From a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda:

Vermeulen On Monza Provisional Front Row

Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) ran out an impressive third after the first qualifying session at Monza, despite making his Superbike debut at the fastest track of Vermeulen’s rookie Superbike season. Double World Supersport champions Ten Kate are also new to the Superbike class but have already made great strides in the race preparation of Honda’s awesome CBR1000RR Fireblade.

The first exposure of the machine to a true high-speed track saw the Honda as fast as any other bike in a straight line, and a well-balanced package at the first attempt. Vermeulen’s time of 1:49.665 was third fastest of the 24 riders, with Regis Laconi on Provisional pole position, with a time of 1:48.701.

For Vermeulen, the first day was one of new experiences. “I’ve raced here before but it’s all new on this bike. This is the first high-speed track this bike has been to and we have a few different things. We have wider rear wheels rims, different brake settings, and basic set-up. The bike is not slow and I’m quite happy at the moment. I am about point nine of a second from the fastest rider, however, so there is obviously a bit to go yet. Braking here is very different from riding a 600, as you have a higher speed of approach. We are working through a different selection of brake pads to choose which ones give the best power and wear characteristics.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate expressed his delight at such a strong showing on only the first day. “A perfect start for Chris. It has been the same story as previous races, trying to get a set-up quickly at each track. Luckily enough the bike is already very close to what Chris wants. For tomorrow we have to select a race tyre and then use the qualifying tyres. We didn’t use them today so tomorrow morning we will have two shots at pole.”

World Superbike Championship
Round Four – Monza, Italy
14 – 16 May 2004
First Qualifying
1. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati 999 F04, 1:48.701
2. P. Chili, ITA, Ducati 999 RS, 1:49.037
3. C. Vermeulen, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR, 1:49.655
4. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati 999 F04, 1:49.781
5. G. Nannelli, ITA, Ducati 998 RS, 1:49.911
6. G. Mccoy, AUS, Ducati 999RS, 1:49.962
7. N. Haga, JPN, Ducati 999 RS, 1:50.251
8. M. Borciani, ITA, Ducati 999 RS, 1:50.342
9. S. Martin, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 1:50.659
M. Sanchini, ITA, Kawasaki ZX 10, 1:50.759


D.N.F Broc Parkes, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR crashed after 14 laps


Muggeridge Rules Monza Day One Qualifying

Ten Kate Honda rider Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) secured provisional pole position after a magnificent display of high speed prowess around the 5.793km circuit of Monza. After three events with rain playing its unwelcome part in qualifying, the dry and sunny atmosphere at Monza was only matched by the smiles in the Ten Kate pit garage.



Muggeridge showed that his early pace at this classic Italian circuit was a seamless continuation of his winning form from the previous event at Misano, with ‘Muggas’ generally topping the qualifying session through its 45-minute duration. His lap of 1:51.939 is still a little way off of his 2003 best of 1:51.480, leaving Muggeridge something to aim for on the final day of qualifying on Saturday 15th.

Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) was eight fastest, with a time of 1:54.529, the Aussie still working his way through suspension settings suitable for the challenge of the high speed corners and heavy braking at the numerous chicanes.

For Muggeridge, the opening day was a big success, but better may still come. “I think we can still improve the bike and if we do that then more speed will come. I’m having to work reasonably hard for that time so right now I want to improve the setting, to get the tyres working to their full capacity. We think we have the right tyre to run the race but we want to get it to work to its optimum. The track surface should improve even more tomorrow, as the bikes clean it off.”

Said Parkes, looking forward to the final session, “That wasn’t so bad but we did try a few different things in the session and went in a few wrong directions, losing a bit of time. For sure we can go faster tomorrow than today. It’s just a few suspension changes. Karl went fast from the start but I have to try and build up to him.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate recognised the efforts put in by riders, team and sponsors. “The engine configuration is the same as the previous races but we have a new full exhaust system from Arrow, which they worked really hard to get to us for this race. It is obviously working very well. Karl showed last year that he is remarkably fast at this track, and for Broc we will try to get him further up the grid. I’m sure we’ll find a solution overnight to also put Broc on the front row.”

