NEW LINE-UP FOR THE 2006 DUCATI XEROX WORLD SUPERBIKE TEAM – FORMER CHAMPION TROY BAYLISS RETURNS TO SUPERBIKE AND LORENZO LANZI JOINS THE FACTORY SQUAD FULL-TIME Bologna (Italy), Friday 14 October 2005: The Ducati Xerox Team will compete in next year’s World Superbike Championship with a new rider line-up. Australian Troy Bayliss returns to Ducati to spearhead the squad and he will be flanked by Italian newcomer Lorenzo Lanzi, who sensationally notched up two late wins in this year’s series, the most recent one being last weekend at Magny-Cours in the championship finale. Troy Bayliss is, to put it simply, a legend for Ducati. The 36 year-old from Taree in Australia burst onto the World Superbike scene in 2000 as replacement for the injured Carl Fogarty and then won the title the following year. After finishing runner-up to Colin Edwards in 2002, Troy moved to MotoGP in 2003 and 2004 with the factory Ducati team, with whom he obtained some superb results, in particular in 2003. Troy has now opted to return to the championship in which he made his name, and the Ducati Xerox Team rider will surely be one of the protagonists in next year’s series, which gets underway on February 25, in Qatar. “The biggest thing is that it feels like I’m coming home … and I don’t mean to Australia!” commented Bayliss. “I’m really looking forward to hopping back on a Ducati Superbike. Even though the bike has changed quite a lot, the engine is still very similar and has been much improved since I’ve been away so it’s a built-in package already waiting there for me. I have a lot of good memories from the past and I aim to continue having more of them”. “I’ve been there and done it before, it’s still all in the memory bank so hopefully I can come back and have a good season next year. It’s going to be awesome and I just can’t wait to start. The championship is looking strong now, all the manufacturers are back and it’s going to be great to be there with Ducati and challenge all the other guys for the title”. The other rider in the Ducati Xerox Team will be Lorenzo Lanzi, the 23-year-old Italian from San Piero in Bagno, province of Cesena. The youngster has also had a meteoric rise to fame, becoming a World Superbike winner in his rookie season this year. Three years in 125 and 250 from 1999 to 2001 were followed by Lorenzo’s first experience with four-stroke machines and Ducati in the 2003 European Superstock championship, in which he was runner-up. He then finished fifth in the 2004 World Supersport championship with the Breil-sponsored factory Ducati 749 and was promoted to Superbike the following year with the satellite Ducati SC Caracchi team to race a customer 999RS bike. As replacement for the injured Régis Laconi, Lanzi then stepped onto the factory 999F05 machine in the Ducati Xerox Team, and scored a sensational win at the Eurospeedway at his first attempt. The decision to move Lorenzo Lanzi into Ducati’s factory WSBK team is just reward for one of Italy’s most promising new talents. “I am really happy to join the factory Ducati Xerox Team in the World Superbike Championship, because it was an aim I had fixed for myself in 2003 when I was racing in Superstock” declared Lanzi. “Now that it’s happened I am so happy because it is the dream of so many Italian riders to race for the Ducati factory team”. “I have arrived in the team at the right time. I know everyone in the squad and have already won two of the last races of the season so my motivation is high. In addition I will have a true maestro at my side like Troy Bayliss, who will help me for sure. Now I just can’t wait to start the new season with my new Ducati Xerox Team!” concluded Lanzi. Ducati Corse Superbike director Paolo Ciabatti added: “Next year we will be taking part in the World Superbike Championship with an exciting new rider line-up and the F06 version of the Ducati 999. We warmly welcome Troy and Lorenzo into the team and believe that this combination of experience and youth will help us to continue our winning tradition in World Superbike. “Rider changes are always a hard choice to make and it was particularly difficult on this occasion, because James Toseland and Régis Laconi have both made a fantastic contribution to Ducati’s success in the last two years, James winning the 2004 title and Régis scoring ten wins with us. I would like to thank them for everything that they have done for Ducati in this period and wish them all the best for the future”.

