Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Saturday’s World Superbike Qualifying Results:

1. James Toseland, Ducati 998F02, 1:49.011
2. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 999F03, 1:49.022
3. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999F03, 1:49.074
4. Chris Walker, Ducati 998F02, 1:49.225
5. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:49.454
6. Regis Laconi, Ducati 998RS, 1:49.472
7. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:49.995
8. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:50.312
9. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.557
10. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 1:50.675
11. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.072
12. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:51.072
13. David Garcia, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.332
14. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:51.504
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:51.569
16. Sergio Fuertes, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:51.848
17. Alex Gramigni, Yamaha YZF-R1, 1:52.649
18. James Haydon, Foggy Petronas FP1, 1:53.134
19. Walter Tortoroglio, Honda RC51, 1:53.263
20. Luca Pini, Suzuki GSX-R1000, 1:53.379

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The President of Ducati says, “Rubén, Ducati America needs you.”

By Dennis Noyes

Imola, Italy: Spain’s fast and spectacular Rubén Xaus, arguably the brightest star at this year’s Laguna Seca World Superbike round, is negotiating a contract with Ducati Corse that could result in his riding the 2004 AMA Superbike Championship for the Ducati Austin team with full works Ducati Corse backing and, perhaps, top-of-the-line Michelin tires, but the deal is not done and the Spaniard has other options, including two possible MotoGP rides.

“This is a hard decision to make,” said Xaus on Friday at Imola. “Ducati President Federico Minoli has told me he that Ducati must have me ride for them in the AMA series. He says they need to win races there and he wants me to do it.”

During a chat with Xaus prior to Saturday’s Superpole (which he won, the first in his three year SBK stint), he said he had “made no effort” to renew his World Superbike agreement because he does not want to ride in a single-tire Championship. “As soon as I heard about the new rules I decided that I had to get out of here. This is a big step backwards for the Championship. Part of the challenge and the fun of racing at a high level is choosing the best tires and setting the bike up to suit your tire choice. Going to a single tire company and the same tire for everybody is like club racing and I am not interested in that. I have had talks with three MotoGP teams, one Ducati, one Yamaha and one Honda. Luis D’Antin wants me to ride in his Ducati team along with Neil but Ducati wants me in the USA. I also have an offer to ride a Yamaha in MotoGP, but I want a two-year deal and one with a future beyond that. I have also talked to Sito Pons. Right now my manager is looking at several offers and we are waiting for a better offer from Ducati for the USA. Their first offer was not good enough but they knew that. It is just their way of opening the negotiations. I know how they bargain. Remember last year I was hired at the very last minute when Edwards turned down the Ducati offer and went to Aprilia. I had an Aprilia offer at that time for SBK, but when Colin made his move that took all the money out of the Aprilia budget.”

Paolo Ciabatti, director of Ducati’s Superbike racing program explained, “Even though we know we could win the title with him next year, we think it is time for a change and for us to bring in new riders. We have decided not to bring Rubén back to World Superbike next year because feel he has had three years in the class and has won races but has not won the title. In each of his three years with us he has been inconsistent at first with many crashes and then fast and consistent at the end of the year. We think he needs a change of Championship now and we believe we need to introduce other riders and give them a chance. We know that Rubén eventually wants to go to MotoGP and that coming back here after all his rivals have gone to MotoGP would not be the best for him as a rider. He needs a new challenge. We feel Ruben, is a very talented rider and we know he is very popular with fans all over the world. He speaks five languages. We feel that he is the man we need in the United States now.”

Ducati, unlike most factory teams, rarely continues with the same rider beyond a two or three year period if that rider does not win Championships. Neil Hodgson was fired and later re-hired by Ducati and is now destined to ride for the D’Antin Ducati team in MotoGP.

Ciabatti went on to say that that Ducati would probably run a one-rider team in the USA, “although the AMA is encouraging us to run a two rider team. Right now it looks like a two-rider team would be too expensive, but first we need to sort out the question of the rider.” He added that Ducati is not sure yet whether they would continue with Michelin or turn to Dunlop. “We have worked with both manufacturers and could go either way.”

Asked about Ducati’s expectations in the USA, he replied, “Really our first priority is to win Daytona because we know what that means in the U.S. market. After that our objective is to win races. Whether we win the title or not is not as important as running consistently at the front and winning races. We are also considering the possibility of offering support to another team in order to run our 749 in the AMA’s new Formula Xtreme class. The United States is our second most important market behind Italy and our American dealers have told us that we need to have our 999 and 749 bikes winning races there.”

