Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Insiders say that Ducati North America and Ducati Corse want to support a two-rider team in the AMA Superbike Series in 2004, providing the company is able to homologate the short-stroke 999R.

Ducati’s 2003 season with the Dream Team Ducati and Ducati Austin customer teams has been a disaster so far: Dream Team Ducati imploded after putting Larry Pegram on the podium at Road America, and Ducati Austin replaced podium-less Anthony Gobert with Italian Giovanni Bussei after Road America.

Pegram sought legal advice after Road America, saying he hadn’t been paid, and blamed the team’s financial problems on LLC partner DeVeaux Hill cutting off promised funding.

Meanwhile, Gobert declared Ducati Austin’s 998RS “unrideable” after parking it mid-race several times, while his crew repeatedly said that there was nothing wrong with the motorcycle.

One Gobert associate said after Road America that “Valentino Rossi would finish fourth or fifth on that bike, it’s so badly prepared.”

From a press release issued by Ducati:

DUCATI 999R FILA

200 victories in the World Superbike Championship

200 999R FILA: a winning emotion

Misano Adriatico, June 20th 2003 – Ducati introduces today at the Santamonica racetrack the limited-edition Ducati 999R FILA to celebrate 200 wins in the World Superbike Championship. Only 200 units of the new bike in the official livery of Team Ducati Fila 2003 will be available.

Top level components, sophisticated aerodynamics and a winning tradition, the 999R FILA offers all “ducatisti” the chance to experience the same emotions as the Ducati factory riders on the track.

The F03 racing Superbike was in fact designed simultaneously with the 999R road version, thus guaranteeing the right characteristics to turn a high-performance machine into a race bike.

200 Ducati wins have been reached in 16 years of racing in the World Superbike Championship, and the current leader of the series Neil Hodgson is one of 18 riders to have won riding a twin-cylinder from Borgo Panigale. The 200th win for Ducati was achieved by the British rider on May 18, 2003 on the Monza circuit with the Ducati 999F03, while the 100th Ducati victory went to Carl Fogarty in Austria in 1995. After achieving this prestigious goal there were even more wins to come: the Ducati 999 won again at Oschersleben in Germany two weeks later, allowing Hodgson to equal the record of 9 World Superbike wins in a row.

The 999R FILA, available in exactly the same colours as the Ducati 999F03 that races in the World Superbike Championship, and the Fila-Ducati clothing collections reflect the great sporting tradition and “made in Italy” spirit shared by the two companies.

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Specifications:

Sporting the same graphics as the Team Ducati-Fila 999 F03 bikes, the new Ducati 999R FILA becomes even more stylish and aggressive.

The 999R FILA powered by the 139 HP 999cc Testastretta (with 104 mm bore instead of the 100 mm bore of the 999 and 999S models) features:

* Forged racing wheels: straight from Ducati Corse, they have a much better stiffness/weight ratio

* Radial brake pump and callipers for higher rigidity between the calliper and its mounting point. This improves the general efficiency of the braking system.

* Fully adjustable Titanium nitride coated (Tin) upside-down Ohlins fork with radial calliper mounting. Allows the rider to adjust the suspension to suit individual riding styles or road conditions. The titanium-nitride stanchion treatment (as used in racing forks) minimises friction and improves overall suspension efficiency. Truly the best for racing performances.

* Headlight assembly in magnesium alloy, a racing material used to make the overall bike lighter

* Fairing entirely made from carbon fiber, a light, strong material which reduces the overall weight and gives the bike a unique racing look.

* Red frame

* Black rear frame

* Personalised graphics

* Two-colour wheels (front: red, rear: blue).

The bike comes with a Racing Kit including:

* a cat-free race exhaust system, using a special 102 Db no-cat exhaust mono-silencer and a front cylinder no-cat exhaust middle section. The overall exhaust is 3 kg lighter than the standard system. With a specially remapped CPU (included) the bike will achieve a higher power output.

* rear stand

* bike cover

All the bikes built for the European and world markets, complete with numbered plates and authenticity certificates, can be booked at your local Ducati Store or Ducati Dealer.

