HAGA EXTENDS PODIUM RUN AS RACE TWO IS CANCELLED
02 October 2005 - Yamaha Racing

Noriyuki Haga extended his run of podium finishes to eight at Imola today, although the popular Japanese star was denied the opportunity to extend this further after the day''s second race was cancelled due to extreme weather.

What proved to be the day''s only superbike race proved to be an exciting affair, raced under wet weather rules but with an almost completely dry line around the track. Away from the line, the Yamaha Motor Italia rider was involved in a thrilling battle for third place with team-mate Andrew Pitt, James Toseland (Ducati), Chris Walker (Kawasaki) and Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki), with Yamaha Motor France''s Norick Abe just behind in seventh.

With all riders running on slick tyres, conditions proved tricky with Kagayama, Pitt and lastly Abe crashing after running off the dry line. British riders Toseland and Walker both lost time, allowing Haga to take a well earned third position, eight seconds behind winner Chris Vermeulen (Honda), who narrowly held off Troy Corser (Suzuki).

Despite his spectacular crash on lap seven, Pitt rejoined in 18th place. The Australian was able to continue and finish in 16th place, just missing a points finish. Abe was not so fortunate and was forced to retire. His team-mate Sebastien Gimbert put in his best performance since round three in Valencia, coming home eighth.

Heavy rain arrived between the end of the second race and the scheduled start of race two. The riders completed their sighting lap as planned, but as they came round to form the grid at the end of the warm up lap it was clear that track conditions were treacherous. The bikes were removed from the grid as race direction evaluated the circuit conditions and after a delay of almost an hour, during which the rain showed no signs of abating, the decision was made to cancel the second race on safety grounds.

The cancellation means that Corser has been declared world champion as his 409 point total cannot be passed at next weekend''s final round at Magny Cours in France. Vermeulen is guaranteed second in the championship, he is currently on 354, while Haga''s 16 points today consolidate his third in the championship. He moves to 255 points with nearest rival Toseland 27 behind. Pitt''s failure to score sees him drop one place in the standings to eighth, with Abe staying 12th in the championship.

Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia)
''The first race I was quite happy because in the end we found a good race tyre. My lap times were as good as the leaders but because the dry line was very narrow I could not pass Toseland easily and that let Troy and Chris get away. I was actually looking forward to the second race because I have a good feeling with the bike in the wet. In the end though I am smiling when they say no race and I do not have to ride in the very bad rain!''

Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha Motor France)
''Not so bad today, eighth position is good for me here. I had a good feeling from the bike, even in final qualifying. After the Bol d''Or it was difficult to make the adaption to a full Superbike again at the very start. For the second race we could start - no problem! I like the wet.''

Andrew Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia)
''In race one I just drifted a bit wide and touched the rumple strip. Lost the front and went down. It was hard work on that sighting lap (for the second race) - you couldn''t see even the bike in front of you and you could not see the corners. All the apexes were puddles and there was more rain after we left the grid.''

Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France)
''I was able to catch the group with Toseland and Haga but I just went a little bit off the dry line and was straight down. It is a shame as I felt I could get a good result and there was no chance to have a second race.''

Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia)
''We said to both riders that it would be their own decision if the wanted to start in the second race or not. They did not need to make one in the end. In the race we did have, Noriyuki had a bad start and lost a few seconds in the first laps but if he had got away with the leaders I think he could have stayed with them. At one stage he and Toseland were almost a second faster, for 10 laps or so. But a podium is good for Noriyuki, his eighth of the season.''

Race classification WSB

Round: 11 - Imola
Circuit: Imola
Circuit Length: 4933
Lap Record: 1'' 48.389 (Troy Bayliss, 2002)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1'' 48.075 (Chris Vermeulen, 2005)

Race: 21 Laps
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 C. Vermeulen Honda AUS 39'' 35.789
2 T. Corser Suzuki AUS +0.297
3 N. Haga Yamaha JPN +8.313
4 J. Toseland Ducati GBR +15.339
5 S. Martin Petronas AUS +49.638
6 C. Walker Kawasaki GBR +50.072
7 M. Neukirchner Honda GER +52.175
8 S. Gimbert Yamaha FRA +52.381
9 R. Laconi Ducati FRA +57.834
10 G. Vizziello Yamaha ITA +1'' 5.727
11 G. Bussei Kawasaki ITA +1'' 8.332
12 M. Sanchini Kawasaki ITA +1'' 10.289
13 B. Bostrom Honda USA +1'' 10.786
14 M. Borciani Ducati ITA +1'' 27.905
15 Y. Kagayama Suzuki JPN +1'' 33.440
16 A. Pitt Yamaha AUS +1'' 37.849
17 M. Prattichizzo Kawasaki ITA +1 lap(s)

Fastest Race Lap:
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 T. Corser Suzuki AUS 1'' 50.632