Although Ducati officials will not yet officially confirm it, their Fila Ducati riders in 2004 will be Frenchman Regis Laconi (one of a select group or riders to have won in both SBK and 500) and 22-year-old Englishman (and concert pianist) James Toseland.

On Friday Toseland was quickest with a time of 1:49.011, followed by Laconi, Xaus and newly-crowned SBK World Champion Neil Hodgson, the only four riders to dip under the 1:50 mark, but not yet threatening Colin Edwards’ record of 1:48.336, set last year. Then today Xaus bettered his time and was the quickest in the final session, but was still second behind Toseland, who did not improve his time.

That set the stage for the battle in the Superpole which was won in spectacular fashion by Xaus who arrived at the final chicane with the bike completely crossed up and then nearly high-sided on the exit.

Xaus leads the battle for runner-up in SBK by 51 points over Toseland and by 70 points over Laconi with 100 points still in play over the next two rounds and four races.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Record lap by Muggeridge in Final Supersport Session

Australian Karl Muggeridge took his third pole of the year and set a new World Supersport lap record of 1:49.592 at Imola, using his Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR to better Alstare Suzuki’s Stephane Chambon by nearly seven-tenths of a second.

Muggeridge’s teammate Chris Vermuelen will start third just ahead of Sebatien Charpentier and his Honda. Vermuelen needs to only finish eighth tomorrow to clinch the title if Suzuki’s Katsuaki Fujiwara, sixth on the grid, wins, while a mere 14th place will do it for the 21-year-old Australian if Chambon wins.

It was a grim day for Kawasaki’s reigning World Champion Fabien Foret and Pere Riba. Both bikes suffered major mechanical failures, twice with Riba’s machine. These problems came just two days after the decision by the factory Kawasaki team to withdraw from the Supersport World Championship until 2005, when the team plans to return in both the Supersport and Superbike classes.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

MUGGERIDGE BLITZES IMOLA WITH CBR600RR FLYING LAP

Honda CBR600RR rider Karl Muggeridge blitzed the lap record by 2.5s in Saturday’s final qualifying session as he took pole position for Sunday’s 10th round of the World Supersport championship at Imola in Italy.

The Australian clinched his third pole position of the year as he looks to add to his race victory of the last round at Assen, Holland three weeks ago.

“I had a little bit of a think about what I was doing and decided to look at some new lines on the circuit, especially in the first part of the lap,” Muggeridge explained. “And it was that section where I improved the most.”

Muggeridge’s lap ­ in the final minute of the 45-minute session – on his Ten Kate CBR600RR machine stunned the opposition. He heads the grid, 0.7s faster than second-placed Stephane Chambon.

Third place on the grid belongs to Chris Vermeulen, the championship leader and champion-elect, providing he can secure at least an eighth place finish in Sunday¹s race.

“I’m ready to race, no question,” said a determined Vermeulen. “We’ve got a good rear race tyre, the machine feels great and I just want to get on with it.”

Sebastien Charpentier, a late season revelation on his Klaffi team CBR600RR Honda, completes the front row of the grid, in fourth place ­ all on his first visit to Imola.

“It’s a very difficult track and takes time to learn but I’ve really enjoyed riding around here,” said Charpentier. “To qualify on the front row is a bonus and I must say thank you to my friend Regis Laconi. I did 10 laps with him on scooters on Thursday and he showed me the fast lines.”

Jurgen van den Goorbergh heads the second row after the Dutchman took fifth place while Katsuaki Fujiwara ­ Vermeulen’s closest challenger in the title chase ­ starts from sixth.

Japanese wild card rider Tekkyu Kayo put on a credible display to scoop seventh with Gianluca Nannelli, the first of the “local” Italian riders, in eighth. Defending world champion Fabien Foret and Australian wild card rider Kevin Curtain finished ninth and 10th respectively.

Robert Ulm bounced back from a fast crash in the morning’s free practice session to qualify in 11th place. Ulm said: “That was a massive crash this morning and I was down to one machine for that session so I played it a little cautious. I’m OK though, no injuries, just looking forward to the race.”

Iain MacPherson was disappointed with 18th place on the grid but the Van Zon Honda star believes a podium finish is possible in Sunday’s race, he commented: “I was simply trying too hard and out-braking myself all over the place. I’ve got a good race pace so I reckon I can be right up there tomorrow.”

