2007 SBK CORONA EXTRA SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® MONZA – 6th ROUND – 11st, 12nd and 13rd MAY PREVIEW SHRINE TO RACING STILL ALIVE AND KICKING – TOSELAND GOES TO ITALY WITH A HANDSOME POINTS LEAD One of the true spiritual homes of racing, Monza, is not just a link to racing’s past glories; it is a unique challenge on the modern day SBK calendar. No circuit features as many high speed sections, few contain as many tests of hard braking from top absolute speed, and none has the classic last corner layout of the Parabolica – the scene of many a racing drama for all classes of Motorsport. This year current championship leader by 32 points James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is not just looking to be Master of Monza, he is looking to score his first ever double win in World Superbike. As statistics show, he has been able to win a race per meeting so far, until either pushes by other riders or simple bad luck have stopped him from scoring two in one day. TOSELAND’S CHALLENGERS MASS FOR THE ATTACK ONCE MORE With five of the current top six riders having already taken at least one race win, and with four other race winners from past seasons also in the Monza mix, competition for the podium places will be as intense as ever. But for one rider Monza will take on special significance. Having been drafted into the SBK paddock this season, current second placed rider Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) will have the chance to race in front of his home crowd for the first time in two years – and for the very first time on a Superbike. The Monaco-based Roman has lived up to the pre-season hype, scoring the first win of the year at Losail, in Qatar, and resisting the early season pressure of all but the hyper-motivated and consistent Toseland. Biaggi is by no means the only Italian rider with his eyes on a prize at the parkland circuit this weekend. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) is desperate to get back to winning ways after a prolonged dry spell, while Roby Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is eyeing up any colour of podium step after the success enjoyed by his team-mate Toseland this year. A dark horse pre-race is Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda) who is one of the best privateers, and has already shown he can take podiums in the top class, just not so far in 2007. MONZA A BELOVED PLACE FOR THE VISITING RIDERS It is impossible for most riders to approach Monza without at least a nod towards the emotions that racing on such a historic and speed-obsessed circuit brings to the surface. But for two of the top few, it means even more to their teams than it does to themselves. The Yamaha Motor Italia team is based only a fast highside away from the Lesmo corners at Monza, and they more than any other team can consider Monza as a true home race. Their riders, Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser, are currently third and fifth respectively, and each is more than capable of a race win or two on the fast new Yamaha R1. BAYLISS THE MAN ON A MISSION Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) has had a somewhat disturbed start to his latest championship defence, but at Assen he proved to be right back to form; stalking them mugging Toseland on the line in race two to help secure a fourth overall in the championship chase. Last year’s champion loves the Monza layout as does his aerodynamically sound Ducati, and of all the riders currently chasing Toseland, he is the one who appears to have the strongest tailwind of motivation at present. Unless, of course, you count the resurgent Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati) who has taken his 2006 factory spec Ducati to a win already this year Despite a fall at Assen big Ruben is sixth overall, one slender point ahead of Lanzi’s official machine. Xaus came close to winning the championship in 2003, and is keen to get back into a position to challenge for top honours again. MAX ‘MARK 2’ A STAR SO FAR FOR SUZUKI There is more than one impressive rider called Max in Suzuki colours this year, as Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Germany) has been making a more than sound job of keeping a year old privateer Suzuki competitive – not just against the top privateers, but blooding the noses of many riders on even better equipment. Currently in the top eight, he should find his Suzuki fast enough to compete at Monza. NIETO AND LACONI READY TO FLY With so many fast sections at Monza, and so many areas of hard braking, the official Kawasaki duo of Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) and Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) will be looking to Monza as a good opportunity to make up the ground they have lost in the early part of the 2007 season. If they can combine their machine’s impressive power output with a good set-up for the many chicanes at Monza, then the sky is the limit for riders of their undoubted class and quality. Another rider looking to get back to his usual self is Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki); a rider much injured this year, in terms of confidence as well as physical abilities. PRIVATEERS MAKING A PUSH AS SEASON APPROACHES MIDPOINT