World Supersport Championship
Round Four – Monza, Italy
14 – 16 May 2004
First Qualifying


1. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:51.939
2. F. Foret, FRA, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:53.116
3. S. Charpentier, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, 1:53.159
4. J.vd Goorbergh, NED, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:53.694
5. L. Lanzi, ITA, Ducati 749 R, 1:53.698
6. K. Curtain, AUS, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:54.235
7. S. Chambon, FRA, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:54.521
8. B. Parkes, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:54.529
9. C. Migliorati, ITA, Kawasaki ZX6 RR, 1:54.576
C. Kellner, GER, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:54.617


More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks/Scuderia Caracchi:

Garry McCoy sixth fastest in Monza after the first qualifying


Finally a nice weather day for the World Superbike circus after the flood of Misano. With an air temperature of 22°C and under a light sun Garry McCoy rode his 999RS Xerox Ducati Nortel Networks on the historical track of Monza, a quite unknown track for the Australian rider.

After spending the morning’s free practice session to find a good set up, in the afternoon McCoy earned the sixth position, but he’s confident to have the possibility to be faster tomorrow.

“This track is totally new for me.” – said Garry McCoy at the end of the day – “That’s not a track very difficult to learn and I like it, but some corners are a bit dangerous, with short escape space. The most difficult job on this circuit is to find the right braking point after the long and very fast line, you need a lot of practice. We worked all the morning’s free practice session for a good set up and at the end we found a good result; now I feel the bike as I want on the front and the tyres are looking very good.. The sixth fastest it’s a good performance, we are 1,2 seconds behind the top and I’m sure to do better tomorrow. We’ll do some other test and we’ll continue working hard as we have been doing. I’m confident to improve my performance.”

Unlucky debut at Monza for Miguel Praia, who was riding the ex Laconi 998RS, hoping to find a better feeling with the old bike as what he has with the more powerful, but more nervous too, new 999RS machine. The Portuguese rider suffered a big crash during the morning’s free practice session at Parabolica corner, without bad injuries (a shot in the right hand and some brushes), but bad damages to the bike which the team couldn’t repair in time for the afternoon session, and he lost the qualifying session. Praia will be ready to run for the final qualifying session tomorrow morning.

Also in Monza will ride as wild card Giancarlo De Matteis, on the 999RS; 22nd fastest after a crash at about half an hour to finish the session.

“It’s a pity that I crash during the qualifying session, I ruined all the work we have done. I’ve never ridden the 999RS before, but I like it, also it’s a bit different of the 998. I was running quite well, then my crash at the first Lesmo corner stopped me along the circuit. I’m confident to get a better result tomorrow.”


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI (DUCATI FILA) QUICKEST AGAIN IN FRIDAY SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING – TOSELAND FOURTH

Monza (Italy), Friday 14 May 2004: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila) once again dominated Friday’s World Superbike qualifying session, this time at Monza for round 4. Aboard his 999R F04, the Frenchman set the quickest time of the day in 1:48.701, three tenths of a second faster than championship leader Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati). Laconi also recorded the top speed on the long Monza start-finish straight, clocking 309 km/h. Team-mate James Toseland was fourth, one second off Laconi’s pace.

“That was not so bad today!” commented Laconi. “We are working well on the suspension of the bike, even though the track was different from last week’s testing. We did a lot of laps with a race tyre, just like this morning when we almost did a race distance. I just put a qualifying tyre on at the end of the afternoon session but I am only two-tenths faster and I know I can do a lot better with a ‘Q’. Monza is strange; if you push too much you lose time because the braking is so important. Maybe I am braking a bit too early and I have to try tomorrow to be a bit more aggressive for the fast lap with the qualifiers.”

James Toseland, fourth in today’s opening session, was quite happy with his time after making a few changes late in the hour. “I didn’t have much rear grip for most of the session but we made a change to the ride height and the suspension and I was immediately half a second quicker at the end” he declared. “We need to go in that direction, the bike is now how it should be and it has been some time since I’ve felt that good. The conditions are not the same as in last week’s testing and the Monza track can change quite a lot, but I feel happy to be going in the right direction. I was having to push hard in sixth before this change but now I’m comfortable on the bike in fourth.”


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

The long straights and high speeds of Monza, the fastest of the Superbike World Championship circuits, today provided an immediate test of the latest phase of PETRONAS FP1 development.

With this stage of engine development focussing on reliability and consistency, and following a trouble-strewn corresponding round last year, the first day’s qualifying for the fourth round of the Superbike World Championship produced early signs of encouragement for the latter stages of the season, when further performance progress is expected from subsequent engine developments.

