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World Superbike Round 11 of 12

HONDA MEN UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF CLASSIC ITALIAN VENUE

Chris Vermeulen (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) is the current form man in the championship chase, having won three of the last four races in the series, to add to his previous lone 2005 success. He will be going for far more than race wins five and six this weekend, however, as he attempts to take another significant chunk out of championship leader Tory Corser's 60 point championship lead. With 100 points up for grabs, Vermeulen knows he has to win, and hope Corser hits problems, to go to the final round in Magny Cours with a chance of the title. The lure of race wins will be strong for him this weekend nonetheless, especially as he knows he was the winner at another fast Italian circuit in May this year - Monza.

Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) has attacked his rookie season with the kind of aggressive riding that gave him the 2004 World Supersport trophy, but his fortune has not always matched his desire in his novice Superbike season. He continues to hunt for his first podium finish this weekend, sitting 11th overall.

Strong points scores are the ambition of Pierfrancesco Chili (Klaffi Honda CBR1000RR) this weekend, as he attempts to stay inside the top ten until the end of his first year on Honda Superbike machinery. Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda CBR1000RR) is in his rookie SBK season per se, and after some highs and lows is hoping to have a solid weekend at Imola, with good finishes from both races.

Ben Bostrom (Renegade Honda Koji CBR1000RR) is a big name World Superbike rider on the comeback trail in 2005, looking for a personal best of sixth in race two at Valencia to be improved upon at Imola.

In the overall championship battle Vermeulen knows he is not entirely the master of his own destiny, but also knows that only wins are good enough. Vermeulen also tips his team-mate for a brace of good results this weekend.

"I'm not feeling any pressure because, as I said after the last round in Germany, this is Troy's title to lose," opined a realistic Aussie. "The last two rounds were good and we took 50 points out of his lead, but we have to do even better than that over the last two rounds. We had a little hiccup at Imola last year but I won the Supersport title here in 2003 and I like the circuit a lot. I think the bike will work here as it really has been getting better and better all season, as the last few results have shown. But, as well as Troy trying to wrap things up, there are going to be some other quick guys at Imola - the Ducatis were strong last year so Toseland should be in there, and Laconi if he's fit enough. Haga will be fast and hopefully Karl (Muggeridge) can start to get the kind of results his qualifying form has suggested."

For Chili Imola is very much a hometown track, and he wants to sign off his 2005 season with good memories, for both himself and his many fans.

"The many ups and downs are characteristic of Imola," said the most experienced SBK rider of them all. "The different surfaces of the different parts make the track even more varied. I like Imola, because in 2004 I finished 2nd in the first heat and 4th in the second race. During the last weeks after the Lausitz race I did a lot for my physical fitness. Especially cycling and swimming - totally sports. And my mechanics used the time to optimize my Fireblade even more. So the conditions for Imola are perfect. Bologna, my hometown, is only 30 minutes away and a lot of Frankie fans will come to Imola. I'll give my all to make some good results for them."

Muggeridge is fully charged for a good weekend, and simply loves the curves, undulations and overtaking opportunities offered by the city centre circuit of Imola.

"I like Imola and won the Supersport race in 2003 and again last year on my way to the title. I don't see any reason why we can't get a good result on the Superbike this time round," said an ever-positive Muggeridge. "I know the race results haven't been exactly spectacular this year but I'm actually feeling pretty confident in myself and in the bike. We just need everything to fall into place to unlock this thing. The season's been pretty up and down - I've had my share of bad luck and the good things that need to happen to get a good result just haven't all happened together! Everyone in the team is trying really hard to make it happen and I really believe that it's a question of 'when' now, not 'if'. I'm looking forward to Imola and Magny-Cours - I like the fact that they're back-to-back races, and I'm hoping to finish this year on a high."

Neukirchner's desire to finish inside the top ten drives him on at Imola; a track he knows is one of the most difficult in world racing.

"Last year I had my first ride at Imola and finished 'only' 14th in Supersport race," said Neukirchner, wistfully. "Imola is really fast and risky and most of the turns are blind. It goes downhill and then immediately uphill again with full speed. It is a challenge for my Klaffi Honda Fireblade and me but I know we are in good form. Some top results at Imola and Magny Cours would be fine cause I'm longing to finish 10th in the Championship. With 98 points I'm on 13th position at the moment, only 20 points away from Lanzi, who is still 10th. With some good luck I will succeed!"

Bostrom, who's previous two race weekends had been hampered by injury from a crash while testing in race conditions at a BSB meeting, was glad of the break between the Lausitz race and this one.

"I was just glad of a bit of time to heal properly," said the popular American. "My internal injuries were bad at Assen but better at Lausitzring, so I'm just glad that my back has had some more time to heal up before Imola."

After the Imola weekend is completed there will be a dash to Magny Cours for all the competitors, to take part in the final weekend of the championship, 7-9 October.