Brookes clinches Michelin Superbike opener and claims new lap record Honda’s Josh Brookes (CBR1000RR) claimed an exalted double in the opening Michelin Superbike support race at the 2005 Polini Australian Grand Prix a win and new lap record. The fresh benchmark (1:35.021) came on lap two of the race, eclipsing Kawasaki pilot Jamie Stauffer’s six-month old mark of 1:35.247. In the race proper, it was either Brookes or Joe Rocker Honda teammate Adam Fergusson (CBR1000RR) who led over the start-finish line on every lap, although the former was in charge on the circuit that counted most the final. That gave him a 0.401sec win over Fergusson, with Team Suzuki’s Shawn Giles (GSX-R1000) in third. The Stauffer siblings, Daniel (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1) and Jamie (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R), were fourth and fifth after contrasting races. Daniel was among the leading group in the early stages, but after he lapsed over a second in arrears of Brookes on lap six, there was no coming back. Jamie made a poor start, but in the space of one searing lap he jumped from eighth to fifth. However, with the leading quartet now out of sight, that was as far as the 26-year-old would advance. The much-improved Glenn Allerton (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000) was sixth, with Shannon Johnson (Team Yamaha YZF-R1) and Shannon Etheridge (Nova Honda CBR1000RR) right on his ducktail. The final two races will be held at 4.15pm and 5.15pm tomorrow. Brookes kicks off DENSO Supersport in style Honda maestro Josh Brookes (Joe Rocket CBR600RR) continued his peerless form around Phillip Island with a hard-fought win in the opening DENSO Supersport race today. In a journey where pole sitting privateer Mark Aitchison (Fraser Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R6) and defending Australian champion Adam Fergusson (Joe Rocker Honda CBR600RR) eliminated themselves from contention after ‘touching’ on lap one, 22-year-old Brookes always maintained his composure, and scored a 0.759sec win over Kawasaki Racing Team pilot Josh Waters (ZX-6RR). It was Brookes’ fourth consecutive Supersport win at Phillip Island, after scoring a clean sweep of the Australian title opener in early April. “Shit, riding in this country can sometimes provide its challenges,” said an exasperated Brookes. “That was another hard race, and a battle of attrition at the end. “But I held it all together and, as I’ve said before, I love racing in front of a huge crowd at the Australian Grand Prix.” Brookes spent most of the eight-lapper in active combat with fellow Honda rider Bryan Staring (Allect Racing CBR600RR), who then out-braked himself at the infamous Turn Four on the last lap. Staring, last year’s national 125 GP champion, recovered to finish third, but his off-track excursion gave Brookes a clear run to the chequered flag. Waters also enjoyed a productive contest, although he was never able to get close enough to mount a serious challenge to Brookes and Staring. Albury’s Chris Seaton (Cosway Motorcycles) made it two Kawasaki ZX-6RRs in the top four, just metres in arrears of Staring, while Jeremy Crowe (Racers Edge CBR600RR) rounded out the top five after a trouble-free run. Meantime, Fergusson and Aitchison made spectacular comebacks after their lap one shenanigans, and finished sixth and seventh respectively, just in front of Caleb Stalder (Taree Motorcycles CBR600RR). Aitchison also set the fastest lap of the race a meritorious 1:38.204 during his charge back through the pelaton. Thirty-one riders completed the first Supersport race. Brookes doubles up in DENSO Supersport by just 0.001sec! Joe Rocket Honda’s Josh Brookes (CBR600RR) has scored a sensational last-gasp win in the second DENSO Supersport race at the 2005 Polini Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix by just 0.001sec! In a signature Phillip Island drag to the finish line, and one that was impossible to decipher with the naked eye, Brookes passed Yamaha pilot Mark Aitchison (Fraser Motorcycles YZF-R6) at the death knell to make it a perfect two wins from two, with the final race tomorrow. Brookes’ elapsed time in race two was nearly four seconds’ faster than the opening hitout emblematic of the red-hot pace. Aitchison, running a YZF-R6 with special Yamaha 50th anniversary livery, led the first half of the eight-lapper, before Brookes made his move on lap five. However, the 21-year-old’s riposte a few minutes’ later was a brilliant but hairy pass on Brookes at Turn Four on the last lap. Despite ultimately losing out by a matter of millimeters, it was still the Tumbi Umbi (NSW) rider’s first national-level Supersport rostrum at Phillip Island. Aitchison wasn’t Brookes’ only opposition in race two, with the top five separated by just 0.851sec at the end of the eight-lapper. Bryan Staring (Allect Racing CBR600RR) completed hostilities with his second consecutive third position, with Adam Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda CBR600RR) and Josh Waters (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-6RR) completing the top five. Waters set the fastest lap (1:37.763) of the race. The final race will be held at 4.45pm tomorrow.