HODGSON TAKES DUCATI’S 200th WIN
Ducati’s 200 wins come in 16 years of World Superbike racing and Neil is one of 18 riders to win on a twin-cylinder machine from the Borgo Panigale factory. Carl Fogarty scored Ducati’s 100th win in Austria in 1995 with a Ducati 916 bearing the #1 in honour of his championship win the previous year, while fellow Brit Hodgson has now taken Ducati’s 200th win at Monza with the #100 plate.

The full list with number of wins is as follows:
Carl Fogarty (GB) 55
Doug Polen (USA) 26
Raymond Roche (FRA) 23
Troy Bayliss (AUS) 22
Troy Corser (AUS) 16
Giancarlo Falappa (ITA) 13
Pierfrancesco Chili (ITA) 11
Neil Hodgson (GB) 10
Ben Bostrom (USA) 7
John Kocinski (USA) 5
Ruben Xaus (ESP) 2
Mauro Lucchiari (ITA) 2
Marco Lucchinelli (ITA) 2
Stephane Mertens (B) 2
James Whitham (GB) 1
Andreas Meklau (A) 1
Anthony Gobert (AUS) 1
John Reynolds (GB) 1

The wins have been achieved in the following years:
1988 – 2
1989 – 5
1990 – 9
1991 – 23
1992 – 20
1993 – 19
1994 – 12
1995 – 20
1996 – 14
1997 – 9
1998 – 10
1999 – 16
2000 – 5
2001 – 15
2002 – 14
2003 – 7 (until Monza race 1)

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Anthony Gobert, Doug Chandler and Larry Pegram will participate in a multiple-rider test at Road America, June 23 and 24, to try for a spot on one of HMC KTM’s two AMA Supermoto teams, according to HMC owner Mitch Hansen.

When Roadracingworld.com reached Hansen by phone on Friday, June 20, he was unsure if current HMC rider Scott Russell will continue due to still-pending insurance issues, which Hansen said he previously thought had been resolved.

Russell received a disability insurance settlement when he retired from road racing with severe injuries.

According to Hansen, the upcoming test will also feature current KTM dirt trackers Kenny Coolbeth and Joe Kopp, as well as up-and-coming young riders Chris Filmore and Ben Carlson, along with a couple other riders invited by KTM, whose names Hansen did not yet know.

The riders will be trying out for a spot on what Hansen called HMC KTM Team One and Team Two, with each team fielding five riders. Hansen also said that all 10 spots may not be permanent and there would be some “musical chairs” going on with guest riders sent from the KTM World Team.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

American Honda’s Ben Bostrom is disappointed that the team doesn’t plan to participate in the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca Raceway July 10-13.

“I don’t really have much to say about it except that I’m a rider, and I just want to ride,” said Bostrom Thursday from his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. “It’s not my decision, but I hope they change their mind. I think it would be great for the sport.”

Bostrom said that he partly understands American Honda’s marketing reasons for not running the World Superbike races, “But I can see the other side of it, too, where it’s just a Honda in general. I think, right now, we have such a good chance of winning.

“It’s starting to get better on the bike. Even though it looked like a disaster there at Road America, believe it or not we learned quite a bit, and we were actually pretty fast. We just did terrible, maybe made a couple of bad decisions on tires and things, but I know by the time we get to Laguna we should be in it.

“With the way the AMA’s going and World Superbike, the (AMA) boys are on pace. It would be neat to see the AMA guys sweep the podium.”

Asked about the possibility of riding in the AMA Supersport race at Laguna Seca, Bostrom laughed as he said, “It’s not quite the same. One, you’re riding in a World event. The other, you’re riding in Supersport. It’s not the same.

“I would definitely ride the bike. I’m there to support Honda. The CBR600RR is a great little bike, but honestly, I would like to ride World Superbike, also.”

Bostrom has started the last 10 World Superbike races at Laguna Seca, winning three, and has finished on the podium a total of six times with a worst finish of eighth.

Erion Honda’s Kurtis Roberts has never run the World Superbike races at Laguna Seca but is more concerned about his AMA Superbike Championship position.

“I want to do whatever they want to do, as far as the team, and whatever is going to keep them happy,” said Roberts. “We have a Championship run to concentrate on. If that’s throwing too much stuff into the mix, then that’s fine with me. I didn’t sign a contract with them to do World Superbike. I signed it to do the AMA Superbike.

“I had already talked to them a little bit about it prior, especially to my Crew Chief (David McGrath) and whatnot. And that’s their decision. I could care less, really.”

