Monza: Alstare Suzuki preview

The fourth round of this year's Superbike World Championship takes place at Monza -- one of the most famous race circuits in the world. The 5.793 kilometre track 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-R750 European Cup) took a superb double. It is a feat that 2005 series leader Troy Corser would like to emulate for, so far, 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, so the prospects look good.

Troy

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 preseason 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

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.

-tas-