Monday Jul 28 2008
Preview - Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch (UK), Monday 28th July: the Ducati Xerox Team will cross the water this week to participate in the first of two consecutive World Superbike rounds to take place in the UK. Brands Hatch is the initial destination, a track at which the Superbikes have raced every year since 1995, and one of the biggest races on the calendar with around 100,000 fans travelling from far and wide to attend.

This, the tenth round of the fourteen-round world series, comes just before the traditional August break with the riders not back on track again until the start of September when they will race at Donington Park. Although Troy Bayliss currently holds a 79 point advantage, with five races remaining there are still five riders who realistically stand a chance of taking the world title.

Both Ducati Xerox riders Troy Bayliss and Michel Fabrizio are fans of the British track, especially due to the special atmosphere created by the spectators that always plays such a big part in the weekend's proceedings.



Troy Bayliss (1st in championship, 309 points)

Troy has taken podium place finishes on seven occasions at Brands since 2000 and has many fond memories of both World, and British, Superbike racing here.

"My career at Brands has been pretty good overall. I had a great year in 2006 with a win and a second place but then last year was more difficult, when James (Toseland) did the double. I really like the layout and it's unlike any other track, it's probably the most dangerous track that we visit, but this gives it more character I guess! I reckon that Haga will be the force to be reckoned with this weekend but we have to see, there are several guys of course, like Max (Biaggi), Corser, Neukirchner, Checa, Xaus... Who knows how it will go?! I just hope to pull out a great result. It would mean a lot to me to take a win at Brands this year."

Michel Fabrizio (8th in championship, 147 points)

Michel has finished both Supersport and Superstock 1000 races on the Brands Hatch podium during the last few years but has yet to step up and take a Superbike trophy here.

"After a great weekend at Brno with two podium places, I hope I can keep this up and do the same again at Brands! I have been on the podium there before in Superstock and Supersport, but never in Superbike, so I would love to achieve that this season on my F08. There a lot of other strong contenders in the mix for the top spots though so it'll be as tough as ever. The track is fun and pretty unique in its layout so I'm looking forward to returning there."

Country: UK
Name: Brands Hatch
Circuit length: 3.703 km
Pole position: left
Corners left: 3
Corners right: 6
Race distance: 25 laps = 92.550 km

LAP RECORDS: Fastest lap - Toseland (Honda) 1'26.351 (2006). Superpole - Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1'25.449 (2006).

2007 RESULTS: Race 1 - 1. Toseland (Honda); 2. Corser (Yamaha); 3. Biaggi (Suzuki).
Race 2 - 1. Toseland (Honda); 2. Haga (Yamaha) 3. Corser (Yamaha).