Preview - Misano.

Thursday, 23rd June 2005

The Corona Extra Superbike World Championship may only be reaching its 2005 halfway point at Misano this weekend, but it is already looking like mission impossible for some riders as they attempt to rein in runaway points leader Troy Corser.

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It may be 75 race since Haga last set pole position - at Sugo in 2002 to exact - and ten since he recorded his last win - Magny-Cours in 2004 - but 'Nitro Nori' heads to Misano buoyed by a race two podium at Silverstone. Chili, meanwhile, is hoping for a happy return to one of his home tracks, having last won when the series visited Misano in 2004. Laconi could be the pre-race favourite, however, having not suffered a mechanically-induced retirement for some 30 races - if the Frenchman can remain on board, Corser could find himself a race-long rival.

One other milestone of note... since Colin Edwards defection to MotoGP, America has struggled to find a WSBK replacement, and Misano mark the 1000th day since anyone from the land of the free took a pole, win, fastest lap or podium finish in the international series. Over to you, Mr Bostrom...