First qualifying day at Monza for the 4th round of WSBK Championship, where we have seen the debut on the 749R Ducati for Stuart Easton as substitute of Joshua Brookes.

Roberto Rolfo worked most for the setting of his bike and the result make quite satisfied at the end the Scuderia Caracchi 999F05 Ducati rider that recorded the 10th fastest.

“Today we made a good job and I’m quite happy for what we got.” – siad at the end of the day Roberto Rolfo. – “We sterted in the right way, quite determinated and following a good working line to eliminate the problems we suffered in Valencia and be back once more competitive. In the afternoon the weather conditions were quick changeable, so it was important to look first for a good qualifying lap time, maybe disregarding the fine set up. I’ve been able to improve my performance, also if I was alone along the track and it was starting a very light rain. The sector that we have now to take care is the part between the Roggia chicane and the second corner of Lesmo, the slowest corners where I’m not stil confident to opent the throttle as I like. We’ll work on this problem tomorrow. It’s a long time I don’r ride in Monza and this track, excluding the first chicane, is still full of fascination and very demanding. That’s a “true” circuit full of history and where the setting is very important.”

Luka Nedog showed some improving signal, the shoulder injured in Misano gives no more pains and the young Slovenian rider likes the very fast Monza circuit.

“Monza is a very difficult track, both for the engine, always at full throttle, as for the rider for the high speed.” – commented at the end of the first qualifying session Luka Nedog – “The bike performs well, I have to interpret at the best the racing lines, maybe following for some lap one of the fastest riders. However I feel quite well and tomorrow I’ll look to improve my performances and earn some position, hoping that the weather will not make us a bad joke.”

Shool day for Stuart Easton; the young Scot passed this debut day to improve his feeling with the bike, the team, the circuit and the tyres, which are different of what he’s using in the British Championship.

“For me everything is new.” – said Easton at the end of qualifying time – “Also if I’m used to ride in UK a Ducati 749R here is everything quite different. The Scuderia Caracchi machine is fantastic, very very fast, more today has been the fastest in the speed trap. But I have to be accustomed to the new tyres, to the whole ambience and the World Championship pace. The track is very demanding because doesn’t let a moment of peace, but I like it. Today it has been a studying day, but I’m sure that finding some of the fastest to study better the lines my lap time will increase quickly.”

Easton - Profile

The young and promising Scottish rider Stuart Easton will ride, starting from Monza round, the 749R Ducati of Scuderia SC Caracchi. Easton, also ingaged in the British Superbike Championship in the British Ducati dealer Team, will miss probabily the rounds of Brno and Imola, which coincide with British Championship events.

Stuart Easton was born in Hawick, Scotland, in 1983 July 21 and all of his sporting career carried out in his homeland. He debuted just 16 in 1999, getting immediately the affectionate nickname “Rat Boy” for his tiny physique. During 1999 he earned the second place in the national championship 125 Sport Production riding an Aprilia.

For 2000 he passed to 125GP on a Honda ending in 3rd position, then in 2001 he moved to 250, always on a Honda, recording the 4th place in the championship.

In 2002 he met the Ducati Supersport and soon he grabbed the national Supersport award, confirming his talent in the following season as runner-up in Supersport championship.

The season 2004 was very difficult: moved to Superbike he suffered a bad accident during the second round of the championship in Brands Hatch which stopped him for the most of the season owing the bad injuries at his right arm.

Back in Supersport during 2005 season he earned the 3rd place in the championship, recording two victories at Croft and Brands Hatch. In the present season he is 3rd in the championship after three rounds, scoring a victory at Brands Hatch.