Championship standings WSB

Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Points
1 Troy Corser Suzuki AUS 409
2 Chris Vermeulen Honda AUS 354
3 Noriyuki Haga Yamaha JPN 255
4 James Toseland Ducati GBR 228
5 Regis Laconi Ducati FRA 221
6 Yukio Kagayama Suzuki JPN 212
7 Chris Walker Kawasaki GBR 140
8 Andrew Pitt Yamaha AUS 137
9 Pierfrancesco Chili Honda ITA 125
10 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 118
11 Karl Muggeridge Honda AUS 111
12 Norifumi Abe Yamaha JPN 110
13 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 107
14 Giovanni Bussei Kawasaki ITA 61
15 Ben Bostrom Honda USA 49
16 Sebastien Gimbert Yamaha FRA 45

Manufacturers standings WSB

Pos. Manufacturer Points
1 Suzuki 428
2 Honda 370
3 Ducati 344
4 Yamaha 296
5 Kawasaki 163
6 Petronas 48

WSS : Curtain confirms second in championship at soaking wet Imola
Round: 11 - Imola
Circuit: Imola
Date: 2 October 2005
Crowd: 78000
Temp: 20ºC
Weather: Changeable

Yamaha Motor Germany rider Kevin Curtain confirmed his second position in the 2005 Supersport World Championship with second place in a rain-soaked two-part race in Imola today.

The opening half of the race was a pulsating classic supersport affair with Yamaha riders Curtain and Broc Parkes mixing it up in a six-bike battle for the lead. Parkes led most of the way but the red flags were brought out when rain started to fall on the 14th lap. With the result pulled back one lap, an eight lap second part was declared with the result decided on the aggregate time from the two heats.

The restart took place with Parkes leading the pack from Curtain. Local rider Gianluca Nannelli (Ducati) then put on an inspired display to take the lead and pull away to win on the road and aggregate, while Curtain slotted in behind Alessio Corradi (Ducati) to take third on the road and second on aggregate, confirming his second place overall in the championship. Parkes slipped back to sixth on the road, giving him fifth overall.

Curtain''s 20 point haul moves him onto 167 points, 43 behind champion Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) but 27 ahead of third placed Katsuaki Fujiwara (Honda) with just next weekend''s French round remaining. Parkes remains sixth in the standings, on 100 points.

Kevin Curtain
''This weekend was always about securing second place in the championship and that''s exactly what we''ve done. The second part was extremely difficult and although I had opportunity to pass Corradi on a few occasions I decided to play it safe and not move off the line. I''m really happy to have secured second in the championship. It''s a great reward for the team, Yamaha and, of course, myself. I''m already looking forward to next year and riding the new R6 but first it''s Magny Cours and a chance to go for a good result without any pressure for the championship.

Broc Parkes
''The first part of the race was cool but in the wet I just had no grip at all. I don''t know if it was the shock, the tyre or what but obviously we didn''t have time to test. Nannelli came past me and I thought ''wow, he''s fast'' but I was just spinning up everywhere and unable to do anything when they passed me. It''s disappointing because I felt we really could have got a result here, but in the end I was just glad to bring it home.''

Race classification WSS

Round: 11 - Imola
Circuit: Imola
Circuit Length: 4933
Lap Record: 1'' 53.122 (Kevin Curtain, 2003)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1'' 51.592 (Karl Muggeridge, 2003)

Race: 21 Laps
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 G. Nannelli Ducati ITA 42'' 55.695
2 K. Curtain Yamaha AUS +2.452
3 A. Corradi Ducati ITA +4.201
4 M. Fabrizio Honda ITA +7.965
5 B. Parkes Yamaha AUS +10.506
6 A. Antonello Kawasaki ITA +29.825
7 A. Vos Honda NED +41.764
8 J. Stigefelt Honda SWE +47.274
9 C. Mariottini Honda ITA +48.496
10 M. Lagrive Suzuki FRA +1'' 3.068
11 F. Foret Honda FRA +1'' 14.967
12 J. Enjolras Yamaha FRA +1'' 15.858
13 T. Miksovsky Honda CZE +1'' 15.904
14 S. Penna Honda FIN +1'' 21.678
15 N. Canepa Kawasaki ITA +1'' 25.763

Fastest Race Lap:
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 M. Fabrizio Honda ITA 1'' 52.646

Championship standings WSS

Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Points
1 Sebastien Charpentier Honda FRA 210
2 Kevin Curtain Yamaha AUS 167
3 Katsuaki Fujiwara Honda JPN 140
4 Fabien Foret Honda FRA 131
5 Michel Fabrizio Honda ITA 122
6 Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 100
7 Stephane Chambon Honda FRA 86
8 Gianluca Nannelli Ducati ITA 81
9 Xavi Fores Suzuki ESP 60
10 Tatu Lauslehto Honda FIN 56
11 Alessio Corradi Ducati ITA 50
12 Johan Stigefelt Honda SWE 48
13 Robbin Harms Honda DNK 34
14 Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 33
15 Mattieu Lagrive Suzuki FRA 20

Manufacturers standings WSS

Pos. Manufacturer Points
1 Honda 254
2 Yamaha 167
3 Ducati 110
4 Suzuki 79
5 Kawasaki 35

FIM Superstock 1000 Cup: Van Keymeulen sets up superstock title thriller
Round: 9 - Imola
Circuit: Imola
Date: 2 October 2005
Crowd: 78000
Temp: 15ºC
Weather: Wet

Didier van Keymeulen moved to the top of the 2005 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup to set up a thrilling title finale with Yamaha Motor Germany team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu next weekend.

