News

Fabrizio winds down factory Ducati operation with a podium

Wednesday, 6 October 2010 12:02 GMT
Fabrizio winds down factory Ducati operation with a podium
Michel Fabrizio pulled the curtain down on the factory Ducati operation with a podium place at Magny-Cours in France. The Italian gave his all to reward the team with one final result, scoring a third place finish in Race 2. Fabrizio oscillated between third and fourth place until the last lap when a final attack on Guintoli paid off and Michel crossed the line in third, a fraction of a second ahead of the Frenchman.


At the end of the 2010 World Superbike Championship, Fabrizio closes in eighth, having accumulated 195 points. The team has celebrated victories at Valencia, Kyalami and Nurburgring and thanks also to these results, Ducati finishes second in the manufacturers championship.


The two races were the last ever for the Ducati Xerox factory team; as already communicated, Ducati will support satellite teams that participate in the 2011 SBK championship rather than run a factory outfit. Over the last 22 years of competition, Ducati has amassed 16 manufacturer's titles, 13 rider's titles and a total of 718 podiums, 291 of which race wins.


"The first race didn't go as planned and front tyre wear gave me a lot of problems, preventing me from catching those ahead," said an emotionally charged Fabrizio. "In Race 2 I had a great battle with Guintoli. I was braking as hard and as late as possible in order to make up what I was losing on the straights and I had to attack for third right on the last lap. Sylvain wanted the podium because it's his home race but I wanted it for my team and to wrap up the last three years with the Ducati Xerox team in the best possible way. I thank Ducati, my entire team, the sponsors and the fans; this is our day and I'm going to enjoy it with my team."