With so many good officially entered machines in SBK this year, it has provided a tough theatre of dreams for the privateers to play upon. Along with Neukirchner and Fabrizio, Jakub Smrz (Caracchi SC Ducati) has been consistently impressive on his 2005 bike, with riders like Josh Brookes (Alto Evolution Honda) and Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda) occasionally shining through the bad luck they have experienced too often for their liking so far. Steve Martin should be reunited with his DFX Honda team at Monza, and is looking for strong points after a tough start to the year. WORLD SUPERSPORT – ONLY ONE TARGET FOR SUPERSPORT MASSES A vast grid of riders will take on the next Supersport venue but the story of the year so far in terms of wins and podiums is all about Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda). He is now a quite staggering 53 points up on his nearest challenger, after four wins and one second place. He will be joined once more by his regular team-mate, Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) who is fighting back from pelvic and coccyx injury. The double champion in 2005 and 2006 is currently 14th after positing only two race finishes. Fabien Foret (GIL Kawasaki) is second overall, the only man to have deposed Sofuoglu from his perennial winning status. After a third at Assen, he will fancy his chances on his highly adept new Kawasaki at Monza. Such has been the hurly-burly of the crash-strewn Supersport battles thus far that Katsuaki Fujiwara (Althea Honda) is still third overall, despite two recent no scores, which were neither his nor his team’s fault. Broc Parkes will be partnered this weekend by Anthony West in the Yamaha World Supersport Racing Team, as Kevin Curtain continues his recuperation from injuries sustained at Valencia. SUPERSTOCK 1000 FIM CUP – THREE RACES THREE WINNERS A great start to the Superstock season has provided us with three different winners in the three races so far – Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox 1098), Mark Aitchison (Celani Team Suzuki Italia) and most recently another rookie rider, Michele Pirro (Team Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha). Consistency has seen Claudio Corti (Team Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha) retain third place in the points rankings, Aitchison fourth and Matteo Baiocco (Umbria Bike Yamaha) fifth. At Monza all the manufacturer’s top riders should be competitive, in a season with many new bikes to go with a few new names on the grid. SUPERSTOCK 600 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – LIVE HEAT A tie on points at the top of the Superstock 600 table sees Andrea Antonelli (Team Italia Megabike Honda AX) on the same 52 points as Maxime Berger (Trasimeno Yamaha) after the Assen round was taken by the Honda rider. Michele Magnoni (Bevilacqua Yamaha) is overall third, some five points ahead of Roy Ten Napel (MQP Racing Team Yamaha). Monza’s high-speed layout will see old-fashioned slipstreaming become the most important factor in the eventual race result, and this may well be a new skill for many to learn, such are the tortuous and geometric natures of most modern day circuits on the Superstock calendar. SILVERSTONE NEXT UP Two weeks after Monza, Silverstone is the venue for round seven of the championship, which starts with practice on Friday 25 May and continues on to raceday on Sunday 27 May. More, from a press release issued by Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra: 2007 Superbike World Championship Preview: Round 6, Monza, Italy, 13th May MAX’S FIRST HOME RACE. The sixth round of this year’s Superbike World Championship takes place at the legendary Monza circuit and it will be the first ‘home’ race for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Max Biaggi. Max has never raced at Monza at either World Superbike or MotoGP level, so the 5.792 kilometre track is going to be a very new experience for the Roman. Last year Monza was not a happy hunting ground for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona EXtra rider Yukio Kagayama. He crashed early on in race one, after Toseland highsided right next to him, and was forced to retire in race with clutch problems. MAX Racing at Monza will be a new experience for me for two reasons: first, I have never ridden a Superbike there before and second, it will be the first time I will be racing a Superbike in Italy. I know that there will be extra attention on me from the Italian media particularly, but once I am on the bike I concentrate on what has to be done and do not let outside influences get in the way. For me, it’s not hard to focus on the work and Monza will be no exception. I will be at a disadvantage compared to the SBK regulars because they have all raced at Monza before and will have greater track knowledge then me. But normally I learn tracks pretty fast and I think I will be OK. I know that Monza is famous for slipstreaming and it is definitely something I need to be aware of in the races. But my first task is to learn the track, get a good bike set-up and then go fast. That’s my goal. YUKIO I would prefer to forget about Monza last year and think positively about this year. I must get better results this year for sure – as