WSBK - Michel Fabrizio replaces Lanzi at Ducati
Discussion
Good move or bad? It'll be the detuned 1200 (1197cc) Ducati twin next year plus he'll be measured against Bayliss as his team mate. I think he'll put on a better showing than Lanzi has though. I think it's a good move.
Crash.net said:
The young Italian, a long time Honda favourite, will thus ride alongside double world champion Troy Bayliss during the new 1200cc Ducati's first WSBK season.
"I am really happy!" declared Michel, a DFX Honda rider for the past two seasons. "I hope I will give a good impression of myself within the team and I also hope I can enter the hearts of all the Ducatisti throughout the world. The decision came about while I was on holiday in August. I received a telephone call from Davide Tardozzi, who said there was a possibility of racing for Ducati, and that was a great satisfaction for me. It's a big commitment, we will have the new bike and I'm going to have to work really hard. I know we have 12 days of testing available and I've got to make the most of them, because I immediately have to get to know the new bike and start to gel with my new team. My first appearance will for sure be after October 30th, when my contract with Honda comes to an end, so that means in the scheduled tests in November. My team-mate Troy Bayliss is the only thing that I'm not worried about because Troy is a great person and a great rider, so I think I can learn a lot from him. I can't wait to start this new adventure!"
Fabrizio first caught Honda's attention with some impressive performances for the underfunded WCM
MotoGP team during 2004, prompting him to be placed within the Megabike Honda WSS outfit. Although he failed to win a WSS race, Fabrizio was promoted to WSBK with DFX in 2006 and has since claimed four podiums for the privateer team. Fabrizio's Honda links also allowed two wild-card MotoGP appearances with Gresini Honda - the first of which ended in injury at Donington Park 2006 and the second, at Sachsenring earlier this year, resulted in a tenth place finish. The soon to be 23-year-old has signed a one year contract with Ducati.
"We'd like to give a warm welcome to Michel who is a talented young rider and who in our opinion has not yet expressed all of his considerable potential," declared Ducati Corse Superbike Project Leader, Davide Tardozzi. "2008 will surely be an important season for him, seeing as for the first time he is part of a factory team. All of us here in Ducati Corse would like to thank Lorenzo Lanzi for the commitment he has demonstrated in these years, and for the popularity he has been able to create with all the many Ducati tifosi".
Lanzi's poor results during his two seasons as a factory rider - just three podiums and no wins - left Ducati with little choice but to sign a replacement, with BSB star Jonathan Rea also targeted for the coveted seat. While Ducati are clearly planning for the post-Bayliss era - the great Australian is expected to retire at the end of next season - some may express surprise that the factory has 'gambled' on Fabrizio, given Lanzi's problems, and when proven BSB, WSBK and even MotoGP race winners were available.
The lack of a strong second rider at Ducati was perfectly illustrated this season when injuries and incidents left Bayliss - and therefore Ducati - out of title contention. Nevertheless, if Fabrizio excels in the factory environment Ducati can rightfully boast that it has developed home grown talent to the highest level and spotted a future star.
"I am really happy!" declared Michel, a DFX Honda rider for the past two seasons. "I hope I will give a good impression of myself within the team and I also hope I can enter the hearts of all the Ducatisti throughout the world. The decision came about while I was on holiday in August. I received a telephone call from Davide Tardozzi, who said there was a possibility of racing for Ducati, and that was a great satisfaction for me. It's a big commitment, we will have the new bike and I'm going to have to work really hard. I know we have 12 days of testing available and I've got to make the most of them, because I immediately have to get to know the new bike and start to gel with my new team. My first appearance will for sure be after October 30th, when my contract with Honda comes to an end, so that means in the scheduled tests in November. My team-mate Troy Bayliss is the only thing that I'm not worried about because Troy is a great person and a great rider, so I think I can learn a lot from him. I can't wait to start this new adventure!"
Fabrizio first caught Honda's attention with some impressive performances for the underfunded WCM
MotoGP team during 2004, prompting him to be placed within the Megabike Honda WSS outfit. Although he failed to win a WSS race, Fabrizio was promoted to WSBK with DFX in 2006 and has since claimed four podiums for the privateer team. Fabrizio's Honda links also allowed two wild-card MotoGP appearances with Gresini Honda - the first of which ended in injury at Donington Park 2006 and the second, at Sachsenring earlier this year, resulted in a tenth place finish. The soon to be 23-year-old has signed a one year contract with Ducati.
"We'd like to give a warm welcome to Michel who is a talented young rider and who in our opinion has not yet expressed all of his considerable potential," declared Ducati Corse Superbike Project Leader, Davide Tardozzi. "2008 will surely be an important season for him, seeing as for the first time he is part of a factory team. All of us here in Ducati Corse would like to thank Lorenzo Lanzi for the commitment he has demonstrated in these years, and for the popularity he has been able to create with all the many Ducati tifosi".
Lanzi's poor results during his two seasons as a factory rider - just three podiums and no wins - left Ducati with little choice but to sign a replacement, with BSB star Jonathan Rea also targeted for the coveted seat. While Ducati are clearly planning for the post-Bayliss era - the great Australian is expected to retire at the end of next season - some may express surprise that the factory has 'gambled' on Fabrizio, given Lanzi's problems, and when proven BSB, WSBK and even MotoGP race winners were available.
The lack of a strong second rider at Ducati was perfectly illustrated this season when injuries and incidents left Bayliss - and therefore Ducati - out of title contention. Nevertheless, if Fabrizio excels in the factory environment Ducati can rightfully boast that it has developed home grown talent to the highest level and spotted a future star.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff