When Michel Fabrizio hits the track this weekend in Monza, he’ll be doing so in front of his home crowd. The Italian rider took a 1-2 finish at Monza in 2009, but was unable to find the podium in 2010.
"Racing in my home country is always fun and I don't see this as extra pressure because I always want to do well,” said Fabrizio. “Monza is one of the most famous circuits in the World and is known to fans everywhere. It is very interesting to have a look at the old part of the circuit and see the steepness of the banking. It's hard enough to walk up it, so I cannot imagine how they ever raced round it.”
Fabrizio hasn’t been able to reach the podium during the 2011 season, but the Suzuki Alstare rider is hopeful about his chances this weekend.
"I will be riding at Monza for the first time on the Suzuki, so I and the team will be working very hard right from the start of the first free practice to get a good set up. I have spent the last few years racing a twin cylinder bike at Monza and I'm really looking forward to seeing the difference on a four.
“I'm hoping that it is going to be as much fun as I think it will be and that I qualify well and give myself a chance of being with the leaders right from the start. World Superbikes is so competitive these days that you cannot afford to qualify anywhere but the front two rows of the grid if you want good results. My aim is to qualify well and then enjoy myself in the races on Sunday - hopefully in front of all my fans!"
