From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

TWO VERSIONS OF THE DESMOSEDICI AVAILABLE FOR DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM RIDERS AT MUGELLO

Following the positive testing session at the French circuit the Monday after Le Mans, where the Ducati Marlboro Team riders made back-to-back tests between the Desmosedici GP3 and an evolution-spec GP4, Ducati Corse engineers have prepared two different bikes for both riders in time for the Mugello race.

The Ducati Marlboro Team will therefore provide Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss with a GP4, modified according to indications accumulated during the Le Mans session, and a GP3. The GP4 chassis has been modified with changes to the fuel tank and the positioning of the electronics package. The GP3 that will take to the track at Mugello has undergone suspension (2004-spec front forks) and engine component modifications from last year’s bike.

The decision to bring two different Desmosedicis to Mugello has been made in order to speed up the development of the GP4, a process that has snowballed rapidly since the Le Mans test, but which now needs to be put to the test on a track with different characteristics to the French circuit. Both riders will alternate aboard the two different spec bikes and will opt for the version they feel happier with for the race.

“A big thanks to everyone in Ducati Corse” declared Managing Director Claudio Domenicali, “as well as our suppliers, for the readiness and professionalism demonstrated over the last few weeks. We have produced a number of components and we are convinced that giving Loris and Troy the chance to ride two bikes with similar characteristics, but different in several details, can allow us to obtain the best possible result and at the same time give us clear indications about the development path to be followed. “We have important engine developments on the way and we will continue for the whole of the season to search for the competitiveness we have already proved we have and which we intend to reach again at all costs. On this matter, next Tuesday, before leaving for Barcelona, Loris and Troy will again be at Mugello for a further day’s testing, where they will also be flanked by test-rider Guareschi”.

Last year Loris Capirossi finished runner-up on the Mugello podium and now the Ducati Marlboro Team rider aims to score a similar brilliant result in the Italian GP following the positive outcome of Le Mans testing.
“Last year’s Italian GP was the start of a really good run of results for me,” says Capirossi, who also scored the fastest lap of last year’s race. “So I hope that this year’s race will work for me in the same way. The decision to use two versions of the Desmosedici, as in the Le Mans tests, is a clear indication of Ducati Corse’s desire to get back up to the front. During qualifying we will have a chance to test both bikes and we will see which one I feel better with.
“Mugello is an important race for me – I am an Italian rider on an Italian bike! It’s always a real challenge because there’s so much for riders and engineers to understand at this track: fast corners and fast changes of direction, downhill corners with negative camber and a few bumps. All this means a lot of work on chassis set-up.”

Former World Superbike champ Troy Bayliss can’t wait to jump aboard his Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4 at Mugello following his lightning-quick performance during the team’s recent Le Mans tests.
“We made a major step forward,” he says. “The changes we made to the GP4 allowed me to push a lot harder but without taking risks, so Mugello could be good for us which is what we want. “We’ll begin the practice sessions with both versions and then decide which one to use for the race. The bikes are very similar but have a few differences and I’ll race with the one that adapts better to the track.”

THE TRACK
Italy is generally agreed to be the heart and soul of motorsport, which is why the Italian GP is arguably the greatest weekend of the GP season. Not only that, Mugello is the kind of fast, flowing track that allows the Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici to unleash its awesome horsepower. The circuit is one of the most challenging, with a thrilling blend of fast turns, rapid direction changes, plentiful off-camber corners and an ultra-rapid main straight.
Mugello has been popular ever since it joined the GP calendar full-time in 1991, first as the San Marino round and then as the Italian GP. The circuit hosted its first bike GP in 1976 but only became a regular venue after total refurbishment in the early nineties.

Mugello: 5.245km/3.259 miles
Pole position 2003: Valentino Rossi (Honda) 1m 51.927s
Lap record: Tohru Ukawa (Honda), 1m 52.601s (167.689kmh/ 104.197mph) 2002

DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DATA LOGS
LORIS CAPIROSSI
Age: 31 (April 4, 1973)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
GP victories: 23 (1xMotoGP, 2×500, 12×250, 8×125)
First GP victory: Britain, 1990 (125)
First GP: Japan, 1990 (125)
GP starts: 203 (33xMotoGP, 59×500, 84×250, 27×125)
Pole positions: 36 (3xMotoGP, 5×500, 23×250, 5×125)
First pole: Australia, 1991 (125)
World Championships: 3 (125: 1990, 1991, 250: 1998)
Mugello 2003 results. Grid: 2nd. Race: 2nd

TROY BAYLISS
Age: 35 (March 30, 1969)
Lives: Monaco
Bike: Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP4
First GP: Australia, 1997 (250)
GP starts: 20 (19xMotoGP, 1×250)
World Superbike victories: 22
World Championships: 1 (Superbike: 2001)
Mugello 2003 results. Grid: 11th. Race: DNF

From a press release issued by Proton Team KR:

PROTON TEAM KR PREPARED FOR MUGELLO

Proton Team KR have not wasted the short spring break since the French GP. The results should be obvious at the next two rounds … back-to-back races at the high speed circuits of Mugello and Catalunya.

