Mladin, who hails from the Camden area on the southwestern outskirts of Sydney, NSW, is the only Australian rider ever to have won the 200-mile race at the famous banked Daytona International Speedway.

In preparation for the opening round of this years AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Superbike Championship, the fiercely competitive Mladin has, along with his Yoshimura Suzuki team, undertaken an extensive off season testing program so that the new 2001 model Suzuki GSX-R750 Superbike will be at its peak for the single most important race on the American motorcycle racing calendar.

"I can't wait to start racing this year, especially here at Daytona," said Mladin. "I think we've got the new Suzuki GSX-R750 sorted out quite well, but it wont be until we're all out on the track that we'll see exactly how we're placed. As usual we will be doing our own thing with regards to race strategies and make any changes that are required during the race when it happens."

"Daytona is the most important race of the year, not only for the riders, but the manufacturers. You have to put every effort in to win, but then you also have to remember that it is only the first round of a very tough championship and you have to take that into account before you start taking silly risks. I want to win Daytona again, but the championship is still the prime goal."

Weather conditions along the Florida coast have been extreme in recent days, with many rainstorms in the area. This however could relate to a faster race this week, if the track remains free of rain.

"The rain has cleaned a lot of the rubber and rubbish off the track and it is now quite clean," Mladin added. "If the weather stays cool and the track clean, I think we could see some very fast lap times. Maybe around a second a lap quicker."

Practice for this weekend's championship opener begins this Wednesday (March 7), followed by the all-important first qualifying session which determines the front row of the grid for Sunday's race. This is unique to Daytona where the front row is selected first, with the remainder of the positions being finalised after Friday's final qualifying sessions. The 57-lap Daytona 200 takes place on Sunday afternoon at 1:30pm (American east coast time).

2001 will also mark the 60th running of the 200, which has been won by many of the world's best motorcycle racers including, Giacomo Agostini, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and Kiwi Graeme Crosby. Mladin joined the list of great champions in 2000.

"It is very easy to get motivated here in America," said Mladin. "They don't like foreigners winning over here, so that is all I need to get fired up and go out and do what I have to. I've won the last two championships here and I do want to make it three, if not more. In recent weeks all I've heard is that Nicky Haydon (last years runner up) will be the one to beat, along with other guys like Kurtis Roberts. I'm sick of hearing that, so I'm just going to get out there and show them."

For 2001, Mladin will be joined by fellow Australian Peter Doyle, who takes over the role as crew chief. Doyle has been a very close friend of Mladin's since they worked together to win the 1992 Australian Superbike Championship. This reunion between the two, will add to the very strong Team Yoshimura Suzuki squad.

The Daytona 200 is the first of 14 scheduled races that will form the 2001 AMA Chevy Trucks US Superbike Championship. The season will also feature three double-header rounds (at Road Atlanta, Road America and Mid-Ohio) where the superbike stars will race on both Saturday and Sunday at each of these venues.

Riders Preview the event
Mladin - Russell - Hayden - Duhamel

2001 Daytona Preview

The History of Daytona and past winners

2001 Daytona Preview