s all good but there’s nothing else we can do. There was a lot of action on the last lap. I was coming really strong at the end, Max made a pass on James, then Max got a big tank-slapper out of the chicane, I then had a good run on James, but I lost the front in the Parabolica and ran wide and James just had enough time to get under me but I’m quite happy with the two podiums today. “For sure my start in race 1 could have been a bit more uneventful!” commented Lorenzo. “I made contact with Rolfo and had to ease off the brake. When I braked again I was going way too fast so I cut through the chicane to avoid causing an incident, and that was my race over at the start. Pity because the team and I had made an excellent choice of tyres, the set-up was perfect and I lapped well throughout the race. Doing those times was very important on this track. I wanted to get a better start in race 2 but unfortunately my 999 had an electrical problem on the grid. I put my hand up but the race started and I was unable to restart from the pit-lane.” Race 1: 1. Haga (Yamaha); 2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 3. Biaggi (Suzuki); 4. Toseland (Honda); 5. Corser (Yamaha); 6. Kagayama (Suzuki); 7. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox); 8. Fabrizio (Honda); etc. Race 2: 1. Haga; 2. Toseland; 3. Bayliss; 4. Rolfo (Honda); 5. Biaggi; 6. Corser; 7. Kagayama; 8. Laconi (Kawasaki); etc. Points (after 6 of 13 rounds): Riders – 1. Toseland 229; 2. Haga 194; 3. Biaggi 191; 4. Bayliss 164; 5. Corser 135; 6. Lanzi 107; 7. Xaus 106; 8. Neukirchner 81. Manufacturers – 1. Honda 238; 2. Yamaha 217; 3. Ducati 209; 4. Suzuki 191; 5. Kawasaki 77. More, from a press release issued by Honda: TOSELAND FURTHER AHEAD AFTER SHOWING TRUE GRIT James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) left Monza with an extended championship lead having experienced two battling points scores. He was fourth in race one, after a rear tyre choice proved to be too soft, and then second in the second race, after losing pace in the final sectors. Toseland had been fifth in Superpole, and started from row two in each 18-lap race. He was on the pace in every practice session and was running with Haga (the double race winner and new second place rider) in each race, until he was forced back as his lap times increased. Max Biaggi lost second in the overall championship at Monza, as Toseland’s 229 points now outscore Haga’s 194 by a margin of 35, with Biaggi third overall on 191. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, Honda leads by 21 points. Despite brilliant front-running displays for both Toseland and Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) race one was to be a disappointment, as first Toseland fell back to finish fourth, and then Rolfo was to halt within sight of the startline on the very last lap. Unexpected fuel consumption issues, after a change of engine for the race, finished Rolfo’s first leg while a poor rear tyre choice halted the final progress of Toseland in the last four laps of race one. In the second race Toseland held off a determined late attack from first Max Biaggi and then Troy Bayliss, re-passing Bayliss on the final corner and fending him off over the line. Rolfo – who was only tenth in qualifying, capitalised on Biaggi’s last chicane wobble and weave by passing him on the last corner, after an impressive raceday with the other top riders. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) went eighth and 11th, with Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) scoring two ninth places, his first points since Donington. Toseland paid a price for his race one tyre option, but made amends in race two with a superb fight back when a podium finish of any kind suddenly looked unlikely. “In race one we went with the B tyre and not the harder C, and it just went off in the centre,” said Toseland. “That was why I was weaving down the straights, to try and take it easy on the very centre of the tyre. But it was our choice, so I have no complaints. Trying to keep up with Noriyuki in race two was tough I don’t know what he’s eaten today but whatever it is I want some of it! For race two we changed to the harder tyre, although we didn’t have the perfect set-up to go with it. That last lap was pretty tough but if I’m honest it felt good to get Troy back for that move at Assen, albeit for second position and not first this time. It was a great race.” Rolfo was on the sort of form at Monza that thrilled the local fans and he put it down to confidence in his machine set-up. “Race one was going so well for me, but I just needed it to be one lap less for it to be perfect,” joked Rolfo, who had easily his best raceday performances of his SBK career, despite the loss of points in race one. “I have found a very good feeling on the bike at Monza this weekend. After the second race in Assen we modified the set-up of the bike to better suit my riding style. The start of race one was very, very good, but in the end it