A full set of the latest machine modifications, as previewed at Le Mans, will be available to both riders, Nobuatsu Aoki and Kurtis Roberts, at the Italian venue; with the team ready to proceed further with the vital detail work that will get the best out of the new “growler” engine.

At the same time, Dunlop have promised new tyre developments, as they continue work dedicated to developing rubber specifically for the advanced high-tech V5 racer.

“We’re still not fully up to potential with developing the latest engine, but we will be much better prepared than at Le Mans,” said team principal Kenny Roberts.

“We tried a new firing order there, and some other changes, and found out which of them are the right direction. Now we will have more of the good things for these next races.”

The new engine is a “bigger-bang” format, with a completely different exhaust note from the first-generation howler. With five separate pipes, the new motor is louder, with an authoritative deep bass sound.

More importantly, the different firing order offers stronger mid-range performance and better throttle response, as well as significantly reduced engine braking. “The whole bike is more easy to ride, and easy to control when it slides,” explained Aoki.

This is the latest improvement to the impressive new Proton KR package, already housed in a ground-breaking carved-from-solid chassis that has brought significant handling improvements.

Both the motorcycle and the new-this-year Dunlop tyres are still at a relatively early stage of development – but the KR V5 has finished in the points in two out of the three GPs so far, with an improving reliability and performance record race by race.

The last race at Le Mans brought the first points for class rookie Kurtis Roberts, still recovering from a dislocated shoulder in pre-season testing.


NOBUATSU AOKI: I CAN BE OPTIMISTIC
I had a good break at my Monaco apartment. I can’t see the GP circuit, but I enjoyed watching the F1 race as a trackside spectator. I know that the factory has been working so hard to develop the new engine and make improvements. Also Dunlop will bring a new tyre. I can see that little by little everybody is making progress, so I can feel confident that we can keep getting better at this race.

KURTIS ROBERTS: EVERY TIME’S BETTER
It was good to finish a race in France, and in the points; but it’s still just a first step. It was the longest I’d been on a bike since my testing crash, and my shoulder was a little sore afterwards. But I’ve had a couple of weeks to recover, so I’m looking forward to the next races, and getting stronger every time.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday’s Second Round CCS/Formula USA Practice Times:


Group 3, Session 2:
1. Scott Harwell, 1:15.794
2. Robert Jensen, 1:15.800
3. Brian Stokes, 1:15.832
4. Chris Ulrich, 1:16.236
5. Scott Greenwood, 1:17.070
6. Michael Garofalo, 1:18.059
7. T. Taylor, 1:18.388
8. Chris Rockwell, 1:18.424
9. Greg Harrison, 1:18.509
10. Joe Ribeiro, 1:20.112


Group 5, Session 2:
1. Robert Jensen, 1:16.014
2. Chris Ulrich, 1:16.146
3. Michael Himmelsbach, 1:16.484
4. Michael Barnes, 1:16.528
5. Scott Harwell, 1:16.838
6. Scott Greenwood, 1:17.192
7. Brian Stokes, 1:17.353
8. Des Conboy, 1:17.704
9. Joe Spina, 1:18.346
10. Dave Rosno, 1:19.152


Group 6, Session 2:
1. Jeff Wood, 1:17.380
2. Brian Surtees, 1:18.154
3. William Lindsay, 1:18.354
4. J. Moss, 1:18.650
5. Michael Garofalo, 1:18.678
6. Dave Ebben, 1:18.704
7. Jason Smith, 1:18.771
8. Randy Rega, 1:18.970
9. Brian Kcraget, 1:19.310
10. M. Syank, 1:19.828

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Sunday Morning Practice Times:

World Superbike:

1. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:28.236
2. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, 1:28.625
3. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 1:28.760
4. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:29.152 5. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:29.417
6. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, 1:29.435
7. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:29.527
8. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, 1:29.575
9. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:29.601
10. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 1:29.746
11. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, 1:29.754
12. Jurgen Oelschläger, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:29.778
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:29.794
14. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:30.137
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 999RS, 1:30.751
16. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:30.824
17. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, 1:30.869
18. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, 1:30.995
19. Andy Meklau, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:31.529
20. David Garcia, Ducati 999RS, 1:31.617