The Belgian YZF-R1 finished fifth in a wet race while his Turkish colleague suffered the first race crash of his 17 race superstock career on lap seven. Heavy rain as the riders lined up on the grid made the notoriously slippery Imola circuit treacherous. After a difficult qualifying session that saw him start from the third row, Van Keymeulen moved through to lead after three laps before deciding to take a more discretionary approach when local riders Riccardo Chiarello and Alessandro Polita (both Suzuki) increased the pace to battle for the lead. The Belgian rode close the gap to Sofuoglu and was ahead when his team-mate crashed out. Despite slipping back to fifth on the final lap, Didier was rewarded with a one point championship advantage to take to Magny Cours in seven days times. Craig Coxhell (Suzuki) finished third to keep his championship alive and ensure the title is a three-way battle. The Australian is now 13 points behind Van Keymeulen and will be ready to pounce should the Yamaha riders slip up.

Italian rider Massimo Roccoli had a disappointing day in front of his home fans and saw his slim title hopes evaporate. The lightweight Rimini rider struggled for traction in the difficult conditions but fought his way through to ninth by the end of the 13 lap race after making a bad start, the Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni rider now ties with Polita for fourth place but 28 points from the lead with only 25 available.

Didier Van Keymeulen (Yamaha Motor Germany)
''I was surprised how cautious everyone was in the start while could I make a great jump from 12th to something like fourth. Riding in the wet is never easy, but my good start gave me a lot of confidence for the race. I tried to keep up with the front runners to try and make a gap, but I was also being cautious not to crash and I had to let Chiarello and Polita go. It''s a shame that I lost one place on the last lap, but I''m looking forward to Magny Cours and will give it all I can there.''

Massimo Roccoli (Lorenzini by Leoni)
''I have never had a good result in the rain and although I tried my best, today did not change this. I had a lot of wheelspin off the line and this put me way back in the pack. I tried hard, but today the others were too strong.''

Kenan Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motor Germany)
''I''m disappointed because I was strong in qualifying and I like this track. I tried to ride for the points but made a mistake and crashed. I must now look to Magny Cours and although I am disappointed now I know that if I win the last race I will win the championship.''

Race classification FIM Superstock 1000 Cup

Round: 9 - Imola
Circuit: Imola
Circuit Length: 4933
Lap Record: 1'' 53.271 (Michel Fabrizio, 2003)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1'' 52.004 (Kenan Sofuoglu, 2005)

Race: 13 Laps
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 R. Chiarello Suzuki ITA 29'' 26.347
2 A. Polita Suzuki ITA +0.209
3 C. Coxhell Suzuki AUS +9.812
4 I. Dionsi Suzuki ITA +28.064
5 D. Van Keymeulen Yamaha BEL +28.173
6 L. Scassa Yamaha ITA +28.877
7 J. Mazuecos Yamaha ESP +38.223
8 R. Cooper Honda GBR +45.084
9 M. Roccoli Yamaha ITA +48.016
10 A. Martinez Yamaha ESP +51.316
11 R. Lunadei Yamaha ITA +52.291
12 G. Romanelli Yamaha ITA +1'' 1.199
13 J. Laverty Suzuki IRL +1'' 3.312
14 A. Badovini MV Agusta ITA +1'' 4.023
15 G. Rapicavoli MV Agusta ITA +1'' 7.011

Fastest Race Lap:
Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Total Time
1 R. Chiarello Suzuki ITA 2'' 9.871

Championship standings FIM Superstock 1000 Cup

Pos. Rider Manufacturer Nat. Points
1 Didier Van Keymeulen Yamaha BEL 138
2 Kenan Sofuoglu Yamaha TUR 137
3 Craig Coxhell Suzuki AUS 125
4 Alessandro Polita Suzuki ITA 110
5 Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 110
6 Riccardo Chiarello Suzuki ITA 107
7 Luca Scassa Yamaha ITA 68
8 Ilario Dionsi Suzuki ITA 57
9 Alex Martinez Yamaha ESP 52
10 William De Angelis Yamaha ITA 50
11 Ayrton Badovini MV Agusta ITA 45
12 Enrique Rocamora Suzuki ESP 43
13 Richard Cooper Honda GBR 40
14 Vittorio Iannuzzo MV Agusta ITA 30
15 Denis Sacchetti Kawasaki ITA 22

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