Riders spend as much as 40 per cent of their lap with wide-open throttle, testing the engine to the limit. And, although the four long straights provide plenty of slip-streaming opportunities, the drafting effect can also pose temperature control problems. An added complication is the predominantly clockwise nature of the circuit, with only two left-hand corners, prompting Pirelli to produce a dual compound rear tyre with harder rubber on the right hand side of the carcass.

However, both FPR riders Chris Walker and Troy Corser were confident that areas for improvement had been highlighted for tomorrow’s final qualifying sessions after finishing the afternoon qualifying in 11th and 13th respectively.

Chris said: “So far so good. I feel we have made a big stride forward today by using the new gas front forks. I have tried them a couple of times before but not had enough time to get a feel for them because of the weather. I am happy enough with the lap times as there a lot of other riders within touching distance and I know we can improve tomorrow. I am still a little bit unsure of the rear shock setting as it feels good when the tyres are a few laps old, but then feels like it has worked the tyre far too hard after that. I used a qualifying tyre in the afternoon session and that is the best it has felt so far, although still with a little bit of chatter and especially on entry into the two left chicanes.”

Troy said: “I have got a set-up which is not too bad and I think we are close with the gearing. But the straights feel really long and, when you are down on top speed and there are three long straights, it can make up to a second a lap difference. We have found the front tyre that we want. When I try the harder rear tyres I have been struggling in the left-hand corners and, if you don’t get those corners right, you can lose a half a second. But I guess this is pretty much as we expected for Monza at this stage of the engine development.”


More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group:

FRIDAY QUALIFYING – LACONI FASTEST AT FIRST ATTEMPT

The Wind Cries Laconi: After the first high speed blasts around the classic circuit of Monza in northern Italy Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04) roared off with the provisional pole position securely in his grasp. His best lap of 1:48.701, at an average speed of over 190kmph, was 0.336 seconds faster than second place rider Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998). The sighting of the radar trap was a matter for some discussion in the paddock and meant that the top speeds posted on the timesheets – over 300kmph for some – were probably less lofty than the real figures.

Honda Homeland: The best-placed four cylinder machine in the championship, the Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR of Chris Vermeulen, was also the best placed on the Monza provisional grid. Third overall after the first of two timed sessions, Vermeulen’s Honda was almost a second slower than leader Laconi, but with more to come for this all-new SBK entry.

On His Toes: Ducati Fila factory pilot James Toseland, second in the championship battle at present time, was fourth fastest on the opening exchanges. Just over 1 second shy of his team-mate’s time, Toseland has reverted to a more basic machine set-up than of late, in an attempt to get back to winning ways.

Local Boy Comes Good: Gianluca Nannelli was in sparkling form on his home circuit, proving that even a customer 998RS machine can be competitive at one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. The forceful Italian headed off Phillip Island race winner Garry McCoy (Xerox Ducati Nortel 999RS) to finish his first Monza Superbike day fifth.

Injury Interrupts Martin: Top-level private rider Steve Martin suffered a high speed fall from his DFX Ducati 999RS and will undergo a medical check tomorrow morning to find out if his injured elbow is recovered enough to allow him to race on Sunday. Despite his fall, Martin was classified ninth, behind Noriykui Haga (seventh) and Marco Borciani, Martin’s own team-mate.

Petronas Progresses: The new engine spec on the unique Petronas three cylinder machine came on stream at Monza, but as the team expected, their engine was not capable of propelling Troy Corser or Chris Walker into the upper echelons on day one. Walker was 11th, Corser 13th.

Record number of guests: The total number of VIP and sponsor guests coming to Monza this weeked creates a new record for a World Superbike event.

Supersport: In the fourth round of the World Supersport Championship, the first day’s field of battle was taken, in emphatic fashion, by Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR). The Misano race winner went some 1.177 seconds faster than French rider Fabien Foret. The Yamaha Italia pilot is on his team’s home ground at Monza, as their base is located just outside the former royal park that the Monza circuit lies within. Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda) was third quickest, with Foret’s team-mate Jurgen van den Goorbergh, the championship leader at present, fourth quickest. Lorenzo Lanzi was the fastest Ducati rider on display, posting an impressive top speed of 292kmph.

Final qualifying for each class takes place tomorrow, Saturday 15th.


