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Out of all the top riders in the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship, Marco Melandri is the only one who is not entirely familiar with Monza, the traditional venue for the Italian Round. So the man from Ravenna will more or less be lining up for his debut race at the Autodromo Nazionale next weekend.

"I've actually only raced once at Monza, on a Honda 125 at the start of my career," declared the Yamaha World Superbike man. That was back in 1996 when Marco was just 14 years of age.

"I was without any experience whatsoever and I remember it being a very complicated weekend. I only did five laps in practice in dry conditions. At the start of the race it was raining and I crashed at the first chicane. Just as well that now it's different..."

So we can say that you've never really raced at Monza. How are you going to learn the track?
"I know that in these cases some riders go on the Playstation, but I'm not convinced it's much use. In my opinion it's not really worth watching the previous years' races either because you can't get much of an idea of the lines from the TV."

So what are you going to do?
"I'll wait for Thursday and then do a few laps on a scooter."

This will be the first time you'll be racing in Italy in World Superbike. What sort of emotions will you be feeling?
"For sure it'll be a very special Sunday for a lot of reasons. And Yamaha also has its base not far from Monza, so there'll be a dedicated grandstand. I'm counting on sending them all home satisfied..."