Team Guandalini Racing - Monza - Race Preview - 9 May 2009
The first race in Italy for the World Superbike Championship comes on the fast track of Monza. The Brianza’s track has always offered a unique spectacle to all the fans of two wheels with its long straights interspersed with challenging chicane to slow down. Monza is the third permanent facility built in the world in which the superbikes reach 200 km/h on average lap. The track is 5793 meters long placed inside a wonderful historic nature park which covers an area of almost 700 hectares.
After the excellent results obtained in the Netherlands, Team Guandalini will do everything to not disappoint the many fans who will come to Monza to follow the races. All the sponsors and technical partners, thanks to their fruitful collaboration, allow the team from Bologna to take part in World Championship of derivatives of the series.
On the basis of the third place achieved by Jakub Smrz in the second race at Assen and the thirteenth place of Brendan Roberts that allowed him to take the first points, the team expects good performances from both drivers.
“In Assen I finally achieved my target and now we have to keep working hard. We showed we have big potential and that it's possible to stay in the front. I am really happy to get such a good result in a race and during the whole weekend my team and I did a great job. I like the Monza track and I was pretty fast there last year. I would like to score other important points there. Many people even think it should be normal for us to go to the podium from now on. I just want to do my best and get as many points as possible. I already had many races without points and I am still 10th in the championship which means we have really good chance to be on top!!!”
Jakub Smrz
“Assen was a weekend that didn't come as easily as I would have hoped for. Finding a setting that I was comfortable with was challenging, but in the final minutes of free practice before superpole I found confidence with the bike. During superpole I didn't use my qualifying tire to its potential which was vital for the start. To make matters worse in race one the bike didn't launch well when the lights went out so I went backwards very fast. The end of the race was more positive as I finished 16th, and I felt strong when the tires became worn without risking pushing it to the limit. In race two I made a more positive start but I couldn't find a good rhythm as I chased Tommy Hill. I found it hard to pass him as he was so deep on the brakes. I crossed the line in 13th position which is a step forward and I hope to keep progressing. Coming into Monza I can't say I'm over confident as I have never really clicked with the circuit, but my determination is high and I'll be giving everything I have to do well.”
Brendan Roberts