MacPherson¹s team-mate Werner Daemen will start from 20th place, the Belgian reported: “With about 20 minutes to go in the session I got rid of a front end chatter problem I’ve had all weekend but it changed the machine and I made three mistakes on what should have been my fast lap.”

Final World Supersport championship qualifying times:

1 Karl Muggeridge, Australia (Honda) 1:51.592

2 Stephane Chambon, France (Suzuki) 1:52.253

3 Chris Vermeulen, Australia (Honda) 1:52.353

4 Sebastien Charpentier, France (Honda) 1:52.751

5 Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Holland (Yamaha) 1:52.835

6 Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan (Suzuki) 1:52.934

7 Tekkyu Kayo, Japan (Yamaha) 1:53.015

8 Gianluca Nannelli, Italy (Yamaha) 1:53.210

9 Fabien Foret, France (Kawasaki) 1:53.229

10 Kevin Curtain, Australia (Yamaha) 1″53.293

11 Robert Ulm, Austria (Honda) 1:53.302

18 Iain MacPherson, GB (Honda) 1:54.037

20 Werner Daemen, Belgium (Honda) 1:54.195


More, from a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

JURGEN MISSES FRONT ROW BY A WHISKER. SANNA SICK. KAYO’S SURPRISE.

Team Yamaha Belgarda rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh just missed out on a front row grid position by less then a tenth of a second in final qualifying at Imola today. A couple of tiny errors on his quick laps cost him a tenth of second and that was just enough to push him off the front row of the grid. Jurgen’s left elbow was much better today and although it wasn’t 100%, once he was on the bike he just put his head down and tried attack the top four. His team mate Simone Sanna had other problems to contend with after spending a large part of last evening vomiting and feeling poorly. In the morning he was still feeling dizzy and had to go to the Clinica Mobile and get some medication before he felt well enough to get on the bike. At the end of the day, fifteenth quickest was probably about as much as expected and he now faces an uphill struggle tomorrow. Yamaha Belgarda guest rider Tekkyu Kayo surprised the Supersport paddock by posting the seventh quickest time of qualifying. It was a tremendous performance by the young Japanese rider – considering it is only his second Supersport ride of the season and this is his first time at Imola. Aussie Karl Muggeridge (Honda) set the day’s quickest time, with a lap of 1:51.592 ­ a time that would’ve put him in the top fourteen of the Superbike class! Second fastest today is Stephane Chambon (Suzuki), with series leader Chris Vermeulen (Honda) third and Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) fourth.

JURGEN VD GOORBERGH ­ 5th, 1:52.835
Once I am on the bike, I’m concentrating hard and I don’t notice it really – off the bike though is another matter. But, it hasn’t really hindered me much today and the only reason that I didn’t get a front row grid place was because I made a couple of little mistakes. Imola is the kind of place that if you do that, it messes up the whole lap and that’s that. I’m reasonably happy with set-up for the race and I know which tyres I’ll use tomorrow, but it will be important for me to stay in touch with the leaders once the race starts so that I can chase second place in the championship.

SIMONE SANNA ­ 15th, 1:53.779
This morning I felt pretty rough after spending a lot of time being sick yesterday evening. I felt drained and a bit dizzy, but after visiting the Clinica Mobile and getting some medication, at least I was able to ride. Understandably, I couldn’t push as hard as I would’ve liked and so I ended up on the fourth row of the grid. I’m hoping to get a good night’s sleep tonight and wake up feeling much fresher. Then, I need a really good start in the race. But I am hoping that I can still get a good result because I want to put on a good show for my fans.

TEKKYU KAYO ­ 7th, 1:53.015
I like this track. It is a technical circuit and difficult because there are so many ups and downs and very hard parts like the Piratello. I haven’t ridden a 600 since Sugo, so it took me a little time to get used to it again, but the Yamaha Belgarda team is fantastic and they have taught me a lot this weekend. The R6 is working really well and I’m enjoying this experience a lot, though I am a bit surprised how high the level is in World Supersports. Tomorrow it’ll be important to get a good start and keep in touch, but if I can manage that then maybe a podium is a possibility ­ that’s what I’d like!

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

VERMEULEN EDGES AHEAD AT IMOLA

Honda CBR600RR rider Chris Vermeulen snatched provisional pole position for round 10 of the World Supersport championship at Imola, Italy with the fastest lap in Friday afternoon¹s opening qualifying practice.

