News 25 Mar 2011

Yamaha rookies look to extract full potential at Donington Park

Yamaha's Marco Melandri is looking to build on momentum gained at Phillip Island.

Yamaha's Marco Melandri is looking to build on momentum gained at Phillip Island.

Italian former MotoGP runner-up Marco Melandri will be looking to build on experience gained at round one when when World Superbike continues at Donington Park this weekend.

Melandri is a rookie in the WSBK ranks and sits an impressive third in the standings after Phillip Island, now hopeful of an even better performance after doctors have confirmed his shoulder is reaching 100 percent fitness again.

“I’m feeling good and very happy to be getting back on my bike this weekend, one month with no riding seems very long,” Melandri commented. “Donington has always been a good track for me, I had good races there in MotoGP and I think our bike will work well.

“My only concern is the weather, I’m hoping for some sunshine as I still haven’t had much experience on the Pirelli wet tyres.”

Standout rookie Eugene Laverty will make his debut at home aboard the factory Yamaha YZF-R1 this weekend.

Laverty was leading race one for a period at Phillip Island, before race two saw multiple ghost neutrals hide his true potential, however he’s confident he can impress in front of a home crowd come Sunday.

“I’m pretty excited for Donington. After Phillip Island it’s looking very promising, we showed a lot of potential there,” Laverty commented.

“We’ll wait and see what the results are come Sunday but I’m quietly confident, I think we are going to be very strong.

“I like Donington a lot, especially the fast flowing nature of the track and I’ve always enjoyed riding it.”

Laverty sits in ninth overall heading into this weekend’s round of the championship.

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