World Supersport:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.051
2. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.321
3. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.352
4. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.459
5. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:30.460
6. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.201
7. Tekkyu Kayo, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.237
8. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.315
9. Barry Veneman, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.342
10. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.403
11. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.422
12. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.472
13. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, 1:31.498
14. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.514
15. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:31.576
16. Kai Borre Andersen, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, 1:31.614
17. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, 1:31.671
18. Roman Stamm, Suzuki GSX-R600, 1:31.760
19. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, 1:31.834
20. Sebastien Le Grelle, Honda CBR600RR, 1:32.025

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Oschersleben World Superbike Race One Results:

1. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, 28 laps, 41:49.906
2. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, -5.164 seconds
3. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -5.323 seconds
4. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, -13.024 seconds
5. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, -20.182 seconds 6. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, -24.774 seconds
7. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, -27.300 seconds
8. Jurgen Oelschläger, Honda CBR1000RR, -30.508 seconds
9. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, -32.261 seconds
10. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -37.660 seconds
11. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R
12. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS
13. Andy Meklau, Suzuki GSX-R1000
14. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000
15. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR

24. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, -23 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap of Race: Haga, 1:28.789


World Superbike Championship Point Standings:

1. Toseland, 137 points
2. Laconi, 130 points
3. Chili, 113 points
4. TIE, Haga/McCoy, 94 points
6. Vermeulen, 84 points
7. Corser, 79 points
8. TIE, Martin/Haslam, 73 points
10. Walker, 69 points
11. Borciani, 68 points
12. Sanchini, 45 points
13. Clementi, 34 points
14. Nannelli, 30 points
15. Bontempi, 27 points

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Supersport Race Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 28 laps, 42:41.262
2. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, -0.628 second
3. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, -3.229 seconds
4. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, -17.340 seconds
5. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, -17.419 seconds
6. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, -17.707 seconds
7. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, -25.823 seconds
8. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, -25.952 seconds
9. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, -31.111 seconds
10. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, -32.228 seconds
11. Barry Veneman, Suzuki GSX-R600, -36.987 seconds
12. Kai Borre Andersen, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -37.635 seconds
13. Denis Sacchetti, Honda CBR600RR, -41.521 seconds
14. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, -43.487 seconds
15. Sebastien Le Grelle, Honda CBR600RR, -44.127 seconds

20. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, -6 laps, DNF
21. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, -14 laps, DNF
22. Tekkyu Kayo, Yamaha YZF-R6, -17 laps, DNF
23. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, -19 laps, DNF

26. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, -25 laps, DNF

29. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, -28 laps

Fastest Lap of Race: Parkes 1:30.386


World Supersport Championship Point Standings:

1. Muggeridge, 87 points
2. Vd Goorbergh, 82 points
3. Parkes, 53 points
4. Curtain, 47 points
5. Fujiwara, 44 points
6. Charpentier, 40 points
7. Chambon, 39 points
8. Lanzi, 37 points
9. Neukirchner, 31 points
10. Foret, 30 points
11. Corradi, 27 points
12. Josh Brookes, 25 points
13. Iannuzzo, 20 points
14. Kellner, 19 points
15. Bussei, 17 points

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Noriyuki Haga held a small but stable lead over Regis Laconi in the second World Superbike race at Oschersleben, Germany, until lap 23 of 28 when Haga retired with mechanical problems.

Laconi then rode on to an unchallenged victory, his fifth of the 2004 season.

Second place allowed Laconi’s teammate James Toseland to hold onto a slim lead in the World Superbike Championship standings, over Laconi.

Haga’s young teammate Leon Haslam scored his first-ever World Superbike podium finish with third in race two.

Oschersleben World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 28 laps
2. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, -21.549 seconds
3. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, -24.685 seconds
4. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, -27.413 seconds
5. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, -30.621 seconds
6. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -36.000 seconds
7. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, -42.083 seconds
8. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, -46.944 seconds
9. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -47.021 seconds
10. Andy Meklau, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -47.239 seconds
11. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -55.920 seconds
12. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, -57.480 seconds
13. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, -1 laps
14. Carl Berthelsen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
15. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, -6 laps, DNF
16. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, -11 laps, DNF

18. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, -14 laps, DNF
19. Jurgen Oelschläger, Honda CBR1000RR, -15 laps, DNF

22. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -22 laps, DNF
23. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -22 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap of Race: Haga, 1:28.629

World Superbike Championship Point Standings:

1. Toseland, 157 points
2. Laconi, 155 points
3. Chili, 113 points
4. McCoy, 107 points
5. Haga, 94 points
6. Vermeulen, 92 points
7. Haslam, 89 points
8. Corser, 79 points
9. Walker, 78 points
10. Martin, 73 points
11. Borciani, 68 points
12. Sanchini, 55 points
13. TIE, Nannelli/Clementi, 41 points
15. Bontempi, 32 points


More, from a press release issued by FGSport:

World Superbike Championship 2004
Round 5 Oschersleben 28th –30th May 2004

ATTENDANCE

The fifth round of the Superbike World Championship in Oschersleben Germany, attracted an attendance of 69,500 people over the three days of the event.

