Tuesday Jun 24 2008
Preview - Misano

Misano (Republic of San Marino), Wednesday 25th June: The Ducati Xerox Team travels just an hour down the road from their base in Borgo-Panigale, Bologna for the next round of the World Superbike Championship at the coastal resort of Misano Adriatico. Temperatures are set to rise to 40C in time for the traditional "summer" Superbike date, in total contrast to the cold of the Nuerburgring just two weeks ago. The Misano World Circuit always attracts a huge crowd when hosting the Superbikes and this year, with Troy Bayliss and his Ducati 1098 F08 currently leading the battle for the title, is sure to be no different. With seven out of fourteen rounds already completed, Bayliss has won more races than any other rider so far with six first place finishes, but the race for the championship victory is still wide open with several riders in the running for the ultimate prize.



Troy Bayliss (1st in championship, 227 points)

Troy took the double win at the Misano circuit last season as well as in 2002. He also won races here in 2001 and 2006, accumulating important points that contributed to his eventual championship victories in those years. Undoubtedly the circuit at which he has consistently performed best, Troy hopes for a similar outcome this season.

"Misano is one of my favourite circuits and it's treated me very well over the years. There's always an amazing atmosphere and great weather too! I was disappointed with my last performance in Italy at Monza so I hope this time I can give the home crowd a better show. We plan to try the new set-ups that we worked on during last week's Mugello tests, so we'll wait and see how that goes and hope to put an end to the problems we've had in the last couple of rounds."

Michel Fabrizio (8th in championship, 106 points)

Michel has had a bit of a rocky history at this track over his last two seasons in World Superbike but won here in the Superstock 1000 category in 2003, the year in which he eventually went on to take the riders title. Now on board the 1098 F08, Michel would like to do well in front of Ducati's home crowd.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how I go on the Ducati machine at this track. My results in the past have been a bit mixed at Misano but then I did win the Superstock 1000 race here in 2003 so I know I can go well. I enjoy the track and as many of the Ducati family will be at this, the company's home race, I'd really like to give the team something to celebrate!"

Country: Republic of San Marino
Name: Misano World Circuit
Circuit length: 4.226 km
Pole position: left
Corners left: 4
Corners right: 4
Race distance: 24 laps = 101.424 km

LAP RECORDS: Fastest lap - Haga (Yamaha) 1'36.356 (2007). Superpole - Corser (Yamaha) 1'34.948 (2007).

2007 RESULTS: Race 1 - 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox);2. Corser (Yamaha); 3. Kagayama (Suzuki). Race 2 - 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Haga (Yamaha); 3. Biaggi (Suzuki).