Monza will be one of two home Italian-based rounds for the Sterilgarda Ducati team, which will start round five of the 2008 championship with Xaus fifth in the points and Biaggi eighth.

Both riders have taken a best finish of second so far this year, but Borciani believes it will be tough for the team to take its first 1098 win around the high-speed Monza layout.

"This is our home-round. I really would like to get an excellent result and then celebrate with the sponsors and the supporters," said Borciani. "The riders are motivated and we have done our best to fine-tune the machines. I just hope we are not going to pay too much for the [top speed] gap to Suzuki and Yamaha..."

Superpole top speeds - set without the aid of a slipstream - at the recent Assen round were headed by Yamaha Italia's Noriyuki Haga, who hit 287.5km/h. Next best was Alstare Suzuki's Yukio Kagayama (282.3km/h), followed by team-mate Max Neukirchner (280.8km/h).

The highest Ducati top speed in qualifying was 276.5km/h by Troy Bayliss, with Xaus clocking 271.6km/h.

"We are going to face a hard-fought round, but I really would like to get the best in front of our Italian supporters," said Xaus. "I feel really good and I hope to minimise the gap to the 4-cylinders, especially during qualifying."

Team-mate Biaggi was visibly dejected after failing to qualifying for Superpole at Assen, something he aims to make amends for in front of his home fans this weekend as his injured wrist approaches full fitness.

"Last year I made my debut here at Monza and I got immediately the podium," recalled Max. "On this track I really like the mid-fast corners and above all the huge turnout of fans coming from each part of Italy. I want to meet the challenge and I want to give a good result to my team, to the sponsors, and to the supporters."