Ups and downs for Benelli after a year in WSBK.

The San Marino round of the World Superbike championship was a weekend of ups and downs for Benelli Sport. The meeting marked the anniversary of
Benelli's return to World Championship motorcycle racing but it?s been a tough year for the team.

On the positive side Peter Goddard managed to get the Benelli Tornado home in 15th place in race one, scoring another championship point. "We?ve sorted
out some of the problems we've been having with the bike," said Goddard. "The bike has handled better here this weekend, we?ve had none of the
chatter we suffered at previous rounds. But there?s still things we need to do."

Team Owner Andrea Merloni concurred with Goddard's comments, "Unfortunately we're not going to have time to make any more modifications before Laguna Seca but we should be able to get some work on the bike completed in time for Brands Hatch at the end of July."

In race two Goddard was pushing through the field and was on target for more championship points when the bike stopped. "It's been very hot here today," explained Merloni, "and the engine suffered a problem in the second race which stopped Peter?s good progress through the field. We'll all be hoping
for a better result at the next race and we?ll keep on working hard to develop the full potential of the Benelli Tornado."

The 68,000 crowd at Misano enjoyed the sight of the two beautiful Benelli Tornado road bikes on display outside the Benelli hospitality area for the
weekend. There was a constant throng of people admiring and photographing the green and silver bikes, which are now on sale world-wide.