Bologna (Italy): Troy Bayliss has brought an end to all speculation about his racing future by re-signing for the Ducati Xerox Team. The Australian will now lead Ducati’s attack on the World Superbike Championship throughout the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The 37-year-old former World Superbike champion, currently leading this year’s standings, has agreed terms for a two-year extension to his contract with Ducati Corse where he will remain until the end of 2008. Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox Team rider): “I’ve thought long and hard about it because it’s a big decision to do a couple more years. But honestly I still love riding the bike, I’m in a good position in this year’s championship, I’ve got a great team around me and it’s still not time to stop. I would also like to beat Fogarty’s record of race wins so all this will keep me occupied for a while! The fact that I came back from MotoGP and am winning races again has also been a major factor in my decision. Basically I’m happy where I am and have no inclination to go anywhere else.” Claudio Domenicali (Ducati Corse Managing Director and Ducati Motor Director of Product Development): “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Troy for the next two years. Regarding Ducati’s participation in World Superbike, this will allow us to look to the future with confidence as Troy will be involved in all future development and testing work. The confirmation of Troy underlines the renewed commitment of Ducati in Superbike, a championship that we consider to be important and strategic for the continuous improvement of our road-going products”. Bayliss, who was catapulted onto the world scene by Ducati Corse in 2000 when he stepped in as replacement for Carl Fogarty following the Ducati legend’s career-ending injury, made an immediate impact in World Superbikes, winning two races in his first year and taking the championship in 2001. After just missing out on a second crown in 2002, Bayliss then stepped up to MotoGP with the Ducati Desmosedici. A superb first season was followed by a difficult 2004 and then after switching to a rival manufacturer for his final season in MotoGP, Bayliss returned to World Superbikes with the Ducati Xerox Team in 2006 at the age of 37. This year Troy has produced a series of outstanding performances, taking nine wins on the factory 999F06 machine, and he currently has a lead of 77 points with four rounds and eight races remaining.

ASSEN 9th ROUND 1st, 2nd and 3th SEPTEMBER 2006 DR. JEKYLL AND MR”¦HAGA In the last 4 races Noriyuki Haga scored a win (the 20th, 7th rider all-time that reaches this goal), two third places and a fourth: amazing performances that, with an average of 17.5 points per race, set him as the best performer (with Kagayama) of the two weekends of Brno and Brands Hatch, the first ones of the second part of the season. During recent seasons the japanese rider changed his performances deeply during the second half of the season. In 2005 up to Misano Haga had recorded only 88 points, while in the second part of the season scored 183, with one race missing (Imola race 2, cancelled). In 2004 the performances were similar: 119 points in the first half of the season and 180 in the second. Haga was the best scorer in the second part, better than World Champion Toseland, that in the last 11 races out of 22 scored 179 points. 5000 At lap 23, race 1, in Brands Hatch, Troy Corser became the first rider in SBK™ history to run 5000 laps in races. At the moment he is the only one that reached this goal, Pierfrancesco Chili, that was capable to reach it, recorded a double retirement and stopped at 4995 laps. 10 POLES FOR BAYLISS The aussie scored at Brands Hatch the 10th pole of the career and reached at the 6th spot all-time Pierfrancesco Chili. CORSER IN THE POINTS During his SBK™ career Troy Corser ended 205 races in the points, he misses only 2 points finishes to reach at the top of the charts Aaron Slight, that ended in the points 207 times out of 229 starts. JAMES, AT LAST! James Toseland at lap 4 of race 1 in Brands Hatch finally scored his first fastest lap of the career. He is the 73rd rider of SBK™ to score a fastest lap and he needed 134 races to record it. Toseland is the second rider in this ranking, behind Gregorio Lavilla, that needed 141 race starts to record his first fastest lap (Silverstone 2003 race 1). For a rider with 6 wins like Toseland it was an anomaly to miss fastest laps in his race career. In SBK™ history there are only 4 riders (out of 52) that obtained wins and didn’t score fastest laps: Adrien Morillas (1 win), Alex Vieira (1), Tom Kipp (1), and Terry Rymer (2). ANNIVERSARIES OF THE WEEK · 28 august 1994, Sugo race 1, 150th presence for Fabrizio Pirovano, 10th win for Scott Russell, first pole and first podium for Yasutomo Nagai. In race 2 Carl Fogarty records his 25th podium, at the end of his career he will record a total of 109 podiums (absolute record); · 29 august 1999, A1-Ring race 1, 50th win for Honda (Colin Edwards); · 30 august 1992, Sugo race 2: 25th win for Doug Polen; · 2 september 2001, Oschersleben race 1, first podium for Ruben Xaus. The spanish rider at the moment counts 31 podium finishes, the last one was in Magny Cours 2003 race 2 (win). In race 2 in Oschersleben 2001 Xaus obtains his first win and Gregorio Lavilla celebrates 100 race starts. The 2nd of september is also the birth date of 2 rider with a very similar name: Doug Polen (born in 1960) and Doug Tolan (1972), the first one was World Champion in 1991 and 1992, while the latter started only the Laguna Seca races in 1995 on a Yamaha; · 3 september 2000, Assen race 2: first and only fastest lap of the career for Juan Bautista Borja. In the 2 races run the spanish rider obtains his only 2 podium finishes of his SBK™ career out of 91 races started. MILESTONES IN ASSEN · 1992 race 2 (september 13): Raymond Roche scores his 25th (and last) fastest lap. He is the first rider in SBK™ history to reach this milestone. Roche’s record will remain unbeaten up to th 28th of may 1995, when Carl Fogarty will equal it in Donington. Fogarty in his career recorded 48 fastest laps and he is at the first place all-time; · 1993 race 1: 75th win for Ducati by Carl Fogarty; race 2: 10th win for Carl Fogarty; · 1996 race 2: 25th win for Honda by Carl Fogarty; · 2001 100th pole position for Ducati (Troy Bayliss), the italian manufacturer scores in race 1 its 175th fastest lap (Ruben Xaus); · 2002 race 2: first career podium for James Toseland; · 2004 race 1: 200th race start for Troy Corser, 10th pole position for Pierfrancesco Chili. This was the 125th pole for Ducati and the last one scored by the rider from Bologna; · 2005 first pole position for Chris Vermeulen. HIGHS AND LOWS OF 2005 IN ASSEN · best season qualifying result for James Toseland, second in grid; · worst season qualifying result for Regis Laconi: 19th. CANEPA’S RECORD He is only 18, but the rider of Ducati Xerox Junior already set a milestone: he has always started from the front row in all the 16 races run. In the SBK™ world, starting from the front row for such a long string of races is extremely rare and Canepa is only one race short of reaching the absolute record of all 4 classes (SBK™, WSS™, SST1000 and SST600). The longest sequence in SBK™ is 17 straight front rows and was recored by Scott Russell from Brands Hatch 1993 to Albacete 1994. In WSS™ the record belongs to Karl Muggeridge, with 14 starts from the front row (Brands Hatch 2003 Magny Cours 2004). In STK1000 the record is in progress: it’s Luca Scassa that is recording 7 straight front row starts (since Magny Cours 2005).

The Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars in to Silverstone on 16-17 September for the penultimate round of one of the most exciting and fiercely contested domestic bike series in the world. Boasting one of the strongest rider line-ups in two wheeled motorsport, the double-race weekend promises breathtaking action with riders battling it out, wheel to wheel, around Silverstone’s 2.249 mile International Circuit. Silverstone was voted the best bike racing circuit of the year in 2005 and fans can expect fireworks this time around at the penultimate event of the season. The spectacular battle between defending champion Gregorio Lavilla, his Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam, and 2005 runner-up Ryuichi Kiyonari is guaranteed to provide awesome racing as the chase for the title goes right down to the wire. British rider Haslam currently leads the championship – 15 points clear of Lavilla – and has every chance of being crowned British Superbike Champion at Silverstone in just over two weeks time. Leading the rest of the pack is former champion and crowd favourite Shane “Shakey” Byrne, lying fourth in the championship, who returns to Silverstone after two years in Moto GP. The passionate Silverstone crowd will also be looking forward to welcoming back British rider Tommy Hill after his stunning performance as a wild card entry in round four of this year’s Corona Extra Superbike World Championship. The talented 21 year old wowed fans and fellow riders alike by storming to a debut pole position in wet conditions. While he didn’t enjoy much success on race day, he certainly made his mark on the championship and the crowd will be eager to see if he can come up with the goods once more at Silverstone. As ever, Silverstone promises to be one of the best races of the year and will once again provide the riders with a real challenge. The circuit’s fast straights and famous corners, combined with a turning and twisting infield section, make Silverstone a firm favourite with both riders and fans. A full support programme includes action-packed races for British Supersport, National Superstock, British 125GP and the Virgin Mobile Cup, all guaranteed to provide non-stop action that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the weekend. With Silverstone’s open paddock policy and free access to the centre of the circuit, fans are able to get closer to the action as riders and teams approach the climax of a thrilling series. There’s also plenty to keep the family entertained away from the track, including displays from the Red Devils, mobile Mini Motos, a rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and Robot Wars. What’s more, all this additional family entertainment is FREE of charge. There’s also a giant screen enabling spectators to keep up-to-speed with all the action, wherever it happens on the track. To book tickets for round twelve of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone on 16-17 September, or for further information, visit www.silverstone.co.uk, or contact the ticket hotline on 08704 588 260.

