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The leading riders and figures from the Two Countries Cup were introduced formally to the WSBK paddock on Saturday afternoon at Misano, the scene of the first of two race meetings designed to bring on and publicize talent from the Russian Federation and non-professional riders. The two-race series has its first race this weekend at Misano, then a second later in the year at the Canyon Circuit near the Tatarstan city of Kazan, in the Russian Federation.

On stage were Alexander Yakhnich of Yakhnich Motorsport, Paolo Ciabatti from Infront Motor Sports and Claudio Corsetti, an Italian journalist who runs racing schools and is now a partner in the thrust to develop young Russian and Italian talent on two wheels. Joining them on stage were several competitors from the new race class, including fastest qualifier so far, Vladimir Leonov.

The press conference was also the opportunity for the media to ask about the possibility of a race in Russia in 2012, and as Mr Yakhnich explained, there are two possibilities, the Canyon Circuit in Kazan and the Moscow Raceway, some 70km from the capital. Each circuit is about to undergo an FIM inspection, with work already started at each to meet the standards of international racing at the highest level.