Vermeulen, whose lap was more than one second inside the existing lap record, heads into Sunday’s race at the circuit near Bologna needing eight points, the equivalent of eighth place, to clinch the world title on his Ten Kate Honda.

“After this morning’s free practice I was feeling confident but this afternoon the times have really closed up,” said the 21-year-old Australian. “There was a lot of riders all out there in the closing stages of the session and it was almost impossible to get a clear lap without being held up.”

It was Vermeulen’s nearest rival in the title chase, Japanese rider Katsuaki Fujiwara, who was edged into second place by the Honda CBR600RR pilot’s flying lap. Vermeulen’s team-mate Karl Muggeridge recorded the third fastest time as he bids to add to his victory in the last round at Assen, Holland.

Muggeridge said: “I’m certain I could’ve gone a lot quicker but there were too many riders cruising around looking for a tow. The set-up of the machine feels excellent ­ especially considering we’ve never been here with the
CBR600RR.”

Former world champion Stephane Chambon was fourth quickest with local ace Gianluca Nannelli fifth. Sebastien Charpentier, aboard the Klaffi Honda
team’s CBR600RR, ended the day sixth but in the Imola gravel trap.

“I was trying too hard at the end of the session and braked too late, the front wheel tucked under and I crashed,” Charpentier explained, who escaped injury. “But for my first time at Imola I’m happy with today’s performance.”

Affable Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh was seventh quickest with Matthieu Lagrive eighth, just 0.001s ahead of Austrian Robert Ulm, on the second of the Klaffi Honda machines.

“I didn’t feel like I was pushing that hard today,” said Ulm. “So long as the conditions are as good tomorrow I’ll be able to record a much faster lap.”

Alessio Corradi completes the provisional top 10 while the Van Zon pairing of Iain MacPherson and Werner Daemen ended Friday’s action in 13th and 17th places respectively.

MacPherson commented: “I’m comfortable around this place. This morning I was very relaxed and lapped quickly but this afternoon I didn’t really get into any sort of rhythm. I know what’s needed tomorrow and I really want to be up there challenging for a win on Sunday.”

Daemen, looking to start his first race at Imola on Sunday, said: “I had a little front suspension problem but on my fast lap, at the end of the
session, I highsided and was so close to crashing. I missed last year’s race here through injury and in 2001 I crashed in practice so I would at least like to be on the starting grid this year!”

Friday’s World Supersport championship qualifying times: 1 Chris Vermeulen, Australia (Honda) 1:52.918

2 Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan (Suzuki) 1:52.934

3 Karl Muggeridge, Australia (Honda) 1:53.067

4 Stephane Chambon, France (Suzuki) 1:53.118

5 Gianluca Nannelli, Italy (Yamaha) 1:53.566

6 Sebastien Charpentier, France (Honda) 1:53.608

7 Jurgen van den Goorbergh, Holland (Yamaha) 1:53.715

8 Mattieu Lagrive, France (Yamaha) 1:53.870

9 Robert Ulm, Austria (Honda) 1:53.871

10 Alessio Corradi, Italy (Yamaha) 1:53.932

13 Iain MacPherson, GB (Honda) 1:54.427

17 Werner Daemen, Belgium (Honda) 1:54.576

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Spaniard Sete Gibernau has re-signed to ride for Telefonica Movistar Honda through the 2005 season, reports Dorna Sports, the organizers of the FIM-sanctioned MotoGP World Championship.

Gibernau, 30, was quoted as saying he wanted to squash any rumors about his 2004 plans so he could concentrate on finishing the current season. He is second in the MotoGP point standings (with four wins) with four races left in the 2003 season.

The report made no mention of a future teammate for Gibernau. Currently, Ryuichi Kiyonari, a 20-year-old Japanese rider, is Gibernau’s teammate.

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

XAUS AND HODGSON (DUCATI FILA) THIRD AND FOURTH IN FRIDAY QUALIFYING

Imola (Italy), 26 September: Ruben Xaus and Neil Hodgson powered their Ducati Fila 999 machines to a provisional third and fourth place on the grid in Friday first qualifying for the Imola World Superbike round.

James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) and Regis Laconi (NCR Ducati) were the quickest today as only these four riders dipped beneath the 1:50 mark.

