World SBK: 700th Podium, but no wins for Ducati at Misano 

World Superbike
Press Release

Despite no wins, with the podiums going to Fabrizio, Haga and privateer Shane Byrne, Ducati reaches a milestone at Misano: the two podiums scored in Race 2 signify the 700th and 701st visit by a Ducati rider to the Superbike podium since the championship began. At the same time, Noriyuki celebrated his 99th Superbike podium.

“I did my best to stick with Ben in Race 1 but I think the fact that he changed from wet to dry set-up one or two laps before me made the difference, because I took a few laps to get feeling in the dry and then it was too late to catch him or Shane,” Michel Fabrizio said. “In the last lap Smrz was right there on my tail and I went wide at one point but luckily he didn’t get past me and I finished third. In the second race I struggled a little with the front tire and it seemed that today Rea’s Honda had a little something over us in its acceleration. It’s a shame it couldn’t be another win but, with two podiums today, I’m very happy, it’s my best ever result at this track and I know I did all I could so you can’t ask for more than that. I’ve just a few points behind Ben again now so, yes, I can’t help thinking about the title but in order to be a serious contender I know I need to remain consistent and clock up some race wins from here on in.”

“I am a bit disappointed with how Race 1 turned out. While on the wet set-up I was having all kinds of problems with the rear tire that was sliding all over the place compared to other riders out there so I lost some positions before I came in to change bikes,” Noriyuki Haga. “Then I went back out on an intermediate/slick tire combination that was perhaps not so suitable because in the final laps I was finding it difficult to maintain my pace and couldn't push as I wanted to. Race 2 went much better, I got a great start but once Johnny, and then Michel, came past me it was hard to keep pace; maybe because they are so much younger than I am! Joking aside, I made good points all things considered, especially seeing as this has never been my favorite track, and now I’m looking forward to the next round at Donington where I’ve done well over the years.”

June 22, 2009