The organizers were very satisfied with this total which was slightly up on last year.

From a press release issued by series organizers FGSport:

HASLAM COMES OF AGE AS HAGA AND LACONI WIN

In The Mix: After two tough races in front of an excellent turnout of 69,500 people two proven powers in World Superbike, Noriyuki Haga and Regis Laconi ended their racedays with a win apiece. Another rider burning his pedigree into the memory of his rivals, Leon Haslam, came of age as he secured his first podium in World Superbike, finishing third in race two. To cap his celebrations, it will be his 21st birthday tomorrow (Monday 31 May), and 21 is the traditional British ‘Coming Of Age’ birthday celebration, when a youth becomes a man.

Race One: Following up his good qualifying performances with an even better race version, Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999RS) jumped into the lead of the 28-lap first race, running away to win from the chasing James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999 F04). Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998RS) was close to second but could not quite make it stick on the final lap. Having set pole position, Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas FP-1) could have hoped for at least a podium but his machine was simply beaten in the corner-exiting contest, the more grunty Ducatis utilising their advantage well. Regis Laconi overcame his ride through penalty to finish sixth.

Race Two: Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04) whipped his factory Ducati to an impressive second race victory margin of 21.549 seconds after long term race leader Noriyuki Haga was forced to retire on lap 23. James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999F04) overcame his practice problems to finish second, giving the works team another 1-2. It was Toseland’s fourth second placing in a row. Toseland leads the championship by a mere two points, after another intense day of competition in SBK racing. Toseland’s new total is 157, Laconi’s 155 and Chili third on 113.

Chili Up and Down: A third place finish for the PSG-1 Ducati of Pierfrancesco Chili in the opener delivered him his only points of a disappointing day, as he the 39-year-old Italian crashed out of race two while trying to hunt down second place man Laconi.

Hard Day For Honda: The Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR of Chris Vermeulen experienced some technical challenges at Oschersleben, as the rear tyre spun in the rim in race one, the slipper clutch also lost forward grip at an inopportune moment, dropping him to 15th. In race two a suspension or steering component in the front end of the machine caused chatter severe enough to drop Vermeulen from third to eighth.

Petronas People: The first race of the Oschersleben afternoon was kind to pole position man Troy Corser, after he secured fourth place in a complicated race. The Aussie former champion finished 13 seconds down on the winner Haga, a pleasing result given the lack of corner exiting horsepower the 900cc triple possesses. His luck was to desert him in race two, as he crashed out. His team-mate Chris Walker ran his Petronas to seventh in race two, having retired in race on.

Martin Bounces Back: Steve Martin enjoyed a strong ride in race one, finishing fifth. His fortune would change when a blown and seized engine caused his rear wheel to lock up on the exit of a corner, initiating a drawn-out highside crash for the Aussie.

Supersport: Another day spent consulting the rules and regulations of the FIM handbook meant that the original race classification was overturned, and all of the top Honda riders were excluded from the results – for rear wheel axles which were not as originally homologated. That put all three podium finishers, Karl Muggeridge, Broc Parkes and Sebastien Charpentier out of the reckoning. That in turn left the real race winner as Stephane Chambon (Suzuki); second his Alstare team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara and in third place the championship leader Jurgen van den Goorbergh. The championship table now reads, Van Den Goorbergh 89, from Muggeridge 62, from Fujiwara 54. There is an appeal in place on this decision, and a final decision will be made at an FIM meeting in Geneva, after the race.

The next races, in SBK and WSS championships, will take place at Silverstone, on June 13.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI FILA 1-2 IN SECOND RACE AT OSCHERSLEBEN PUTS TOSELAND BACK AT THE TOP OF THE POINTS

Oschersleben (Germany), Sunday 30 May 2004: James Toseland (Ducati Fila) moved back to the top of the World Superbike championship points table with a brace of second places at Oschersleben. Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati) and Toseland’s Ducati Fila team-mate Regis Laconi were the two race winners, the Frenchman taking the flag in race 2 after Haga retired with a mechanical problem.

Toseland rode a determined race 1 to finish second behind Haga and was elevated to second in race 2 when the Japanese rider retired.