“It’s a bit of a bumpy track, compared to Assen, which is really smooth and today was quite a struggle but in the end I actually enjoyed it for the first time because I relaxed a bit” declared the new world champion. “You’ve got to be loose on the bike with all the bumps. My Ducati Fila 999 was a bit dodgy through the fastest part of the track but we changed it a bit to make it more stable. I’m having some good slides because it spins a lot on the track. If you can control that in the race, you know that when your tyres go off you will have a good feeling. I’m sure I can make up a tenth here and there all over the circuit and knock a lot more off my time tomorrow”.



“I wasn’t happy this morning because I had a technical problem and I had to come in and change to my other bike, which didn’t have an ideal set-up” declared Ruben. “This is a track that you really need to get used to and as it is only Friday running in 1:49 for me is good. We were really close with times for qualifying and race tyres. Every time we come here to Imola it’s different because I have a different bike and team so winning here in the past doesn’t count. For me the races are the only important thing and I want to come away with two victories or at least two good results. It’s important that the people enjoy and that Ducati enjoy what I do on Sunday”.

TIMES: 1. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:49.011; 2. Laconi (NCR Ducati) 1:49.472; 3. Xaus (Ducati Fila) 1:49.505; 4. Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 1:49.538; 5. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:50.145; 6. Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:50.570; 7. Corser (Petronas) 1:50.752; 8. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) 1:50.859; 9. Martin (Ducati DFX) 1:50.892; 10. Pedercini (Ducati) 1:51.206.


More, from a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Toseland on provisional pole

James Toseland proved to be the fastest man around the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in today’s first qualifying session. The 22-year-old Yorkshireman beat his nearest challenger Regis Laconi by almost half a second to take provisional pole ahead of Saturday’s final qualifying and Superpole. His HM Plant Ducati team-mate Chris Walker put in a solid performance to provisionally book fifth place on the grid with a best lap of 1:50.145.

Toseland has been on excellent form all season and barring a few unfortunate incidents, he has consistently been one of the fastest riders at every round. This is his second provisional pole of the season – the first being at Monza – and he is aiming to hold on to the coveted starting position.

“I’m pleased with the way things have gone so far,” said Toseland. “Psychologically, it’s good to be fastest straight away, but there’s still some way to go yet and I’m hoping to up the stakes a bit tomorrow. I spent most of the session at the top of the time sheets doing mid-1:50s on race tyres, so things are looking good for the rest of the weekend.”

Chris Walker wasn’t quite able to match the pace of his team-mate. Nevertheless, he still recorded the fifth fastest time of the day on only his second visit to the Italian circuit.

“That wasn’t too bad,” said Walker. “I got plenty of laps in and was pretty consistent throughout. Neil [Hodgson], Laconi and Xaus were always going to be the boys to beat around here and James is in really good form, so there’s a bit of gap between me and the top four at the moment but the HM Plant Ducati is working perfectly and I’m expecting to be on the front row by the end of tomorrow.”

First qualifying: 1. J. Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:49.011; 2. R. Laconi (Ducati) 1:49.472; 3. R. Xaus (Ducati) 1:49.505; 4. N. Hodgson (Ducati) 1:49.538; 5. C. Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:50.145; 6. G. Lavilla (Suzuki) 1:50.570; 7. T. Corser (Foggy) 1:50.752; 8. P. Chili (Ducati) 1:50.859; 9. S. Martin (Ducati) 1:50.892; 10. L. Pedercini (Ducati) 1:51.206


More, from a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser maintains Foggy PETRONAS Racing progress

Troy Corser maintained Foggy PETRONAS Racing’s recent progress with a promising first day of qualifying for the penultimate round of the World Superbike championship at Imola, Italy.

The Australian former world champ was seventh fastest in the afternoon session, on the team’s first day of action at the challenging circuit. Troy sliced 2.5 seconds off his best morning time to post a fastest lap of 1:50.752, within two seconds of provisional polesetter James Toseland.

Troy said: “I am only really starting to get used to the track again. We just made small adjustments to the suspension from this morning to soften the bike, as the track is very bumpy. The set-up we found was not bad and, although the bike is still moving around a little bit, you would expect that on a bumpy surface. I will change the offset for tomorrow to see if it will hold the line better. It’s encouraging that we are closer to the front runners on a Friday than we have been for a while.”

