Ducati Blog » Michel Fabrizio

Czech Grand Prix Free Practice 1 results

admin — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:27:41 +0000

Cardion AB Grand Prix Ceske Repupliky

Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1’56.595 294.599
Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1’56.994 293.000 0.399
Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team Honda 1’57.584 297.684 0.989
Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1’57.741 290.556 1.146
Andrea Dovizioso Repsol Honda Team Honda 1’58.172 294.037 1.577
Toni Elias San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1’58.295 288.847 1.700
Mika Kallio Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1’58.302 296.296 1.707
Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1’58.497 289.699 1.902
Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1’58.582 294.599 1.987
Marco Melandri Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1’58.739 292.682 2.144
James Toseland Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1’58.764 290.556 2.169
Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1’58.821 291.183 2.226
Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1’59.041 290.010 2.446
Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1’59.055 290.791 2.460
Niccolo Canepa Pramac Racing Ducati 1’59.531 289.855 2.936
Gabor Talmacsi Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1’59.979 292.365 3.384
Michel Fabrizio Pramac Racing Ducati 2’00.423 292.762 3.828

Michel Fabrizio to ride for Pramac Racing in Brno

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:08:27 +0000

As Mika Kallio moves into the Ducati Marlboro factory team to temporarily replace Casey Stoner for three races, Italian WSBK Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio will ride for Pramac Racing in the Czech Republic.

Ducati satellite outfit Pramac Racing welcome Italian rider Michel Fabrizio into their ranks for this weekend’s Cardion AB Czech Republic Grand Prix as a substitute for Finland’s Mika Kallio.

Due to Casey Stoner’s ongoing health problems the Australian rider will sit out the next three rounds, so Kallio has moved up into the factory team on a temporary basis, allowing 24 year-old Fabrizio to make a return to MotoGP.

Fabrizio, who currently rides for Ducati in superbikes, spent a year in the 125cc class with Gilera in 2002, rode for Aprilia in MotoGP in 2004 and made his last World Championship appearance in Germany on a Honda in 2007.

“I want to thank Ducati and Pramac for this gift. Brno is my favorite track and therefore the right place to come back riding a MotoGP 800cc bike after the last time at Sachsenring two years ago. I know that I can’t expect too much because the GP9 is so different compared to my 1198 F09. The priority is to have some fun and enjoy a different weekend for me. I also want to wish all the best to Casey to be back in top form as soon as possible!”

Paolo Campinoti

“As soon as we found out that Casey wouldn’t ride for the next three races at Brno, Indianapolis and Misano, together with Ducati Corse managerial staff we decided that our rider Mika Kallio would ride with the Ducati factory team due to the good results he has achieved with us. So we were looking for a valid substitute for Kallio and Ducati’s proposal to take Michel Fabrizio was the optimal choice. Although he is still young Michel has great experience and we believe he can get good results.”

Ducati Celebrates 700th Podium in World Superbike

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:38:20 +0000

Ducati Xerox riders Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga rode a stressful 24–lap first race at the Misano World Circuit today, in which “flag-to-flag” rules were implemented due to the wet track conditions at the race start. An impressive race from Fabrizio and his Ducati 1198, finishing in third, on the podium for the first time in Misano, while teammate Haga also made up many positions to cross the line in fifth. In Race 2 Fabrizio narrowly missed out on the win, to conclude in second just 0.06 of a second behind Rea (Honda) and less than half a second in front of team-mate Haga.

Despite no win today, with the podiums celebrated by Michel, Noriyuki and privateer Shane Byrne, Ducati reaches a milestone: the two podiums scored in Race 2 signify the 700th and 701st visit by a Ducati rider to the Superbike podium since the championship began. At the same time, Noriyuki today celebrated his 99th Superbike podium. A frenetic Race 1 ensued when the race was declared wet but the track quickly began to dry, meaning that the Superbike teams put into practice the “flag-to-flag” procedure, with riders able to change bikes, from a wet to a dry set-up, at any point they chose during the race. The majority of the riders on track rode on rain tyres for the first half of the race before making the swap, including Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki, who came in during lap 10, and Michel in lap 13. Noriyuki lost a few seconds in making the changeover and then both Ducati men admitted that it took a few laps to find feeling with their 1198 machines on the drying surface but they were soon comfortable enough to begin their progression through the field, making up many positions in the latter stages of the race.

