Misano Preview From Ducati
Scorching temperatures are expected at the Santamonica circuit onItaly's Adriatic Riviera this weekend as World Superbikes come to townfor round 8 of 13. The seaside resort of Misano Adriatico always producesgreat racing and attracts massive crowds and this year promises to be noexception as, in addition to Superbike devotees, hordes of "Ducatisti" are expected to descend on the circuit after the conclusion of seven daysof World Ducati Weekend festivities here this week...
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) continued his superb form at theLausitzring two weeks ago with his fifth double win of the year and hiseleventh victory out of fourteen races held so far. "We're past thehalf-way point in the championship now and Lausitzring turned out reallywell, so it's a nice feeling to be here at Misano with good resultsbehind me," commented Troy. "It's going to be a bit of a change thisweekend with the heat, so that is going to make things tough. Last year Ihad a first and second, but I'm sure my main rivals will go well. I haveto keep an eye on Colin as always, and if he comes fifteenth, I have tocome fourteenth! But seriously speaking I have to put as many peoplebetween me and him as possible. I love winning races and I'll certainlybe trying to extend my win total this weekend, but if I can't then I'lltake the best result I can get."
Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) will be looking to extend his current runof form, which saw him take two excellent third places in Germany afterchallenging his team-mate Bayliss for the lead at one point. "I alwayswant to win but it's not only up to me. Everyone is coming here to winbut for sure Misano is not the perfect track for me," declared Ruben.
"The weather will be great and I'll give 100-percent like I did in Germany soif I get a good result it will be perfect. The track is OK but theasphalt is old and quite bad, but it's the same for everyone. I'll tryto be in the top positions and get as many points as possible to getcloser to Hodgson and have a good chance for the last races and try towin there."
Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) won one race at Misano Adriatico last year,which was the start of his successful mid-season winning streak, and the28-year-old Californian is convinced he can be up amongst thefront-runners again this year. "I believe we can, that's why we'rehere. Ever since Monza when we put the bike back to the way it shouldhave been at the start of the season, we've been pretty quick but wecan't seem to win one of these races. I'm gonna push 110-percent here, we'vebeen quick in the past on this track so hopefully this will be the firstwin of the season. It's not one of my favourite tracks. I don't mindthe heat, I just don't care for the track layout which makes the gearingon my Ducati difficult in some of the corners. If I can't get thegearing right, then I don't like the track, but if we get a good tire,then I'm sure we can win."
More by Brent Avis
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