More, from a press release issued by Belgarda Yamaha:

Yamaha Racing
Yamaha Italia World Supersport Team Newsletter
Date: 14th May 2004
Circuit: Monza, m. 5.793
Friday Qualifying
Weather: sun Temperature: air 22° track 33°
Crowd:10.000

PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR FABIEN AND JURGEN
Team Yamaha Racing Italia riders Fabien Foret and Jurgen van den Goorbergh finished the first day’s qualifying second and fourth and both are ready to attack pole position tomorrow. Fastest lap of the day went to Aussie Karl Muggeridge (Honda), who blasted his way round the 5.793 kilometre circuit with a lap of 1:51.939. Today’s two sessions took place in near ideal positions and the lap times tumbled throughout the whole day as a result.

FABIEN FORET ­ 2nd, 1:53.116
I’m very happy with how today went. The Yamaha R6 was very fast and I feel very motivated to do well here. So far this season, my results haven’t been as good as I would’ve liked, and Monza would be an ideal place to do well. I won here in 2002, so it’s a good place for me. Muggeridge was very fast today, but being fast in practice is not as important as being fast on raceday. My plan is to stay with him at the beginning and be ready to make my move at the end.

JURGEN VD GOORBERGH ­ 4th, 1:53.694
At the end of the afternoon (timed) session I let Fabien slipstream me and that allowed him to post the second quickest lap time of the day. I’m happy because we finished second and fourth and that’s good for the whole team. My goal is to finish qualifying with a front row grid position. I don’t normally do ‘sensational’ laps in qualifying because I concentrate on getting everything ready for the race itself. I feel very confident this weekend and I think I can get a good result.

CLAUDIO CONSONNI (Racing Manager)
Muggeridge has a big advantage but we’re not surprised because we saw the Honda top the timings at Valencia. But in the race we finished first and second! The challenge is very hard, but we are optimistic of getting good results on Sunday. We have done a lot of work on the clutch; so that our riders can be with Muggeridge going into turn one on the first lap. Then they can stay with him and be inn a good position to attack at the end of the race

Friday qualifying
1 Muggeridge (AUS-Honda) 1:51.939, 2 FORET (F-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) 1:53.116, 3 Charpentier (F-Honda) 1:53.159, 4 VD GOORBERGH (NL-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) 1:53.694, 5 Lanzi (I-Ducati) 1:53.698, 6 Curtain (AUS-Yamaha) 1:54.235, 7 Chambon (F-Suzuki) 1:54.521, 8 Parkes (AUS-Honda 1:54.529, 9 Migliorati (I-Kawasaki) 1:54.576, 10 Kellner (D-Yamaha) 1:54.617

EUROPEAN SUPERSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIP
Yamaha riders Gianluca Vizziello and Lorenzo Alfonsi totally dominated today’s qualifying at Monza and ended the day with a perfect 1-2. Their Italia Lorenzini by Leoni R1 Yamahas were also the fastest bikes through the speed traps, with speeds of 297 kph.

NEWS
Monza is the home race for Yamaha Racing Italia and the Italian fans are always very enthusiastic at the track. The traffic police have prepared for this event by putting into action the same traffic control plan is they would carry out for the F1 race. The team’s garage and hospitality is the centre of attention in the paddock and will be visited by numerous VIPs throughout the weekend. At the exit of the Ascari chicane, Yamaha fans have their own grandstand where they watch the action and cheer on their riders.


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

NOT SO LUCKY THIRTEENTH FOR TROY!

Troy ended the first day of qualifying at Monza with the thirteenth quickest time and is provisionally on the fourth row of the grid. With a top speed some seventeen kph slower then provisional pole-setter Regis Laconi (Ducati), Troy and his Foggy Petronas FP1 team are going to need something special tomorrow if they are too get on terms with the leaders. Second quickest today is crowd favourite Frankie Chili (Ducati), with Chris Vermeulen (Honda) third and James Toseland (Ducati) fourth.

TROY – 13th, 1:50.950
We’re struggling for top speed here and Monza is definitely a place where you need top speed. We’re not so bad in the corners, but being seventeen Ks slower then the leader doesn’t do us any favours. We had an engine problem with one bike and I didn’t really get a chance to try any qualifiers and that’s reflected in my lap times. I don’t find Monza an exciting track to ride, because it’s just a pure horsepower track. It’s not very technical and I find it a bit boring really. Recently we had a day of testing with the new Foggy Petronas engine development team, but it’s too early to say how much the bike is improving at the moment. Tomorrow should be better for us and I aim to finish the day much higher up the grid, so that I can be in touch with the leaders come raceday.