From a Ducati Corse press release:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 2 – Phillip Island (Australia), 24 March 2002

PREVIEW

The spectacular Phillip Island circuit south of Melbourne plays host to the second round of the World Superbike Championship just a fortnight after the season opener at Valencia, where a brace of wins by reigning champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) enabled the Australian to get his 2002 campaign off to the best possible start. Bayliss returns to his home country brimming with confidence now that round 1 is in the bag and will be eager to score his first ever World Superbike victory on this track. During late January testing at Phillip Island Troy was the quickest rider around the 4.445km track, clocking a best lap of 1:32.944, just under the existing Superbike lap record.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Phillip Island this year”, declared Bayliss after his Valencia win. “We tested there a few weeks ago, unlike in 2001 and as a result we’ve got a few things up our sleeve. I’m feeling very confident at the moment, especially after the two wins at Valencia and looking forward to getting some more good results at the Island. Even though living in Europe means that you are away from home most of the year, it’s nice to know you’ve got a lot of fans back home to cheer you on when you come back”.

Troy will be backed up by his Ducati Infostrada teammate, the young Spaniard Ruben Xaus, who scored a fifth and a DNF in front of his home crowd in the opening round. “I like racing at Phillip Island, the circuit is really good, let’s just hope the weather is better than last year! I fell off in Valencia, which was my fault, and I just have to put that behind me and forget it. There are 26 races in a season and it’s difficult to do them all without dropping any points. Once again I’ll be trying to do my best and stay up at the top with the others this weekend”.

Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) will be looking to continue his excellent start to the season with more strong results to add to his 3rd and 4th in the opening round. “Phillip Island is going to be a real challenge”, declared Bostrom, “because I’ve never done particularly well here. Last year I was on the front row, but it rained and I crashed so it can’t get any worse than that. I think it’s all going to come down to tyres here, but you also have to ride well on this circuit… and pray for good weather! I think you also need to get dialled in to the speed pretty quickly, because coming from a slow track like Valencia to here where nearly every corner is quick, a rider needs to get up to speed quickly”.

THE PHILLIP ISLAND CIRCUIT

The Phillip Island circuit, situated two hours drive south of Victoria State capital Melbourne, has been home to motor racing for more than 70 years since the first Australian Grand Prix was held on a 6.5 mile public road course in 1928. World Superbikes first raced there in 1990 and since then many improvements have been made to the circuit, including a pit-lane complex with 40 garages, a media centre and hospitality unit. The Phillip Island Motor Sports organisers are committed to maintaining current high standards at the picturesque circuit, which is loved by drivers, riders and spectators alike.


From a Castrol Honda press release:

Issued: Thursday March 21 2002

EDWARDS CHASING REPEAT PERFORMANCE

Castrol Honda’s Colin Edwards is hoping to repeat last year’s victory as the World Superbike championship moves to round two at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia on Sunday.

Edwards won a rain-lashed opening race at the coastal circuit in April last year before the second race and the event itself were cancelled due to torrential weather.

“We’re here a month earlier this year so we shouldn’t see that sort of rain again,” says Texan Edwards. “The forecast is for a very hot day on Sunday and I’m pretty certain the racing will be close.

“After we tested here in February everyoneís in good shape and it’ll just be a matter of who’s got the tyres to last the race distance. We certainly got the SP-2 dialled in so I’m confident I can win here again.”

Edwards, whose father is Australian, rates the Phillip Island circuit as his favourite. He adds: “The locals have adopted me as a full Aussie which is great and I really do like this place. The circuit has a bit of everything and the setting is superb.”

Edwards will take to the track at 10:30 am on Friday for a one-hour free practice session, followed by the opening one-hour qualifying session at 2:15 pm. Saturday’s schedule includes two identical sessions and ends with Superpole final qualifying at 4:00 pm. Sunday’s two 22-lap races start at 12:00 noon and 3:30 pm.



From yet another Castrol Honda press release:

MUGGERIDGE BANKING ON LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Honda’s Karl Muggeridge is hoping his experience at the Phillip Island circuit can take him to victory in Sunday’s second round of the World Supersport Championship at the Australian venue.

Muggeridge, from Tweed Heads in New South Wales, has now recovered from the broken ankle he sustained in testing four weeks ago and is in determined mood for Sunday’s race.

“I’ve raced a lot at Phillip Island and I know that that circuit knowledge will help me,” says Muggeridge. “In the test here in February I had a practice race against Fabien Foret and there was nothing between us.

“Fabien’s gone on and won the first round of the championship in Spain two weeks ago so I’m hopeful of winning here. The CBR just improves all the time and we’ve got more changes for this race so Iím confident of getting a strong finish and getting my season under way properly.”

Muggeridge finished 14th in the Valencia, Spain opening round despite his injury. Muggeridge’s teammate John McGuinness has withdrawn from the Australian round to aid the recovery of a shoulder injury, sustained pre-season. The twice Isle of Man TT winner will be back in action in round three at Kyalami, South Africa on April 7.

The World Supersport hopefuls get the Phillip Island schedule under way with a 45-minute practice session at 9:30 am on Friday, followed by a 45-minute qualifying session at 1:15 pm. Friday’s schedule is repeated on Saturday with Sunday’s 21-lap race starting at 1:20 pm.