“It’s a strange championship so far” commented Toseland “but I’m happy that I’m consistently fast now. We had a few problems in qualifying but got them sorted and I’m really happy with the way the bike’s working. I just lost the lead to Haga trying to get past the other guys but I pushed hard and by the time I got into a rhythm I was struggling like everyone else.

“Seconds are doing my head in at the moment, I need a first!” he added on the podium of race 2. “I really want to win the championship and for the moment consistency is paying off but I’m not winning races!”

In race 1 Laconi entered the pit-lane on lap 6 for his ‘ride-through’ penalty, which dropped him to 15th, but the Frenchman recovered to finish sixth overall. In the second race he was poised to make a final attack on Haga when the Japanese rider pulled off on lap 23.

“When I started I was third and when I came into the pit-lane I was happy to see the situation at the front” declared Laconi. “I was faster than Chili and I could have been up there with Haga. The team did a great job in getting me to control the speed in the pits, I could only go at 80 km/h, no more and it was perfect. After that I tried my best on the track but sixth was OK.

“Eight laps from the end of the second race I thought about letting Haga go, but then I thought again and went after him. I almost caught him and then he had this problem. Everyone did a great job this weekend so a big thanks to the mechanics, engineers, the team, Fila, Shell Advance, and all our other sponsors for their support”.

RACE 1: 1. Haga (Renegade Ducati); 2. Toseland (Ducati Fila); 3. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati); 4. Corser (Petronas); 5. Martin (DFX Ducati); 6. Laconi (Ducati Fila); etc. RACE 2: 1. Laconi; 2. Toseland; 3. Haslam (Renegade Ducati); 4. McCoy (Xerox Ducati); 5. Nannelli (Ducati); 6. Sanchini (Kawasaki), etc.

POINTS (after 5 of 11 rounds) : (Riders) 1. Toseland 157; 2. Laconi 155; 3. Chili 113; 4. McCoy 107; 5. Haga 94; 6. Vermeulen 92; etc. (Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 250 ; 2. Petronas 112 ; 3. Honda 99; 4. Kawasaki 64; 5. Suzuki 56; 6. Yamaha 26.

LANZI (DUCATI BREIL), TENTH IN OSCHERSLEBEN SUPERSPORT RACE, PROMOTED TO FIFTH AFTER POST-RACE EXCLUSIONS

Oschersleben (Germany), Sunday 30 May 2004: Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Breil) finished tenth on the road in Sunday’s round 5 of the World Superbike championship at Oscherleben, but was then promoted to fifth after six Hondas in the top 10 were excluded for non-conformity in a wave of post-race disqualifications

The 2003 Italian Superstock champion made another great start from the fifth row of the grid after qualifying twentieth, and after gaining several places in the early stages of the race, was then boxed in behind Corradi (Honda) for the remaining laps.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the result today because I expected to do better” declared Lorenzo. “Although I started from row 5, I was lapping at the same pace as the guys around me, but then I got stuck behind Corradi for the rest of the race.

“I was just unable to get the drive out of the corners to get close enough to him. After six or seven laps I just didn’t have enough grip. I had been really worried about my front tyre, but in the end it was the rear that had no grip.”

RESULT: 1. Chambon (Suzuki); 2. Fujiwara (Suzuki); 3. VD Goorbergh (Yamaha); 4. Kellner (Yamaha); 5. Lanzi (Ducati Breil); 6. Veneman (Suzuki).

POINTS (after 5 of 10 rounds): (Riders) 1. VD Goorbergh 89; 2. Muggeridge (Honda) 87; 3. Fujiwara 54; 4. Chambon 51 ; 6. Lanzi 42.

(Manufacturers) 1. Honda 92 ; 2. Yamaha 90 ; 3. Suzuki 73 ; 4. Ducati 45 ; 5. Kawasaki 17.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda:

Yamaha Racing
Yamaha Italia World Supersport Team Newsletter
Date: Sunday, 30th May 2004
Circuit: Oschersleben, m. 3.667
Race: 28 laps
Weather: dry, mostly sunny Temperature: air 24° C, track 44° C
Crowd: 69.500 (3-days figure)

STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES AT OSCHERSLEBEN SEE JURGEN LEAD THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The action off-track was as dramatic as the action on the track at Oschersleben today, when the top six Hondas were disqualified after the post-race inspection. Hondas had filled the top three places, with Muggeridge, Parkes and Charpentier 1-2-3, but then their bikes were disqualified after they were all found to have a part not in accordance with the homologation papers. Jurgen had finished seventh when the chequered flag came out, but then was bumped up to third when the results were revised. An appeal against the decision was lodged and it may be that the results will be revised again, but for the moment, Jurgen ended third and leads the championship by twenty-seven points. Both Jurgen and Fabien were mid-pack in the opening laps of the race and then progressed to fifth and fourth respectively. Muggeridge and Parkes had run away from the rest of the field and Charpentier was some way back in third. Fabien looked set for fourth position but was forced to retire with rear sprocket problem after 22 laps. Jurgen experienced tyre problems after 15 laps – probably due to pushing so hard at the beginning of the race – but rode steadily to finish seventh before the post race surprises. With the Hondas disqualified, Chambon inherited the race win, with Fujiwara second and Jurgen third.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH
It’s always a bit strange when the results of a race change after the chequered flag and it’s never a good situation. I don’t think any rider likes winning or taking a higher place in this way, because we all like to do it on the track. I’m sure that Fabien (or any other rider) feels the same as I do. Of course, rules are rules, but it’s not good for the fans or anybody when this kind of thing happens. It is good though to be at the top of the standings – whether or not it stays that way I don’t know – but I’m looking forward to next round at Silverstone and having a proper race.

TEKKYU KAYO – DNF
Yamaha Racing Italia guest rider Tekkyu Kayo was forced to pull out of today’s 28-lap race after eleven laps due to a gearshift problem. The Japanese rider had enjoyed his Oschersleben experience though and the valuable track time he was able to put in over the three days.

Results
1 Chambon (F-Suzuki), 2 Fujiwara (J-Suzuki), 3 VD GOORBERGH (NL-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA), 4 Kellner (D-Yamaha), 5 Lanzi (I-Ducati), 6 Veneman (NL-Suzuki), 7 Andersen (N-Kawasaki), 8 Daemen (B-Honda), 9 Le Grelle (F-Honda), 10 Lagrive (F-Suzuki), FORET (F-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) DNF

Points
1 VD GOORBERGH 89, 2 Muggeridge 62, 3 Fujiwara 54, 4 Chambon 51, 5 Curtain 47, 6 Lanzi 42, 7 Parkes 33, 8 FORET 30, 9 Brookes 25, 10 Kellner 24


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

2004 World Superbike Championship
Round 5, Oschersleben (Germany) , Sunday 30th May
Circuit: 3.667km., Weather: dry, 21° C.
Crowd: 69,500 (3-days figure)

TROY MISSES OUT ON A PODIUM IN RACE ONE AND DNFS IN RACE TWO
After the exhilaration of yesterday’s Superpole success, today saw Troy leave Oschersleben bruised and disappointed. Engine problems in both 28-lap races robbed Troy of his best weekend’s prospects this season. A small oil seepage in race one caused Troy to ease the pace and try and finish the race when he was on course for a podium. But despite that, he still managed to finish in fourth place. After the race, Troy wanted to change the engine on the bike rather then repair it, but the team told him that they had found the problem and all would be OK for race two. But there was a problem in the second race and this time oil went on to his rear tyre and caused him to highside at the chicane at the end of the back straight. Troy went flying though the air and then heavily hit the haybales in front of the tyre wall headfirst. Luckily he escaped with only a bruised mouth, right elbow and right knee, but it could’ve been so much worse. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) was the runaway victor in race one, with James Toseland (Ducati) second and Frankie Chili (Ducati) third. Haga also comfortably led the second race, but was forced to retire with an engine problem. Regis Laconi (Ducati) took over the lead and went on to win by a country mile. Toseland was again second, with young Leon Haslam (Ducati) third.

TROY Race 1: 4th, Race 2: DNF
This should’ve been our best weekend of the season, but in the end it was a bit of a disappointment. The problem was really the same for both races and I suppose I was lucky to get fourth in the first race, when I probably should’ve pulled in instead. In the first race, I noticed a bit of oil on my footrest after about half race distance, so I dropped the pace a little and tried to leave a gap between me and the other riders. I should’ve pulled in, but I kept going because I wanted to get a good finish and some decent points. After the race, I thought that maybe they’d change the engine or ask me to use my number two bike, but they found the problem and I went out on my sighting lap. When I returned to the grid, I saw a few spots of oil in the belly pan and told my mechanics. They thought it was a gearshift seal this time and replaced it on the grid and so I began the race. I made a good start and then lost some ground after the first charge. The bike felt a bit slow on the straights but I kept at it until eight laps or so, when I felt a bit of oil on the footpegs again. I monitored the situation for a few laps and thought maybe I could finish the race if I was careful. But soon I knew that was not possible so I was ready to pull in. Exiting the last corner on to the back straight my foot slipped off the footpeg big time. The, at the chicane, there was enough oil on the rear tyre to make the back suddenly came round and before I knew it I was in the air. I hit the haybales headfirst and banged my face, elbow and knee. Why there was no airfence there I don’t know, but I could’ve hurt myself much more then I did, so I was lucky. It wasn’t the way the weekend should’ve gone, but at least I wasn’t seriously injured.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

