World SuperBikes - Rider quotes from Vallelunga 2007

World SuperBikes: Rider quotes from Vallelunga

(World SBK Release) Vallelunga: Rider Quotes - Biaggi, Bayliss, Toseland, Haga

Max Biaggi, 1st in Race 1, 2nd in Race 2: “Winning the first race here in front of my home fans is an incredible feeling. It's been a long time since I raced at Vallelunga, but the last time I was here, I won! So it's good to come back with a win.

“It took me a few laps to get going in race one, but once I got past Bayliss and into the lead, I was able to run at my own pace. I kept an eye on my pitboard and ran consistent laps and that was good enough to take the win. Winning a race is always special, but to win at your 'home' track in front of your own fans is even more special.

”Race two was very difficult race. There was a lot of cement dust on the track after an oil spillage in the race before. In some places there was so much dust flying around that it got on to my visor and it was hard to see where I was going! We all settled into the race after a few laps and I caught Bayliss and was ready to make my move. But, in one turn, I nearly hit him and avoiding him I ran a bit wide. That was the key moment of the race, because it gave him a bit of a gap. My tyres were spinning a bit, maybe because of the higher temperatures, but it was the same for everybody. I am a little disappointed because I really want to win both races today - for myself, my team and all the fans.

Troy Bayliss, 1st in Race 2, 2nd in Race 1: “It’s been a really hard day, it’s pretty warm out there and Vallelunga is a very physical track. I didn’t see the race before our race, and when I went out on the sighting lap there was cement dust everywhere for the oil and I was really concerned about that so the track was warmer but slower as well because you couldn’t use the right line.

“Congratulations to my Ducati Xerox squad, they’ve all worked hard. I put the bike down three times this weekend through a bit my fault and trying something new and sometimes you lose a little feeling as well. In the second race I wanted to change the rear tyre but my chief engineer Ernesto Marinelli wanted me not to and I went with his decision and I have to say ‘Ernie, you’re the man!”. It paid off so I put that win down to him!”

James Toseland, 3rd in Race 1: “We’ve gone from a really dominant and strong position on Saturday to really struggling today. The guys made a great job of rebuilding my number one bike after the Superpole crash and I chose to ride it. This was my decision and maybe it wasn’t the best decision because we struggled to get the traction control working. There was no improvement from race one to race two and race one was bad enough – definitely the hardest of the season so far.

“Having said all that, we’ve come out of today with a 29 point advantage. If someone had told me at the start of the season that that would the case I’d have been happy with that so it’s not that bad.”

Noriyuki Haga, 3rd in Race 2: "Today was a bit disappointing for me with regards to the tires. I used the same tire in warm up as in the first race but in the race it didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I ended up focusing on my finishing position rather than the race win because the grip had gone. I chose to use my second bike for second race because the two bikes feel quite different. I found it to be better feeling with better engine delivery. In the middle of the race I tried to catch Bayliss but I was unable to and so had to settle for third and 16 valuable points.

"Next weekend at Magny-Cours is going to be crazy with everyone going for the win but I'm still confident and determined. I've reduced the gap between Toseland and me and I'm not giving up yet!"