Friday’s 250cc Grand Prix Qualifying Results: 1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:33.117 2. Casey STONER, Aprilia, 1:33.423 3. Hector BARBERA, Honda, 1:33.624 4. Jorge LORENZO, Honda, 1:33.837 5. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:33.863 6. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:34.189 7. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:34.790 8. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:34.998 9. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:35.023 10. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:35.193 11. Simone CORSI, Aprilia, 1:35.225 12. Yuki TAKAHASHI, Honda, 1:35.488 13. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:35.581 14. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:35.695 15. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:35.761

Friday’s 125cc GP Qualifying Results: 1. Mattia PASINI, Aprilia, 1:38.665 2. Mike DI MEGLIO, Honda, 1:38.828 3. Angel RODRIGUEZ, Aprilia, 1:38.857 4. Fabrizio LAI, Honda, 1:38.867 5. Thomas LUTHI, Honda, 1:38.896 6. Gabor TALMACSI, KTM, 1:38.900 7. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, 1:38.919 8. Lukas PESEK, Derbi, 1:38.944 9. Hector FAUBEL, Aprilia, 1:39.185 10. Julian SIMON, KTM, 1:39.270

Friday Morning MotoGP Practice: 1. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:31.551 2. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:31.719 3. Carlos CHECA, Ducati, 1:31.762 4. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:32.027 5. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, 1:32.311 6. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, 1:32.386 7. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:32.805 8. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:32.828 9. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:32.872 10. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:32.963 11. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:33.265 12. Toni ELIAS, Yamaha, 1:33.314 13. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:33.356 14. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:33.520 15. Chris VERMEULEN, Honda, 1:34.170 16. Ruben XAUS, Yamaha, 1:34.362 17. Olivier JACQUE, Kawasaki, 1:34.415 18. Roberto ROLFO, Ducati, 1:34.748 19. Franco BATTAINI, Blata, 1:36.158 20. James ELLISON, Blata, 1:37.334

Daniel Stauffer to lead off Aussie Superbikes Resurgent Yamaha pilot Daniel Stauffer (YZF-R1) will lead away 38 snarling machines in today’s opening Superbike support race at the 2005 Polini Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Twenty-eight-year-old Stauffer, an aircraft engineer with Qantas, scored his first pole position since round two of this year’s Australian title when he uncorked a 1:36.154 in the 25-minute qualifier. His time just edged out Honda’s Adam Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda CBR1000RR, 1:36.290), who won two of the three support races at last year’s MotoGP round. “That was a great way to start the weekend,” said Stauffer. “After a pretty good start to this year’s Australian title, we’ve tapered off a bit, so this is the best bit of news we’ve received in a while. “Conditions were tough this afternoon, but the races will be thrilling they always are.” Stauffer had earlier completed the morning’s practice in seventh, in a session where Fergusson produced the day’s benchmark of 1:35.974 confirming his slight favourtism for this weekend’s three eight-lappers. However, with a gaggle of Australian champions in action, it certainly won’t be a Stauffer-Fergusson duopoly, with the top nine riders separated by less than one second after qualifying. Daniel’s sibling, Jamie (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R, 1:36.874), a proven Phillip Island winner, is first cab off the rank, followed by the mercurial Josh Brookes (Joe Rocket Honda CBR1000RR, 1:36.424) and the first privateer, Scott Charlton (Active Electrical Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:36.724). Kawasaki is the only manufacturer without a national-level Superbike win at Phillip Island in the last three years. Since 2003, Honda and Suzuki have won seven races apiece, ahead of Yamaha (five). Then it’s the much-improved Glenn Allerton (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:37.134), ahead of the multi-talented Shannon Johnson (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1, 1:37.103), who’s still recovering from injuries sustained after he was run over in round two of the Aussie Supermoto title a hybrid of dirt and tarmac racing. The irrepressible Shawn Giles (Team Suzuki Nova GSX-R1000, 1:37,121) completes row two, with Shannon Etheridge (Nova Honda CBR1000RR, 1:37.127) the last rider to complete the session within a second of Daniel Stauffer. Among the big names languishing outside the top 10 include World Endurance placegetter Damian Cudlin (Yamaha Racing Team YZF-R1, 1:38.570) and eight-time World Superbike winner Anthony Gobert (Redwing Honda CBR1000RR, 1:39.709). The trio has to begin with a flourish to make an impact in today’s opening race at 4.45pm. Gobert, 30, won five of his World Superbike races at Phillip Island, so he definitely knows the fast way round the seaside circuit. Practice makes perfect in DENSO Supersports Qualifying for the DENSO Supersport races at this year’s Polini Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix was held yesterday afternoon and it was a classic case of déjà vu. That was after the top five riders from Thursday morning’s practice session held the same positions in the qualifier Yamaha’s Mark Aitchison (Fraser Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R6) leading the way from the Honda CBR600RRs of Bryan Staring (Allect Racing), Josh Brookes (Joe Rocket Honda) and Adam Fergusson (Joe Rocket Honda), with Josh Waters (Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-6RR) next in line. And just as 21-year-old Aitchison and Staring were the only riders to go under 1:39 in practice, so it was again in qualifying, with the duo eventually stopping the clock at 1:38.358 and 1:38.571 respectively. Aitchison, who is in a great position to finish third in this year’s national Supersport title Brookes and Fergusson will fight it out for the No. 1 position has always struggled to get on the podium at Phillip Island, but that all may change if he can take maximum advantage of pole position. Meanwhile, West Aussie Staring is now really starting to hum in his first year of Supersport racing, with his zenith a superb victory in race two at Winton’s round five. He still remains one of only five riders to win a Supersport race in 2005, alongside Brookes, Aitchison, Fergusson and last-start victor Brendan Clarke (YZF-R6). Brookes has won six of the 13 races, and he’s always hard to topple when he gets a good start. One rider to keep a watching brief on will be Jason O’Halloran (Rocket Racing Honda CBR600RR, 1:40.817), who qualified in 12th position. The pint-sized teenager finished third in this year’s national title opener at Phillip Island, and has the wherewithal to make a better fist of this weekend’s races as does Jordan Coote (YZF-R6, 1:40.996). For all the qualifying results, visit ~http://www.ma.org.au/Content/MA/RacingDisciplines/RoadRacing/Results/Results.htm~ The first two DENSO Supersport races will be held in quick succession today, starting at 4.15pm. The final race will be held at 4.50pm tomorrow.