World Supersport Championship 2004 – Round 5
Oschersleben Race Report 28 – 30 MAY 2004

Dry, Sunny, 24 C air, 44 C track
Attendance 69,500 weekend

HONDA RIDERS DISQUALIFIED DESPITE PODIUM DOMINATION

WSS Report
Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) had to maintain a race-long high pace to earn victory for himself at Oschersleben but he, like five other top Honda riders, were disqualified from the official results after discrepancies were found in the homologation weight of the rear wheel spindle, according to existing information. The punishment will be appealed, and a meeting at the FIM headquarters in Geneva will make a final ruling on the case next week.

During the on track action Muggeridge held off his team-mate Broc Parkes for a Ten Kate Honda 1-2, and the initial joy in the Honda camp was redoubled after Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) took third place, closely chasing home the leading pairing. All three riders were to lose their points and podium prizes and the eventual winner was Stephane Chambon (Suzuki), from Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki) and Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha).

Charpentier’s team-mate Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) was originally classified an excellent fifth, his best in a short Supersport career, but he too was disqualified.

The Team Italia Megabike Honda riders experienced the same fate as their other Honda comrades, Corradi originally in ninth and Sacchetti in 13th. The results of some other private Honda riders, such as eventual seventh placed rider Werner Daemen (Honda) were left to stand.

Muggeridge, speaking immediately after the race and then after the news of the disqualification, said “We had to work for that today as Broc pushed hard and so did Sebastien at the beginning. I felt I was always under pressure. We are all shocked at the exclusion. If there was any thought of anyone cheating then we would have to accept the result – but it’s the same part as the road going machine. ”

Parkes, later to be bitterly disappointed with his misfortune after a strong race, said on the podium, “I knew before the race that I just could not crash so I had to be a bit more cautious. I’ve never really been in that position before. I ran off onto the dirt at one stage and so I settled for second, before the exclusion. Karl did well today, rode a bit better and deserved the win.”

Charpentier, another to suffer a lost podium place, stated immediately after the podium ceremony, “Another tough race but we could go at a good pace and that’s very positive. I would prefer to have won the battle but we couldn’t quite get to the top. The next tracks are good for me in any case.”

Neukirchner, on home tarmac in Germany, stated; “That was a nice race to start, very cool for me. I had no problems in the race, had a good set-up, good riding conditions, a good bike and tyres and I felt like it was a normal race. I felt comfortable riding with those guys so it was disappointing about the end.”

Corradi was already in a fury at his bad luck in the race. “My visor mounting broke on my crash helmet, after being hit by a rock thrown up by another rider, two laps into the race. I was struggling with that from then on. The bike was running OK, that was not the problem, but it was very distracting to have my visor move around in the wind. It’s terrible to be excluded from the results.”

Sacchetti, who finished a lucky 13th but was later also disqualified said, “There was a problem with the steering in the right-handers, all through the race. In the warm-up I crashed with the first bike and the second bike was not set up as well as that one.”

In the Championship itself, eventual third placed rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh sits on 89 points, with Muggeridge second on 62, Fujiwara third on 54.

World Superbike Races
Race one in the World Superbike class saw Regis Laconi (Ducati) pre-penalised with a mandatory pitlane ride through after lap five, due to the non-functioning of his engine kill switch after a practice crash. He battled through to sixth despite this handicap but the race winner was peerless in the opener, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati). James Toseland had to work hard for his second place, with Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati) third. Troy Corser’s Superpole winning Petronas was fourth.

Despite a strong run at the front from race one winner Haga, Laconi secured a clear 21-second margin of victory from Toseland, after Haga retired. In third place, Leon Haslam (Ducati) took his first career podium in Superbike racing.

Toseland leads the series, with 157 points to Laconi’s 155; Chili third on 113.

Round six of the Superbike and Supersport championship take place in the UK, at Silverstone, on June 13th.