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel could not be reached for comment at post time.

Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Chris Rankin will ride the Supersport-class Annandale Honda–left vacant by injured rider Ty Howard–at Brainerd International Raceway June 27-29 and Laguna Seca Raceway July 10-13.

Howard fractured his hip and suffered a deeply abraded arm, both of which required surgery, in a crash during the AMA Formula Xtreme race at Pikes Peak International Raceway May 31.

Rankin, a 30-year-old racer from Bastrop, Texas, was already a member of the Annandale Honda team, working as Howard’s Formula Xtreme mechanic.

“We’re real excited about Chris,” said Annandale Honda Team Manager Anna Johnston. “He was kind of like a natural fit, because he was already on our team. So he knew us, he’s from the area and he’s traveling with us anyway. Also we’re excited about it because he’s a really talented rider. He’s ridden on Ty’s big bike here (at the MotorSport Ranch in Cresson, Texas) a few times and was running really good lap times and was competent on the bike.

“This last weekend Chris went out on the CBR600RR for the first time. He went down to Texas World Speedway and participated in a few (CMRA/CCS) sprints there and a GTU race. He won the GTU race and got three seconds and a third (finishes) in the sprints he was in, and he was starting from the back of the grid. He said he loves the bike and loves the Michelin tires. I don’t know the official 600cc lap record, but I’m told it’s a low-1:45. And he did some 1:45.6s.”

Howard, who expects to return to action at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course July 25-27, not only approved of his replacement, he actually recommended Rankin.

“It was something I had in mind,” said Johnston, “but when I went to see Ty in the emergency room in Colorado Springs, one of the first things he said was, ‘Hey, I think Chris Rankin should fill in for me while I’m out.'”

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:


MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2003
19TH JUNE 2003 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YANAGAWA DETAINED IN HOSPITAL AFTER CATALUNYA CRASH

Fuchs Kawasaki wild card rider, Akira Yanagawa, will be detained in hospital in Spain until the weekend, after being diagnosed with two compressed vertebrae and ligament damage in his neck following his first lap crash in Sunday’s Grand Prix of Catalunya.

The Japanese rider, making his second wild card appearance of the season aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR, was the unfortunate victim of a collision between his Fuchs Kawasaki team-mate, Andrew Pitt, and Proton Team KR rider, Jeremy McWilliams, just 30 seconds into Sunday’s race. While Pitt and McWilliams escaped injury in the incident, Yanagawa was transported to the local Granollers hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties on his arrival at the circuit medical centre. It was originally thought that he had fractured a number of ribs in the crash.

Following a thorough examination and a series of x-rays, doctors at the hospital confirmed that Yanagawa had sustained two compressed vertebrae and ligament damage to his neck in the first lap incident. The 32-year-old Fuchs Kawasaki rider will be detained in hospital until at least the weekend, but it is hoped that an immobilising corset currently being constructed by hospital staff will allow Yanagawa to fly home to Japan on Saturday.

A decision regarding Yanagawa’s planned wild card ride at this year’s British Grand Prix at Donington Park on July 13th will be made once the Fuchs Kawasaki rider has undergone a further medical examination on his return to his native Japan.



More, from a reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail

Editor, Roadracingworld.com:

I read the press release regarding Yanagawa’s injuries sustained at the MotoGP race in Catalunya (6/19/03). I’m glad he is likely to survive with no permanent injuries.

However, Yanagawa’s acute, trackside treatment was distressing. As far as I could tell by watching SpeedTV, he was picked up, unconscious, and carried off the track as fast as possible. I saw him being bounced along, with his arm hanging off the stretcher. Hopefully, his fractures and ligament damage to his spine and neck were not aggravated by this added trauma.

This is no way to treat an unconscious trauma victim. It reminds me of the incident at Suzuka earlier this year in which a rider, Daijiro Kato, who had sustained extremely severe injuries to his cervical spine, was apparently thrown onto a stretcher and carried off. Despite considerable outcry, that incident has apparently failed to stimulate needed changes in acute trackside trauma care.