wasn’t to be. Race two also started well and I really enjoyed the battle with Bayliss, Corser and Biaggi. We changed positions many times in each lap and it was great to race with the front-runners. I want to thank the team because they have supported me and done everything that I have asked in changing the bike set-up. I think we have found a the right set-up for me and I cannot wait for the next race.” Fabrizio’s first home weekend of the year did not go to plan but he scored two finishes despite having to change some key elements between races. “In the first race I went well but the front grip tailed off a bit near the end,” said Fabrizio. “We changed to a harder front in race two but it was too hard and then near the end the power started to tail off, so I had to take the result I got.” Muggeridge – sixth in Superpole – was back to his best at Monza, having qualified as high as third on day one, but he found no answer to the questions he found in the chassis set-up. “I wasn’t that happy with the set-up so we changed the bike for the second race – and it was worse,” said Muggeridge. “It was hard to stay on it sometimes. But we crossed the line for points in each race so I’m looking at things like that this weekend.” Brookes, 11th in Superpole was set for a good finish in race two until his brakes started to fade, and he had to settle for one points scoring finish. “In the second race I got a good start but I knew that staying in third was not realistic,” said a forthright Brookes. “I was enjoying the moment while it lasted. I rode as hard as I could and to make as few mistakes as possible, as I’m not riding comfortably with the set-up right now. We had brake problems that got worse and I ran off at a couple of corners. In race one I scored some points but all I want to do now is get good results in individual races.” Martin was over 40 seconds from the winner in race one at Monza, and his team was down to two mechanics this weekend, due to long-standing budgetary issues. “Things were going OK in race two and I could see the group in front of me that eventually finished just inside the top ten,” said Martin, who continued, “but then the gear lever fell off. I don’t blame my mechanics, as it was nothing we have touched this weekend. My two mechanics have worked their fingers to the bone for me at Monza and have done a good job – but we can’t race to compete in the world championship the way we have been this year, putting most of the effort into one rider.” Round seven of the championships take place at Silverstone, in the English Midlands, between 25 and 27 May. More, from a press release issued by Scuderia SC Caracchi: NANNELLI E SMRZ PROTAGONISTS AT MONZA Warm, sunshine and a big attendance at Monza for World Superbike and Supersport races, where the Team SC Caracchi riders have been brilliant protagonists of the day, a day that could be unforgettable with a grain of luck more. In Supersport Gianluca Nannelli has been fantastic and brushed against a great result. Unfortunately the team decided, before the start, for a technical decision that penalized the 749R acceleration but necessary for the safety of the rider, and at the end Nannelli, catched just one lap to finish by Foret and West, has not been able to fight for the podium’s position that he did merit. “It could look stupid to be not satisfied for a fourth position both in the race and in the championship standing.” said a disappointed Gianluca Nannelli at the end of the race. “But that’s just what happens, because today at least a second place was sure. Unfortunately during yesterday’s practice we have seen that, with the speed we reach at Monza and under the centrifugal force, the rear tyre interferes with the rear arm. So we got the decision to use a longer final rate to avoid this phenomenon. That cut our acceleration performance, and more the warm temperature didn’t help us, because the Ducati engine with high temperature loses power and in the final laps, when Foret and West overtook me I’ve been not able of any reaction. A true pity because everybody, as the team and me, we did merit something more. I took a good start and, after the first chicane chaos, I was in second position, then Sofouglu overtook me, but a lap later I was second once more and I remained in that position until one lap to go, when Foret and West catched and passed me. That’s been a bad joke that still burns inside me, but at the end we are in fourth position in the championship and that means that we are not so bad.” In Superbike Jakub Smrz showed once more his talent, especially in race-2 when he took a good start and easy grabbed the group fighting behind the laaders. Smrz leaves from Monza after scoring points in both the races and in 14th position of championship standing. “What emotion to fight in a group on such fast track!” commented Jakub Smrz after race -2. “In race-1 I didn’t get a good start and at the first chicane I found a rider’s wall in front of me, in practice I must stop the bike. Then