Riders
Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser are both have a proven record at Monza, in races and Superpole, with Haga looking to repeat his double win of one year ago after finishing just two of the last four races.
The Japanese star's 2007 double effectively marked the start of a title charge that took him to within two points of
James Toseland by the season finale, but Haga faces a much even tougher challenge in 2008.
Haga will start this weekend a massive 111 points behind
Troy Bayliss, having been just 27 points from Toseland at the same point last season.
"The Monza race is very special and important for us all," said Nori ahead of this weekend's Italian encounter. "Last year was great. I set a super lap of 1min 44.941secs in Superpole and won both races. As you probably know by now our Yamaha Motor Italia base is very close to the Monza circuit, so many friends and fans come along to cheer me. My aim for Monza will be to repeat the same fantastic result as last year. The competition is even harder this year so my aim will be not so easy, but I will try to get as many points as possible."
Although still chasing a debut R1 victory,
Troy Corser's championship position is looking more healthy. The double world champion heads to Monza third in the standings, 89 points behind countryman Bayliss and 19 from Ten Kate Honda's
Carlos Checa.
"We have had some small problems in the past races but as far as the season goes I would say we can mark ourselves as eight out of 10," declared the Australian, who won for Suzuki at Monza in 2005. "Although I haven't won a race yet I am still sort of up there in the championship standings, in third right now. My form is good and my motivation is still high and I just try as hard as I can to win races.