Thomas A. Warr, MD
Great Falls, Montana, USA

cc: ClinicaMobile.com


More, from another reader:

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

via e-mail

I have just learned that the Kawasaki rider who was injured in last Sunday’s Motogp race may have broken his back. I previously wrote to you regarding the sorry spectacle of the manner in which Kato was carted off the field. While I only saw a glimpse on last Sunday’s Speed presentation of the race, it appeared to me that the Kawasaki rider was being carted off in much the same manner, with one of his hands dragging the ground while the persons carrying the stretcher ran along, bouncing him every which way.
My prior e-mail was in response to a paramedic who complained of Kato’s treatment.

I will repeat its substance: One does not need to be a trained paramedic, nurse or doctor but only needs some common sense to recognize that someone who has taken a very rough fall, appears to be somewhat immobile and may have suffered some serious bodily injury, DOES NOT need to be tossed on a stretcher and hauled away. The rider needs to be properly immobilized with a proper exam by the appropriately trained person ascertaining the injuries. If that means stopping the race, then so be it. All anyone has to do is watch the Superbowl on television where they stop the big game when some player suffers some minute injury to his finger to realize that stopping a race where there may have been a far more serious injury that may easily be aggravated by movement is only common sense. Failing to do so reduces racing to an image it does not need.

Have these people not learned anything from Kato’s tragic accident? How many more must suffer before some change is instituted?

Lee Veness
Irving Texas

From a press release issued by Renegade Ducati:

BRITISH SUPERBIKE & SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS 2003

19TH JUNE 2003 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEAM RENEGADE DUCATI REV UP FOR THE OPENING OF TRAVELODGE LEEDS EAST

The pace is really hotting up for Travelodge, the UK’s number one choice in the lodge accommodation sector, with the opening of a new 60 bedroom lodge in Colton, Leeds East. To mark this winning occasion, the reigning British Superbike champions – Team Renegade Ducati – will ride into town on 24th June as guests of honour at the official opening, and local residents are invited to come along to join in the fun and meet the champs.

The new Travelodge, which recently opened its doors for business, is conveniently located just off the A36 Selby Road on Styal Hill Way, making it an ideal stop-off point for both business and leisure travellers. With rooms priced from £49.95, the new lodge offers all the benefits of Travelodge accommodation including en-suite rooms, King-size beds, tea and coffee making facilities, colour TV and a fast check-in, no check-out service.

The official opening ceremony will be under starter’s orders from midday on Tuesday 24th June and Ducati team members Michael Rutter, Sean Emmett, Nick Medd and Leon Haslam, will be on hand to meet guests and sign autographs.

The team, who are sponsored by Travelodge, will also be releasing 235 balloons to mark the opening of the Leeds East lodge, which is the 235th in the Travelodge network across the UK and Ireland. Each balloon will have a tag attached, which when returned enters you into a prize draw to win two nights stay at a Travelodge. So keep your eyes peeled as you could be a lucky winner as well as helping to raise money for Travelodge’s nominated charity, the British Paralympic Association as £10 will be donated for each tag returned.

Jane Keenan, Travelodge Marketing Manager said; “We are delighted that Team Renegade Ducati is taking time out from their busy racing schedule to be with us on this important day. We very much hope that local residents will be able to come along to join in the fun and meet the members of the team. As the gateway to Yorkshire, Leeds is an important area for Travelodge. The new facility will complement our existing lodge in Leeds Central and provide a convenient and comfortable overnight stop-off point for travellers.”

From a press release issued by HM Plant Ducati:

Bringing the heat to Misano

James Toseland and Chris Walker will arrive in Italy just five days after competing in the sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at Silverstone. The HM Plant Ducati riders wowed 83,000 trackside spectators and countless millions more TV viewers with their excellent performances at the UK circuit. The British stars are eager to continue their impressive run of form at the sun drenched Autodromo di Misano on Italy’s Adriatic coast.

Toseland is enjoying a remarkable run of form aboard the HM Plant Ducati. The talented Yorkshireman has shown skill and determination beyond his 22 years and currently occupies second place in the championship behind his countryman and former team-mate Neil Hodgson. A battling second-placed finish in the first race at Silverstone highlighted his emergence as a significant force in Superbike racing, just as his maiden race win in the previous round had shown him to be more than capable of beating the best in the world.

