Team Alstare Suzuki's Max Neukirchner (Photo: Suzuki Racing) » More Photos

BRUISED ALSTARE MEN READY FOR MONZA

Team Alstare Suzuki head to the fifth World Superbike Championship round at Monza this weekend battered and bruised but eager to attack the podium at the famous Italian circuit.

Fonsi Nieto injured his knee in the last round in Valencia and was unable to train until yesterday but is keen to put away his Assen disappointment and get back on the podium again.

Although Max Neukirchner did not fall in Assen, his superb podium in race one masked his ongoing recovery from the broken collarbone sustained in the previous round in Valencia.

Yukio Kagayama was the only one of the three not troubled by injury as the team left the Netherlands and the Japanese rider is really looking forward to Monza and its high-speed turns.

Fonsi Nieto:

"Last year at Monza, I was on a different bike, so the first thing I will have to do is learn the circuit on my GSX-R1000 Suzuki. It is a not a difficult circuit but it is a circuit where you have to have a good bike set-up and also know when to use slipstreaming. Our bike has got good top speed and I hope to be able to use this advantage to good effect in the races. But first I have to qualify well. This has been a bit of a problem and meant that I've had to work extra hard in the opening laps, so I'm hoping to do better in qualifying and Superpole this weekend."

Yukio Kagayama:

"Last year my Monza results were so-so and this year I want to do much, much better. I like high-speed corners and I think we can have a good result at Monza. My plan is to do a good qualifying and Superpole and be in a good position on race day. Then, I just want to attack the podium!"

Max Neukirchner:

"My body was destroyed after the second race in Assen, but now I have had time to recover and I am looking forward to Monza. I think the track should suit our bike and I am looking for at least one podium. Slipstreaming is crucial at Monza and it's easy to get caught out at the end of the race. It's possible to be fifth going into the Ascari chicane and still win the race, so tactics are very important and you have to have a good plan if you want the podium.