Team-mate James Haydon also made headway on his first visit to Imola since 1996. And, although he suffered a frustrating afternoon, there were signs that his luck had taken a turn for the better. James said: “I was so lucky on my final lap of the morning session. I was going flat out in fifth gear into the double right-hander and as soon as I hit the brakes a squirrel ambled onto the track. At first I thought it was a dog because its tail was up and it was looked so big. There was no way I could move because I was so hard on the brakes, and Neil Hodgson was right behind me as well. It would have been a massive crash if I had hit it. I haven’t been so freaked out by something like that for ages. We made a step forward in the afternoon, but not enough. I know I could have been in the 53s but a mechanical problem meant that I could not improve my time on a qualifying tyre. My injured hand is sore when I am off the bike but is not slowing me up.”

Friday qualifying times, World Superbike championship round 11, Imola, Italy: 1 Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:49.011; 2 Laconi (NCR) 1:49.472; 3 Xaus (Ducati Fila) 1:49.505; 4 Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 1:49.538; 5 Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:50.145; 6 Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki) 1:50.570; 7 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:50.752; 8 Chili (PSG-1) 1:50.859; 9
Martin (DFX) 1:50.892; 10 Pedercini (Team Pedercini) 1:51.206; 18 Haydon (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:54.023

Free Practice times: 1 Laconi (NCR) 1:50.540; 2 Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki) 1:50.659; 3 Hodgson (Ducati Fila) 1:51.076; 4 Walker (HM Plant Ducati) 1:51.147; 5 Martin (DFX) 1:51.318; 6 Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) 1:51.507; 7 Chili (PSG-1) 1:51.569; 8 Xaus (Ducati Fila) 1:51.625; 9 Borja (DFX) 1:51.724; 10 Pedercni (Team Pedercini) 1:52.673; 14 Corser (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:53.235; 19 Haydon (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:56.101


More, from a press release issued by Scuderia Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks:

Laconi second fast in the debut day at Imola

A splendid sun shined on Imola for the debut day of the penultimate round of 2004 Superbike World Championship on the 4933 meters of the track beside de Santerno river, full of glory in motorcycle racing.

Remembering his 2001 victory here in Imola Regis Laconi recorded today the second fastest in the first qualifying session, after has been the fastest in the morning’s free practice session. Laconi looks to be satisfied of today work on his 998RS Ducati Caracchi NCR Nortel Networks looking for the best set up for this difficult track.

“Yes, I’m quite satisfied of today’s work. We’ve lost some time for a braking system problem in one out of the two bikes, so later we concentrate on the second one. In my fastest lap with soft tyres I found some slow rider along the track, so I believe that I could a bit faster. Also on race set with race tyres we recorded quite good laptime, there’s of course some small details to set, but for tomorrow as well for the race I’m confident that we’ll be OK.”

David Garcia recorded a good 13th fastest; the hard physical rehabilitation word done in Forlì is giving some result, but the pain is still heavy, especially on an engaging track like Imola.

“Toady I’ve been fast enough and I got easily the result. ” – said Garcia at the end of the day – “The heaviest problem remains the pain in my arm after a few laps, more on this track with several points with hard braking that mean a big effort for the arms. I hope to be able to finish the race, but it would be difficult.”


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

SUPER SEVENTH FOR TROY ON OPENING DAY

Troy was happy at the end of one of his best opening days in this year’s Superbike World Championship. Despite spending the best part of the two sessions getting reacquainted with the demanding 4.933 kilometre Imola circuit, Troy was able to post the seventh quickest time of the day. Also, his lap time was not so far from provisional pole-setter James Toseland (Ducati). Toseland’s best lap of 1:49.011 was well under the lap record and he was followed by Regis Laconi, Ruben Xaus, Neil Hodgson and Chris Walker – all Ducati-mounted. Spaniard Gregorio Lavilla (Suzuki) was sixth fastest, just ahead of Troy.

TROY – 7TH, 1:50.752
Well that was one of the best first days we’ve had all season and I’m pretty happy with how it all went today. I really used most of the day getting to know the track again, so I didn’t really feel I was pushing hard at all. We made some small changes to the suspension in the afternoon and we’ll carry on trying to improve the bike tomorrow. The track felt a bit more bumpy then when I last rode here and that upsets the suspension quite a bit. We’ll try changing the offsets for tomorrow to see if we can get the bike to hold a line better. Today we are closer to the front then we’ve been for a while and that makes me and the team very happy.

From a press release issued by series organizers:

WEBSTER “SMASHES” OPPOSITION AT IMOLA

Steve Webster and Paul Woodhead shattered the lap record by almost a second to snatch provisional pole position after Friday’s combined qualifying at Imola, Italy in round 10 of the 2003 Superside World championship.

