BOTH DUCATI XEROX TEAM RIDERS ON THE PACE IN EXCITING FIRST QUALIFYING
SESSION AT IMOLA

Imola (Italy), Friday 30 September: Both Ducati Xerox Team riders James Toseland
and Régis Laconi were right on the pace in an exciting Friday first qualifying
session at Imola. Title contenders Troy Corser (Suzuki) and Chris Vermeulen
(Honda) were the only riders to dip under 1m50s and they were followed by
Lausitz winner Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati SC Caracchi) who is running a third factory
Ducati 999F05 bike with additional Xerox logos.

Toseland, on good form throughout the session, was on course for a top 3 time
when he lost the front of his Ducati 999F05 on the entry into the Variante Bassa
five minutes before the end and crashed. A visit to the Clinica Mobile revealed
a slightly swollen right hand but no broken bones.

“The session was going really well, we tried something new with the front fork
that seemed to work” explained Toseland. “I put the qualifier in and was
confident of getting in the top 3 positions. I did a good lap then went into the
last chicane. I was pushing hard, I felt it go, go, go, then caught it but it
just kept on going. There were ten yards to the line and the bike nearly set
third fastest time on its own! I was sliding along the floor and Chili was right
behind so I tried to get up but didn’t realise I was still rolling along at 50
mph! I just tripped up, bumped my head, slapped my hand on the floor and bent my
fingers back. I still have to work on the acceleration into the second Rivazza
left but generally the bike feels good all around the circuit”.

Règis Laconi returned to the track for the first time since damaging the tendons
in his right arm one month ago at Assen but appeared to show few ill-effects as
he eased his way back into the action, ending up tenth quickest.

“I feel pretty good and I’m just pleased to be back on the track after a month’s
inactivity” commented Laconi. “With my arm I’m not riding the way I usually do,
I try to compensate with the rest of my body, but all things considered things
are not that bad. We worked calmly today, I wanted to try a different tyre but
so far we haven’t seen much of a positive result. I only did 14 laps because we
changed a lot of things. I’m losing a bit of time in the final part of the
circuit so we have some work to do to improve in that sector. But I’m pretty
happy overall”.

TIMES:

 1. Corser (Suzuki) 1m49.161s
 2. Vermeulen (Honda)        1m49.280s
 3. Lanzi (Ducati SC)        1m50.007s
 4. Martin (Petronas)        1m50.028s
 5. Chili (Honda)            1m50.029s
 6. Kagayama (Suzuki)        1m50.126s
 7. Pitt (Yamaha)            1m50.142s
 8. Toseland (Ducati Xerox)  1m50.487s
 9. Muggeridge (Honda)       1m50.537s
10. Laconi (Ducati Xerox)    1m50.560s