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1098 TAKES DEBUT VICTORY IN FIM SUPERSTOCK WORLD CUP |
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Tuesday, 03 April 2007 |
1098 TAKES DEBUT VICTORY IN FIM SUPERSTOCK WORLD CUP
Ducati Xerox Junior Team rider, Niccolò Canepa, took the brand-new
Ducati 1098 S to a sensational victory on its Superstock 1000 FIM World
Cup debut at Donington Park on Sunday. The award-winning 1098 which was
launched in Milan at the end of 2006, now leads one of the most
competitive production motorcycle championships in the world.
Canepa
powered into the restarted race from second on the grid and immediately
attached himself to the leading group. He lapped consistently, keeping
in touch with the leaders and preparing to make his move in the closing
stages of the race.
An incident at the ‘Melbourne Loop’ on the
penultimate lap saw the riders ahead of him, Pirro and Badovini,
collide and go down, leaving the cool-headed 19 year-old Italian to
take the chequered flag and an early championship lead ahead of Corti
(Yamaha).
Niccolo’ Canepa
“That was fantastic!” Enthused
Canepa, “A great day for Ducati, for the team and obviously for me.
Riding the new 1098 on its debut was quite a responsibility, but
winning the race was simply incredible. With the restart we had a few
concerns, but the bike’s perfect set-up allowed me to run just as fast
in the second part. I’m back to my winning ways, thanks to everyone!”
Race Results:
1. Canepa (Ducati 1098 S)
2. Corti (Yamaha)
3. Van Keymeulen (Yamaha)
4. Aitchison (Suzuki)
5. Baiocco (Yamaha)
6. Dionisi (Suzuki)
7. Simeon (Suzuki)
8. Tode (Honda)
9. Morais (Ducati 1098 S)
10. Mahr (Yamaha)
Ecc …31 finishers
Manufacturers Standing:
1. Ducati (25)
2. Yamaha (20)
3. Suzuki (13)
4. Honda (8)
The
Ducati Xerox Junior Team completed Sunday’s celebrations with a second
podium thanks to Domenico Colucci. The young Italian, racing for a
second successive year in the European 600 Superstock Championship, put
in a good race on his Ducati 749R to finish third, just a fraction off
the second podium slot after a terrific battle with Magnoni and
Antonelli.
The team’s next race will be at Valencia in Spain on April 15.
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