I don’t believe that I can have the same bad luck as last year. The crash in the first race was strange. Toseland high-sided right next to me and I could not avoid hitting him. But the impact of our collision caused him to land back on his bike, whereas I hit the tarmac and that was that! Second race was a technical problem, so no more to say. This year is still not going as I expect. I have had crashes, bad luck and some technical things to sort out, but I feel I must be due for some good results soon. Maybe Monza can be a change of fortune for me. I hope so, because I need it! 2006 results Race 1: 1 Bayliss (Aus-Ducati), 2 Barros (Bra-Honda), 3 Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) DNF, Race 2: 1 Bayliss, Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 3 Haga (J-Yamaha). YUKIO KAGAYAMA (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) DNF. More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing: World Supersport and Superbike Championships 2007 Round 6, Monza Italy Monza Race Preview 11 May – 13 May 2007 World Supersport Round 6 of 13 MONZA SPEEDBOWL READY TO WELCOME HONDA RIDERS The hugely evocative circuit of Monza is the venue for the next round of the highly eventful World Supersport Championship, offering up runaway championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) the chance to continue his near-perfect run of early season form. After his most recent race win at Assen two weeks ago, the 22-year-old rider from Turkey has now scored four victories out of five, and second place in the only other round. His astonishingly consistent run of top form sees him now 53 points ahead of his nearest rival Fabien Foret, with the second highest placed Honda rider still Katsuaki Fujiwara (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) in overall third, despite enforced no scores in the last two races. Fujiwara has been taken out of good points scoring positions by other riders in the last two races, and sees Monza an the perfect place to make up the ground on Foret that he has recently lost. Reigning champion Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) returned to action at Assen, after suffering pelvic and coccyx injury at round three in Donington, but his lack of recovery time ensured that he could only challenge for the win in the earlier stages of the exhausting Assen race. With two more weeks of recovery, and now racing at a circuit that places less demands on physical fitness for the most part, Charpentier expects to be back to his very best for the entire race. For an Italian rider in an Italian-based team, the first of three races on home asphalt is a particularly significant one, and therefore Lorenzo Alfonsi (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) sees Monza as maybe his best chance to get into the top ten for the second time in 2007. Sofuoglu is well prepared for another race weekend and he knows that even at this stage scoring good points is all important, not taking unnecessary risks to win at all costs. “I was on a high after Assen because I really did not expect to win the race with such strong competition around,” said Sofuoglu after his fourth win of the 2007 season. “It was a tough contest but I was able to judge the situation well and I didn’t push hard until I needed to. I will take this approach again at Monza and I think I have a good chance of a podium finish. My aim is to be consistent and to finish in the top three – the race win would be a bonus.” Fujiwara’s recent bad luck has not hidden the fact that the highly respected rider has been firmly in the upper echelons of competition this year. “It is strange to be third in the championship but have two no scores in the last two races,” said ‘Kats’. “We have to concentrate on making sure we finish with lots of points this weekend. Monza is one of my favourite tracks and the bike will be good there, so I am looking forward to the whole weekend. I am behind in the championship but I am Japanese; we never give up.” Charpentier rode bravely all through the most recent Assen race, but his lack of fitness was evident after his recent injuries. He now looks to Monza as an opportunity to get back into the top ten in the championship standings, and push his season on from there. “For Monza, I am much closer to being 100 per cent fit and this is a less physical track, so I am feeling confident about the race,” confirmed Charpentier. “I think I have a good chance of finishing on the podium. Last year I finished third, despite a jump-start and going straight on at the chicane. In 2005 I was second, so it’s a good track for me. I am very motivated and the bike is very good, so the odds are in our favour.” Alfonsi has particular reasons to look forward to Monza, his home race, and he feels he is particularly well equipped for an assault on the high-speed areas of the Italian circuit. “I hope things go well for us at Monza because we have very fast engines in the bikes,” said Alfonsi, shortly after the Assen round. “It’s always good to race at home in Italy and Monza is a great circuit, so we should be good there.” World Superbike Round 6 of 13 TOSELAND GOING FOR WINS TO HELP DEFEND CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD With five rounds and ten individual