World Superbike Championship Round 12: Vallelunga, Italy Tuesday 25 September 2007 Event preview As the 2007 World Superbike Championship reaches the penultimate round, all eyes are the top four riders as they battle it out for the title crown. HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s James Toseland heads to Vallelunga as the current leader, with a 41-point advantage over his closest rival, Noriyuki Haga. However, with four races and 100 points still up for grabs, the championship is wide open and nobody is more aware of this than Toseland. The British rider has been consistently successful this year, securing 13 podiums including eight race wins to date. His focus this weekend remains firmly on adding to that tally, with his aim being a double podium result. Team-mate Roby Rolfo put in two impressive performances at round 11 in Germany to maintain eighth place in the standings. The Italian rider is looking forward to racing on home turf and has his sights set on his first podium of the season. This is the first year that the World Superbike Championship has visited Vallelunga, which is situated 30km north of Rome. HANNspree Ten Kate Honda took the opportunity to test at the circuit earlier this year and both riders are confident in their ability on the 4.08km track. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “With the championship reaching its final stages and James still leading the title chase, we are feeling a bit of pressure. To be honest though, I believe the real pressure is on our rivals, because they have to make up the points while we just have to maintain the current lead. During the test at Vallelunga we concentrated on race distance and we have a good set-up for the CBR1000RRs. Hopes are high that we can secure two solid results for James and Roby this weekend.” James Toseland: “We are so close to the end of the season now, but it still feels a long way away tom me – particularly after what happened in Lausitz. I still have a good advantage, but I know that in racing anything can happen and you can’t relax until you have two hands firmly on the trophy. I am trying to focus on the individual races and getting on the podium, but I am not letting go of my lead without a fight.” Roby Rolfo: “I’m looking forward to racing at an Italian track again. We tested at Vallelunga earlier this year and I really enjoyed the circuit. There are some slower parts on this track and I found that the feeling on the bike improved a lot on these sections so I feel quite confident about the race. Vallelunga is a very narrow circuit for Superbikes and I think there will be a lot of close calls during the race. I feel fit and healthy for the final rounds and I like the fact that they are so close together!” World Supersport Championship Round 12: Vallelunga, Italy Tuesday 25 September 2007 Event preview The 2007 World Superbike Championship arrives in Vallelunga, Italy this weekend for the penultimate round of what has been a thrilling season. HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s Kenan Sofuoglu has dominated the series – securing the title crown at Brands Hatch back in August. The Turkish rider has also clinched ten podium finishes and become the first-ever World Supersport rider to claim fastest lap, best lap, pole position and a race win in one single round. As a reward for his success, Sofuoglu was given the opportunity to ride the Honda CBR1000RR in the Dutch Superbike Championship at Assen last weekend. True to form, the young rider put in an impressive performance to bring home his first Superbike victory for Ten Kate Honda. Sofuoglu is now more motivated than ever and ultra-keen to prove himself with another Supersport race win at Vallelunga. Team-mate Sébastien Charpentier is just as eager to do well in Italy after a season plagued with bad luck and injuries – including a pelvic fracture during round three. Vallelunga is a new addition to the World Supersport calendar and each rider will be looking to set a precedent at the 4.08km track. The aim for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda is to set the new circuit records. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “The main goal of the team is to try to win, but we also have the separate goal of developing parts on the CBR600RR for 2008. We are putting a lot of effort into this and we will test different parts at Vallelunga. The test we did there earlier this year was very successful and we were able to gather a lot of data to prepare the machines for racing at Vallelunga. All this work should help Kenan and Sébastien achieve strong results this weekend. “We decided to enter Kenan for the Dutch Superbike race at Assen as a reward for his world championship win this year. He took things very seriously, posting impressive lap times and winning the first race. Of course, the Dutch championship is very different from World Superbikes as it is basically a Superstock machine with slick tyres. However, Kenan adapted very quickly to the machinery and got on really well.” Kenan Sofuoglu: “I can’t wait for this weekend. I feel like I have something to prove after Lausitz. I really wanted to win there and I tried my best but it didn’t work out. This weekend I am so determined and I really want to win the race. These could be my last two races in Supersport and I want to go out on top. My ambition is to get at least two podium finishes, but of course, I want the victories! I like to thank the team for giving me the chance to ride the Honda CBR1000RR last weekend at Assen – it was my first ever race experience with this machinery and I truly enjoyed it.” Sébastien Charpentier: “I was disappointed at Lausitz. Qualifying went really well and I was on pole position, but immediately the grip on the tyre began to go and I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to. It’s been a tough season, but I’m still determined to finish it with a successful race. The team is working really hard to solve the problems and I am confident we can end on a good note.”