Results

SUPERSPORT:
RACE : (Laps 28 = 102,676 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team / Time /Gap
1/S. CHAMBON/FRA/Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra/ 42’58.502/
2/K. FUJIWARA/JPN/Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra/ 42’58.969/0.467
3/J. VD GOORBERGH/NED/Yamaha Italia/ 43’07.085/8.583
4/C. KELLNER/GER/Yamaha Motor Deutschland/ 43’07.214/8.712
5/L. LANZI/ITA/Ducati Breil/ 43’13.490/14.988
6/B. VENEMAN/NED/Team Suzuki Nederland/ 43’18.249/19.747
7/K. ANDERSEN/NOR/Kawasaki Docshop Racing/ 43’18.897/20.395
8/W.DAEMEN/BEL/Alpha Technik – Van Zon/ 43’24.749/26.247
9/S. LE GRELLE/BEL/LeGrelle Dholda Moto P./ 43’25.389/26.887
10/M.LAGRIVE/FRA/Moto 1/ 43’40.747/42.245
11/M.BAIOCCO/ITA/Lorenzini by Leoni/ 43’57.151/58.649
12/W.TORTOROGLIO/ITA/Celani – Suzuki Italia/ 43’57.405/58.903
13/D. ELLISON/GBR/IRT Honda Israel/ 44’04.075/1’05.573
Fastest Lap 5° Fabien Foret 1’30.555 145,781 Km/h

Riders Championship Standings:
1Vand Den Goorbergh 89, 2 Muggeridge 62, 3 Fujiwara 54, 4 Chambon 51, 5 Curtain 47, 6 Lanzi 42, 7 Parkes 33, 8 Foret 30, 9 Brookes 25, 10 Kellner 24,

Manufacturers Standings:
1 Yamaha 97, 2 Honda 92, 3 Suzuki 67, 4 Ducati 50, 5 Kawasaki 17.

SUPERBIKE
Race 1: (Laps 28 = 102,676 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team / Time /Gap
1/N.HAGA/JPN/Renegade Ducati/ 41’49.906/
2/J. TOSELAND/GBR/Ducati Fila/ 41’55.070/5.164
3/P. CHILI/ITA/PSG – 1 Corse/ 41’55.229/5.323
4/T. CORSER/AUS/Foggy PETRONAS Racing/ 42’02.930/13.024
5/S. MARTIN/AUS/D.F.Xtreme Sterilgarda/ 42’10.088/20.182
6/R. LACONI/FRA/Ducati Fila/ 42’14.660/24.754
7/L. HASLAM/GBR/Renegade Ducati/ 42’17.206/27.300
8/J. OELSCHLÄGER/GER/Alpha Technik/ 42’20.414/30.508
9/G.MCCOY/AUS/XEROX – Ducati Nortel Net./ 42’22.167/32.261
10/M.SANCHINI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’27.566/37.660
11/I. CLEMENTI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’35.706/45.800
12/G.NANNELLI/ITA/Pedercini/ 42’38.614/48.708
13/A. MEKLAU/AUT/Yoshimura Schäfer Motorsport/ 42’42.384/52.478
14/P. BONTEMPI/ITA/Zongshen/ 42’51.433/1’01.527
15/C. VERMEULEN/AUS/Ten Kate Honda/ 42’53.702/1’03.796
Fastest Lap 6° Noriyuki Haga 1’28.789 148,681 Km/h

Race 2 : (Laps 28 = 102,676 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team / Time /Gap
1/R. LACONI/FRA/Ducati Fila/ 41’50.459/
2/J. TOSELAND/GBR/Ducati Fila/ 42’12.008/21.549
3/L. HASLAM/GBR/Renegade Ducati/ 42’15.144/24.685
4/G.MCCOY/AUS/XEROX – Ducati Nortel Net./ 42’17.872/27.413
5/G.NANNELLI/ITA/Pedercini/ 42’21.080/30.621
6/M.SANCHINI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’26.459/36.000
7/C.WALKER/GBR/Foggy PETRONAS Racing/ 42’32.542/42.083
8/C. VERMEULEN/AUS/Ten Kate Honda/ 42’37.403/46.944
9/I. CLEMENTI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’37.480/47.021
10/A. MEKLAU/AUT/Yoshimura Schäfer Motorsport/ 42’37.698/47.239
11/P. BONTEMPI/ITA/Zongshen/ 42’46.379/55.920
12/A. VELINI/ITA/UnionBike GiMotorsport/ 42’47.939/57.480
13/J. MRKYVKA/CZE/JM SBK/ 42’08.867/1 Lap
14/C. BERTHELSEN/NOR/Suzuki Netthandelen/ 42’33.805/1 Lap
Fastest Lap 5° Noriyuki Haga 1’28.629 148,949 Km/h

Riders Championship Standings:
1 Toseland 157, 2 laconi 155, 3 Chili 113, 4 McCoy 107, 5 Haga 94, 6 Vermeulen 92, 7 Haslam 89, 8 Corser 79, 9 Walker 78, 10 Martin 73.

Manufacturers Standings:
1 Ducati 250, 2 Petronas 112, 3 Honda 99, 4 Kawasaki 64, 5 Suzuki 56, 6 Yamaha 26.