Final home round of the year for Fabrizio
The next race venue of Imola is not just a special place for Michel because it is the last of three Italian-based rounds in 2011, but it is also a highly technical and challenging circuit he has won at as recently as 2009.
Said Michel, now seventh in the overall rankings, "Imola is one of my favourite tracks, not just because I have had some successes there but also because it is a great track to ride." He continued, "Technically it is challenging because there are lots of changes of elevation and also because there are some blind corners and so you need a good bike set-up and know where and when to brake. It is a track where it easy to make up time and very easy to lose time - especially if you get held up at the start. It is very important to be on the first two rows of the grid and then make a good start for the approach to the first couple of turns."
Fabrizio is well aware of what he must do this weekend to make his final results on raceday meet his ambitions. "My aim, as usual, is to try and qualify well and give myself a chance at the start of the race. I know that my race pace is good, but that's no good if I am down in eighth, ninth or tenth or so at the start. I need to be in the top four or five at the beginning and be fighting with the leaders."
A podium is the stated aim of Fabrizio before he starts at Imola, as he tries to consolidate his championship position. "My last podium was in Monza, in May, so I think it's about time I was there again - especially as I failed to score any points in the last round. There are just three rounds left this year and I want to do the very best I can in all of them and finish the last part of the season on a high."