Daytona International Speedway – The Center of Biketoberfest Demos, Displays, Vendors, Racing, Entertainment, Overnight Parking DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., — In between watching the thrilling motorcycles tackle the twists and turns of the newly configured 2.95-mile road course at the legendary Daytona International Speedway, there will be numerous activities for bike enthusiasts to check out during Fall Cycle Scene on Oct. 20-23. On the track: The CCS Race of Champions brings together hundreds of amateur and semi-pro riders from across the country. The top racers from each region compete all year in their home region to earn the right to race on DIS’ road course. The Formula USA National Road Race Series, which kicked off their season in Daytona in March, will return to DIS to crown their season champions. Some of the top riders expected to be in attendance for Fall Cycle Scene include Daytona 200 mileage record holder Rick Shaw, Michael Barnes, William Meyers, Lee Acree, Jeff Wood and Robert Jensen. The advance Super 4-Day ticket for all of the motorcycle racing action is available for $35. Kickstand City: Daytona International Speedway will once again host Kickstand City in the historic infield. The legendary facility will provide overnight parking as well as entertainment. Demo rides: Outside Daytona International Speedway, motorcycle enthusiasts can ride the latest and greatest motorcycles with free manufacturer demo rides. Motorcycle enthusiasts can check out displays and demo rides from manufacturers such Honda, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, Buell, Yamaha, Aprilia, Moto-Guzzi, BMW, Victory, Boss Hoss and Bourget Bike Works Riders must hold a valid motorcycle driver’s license and DOT approved helmet in order to participate in the demo rides Daytona Motorcycle Marketplace: The Speedway will also host the Daytona Motorcycle Marketplace, where bikers can find the nation’s top aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel companies in one central location in the DAYTONA USA parking lot. DAYTONA USA: DAYTONA USA, “The Official Attraction of NASCAR” located outside Turn 4 of the Speedway, will have something for both bike enthusiasts and race fans. DAYTONA USA’s Pepsi IMAX Theatre, one of only four 3D IMAX Theatres in the state of Florida, shows “NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience” and “Daytona 500: The Movie” daily and visitors will be able to get up close and personal with Jeff Gordon’s 2005 Daytona 500 winning No. 24 DuPont Automotive Finishes Chevrolet in Gatorade Victory Lane.

Former Suzuki GSX-R750 Cup Champion and reigning World GSX-R Cup Champion Robert Jensen was injured Thursday when he crashed out of a WERA Sportsman race during the Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta. Jensen had just taken the lead in the eight-lap B Superstock sprint race early Thursday afternoon when he highsided his Kneedraggers.com Suzuki GSX-R750 in turn two. The North Dakota rider was transported to a local hospital where X-rays showed that he had no broken bones. He did, however, suffer a separated right shoulder, a concussion and a muscle strain that is making it difficult for him to walk. According to his mechanic Rick Bretl, Jensen will wait and see if he feels well enough to ride Friday.