SENSATIONAL LANZI STORMS TO POLE POSITION FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM –
TOSELAND COMPLETES THE FRONT ROW

Lausitz (Germany), Saturday 10 September: Italian Lorenzo Lanzi caused a major
sensation in World Superbike this afternoon as he stormed to pole position on
the Xerox-backed Ducati 999F05. 23-year-old Lanzi, who was called in this week
by Ducati Corse from Scuderia Caracchi to sub for the injured Régis Laconi, has
been in terrific form ever since he sat on the bike for the first time on Friday
morning. Lanzi’s time of 1m39.019s was the quickest lap ever recorded around
the 4.265 km Eurospeedway Lausitz circuit and his pole position was the first by
an Italian in factory Ducati colours since Pierfrancesco Chili at Assen in 1998.

“To be honest I really didn’t expect to set pole, but seeing as how well I began
the weekend on Friday, I was really hoping to be able to do it. After all that’s
what I’m here for and today I demonstrated that I can stay with the best of
them” declared Lorenzo. “Getting on a new bike, one of the best in the world
championship and immediately setting pole position with the riders that there
are around today is not an easy task, but I succeeded, and in particular it
gives me great pleasure to beat Corser, who is a real Superpole specialist.
Today I couldn’t ask for more and I am so happy! This morning I crashed but it
helped me to find the limits of this bike, I only slid off and it wasn’t
serious. I’ve got a fantastic feeling with this bike, hopefully tomorrow I’ll
get a good start and then we’ll see in the races!”.

James Toseland was not far behind on the #1 Ducati 999 and the British rider
lines up on the outside of the front row for tomorrow’s races, alongside Lanzi
and the other two front row men, Troy Corser (Suzuki) and Chris Vermeulen
(Honda). “I’m happy to be on the front row, it’s been a bit difficult this
weekend. Friday morning was good but then we hit a bit of a brick wall and we
just need to take that one little step further” commented James. “I had a tumble
this morning and bruised my arm but it was only a slow crash and I’m all right.
We’re going to try something tomorrow morning but I’m quietly confident for the
races. We’re just losing a bit of time in one section but it’s mainly me really
and we need to sort it out. I need to be on the front row here, it’s very
important to get a good start and stay with these boys and I’m looking forward
to tomorrow. But big congratulations to the other guy in the Ducati Xerox Team,
Lorenzo Lanzi, who really deserved it today, first time in the team and first
pole position!”.

STARTING-GRID:

 1. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox)     1m39.019s
 2. Corser (Suzuki)          1m39.092s
 3. Vermeulen (Honda)        1m39.275s
 4. Toseland (Ducati Xerox)  1m39.665s
 5. Pitt (Yamaha)            1m39.899s
 6. Muggeridge (Honda)       1m39.924s
 7. Haga (Yamaha)            1m40.109s
 8. Neukirchner (Honda)      1m40.187s
 9. Kagayama (Suzuki)        1m40.191s
10. Martin (Petronas)        1m40.282s