WSB LEADERS WANT MONZA WIN
04 May 2005 - Suzuki Racing

World Superbike Championship leaders Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra head to his weekend''s fourth round at Monza in Italy with a 100% win record and with high hopes of continuing their dominance aboard the all-new GSX-R1000 Suzuki.

The 5.793 kilometre Monza track - one of the most famous race circuits in the world - is set in luscious parkland close to Monza''s historic centre and has been a regular fixture on the calendar since 1990, when Fabrizio Pirovano - now working on the Suzuki GSX-R European Cup - took a double victory.

It is a feat that 2005 series leader Troy Corser would like to emulate as he has never won a race at the track. This year though, he and the all-conquering Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSX-R1000 have dominated the championship with Troy winning five races and team mate Yukio Kagayama winning the
other.

Troy Corser:

''We tested at Monza recently and I am happy with all the stuff we did and I feel confident about the race. Monza is a great track and it is one of those tracks where you can win, even if you do not have the fastest bike. Slipstreaming plays a vital part in race strategy and it is possible to exit the Ascari chicane fifth and still win - if you are in a tight group and use the slipstream effect best. For me the best place would be at the front, with a big gap on the rest. The worst would be at the front with four or five riders hanging on to my rear tyre.

''So far, the season has been great for me and the whole team. The hard work we all did over the winter and pre-season meant that we started strong right from the outset. I think our rivals were a bit surprised, to say the least! Now it is up to us to keep up the pace, or maybe increase it - if required. Monza has not been good for me in the past, so I am hoping that this year will be better.

Yukio Kagayama:

''I am very happy that we tested at Monza recently because now I have some knowledge of the track. It was my first time there and it is a very interesting track to ride. Troy-san has told me about the importance of slipstreaming and I shall have to remember it in the races. At the recent test, slipstreaming was not an issue, but now that I have done some laps, I think I can see what could happen - and maybe where! It is a quite a fast track, with some very fast corners and I like that! My aim is to be on the podium at Monza - in both races.''

2004 results: 1 Laconi (F-Ducati), 2 Toseland (GB-Ducati), 3 McCoy (Aus-Ducati), 9 CORSER (Aus-Petronas). KAGAYAMA - DNS.

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