Race 2 was dry from start to finish and turned out to be a spectacular three-way battle for the win. Haga made a flying start to take the lead in the opening laps before soon losing the advantage to Jonathan Rea (Honda). In the subsequent laps it was the Ducati Xerox team-mates Noriyuki and Michel who battled it out between themselves for second place with Rea just ahead of them. In the sixteenth lap Michel made a move from second position, got past Jonathan and continued to command the race until the very last lap when Rea manoeuvred his way back past the Italian rider, leaving Fabrizio and Haga to come home in second and third.

The championship leader remains Noriyuki Haga who, after the first eight rounds of the championship, has accumulated 292 points, to the 244 points held by current second-placed rider Ben Spies. Michel Fabrizio chases, just behind Ben with 237 points. Ducati continues to lead the manufacturers championship with 351 points ahead of Yamaha (287 points).

Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 – 3rd, Race 2 – 2nd)

“I did my best to stick with Ben in Race 1 but I think the fact that he changed from wet to dry set-up one or two laps before me made the difference, because I took a few laps to get feeling in the dry and then it was too late to catch him or Shane. In the last lap Smrz was right there on my tail and I went wide at one point but luckily he didn’t get past me and I finished third. In the second race I struggled a little with the front tyre and it seemed that today Rea’s Honda had a little something over us in its acceleration. It’s a shame it couldn’t be another win but, with two podiums today, I’m very happy, it’s my best ever result at this track and I know I did all I could so you can’t ask for more than that. I’ve just a few points behind Ben again now so, yes, I can’t help thinking about the title but in order to be a serious contender I know I need to remain consistent and clock up some race wins from here on in.”

Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 – 5th, Race 2 – 3rd)

“I am a bit disappointed with how Race 1 turned out. While on the wet set-up I was having all kinds of problems with the rear tyre that was sliding all over the place compared to other riders out there so I lost some positions before I came in to change bikes. Then I went back out on an intermediate/slick tyre combination that was perhaps not so suitable because in the final laps I was finding it difficult to maintain my pace and couldn’t push as I wanted to. Race 2 went much better, I got a great start but once Johnny, and then Michel, came past me it was hard to keep pace; maybe because they are so much younger than I am! Joking aside, I made good points all things considered, especially seeing as this has never been my favourite track, and now I’m looking forward to the next round at Donington where I’ve done well over the years.”

Ducati.com

Haga Breaks Nine-year Assen Curse With Race 2 Triumph

admin — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:30:05 +0000

The Dutch crowds were witness to two spectacular Superbike races today at the historic TT circuit and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) followed up a second place finish in Race 1 with a brilliant victory in Race 2, his second win at this track after the first, achieved nine years back in the year 2000.

In Race 1 Ducati Xerox rider Noriyuki Haga did not made a brilliant start and spent the first laps playing catch up to Ben Spies and Max Neukirchner. Once the second-placed Suzuki rider was out of the way, after an unfortunate fall during lap six, Noriyuki was able to choose his moment carefully to pass Spies during the twelfth lap. He subsequently held on to the lead ahead of Spies and Englishman Haslam until the very last lap when the American executed a well-timed pass that left Nitro-Nori with no time to retaliate, meaning that man in red Haga just missed on victory by a tenth of a second.

Meanwhile Noriyuki’s team-mate Michel lost a few positions due to a not particularly fast start and although he made up a few places by mid-race, the ensuing close battle between himself, Smrz, Rea and Laconi made things tough and Fabrizio thus concluded Race 1 in ninth position.

In Race 2 Noriyuki again got off to a flying start and went straight to the head of the pack, a fraction of a second behind Spies, who passed the leader’s baton on to Haga during the very first lap when he highsided in spectacular fashion and was thus forced to retire from the race. Haga then ran a lonely race up front, with team-mate Fabrizio and Honda rider Haslam fighting behind him for the second and third positions. Unfortunately Michel, who held off fourth-placed Smrz for the majority of the race, began to have problems getting his 1198 into gear during the final laps and eventually this meant that he just lost out on third, having to settle for a fourth place finish.

Noriyuki’s performance today means that he has further increased his championship lead, with 180 points and a 60 point advantage over second-placed Spies. The manufactures championship continues to be led by Ducati with 180 points, ahead of Yamaha with 145.

Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 – 2nd, Race 2 – winner)

“It’s been a great day for us and after nine years I have finally won again at Assen; I am very happy. In Race 1 I was a little disappointed to just lose out on the win on the very last lap but it was a great race. I set off strong but Spies and Haslam rode so hard today. First I had to push hard to catch Spies which was quite difficult as my bike was still not working perfectly and then to hold the lead was not easy either as the two of them were breathing down my neck. We changed the setting of the bike slightly for Race 2 and I was extremely comfortable on it. I’m sorry that Ben fell as I think we would have had another good battle but for me and my team it’s been a very good day. I thank my engineer, my team, Ducati and the sponsors and now we head to Monza for the next challenge.”

Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 – 9th, Race 2 – 4th)

“I am of course very disappointed as I did my utmost to be on the podium here today. I had to grit my teeth in both of today’s races as I was once again having problems with my arm. In the last few laps I was having trouble changing gear and this then forced me to slow in the last lap, which meant that Smrz passed me at the final corner. I guess that, looking on the positive side, it’s a good thing it happened at the end of the last lap because at least I was able to finish the race and take important points. These things happen and we look ahead to Monza. After recent testing there I’m sure my team will work hard to give me a winning bike for the next round and I hope to be able to celebrate a win with them there.”

Noriyuki Haga Twice On The Podium Today In Qatar

admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:09:21 +0000

In the second round of the 2009 World Superbike Championship, taking place today at the International Circuit of Losail in Qatar, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) returned to the podium after powering his Ducati 1198 to a second place finish in both of this afternoon’s races.

In Race 1 Noriyuki made a great start and was up in second place behind Aprilia’s Max Biaggi for the first twelve laps before both riders were passed by American Ben Spies on the Yamaha who held the lead to take the win. Noriyuki and Max spent the last few laps battling for second and it was the Ducati Xerox rider who kept the pace to ride his 1198 to a second place finish, taking important championship points in the process. Unfortunately Michel Fabrizio had less success and after making up several places, from fourteenth to seventh, in the first seven laps, a technical problem meant that he had to deactivate the bike’s anti-spin, without which he suffered a fall.

In Race 2 it was once again Noriyuki, Max and Ben who fought for the lead, with Ben ultimately winning and proving that he had the stronger package on track today. Noriyuki was determined to repeat his first race performance and finished once again ahead of Biaggi, replicating the podium of Race 1. Michel did not make the best start and was down in seventeenth place in the first lap. He tried to catch up as he did in the first race but the lack of rear grip forced him to stop in the garage where the rear tyre was changed. Michel exited once again and registered his fastest lap of the race but concluded his race early due to the two lap gap that had built up during his pit-stop.

Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 – 2nd; Race 2 – 2nd)

“I am very happy with today’s results because we maintain the championship lead. Race 1 was a hard race for me, and I had to really fight with Ben (Spies) and Max (Biaggi). In the first laps I was holding the pace with Max no problem but then I started to have rear tyre problems and it became harder to keep up. Ben passed us both and there was no way either of us could catch him; I enjoyed racing with Max but the closing laps were hard. Race 2 was almost the same, another race against Max. I held the lead for the first five laps with Max behind but then, as before, Ben took control and got away from us both. Anyway, good results and good points for us and thanks to my team for putting together a great bike after some initial difficulties on Thursday.”

Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 – DNF; Race 2 – DNF)

“Today is a day to forget; we must move on. In Race 1 I had a technical problem with the anti-spin so I deactivated it but riding without that electronic support was hard and caused me to fall. In the second race I decided to come into the box after eight laps to change the rear tyre that had caused me problems from the first lap. The tyre was changed and I went back out but the gap that had opened up prevented me from fighting for points and so I concluded my race early.”

Ducati.com

Noriyuki Haga To Start From The Front Row Tomorrow At Qatar

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:06:56 +0000

After another challenging day on track at the International Circuit of Losail in Qatar, the Ducati Xerox rider Noriyuki Haga earned a well-deserved place on the front row of tomorrow’s grid, concluding a closely fought Superpole with the fourth fastest time of the day on board his factory Ducati 1198. Yamaha’s Ben Spies dominated today’s sessions to take the Superpole, closely followed by Smrz on Team Guandalini’s Ducati 1098 and by Biaggi (Aprilia) who has done well at this track in the past.

Noriyuki’s Italian team-mate Michel Fabrizio will line up in tenth position on the grid after having made a small mistake during what needed to be his fastest lap in the second Superpole session.

Both Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki and Michel continued to struggle throughout today’s sessions with major problems due to lack of rear grip. Nevertheless, in the second qualifying session this morning, Michel was able to improve slightly on the time he set yesterday to qualify in seventh place for the afternoon’s Superpole. Team-mate Noriyuki fought a losing battle during the morning and concluded the qualifying sessions in fifteenth position, making up for this however in the Superpole that followed.