I recover some position, but it was late and I grabbed the last point available just in the final lap.. In gara-2 on the contrary I took a very good start and at the end of the first lap I was in 14th position. Then I joined the group with Muggeridge, Xaus, Neukirchner e Fabrizio and at that moment started a fantastic battle until the finish, with the positions changing at every corner. Finally at three quarters of the race I got some meter advantage and I keep it until the finish. I am satisfied, Monza was a new track for me, but I feel well and I hopa that in Silverstone too, next two weeks, I’ll agree the circuit too.” More, from a press release issued by Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra: 2007 Superbike World Championship Round 6, Monza, Italy Circuit: 5.793 kms. Crowd: 108,000 (3-day) Weather: Dry, sunny/cloudy 26-28C. Sunday 13th May MAX TAKES A SUPERB PODIUM IN RACE ONE. Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Max Biaggi took a superb hard-fought for third place in race one and was on course for another podium in race two, but for a problem with his clutch lever after a clash with Bayliss on the last lap. Exiting the Ascari, Max had run a bit wide and when he rejoined the track the Aussie’s Ducati and Max’s Suzuki touched each other. In the impact, Max’s clutch lever was bent out of position, so when he tried to brake and slow for the Parabolica, the clutch didn’t work. Max had to stamp on the rear brake to slow down and in so doing he ran onto the kerbstones and nearly highsided. He made a tremendous recovery, but by then Toseland, Bayliss and Rolfo had managed to sneak past and the podium had gone. Max’s team mate Yukio Kagayama had a bit of a frustrating day, finishing sixth in race one after suffering grip problems and then losing ground at the start of the second when a group of riders cut the chicane on the first lap. Once that happened, Yukio tried to regain ground, but the gap was too great and he had to chase the pack, eventually ending up seventh. MAX I feel a bit frustrated about the result, even though I got a podium in race one. Today I felt that my bike didn’t feel as strong as some of the other top bikes and I just couldn’t pull out of the draft and overtake. I had to make up ground on the brakes and in the corners, and then on the fast straights I’d had to watch as they’d come past me again. In the first race, I was chasing second place, when the bike locked up in the first chicane. I nearly lost control, but I managed to keep onboard and carry on – though I did lose second spot. At the end of the race, I got a bit of luck when two of the guys in front slowed right down with problems and I was able to take third place. For race two, we made no changes to the bike. I focussed on getting a good start and everything was going more or less to plan until the last lap. I knew I had to lead exiting the Ascari, because otherwise the others would draft me, so I pushed really hard. I went wide on the exit and when I rejoined the track Bayliss and I touched. The impact damaged my clutch and footrest, but I didn’t really realise that at the time. On the approach to the final turn – the Parabolica – I tried to brake hard and late and found I had no clutch! I ran onto the kerbs and nearly highsided, but I was just about able to keep control and carry on. But by then, Toseland, Bayliss and Rolfo had got past and my chance of a second podium was gone. Monza has been a fantastic experience and the huge number of fans here have made this a great weekend. Although there were a lot of people here, asking for my autographs and photos, I didn’t mind and I tried to sign as many as possible. I am happy to do this for race fans. YUKIO I am not so happy with my results today, because I know they should’ve been a lot better. My start in race one was OK and I was in third place with lots of riders around me going into the first chicane. It was very busy! After about five or six laps, my rear grip started going down and I began to lose ground – especially on the long straights. In race two, many riders cut the first chicane and I lost a lot of places. Once that happened it was difficult to catch up and regain the places. Here at Monza once the front group is gone, there is no chance to catch them again. This weekend, we had had some problems with engine adjustment and we haven’t really solved the problem yet. I want a flatter torque curve and I want better acceleration, but at the moment it is hard to change the engine’s characteristics in this way. It is something that we will work on and try and improve. Normally Suzuki’s engines are very strong, but I think maybe some of our rivals have stronger engines today. I feel this because they can pass us on the straights and we cannot slipstream them back. This weekend has been a bit frustrating for me and I hope that the next race weekend can be better. Results Race 1: 1 Haga (J-Yamaha), 2 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati), 3 MAX BIAGGI (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 4 Toseland (GB-Honda), 5 Corser (Aus-Yamaha), 6 YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 7 Lanzi (I-Ducati), 8 Fabrizio (I-Honda), 9 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda), 10 Neukirchner (D-Suzuki), Race 2: 1 Haga, 2 Toseland, 3 Bayliss, 4 Rolfo (I-Honda), 5 MAX BIAGGI (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 4 Toseland (GB-Honda), 5 Corser (Aus-Yamaha), 6 YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), , 6 Corser 7 Kagayama, 8 Laconi (F-Kawasaki), 9 Muggeridge, 10 Smrz (CZ-Ducati) Points: 1 Toseland 229, 2 Haga 194, 3 MAX BIAGGI (I-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 191,4 Bayliss 164, 5 Corser 135, 6 Lanzi 107, 7 Xaus 106, 8 Neukirchner 81, 9 Rolfo 77, 10 YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 60, More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Haga takes the double win at team’s home round A moment Haga had been working towards came today when he took race wins in both races at the home round of the Yamaha Motor Italia Team. Haga went down to sixth at the start of race one behind Corser but quickly started to work his way up through the grid setting the fastest lap three times . By lap five Haga was battling with Toseland for the lead while Corser fought with Biaggi for sixth place. Haga won the fight for first and went on to complete a textbook race and take his first win at Monza in front of a record breaking 108,000 strong crowd. Corser had less fortune than Haga in race one, running wide at Lesmo on two consecutive laps and struggling to make up any time on fifth place until errors by Bayliss and Biaggi on lap 14 significantly reduced the gap. The retirement of Rolfo right at the end of the race gave Corser a fifth place finish. Haga got another bad start in race two but once again made his way up to second place by lap three. On lap seven Haga made his move to pass Toseland who he had been tailing and then set about putting some space between him and the rest of the field. From there on it was just up to Haga to bring the bike home safely to take his second win of the day. This completed a good weekend for the rider with him taking Superpole, both race wins and setting the fastest lap of the race in race one on the 2007 R1. Corser got a good start and moved up from fifth to fourth and then fought hard in a battle between Biaggi and Rolfo for four laps with the riders swapping positions frequently. As the race progressed Corser struggled to keep pace with the pack and had to settle for sixth and ten points. Today’s excellent results puts Haga back in fierce contention for the championship as he now stands in second place and only 35 points behind lead man Toseland. Corser is in fifth having taken 21 points away from this weekend. Yamaha also lies second in the manufacturer standings with first place within reach. Noriyuki Haga (1st and 1st – Yamaha Motor Italia) “Today was perfect – the perfect end to a perfect weekend. I have taken Superpole, won both races and got the fastest lap in the second race. This weekend the bike was feeling good and we didn’t make any big changes to the set-up which is unusual for me. We focused on the engine because this is such a fast track and the results speak for themselves. I would like to say thank you to the Team, Yamaha, Santander and all the other sponsors and people who have worked hard to make this possible. Taking the double win at the team’s home round feels good and it is made all the sweeter as I have never won here before.” Troy Corser (5th and 6th – Yamaha Motor Italia) “This weekend has been very difficult; it has not gone to plan at all. Somehow I don’t seem to be able to get the same top speed that Haga can achieve even though the bikes are the same. I had a couple of scary moments coming out of Lesmo when the back of the bike would let go and start coming round. I had it on Friday and then we seemed to solve the problem but I had it again in both races today. We have two days testing at Misano in the coming week so I really hope we can find out what’s causing this and solve it before Silverstone.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia) “This has been a fantastic day – a double win at our home round where we have had over 800 guests today. Haga is now second in the championship and Yamaha are second in the manufacturer championship also. Haga rode very well, made no mistakes and really pushed hard. We had lots of fans here today because it is our home round and we are based very close to here. The atmosphere was exciting and I am sure we gave the fans some good racing. I am really sorry for Troy – the positions he finished in today are not a true reflection of his capability and the effort he is putting in. We have a two-day test at Misano next week and we are going to work really hard to sort out the problem. I would like to thank everyone involved in the team for all their hard work – today has been a good reward for us all.”