Xerox Ducati rider
Troy Bayliss will aim to maintain his strong form at Monza to increase his World Superbike Championship lead as the series heads to Italy for the fifth round of the season.
Bayliss currently holds a 70 point lead over
Carlos Checa in the standings on the back of his double win last time out at Assen and will look to repeat that form at a venue where he has already 'done the double' on three occasions in the past.
Aside from those six wins in 2001, 2002 and 2006, the Australian also took two podium finishes at Monza last year and he said he was confident of another strong weekend this time around.
"Monza is one of my favourite circuits," he said. "This weekend I will take it as it comes really. I'm quietly confident about the races and although the four-cylinders are undoubtedly going to go well, I don't think we'll be at a big disadvantage regarding speed.
"Monza is a very special track for me and the fans are amazing here too and always want to see me do well so I'd love to come away with another couple of great results."
Team-mate
Michel Fabrizio heads to his home round of the season just ten days after undergoing surgery on an arm injury and has been receiving regular therapy to ensure his fitness for the Italian race weekend.
"My arm is feeling much better," he said. "I have no problems regarding movement and I can straighten my hand out completely, something I was unable to do before the surgery. It all went as planned and now I'm concentrating on training and getting further physiotherapy so as to be fit and ready to race.
"It'll be great to be at Monza, riding in front of the Italian fans, my 'home' crowd, as part of the Ducati Xerox Team."