Noriyuki Haga 1m57.8s

“I am very happy to be on the front row of the grid tomorrow, a big improvement on my grid position in Phillip Island! We have had some problems today and yesterday with the rear grip but we think that we have found a way forward for tomorrow’s races. Tomorrow will be tough, not just for me but for all of us, and so to be able start from the front row will of course be an advantage.”

Michel Fabrizio 1m58.9s

“I unfortunately made a small error while making the fast lap in the second Superpole session. At the penultimate corner I was in the wrong gear, I should have been in second when I was instead in third and I know I lost a few tenths during that split as a result. Although I had time to make one further lap the tyre was already gone. I had at least hoped to get into the top eight but it was that mistake that cost me a place further forward on the grid. Anyway I will do my best tomorrow, as always, and hope that is enough.”

Ducati.com

A Tough First Day For The Ducati Xerox Team At Losail

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:00:46 +0000

The Ducati Xerox Team faced hot and humid conditions today at the International Circuit of Losail with track temperatures in the high thirties during the afternoon’s first qualifying session.

This meant that Ducati Xerox man Noriyuki Haga, riding high on the back of his win at Phillip Island two weeks ago, and team-mate Michel Fabrizio both experienced a lack of grip, especially at the rear, which has meant that they have been working with their teams to find the best compromise regarding the set-up. Before the end of today Michel had registered the eighth fastest time and Noriyuki the eleventh fastest lap.

With the exception of two very fast times registered this afternoon by Yamaha rider Ben Spies and Honda’s Jonathan Rea, lap times were extremely close with seventeen riders lapping within a second of each other. Temperatures are set to rise even higher during the next two days, making for exciting racing on Saturday.

Michel Fabrizio 2m00.1s

“It feels like we lost his morning’s session as we completed very few laps so have had to make up for that this afternoon during qualifying, and haven’t had time to make the progress we hoped for. If we had gone straight out this morning without problems we would surely have done better than we did this afternoon. I have had some problems with grip and we need to see which tyres can last race distance but all in all, I’m reasonably confident for now and we know what we need to try tomorrow in second qualifying.”

Noriyuki Haga 2m00.2s

“Today was a strange day for me. We tried a different rear suspension setting to that used in Australia but the grip did not improve as we expected it to. Anyway the feeling I have with the 1198 is good and tomorrow we really just need to resolve the fact that I’m lacking rear grip. I will speak with my technicians again to decide how we will proceed tomorrow, we need to find a new way forward. There were some fast times recorded today so I need to pick up my pace tomorrow.”

Ducati.com

Ducati Xerox Team Flies To Qatar; Haga Aims To Consolidate Championship Lead

admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:59:40 +0000

Just eight days after Noriyuki Haga’s debut win with the Ducati Xerox Team at Phillip Island, the Borgo-Panigale based squad departs for Qatar today for Round 2 of the 2009 World Superbike Championship.

Both Noriyuki and his Ducati Xerox team-mate Michel Fabrizio made a strong start to the season on board their Ducati 1198 machines, as Noriyuki’s win and second place took him straight to the top of the leader board, with a 15-point advantage over second-placed rider Neukirchner, while Michel lies in sixth position after securing strong fourth and fifth place finishes in the two Australian races. Noriyuki’s results also mean that Ducati currently leads the constructor’s championship.

Last year Qatar hosted the opening round of the championship and it was not an easy weekend for either Noriyuki or Michel. Both Ducati Xerox riders will be looking out for Corser and Biaggi, the riders that have faired the best at this track since it’s inclusion on the Superbike calendar for the first time in 2005.

Noriyuki Haga

A third place in 2006 is Noriyuki’s best result thus far at the Losail International Circuit.

“Well I can say that I’m very happy with how things went at the first races at Phillip Island and I’ll be trying my best to have an equally successful weekend at Qatar. I am very pleased with the performance of the 1198 and my team have been fantastic so we’ll be working hard to repeat our Phillip Island success. Each of the fourteen rounds will be a big challenge for me, and I will face each one in the same way, with the aim being always to win!”

Michel Fabrizio

After a third place finish in the Supersport race in 2005, Michel has not visited the podium here since moving to Superbike, his best result so far a fifth place last year.

“To be honest I hoped to do better at Phillip Island but what I didn’t do there I’ll be trying to do at Qatar of course. I’ve had ups and downs at Losail and the last time I was on the podium was in 2005 so it’s about time I stepped up there again! I’m in shape, I’m feeling comfortable on the 1198 and I’m ready to race. As long as we don’t get the rain that the GP guys just experienced over there, then we’ll be fine.”

Ducati.com