Sebastien Charpentier is now close to peak condition after recent injury, and his team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu is full of energy after his last two podium performances. With these strong credentials the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team is ready to compete in the ninth round of the Supersport World Championship, at the Assen circuit in Holland. Charpentier, the current World Champion, has now largely left behind the injury he suffered during Brno testing earlier this summer and is ready for this latest new challenge, partly because last year he missed victory at Assen and also because he wants to stand alone at the top of the standings, not share the lead as he does currently. For Turkish rider Kenan, the last two races have delivered great performances, each of which demonstrated his real value. Starting from Assen, these results may prove to be even more valuable as time goes on. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “We have all seen that Sebastien had a tough period after the injury, but now he should be good to go. The doctors who conducted the last check up saw that everything was back to normal. It will be a double restart of the season overall, first of all because the points are the same for the two leaders, and second because Seb is finally right back at his best physical condition, like at the beginning of the season. I also hope that Kenan will maintain, even improve on, the progress he has made in the last couple of races. He is a strong young rider and deserves it.” Sebastien Charpentier Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I had a full month to recover and I did all things possible to get fitter. I can guarantee that I feel much better compared to Brands Hatch, where I managed to remain with the leading group only for half of the race. It’s like starting the season from the beginning for me and I am really ready for these last four races.” Kenan Sofuoglu Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I am really happy to step back on my bike at Assen. A month without races is too much for me. It’s going to be a home race for the team but also for me, because I live only thirty minutes away from the circuit. I made it to Turkey for a short period to recharge my energies and now I am ready to race. I really hope to do well for the many fans that support the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team around here.”

It will be, without a single doubt, a special race for the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team this weekend. With the latest SBK weekend being held in Assen, Holland, it can be considered a home race in all respects for the Team, under the management of Ronald Ten Kate. During this forthcoming weekend we will see an SBK race on the modified circuit for the first time, on a track with reduced length and, in part, a modified philosophy in the approach to a track which has ever been considered the temple of the racing motorcycle. But the Winston Ten Kate Honda men are ready for this new challenge and both James Toseland and Karl Muggeridge will start out with lofty ambitions. There is a weight of expectation on their shoulders, after the results that were achieved at Assen last year, when the Dutch team secured a fantastic double win with Chris Vermeulen. Both riders are in good form currently and are expected to be fully competitive in the two Superbike races on Sunday. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “I am looking forward for the team’s home round. The track has changed for everybody but mainly it has remained a lot like before. The last couple of year’s results have been quite good for us and I really hope to continue this way with Karl and James. We also have some new small parts to test and this will take up a small amount of time on Friday. The weather should be OK, but you never know what the weather is going to be like in Holland”¦ trust me!” James Toseland Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I had a good break which has really recharged my batteries. I spent some time in Greece at my brother’s wedding and I really enjoyed it. I am so happy for him. I also kept myself in shape during this time because I still believe we can have a shot at the World Championship. We are not so far from the top considering that there are still 200 points to be won. I know it’s an important race for the Team because they are at home and I will do my best to make them happy.” Karl Muggeridge Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider “I’m feeling good. We had a good ‘warm up’ at the Ten Kate workshop last weekend for the pit stop day and a lot of fans showed up. The forecast seems to promise some rain for the weekend but this doesn’t worry me so much. I will try my best to earn as many points as possible for the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team and me. I know it’s a really special race for them.”

Foggy PETRONAS Racing enter the home straight of their five-year existence knowing that points will be at a premium in the closing stages of the Superbike World Championship. The 2006 season ends with four quickfire rounds over six weeks for riders Steve Martin and Craig Jones, starting with round nine at the Dutch circuit of Assen this weekend. The track is familiar territory for team owner Carl Fogarty, who won 12 of his 16 World Superbike races at the venue, and during a recent PR exercise he was one of the few riders to have tested the new lay-out of the track, which has undergone major plastic surgery since last year. Gone is the fast and banked Northern Loop, in a drive to make the circuit shorter and more spectator-friendly. But Carl believes that this has been at the expense of the track’s unique appeal to riders. He said: “In my opinion they have chopped the best bit off. I loved the fast, sweeping, banked corners. Some parts are still the same and the most important thing is that it remains safe. I’m not sure how it will affect the performance of our bike, because we are always down on power at some sections of all the circuits. But the weather forecast does not look too good and that might help level things out, and we have not had a wet race during the whole of the project so we are due a bit of luck.” Steve said: “It is going to be a tough weekend, and a tough finale to the season. However the weather forecast is not good and I actually hope it rains. The last time we rode in the wet was the first session at Silverstone and I was up there. Our bike is now revving higher so it will not be easy to ride in the wet, but it might give us our best chance. I don’t think the new lay-out of the circuit is going to make too much difference as the standard of the riders is so high that everyone will have adapted after two or three laps.” Craig said: “I have only ridden the short circuit three years ago and it has changed twice since then. I think it will help that everyone is starting from scratch on the new lay-out. It is still a flowing circuit and I like flowing circuits so I am looking forward to the weekend. It’s important to show that I am making progress at every round because I want to stay in World Superbikes next year. I am getting more experience every time I ride and feel as though I am improving all the time.” FPR’s five-year deal with Malaysian petroleum giants PETRONAS runs out at the end of this season and Carl’s team is currently closing in on finding new sponsors for 2007 and beyond.