races now completed in the Superbike championship, James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) continues to show the speed of man and machine at the top of the championship table, having recently scored his fifth win. Added to three second places it means he is currently some 32 points up on his closest challenger, Max Biaggi, and 52 points ahead of Noriyuki Haga in third. Irrespective of the kind of track encountered this season, Toseland and his CBR1000RR have been fully competitive, in both race and qualifying conditions, making Toseland confident for the latest assault on the parkland circuit of Monza. The next-best placed Honda rider is Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR), a native of Northern Italy who will feel right at home at Monza. The ever-popular 27 year-old is ninth in the standings after an up-and-down season so far, with a best individual result of fifth coming at the most recent race in Assen. Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) approaches Monza ready to make his best-ever showings at the stunning circuit in the heart of the old royal park, and this weekend he is rejoined by his regular riding partner, Steve Martin (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) who has missed a race for the team because of unforeseen budget constraints. Another Italian-based Honda Superbike team will be on home ground at Monza, with Aussie riders Joshua Brookes (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) and Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) hoping for the set-up of their machines to match the impressive engine performance available from the CBR1000RR. Niggling technical problems and an unavoidably late start to the season’s preparations have played a part, but the ‘Honda Lanes’ at Monza may be just the place to begin a fightback. The 2007 season has been a positive one for top Honda rider Toseland throughout, and at Monza he is out to not only score vital points, but to wipe out some bad memories from 2006. “We kept the winning streak going at Assen – although the double win escaped me yet again thanks to Troy Bayliss,” said Toseland. “I hope I can carry it on at Monza and get another double podium. I wasn’t happy with my results at Monza last year – I had a high speed crash in race one and finished fifth in race two – so this year I hope to wipe out those memories with two successful races to keep and extend the championship lead.” Rolfo found the way in machine set-up at Assen, and hopes that he can continue down that fruitful road at his own home track. “I am feeling good about my progress after the Assen round and I’m really looking forward to the first Italian round at Monza,” stated Rolfo. “I know I will have a lot of support in the crowd from Hannspree and the Italian team sponsors and I think that will make a lot of difference to me. Monza is a circuit that suits my style and now that I have a good feeling on the bike, I think I have a good chance of at least matching my results at Assen.” Fabrizio’s season has been inconsistent so far but when things go well for set-up his speed and combative nature have netted some good results. He knows that the difficult first corner at Monza makes qualifying all-important. “The last results confirm that both the bike and me are growing in our abilities,” said the 22 year-old Fabrizio. “I hope to improve my qualifying practice to get away further up the grid. I have to be careful at the first chicane because last year that’s where a race finished for me.” Brookes, who is currently 15th in the championship is looking to Monza as an opportunity for the team’s pre-race efforts to mesh together and pay off in race situations. “We’ve got a lot of work to do before Monza if we’re going to scratch the top ten again,” affirmed Brookes. “There are lots of new elements and people in this team. We’re really only a few months old. Having all that come together takes time. We’ve just got to keep working as hard as we have been and things will start to improve.” The fates have been cruel to Muggeridge this year, leaving him with only 14 points from his three race finishes. He knows his machine should be fast around Monza, and he is fully ready to capitalise in it this weekend. “We are raring to go and the main thing this weekend is to get the bike to the end of each race,” said the former Supersport world champion. “Monza offers good opportunities for us and the bike is not slow. Monza is one of the best races because the whole place has got atmosphere. As soon as you drive into the park your heart starts ticking faster. I don’t know why, but it does.” Martin is set to ride for the DFX Corse Honda team at all the Italian races of the year, making Monza a particularly important race for him. “Last time I rode the bike was at the test in Valencia and I was happy with the way things went,” stated the former Aussie champion. “With the Honda electronics system on the bike it went quite well for a first go. I am really looking forward to making the most of this opportunity to do the best I can this weekend, then the team also wants me to do Misano and Vallelunga.” Silverstone in the UK is the next stopping-off point for the Supersport and Superbike championships, between 25 and 27 May.