“Silverstone was fantastic,” said Toseland. “The first race was incredible but I was a little disappointed not to make it onto the podium after race two. I’m looking forward to Misano and the fact that we tested there a little while ago should make things a bit easier. I did quite a bit of tyre testing and Dunlop have been working really hard to help us out. Misano’s a top circuit, I’ve been round it a few times and I’ve got a decent set-up, so all the ingredients are there for a good weekend.”

The first six rounds of the championship have certainly not been easy for Chris Walker. Not only has he had to adapt to the HM Plant Ducatis after many years of riding four-cylinder machinery, but he has also been engaged in a private battle with fate. A spate of unfortunate injuries have so far prevented the popular Nottingham rider from fulfilling his undoubted potential, but Walker has still turned in some strong performances.

“Silverstone was very hard work for me,” admitted Walker. “I was really struggling to stay with the leaders despite all the support that we got from the British fans. I’m feeling much stronger now – although I’m still not 100% fit – and I’m hoping for a better time of it this weekend. I like it at Misano and I can’t wait to have a proper race where I don’t get out of breath after five laps.”

From a press release issued by Fuchs Kawasaki:

The Kawasaki Racing Team completed the second and final day of testing at Spain’s Catalunya circuit on Tuesday, with both riders and team technical staff declaring themselves satisfied with the progress made over the course of the two days.

Alex Hofmann joined Andrew Pitt and Garry McCoy for the test session in Barcelona, where the team continued to test both chassis set-up and tyres as part of the ongoing development of the Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine. Refinement of base-line chassis settings and evaluation of a revised specification of Kawasaki’s already impressive 990cc, in-line four motor were the main focus of the test.

The Catalunya test was also the first to be run under the direction of Kawasaki Racing Team’s recently appointed Technical Director, Hamish Jamieson, who brings with him to the team over twenty years of Grand Prix experience.

Garry McCoy
“We’ve made some progress over the past two days, but the most important thing is that we’ve had plenty of track time, which is something we need right now. With only two hours on track each day, GP weekends aren’t ideally suited to testing, but today we’ve been able to try a number of different chassis settings, which has allowed us to identify a frame and swinging arm combination that all three of us can use. It’s good for now, but we’ll obviously be looking to improve things further in the future.”

Andrew Pitt
“Overall I’m pretty happy with what we’ve achieved today. We’ve made significant progress with chassis set-up, to the point where I felt a lot more comfortable on the bike and started to regain some of my confidence in the front end. We’ve also found more traction, but I think that is as much down to the revised engine as it is the chassis improvements. The new motor accelerates faster and, more importantly, reacts a lot quicker to my input on the throttle, which makes the bike a lot easier to control both under braking and on the gas out of the turns.”

Alex Hofmann
“We’ve found some new settings during these two days of testing which have improved the bike, so I’m happy with the progress we’ve made. As well as chassis set-up we’ve also been involved in tyre testing with Dunlop and I think we’ve seen some progress there also. Most importantly, the improvements we’ve made during the past two days should stand us in good stead for next weekend’s race at Assen.”

Hamish Jamieson – Technical Director
“We came here with the aim of identifying a frame and swinging arm combination that all three riders are able to use and we’ve achieved that. Now we have a baseline chassis set-up, information we get from individual riders will be relevant to all of them and that should go some way to speeding up the development process. It will certainly make things easier with chassis and suspension set-up on race weekends, as we will now be able to directly compare data collected from each bike, regardless of who the rider is.”

From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

HODGSON (DUCATI FILA) SETS RED-HOT PACE AS SUPERBIKE COMES TO SCORCHING ITALIAN ADRIATIC RIVIERA FOR ROUND 7

Just one week after racking up his fifth double win of the season, Britain’s Neil Hodgson (Ducati Fila) continues his red-hot championship pace this weekend as the World Superbike championship comes to a scorching Misano Adriatico circuit in Italy. Neil will not only have to contend with the summer temperatures, but also with his numerous rivals, including team-mate Ruben Xaus, twice on the podium at Silverstone.

Hodgson, who overcame a throat infection and a high temperature at Silverstone to win two of the best races seen all year, brings a 130-point lead to the Santamonica track as the championship moves into the second half of the season.

“After my two wins at Silverstone I feel 100% fit now” declared Neil. “I know it’s going to be a hot weekend here at Misano, but it’s great to be racing at what is more or less Ducati’s home circuit and I know there will be thousands of fans cheering me on come Sunday. Misano is not one of my favourite tracks, although I have set a couple of poles here and last year I finished third in race 2, whereas the year before my tyre exploded!. I’m feeling pretty confident for some good results here, although I don’t think the racing will be as crazy as Silverstone!”