“It is quite simply a smashing bike,” said Webster. “Imola is a real driver’s circuit and I enjoy it immensely.” Webster and Woodhead continued their qualifying hot streak as they aim for a 26th consecutive pole position.

Woodhead echoed his driver’s sentiments: “It was a good session for us. We were scrubbing in the tyres and I think we can lap at this pace tomorrow.”

The session was red-flagged after 10 minutes following an accident involving Gerhard Hauzenberger and his passenger, Ian Simons. The latter was taken to hospital suffering from concussion and a suspected fractured leg.

Jörg Steinhausen and Trevor Hopkinson recorded the second fastest time, 0.728s adrift of the championship leaders with Martien and Tonnie van Gils a brilliant third. The Maton Racing team manager and sponsor, Peat Leijten was visibly pleased with the performance: “That’s a very good result for us.”

Championship chasing Klaus Klaffenböck, who failed to record a time in the morning session, was sixth in the time sheets, almost five seconds down on Webster.

Friday’s Superside World championship qualifying times:

1 Steve Webster, GB (Suzuki) 1:56.583

2 Jörg Steinhausen, Germany (Suzuki) +0.728s

3 Martien van Gils, Holland (Suzuki) +2.604

4 Steve Abbott, GB (Suzuki) +3.546

5 Tom Hanks, GB (Yamaha) +3.612

6 Klaus Klaffenböck, Austria (Yamaha) +4.849

7 Bill Philp, GB (Yamaha) +5.601,

8 Rob Cameron, GB (Suzuki) +5.696

9 Renaud Dernoncourt, France (Suzuki) +5.934

10 Chris Founds, GB (Yamaha) +6.946.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth has confirmed plans for a limited feasibility test on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s infield road course on Wednesday, October 1, the week after the FIA Formula One car race.

“We’ve been working with the facility now for two or three years,” said Hollingsworth Sunday in the media center at Barber Motorsports Park. “We went there before they laid it out. We’ve been watching its progress. We made comments at the time they designed it to make sure that it was adequate for motorcycles. There will be some issues that we’ve got to look at. We want to see bikes on the track to make sure it’s suitable. Most of the interior road portion we expect to be fine, and we’ve got plans to address the one kind of known issue.”

Hollingsworth said the “known issue” was the first turn on the speedway oval, which is taken in the opposite direction when the road course is utilized. The outside of the high-speed turn is lined with retaining walls. Hollingsworth said a chicane has been designed and would be installed for any race at Indy but no chicane will be used during the proposed test.

“We just want to get them out there, take a look and make sure it’s something we can do if we’re presented the opportunity to,” said Hollingsworth. Erion Honda’s Jake Zemke and Ducati Austin’s Giovanni Bussei are expected to attend the test with the possibility of a third rider being added.

That third rider could be Vincent Haskovec, who tested on a Ducati Austin racebike at Pikes Peak earlier this season.

From a press release issued by Motonation:

Sidi boots now accepting resumes for the 2004 season!

Motonation, the exclusive importer of Sidi boots, is now accepting resumes for rider support for the 2004 season.

A limited amount of support is available in both the off road and road segments. Interested riders should send their resumes to:

If sending via mail:

Motonation
C/O Sidi rider support
14168 Poway Rd, ste 205
Poway CA 92064

If sending via fax: 1-858-513-6285

If sending via Email: [email protected]

From a press release issued by the AMA:

AMA REACTS TO CBS NEWS REPORT ON EXTREME STREET RIDING

PICKERINGTON, OHIO — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), reacting to a CBS News report on so-called “extreme street riding,” points out that this illegal and dangerous conduct represents only a small percentage of the American motorcycling community.

The CBS News “Eye on America” report, which aired during the September 25th broadcast of “The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather,” documented groups of motorcyclists who ride at high speeds and perform stunts on public streets and highways. A CBS News producer, conducting research for the report, had contacted the AMA in mid-August.

“For the most part, the CBS News segment correctly portrayed extreme street riding as an isolated phenomenon,” said Tom Lindsay, AMA Public Information Director. “It’s unfortunate, however, that the irresponsible conduct of such a small number of motorcyclists gets national attention, while the overwhelming majority of American motorcyclists are responsible and law-abiding.”

The AMA believes that stunt riding, like that portrayed in the CBS News report, has no place on public streets and highways, where it endangers both motorcyclists and other motorists.