Championship Leader Plans To Play To Crowd
Added on Friday, May 9th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Championship Leader Plans To Play To Crowd
Championship leader Troy Bayliss is hoping that he can record a home victory for Ducati in Monza and extend his WSB championship lead.
The Australian currently holds a 70-point lead over Carlos Checa after just four rounds of the World Superbikes season but has his sights set firmly on extending that lead in Monza this weekend.
Bayliss has fond memories of the circuit, having secured double wins in 2001, 2002 and 2006, and believes that the home support for the Ducati riders could will him on to his fifth and sixth victory of the season.
“I think Monza is a very special place, not just for me, and I’ve always enjoyed my time here. It’s also special because I started my career with Ducati here in 2000, basically I was signed there and then and I’ve had a good ride since then.”
But Bayliss did single out Noriyuki Haga as a major threat this weekend after the Japanese rider recorded a double victory in Italy last season.
“Nori was strong last year but we’re doing our best this year and I’ve love to get a couple of good results in front of the Ducati fans,” added Bayliss.
Haga is looking for a repeat performance as he looks to make up the ground on the runaway leader.
“I won here in 2007, and I want this year to be more of the same,” said the Yamaha rider.
“I hope it will be good weather during the weekend, we tested before the Assen race with the rain and when it rains Monza is dangerous. Unfortunately I’ve lost a lot of points already, now we have to recover.”