Team-mate Ruben Xaus scored two third place finishes in Britain which have helped to boost his confidence and the 25-year-old Spanish rider now looks to capitalise on those results at Misano.

“I feel that when we find the right set-up, the 999 is great and we can go well but I need more testing time with the bike”, said Ruben. “As we saw in Silverstone if you work hard and find a good set-up for the race, then the results will come. I won here in Supersport twice and I was a bit unlucky last year. I hope to start working the best way on Friday, practice and practice and then the result will come by itself. The track surface and the heat are the worst parts of the Misano circuit, they’ve asphalted most of the track but not the back bit so you have to find the right compromise for that part of the circuit as well.”

CIRCUIT: The Misano circuit was designed in 1969 and started activity in 1972. Since 1992 it has continuously hosted the San Marino Round of the World Superbike Championship. The track’s location on Italy’s Adriatic Riviera and its mid-June date in the WSBK calendar have always guaranteed massive crowds for the race. The circuit itself measures 4.060 km and has four left and four right-hand curves, but the most impressive part is the long sweeping left-hander from Carro to Tramonto.

POINTS (after 6 of 12 rounds):
Riders – 1. Hodgson 295; 2. Toseland 165; 3. Xaus 158; 4. Laconi 145; 5. Lavilla 131; 6. Walker 110; etc.
Manufacturers – 1. Ducati 300; 2. Suzuki 158; 3. Petronas 52; 4. Kawasaki 51; 5. Yamaha 40; 5. Honda 21.

STATISTICS: Lap record: Kocinski (Ducati) 1:34.296 (1996); Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati) 1:33.525 (2002). Qualifying: Yanagawa (Kawasaki) 1:33.494 (1997). Race distance: 2×25 laps / 101.500 km.

2002 RESULTS:
Race 1 – 1. Bayliss (Ducati); 2. Edwards (Honda); 3. Hodgson (Ducati).
Race 2 – 1. Bayliss; 2. Edwards; 3. Haga (Aprilia)


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

Heat is on for Foggy PETRONAS Racing at Misano

Foggy PETRONAS Racing enter the second half of their first World Superbike campaign this weekend at Misano aiming for further progress in the development of the FP1.

With James Haydon ruled out of action through injury for this seventh round of the series, staged near the principality of San Marino, wild card Italian rider Lorenzo Mauri has been drafted in for a one-off ride. And, with temperatures expected to be the highest of the season, team boss Nigel Bosworth realises the heat is on for both Mauri and FPR regular Troy Corser.

He said: “We go into the second half of the season looking to improve on the development of the FP1 that we have achieved in the first six rounds. Work is underway on a modification to the cylinder heads and, when available, this should improve power and torque, produce better cooling, push the tyres and chassis more and result in us moving up the field. For this weekend, when it is expected to be very hot, we are increasing the pressure in the cylinder head to try to improve efficiency of a new water pump and therefore the cooling system.

“Lorenzo will have to go out and learn the bike first, as it is going to be very difficult for him on a new bike and with a new team. It’s never ideal to put a new rider on a bike at a race weekend, without having done any testing. But it is a great opportunity for him and we will do our best to make the most of this new input on the bike, as he has a good knowledge of Misano.”

Lorenzo said: “If necessary I will work 25 hours a day this weekend to make the most of this opportunity with Foggy PETRONAS Racing. It is very important for me and I am in great shape and very focused. After meeting the team today I already feel very comfortable with them and the FP1 is a very beautiful bike, although I have had to change the position of the bars and foot-pegs to suit my racing position. I know the Misano circuit very well and have been racing here for four years. I do not specialise in any one circuit, I just treat them all the same. This year, in the Italian Superstock championship, I qualified on pole here and was catching the leader, Lanzi, with three laps remaining when I had a problem with brakes and ran off track.”

Troy, whose fiancée Sam Davies is expecting their first child next week, said: “This is a track that I like and know very well as we used to do a lot of testing here with Ducati. It’s a very technical track and how you get onto the back straight is the key to a good lap time. The heat will be the most important factor for us.”