Despite finishing the first lap in 15th position, after being run wide in the first chicane by another rider, Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) battled back to finish fourth and retain his second place in the championship after seven rounds.
Broc Parkes looked like a sure podium finisher until he lost the front end on lap nine of the Misano World Supersport race, dropping from second to 17th, before re-starting his stricken machine.
Each of the two top Yamaha riders had started from the front row, but in a race littered with crashes and retirements, and conducted in temperatures of 33°C, few pre-race plans came to a satisfactory climax in the Misano cauldron.
Parkes leaves the Misano round with both the circuit best WSS lap, set in qualifying, and the new official lap record, 1'40.187, set on lap three of the race.
Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) had work to do after qualifying on the fourth row, but recovered his speed and composure in front of his home fans to record seventh in the race, and jump up to ninth in the championship. David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport Team) fell on lap three, after tangling with another rider.
Fabien Foret (4th - Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"I got pushed wide by another rider in the first corner and that put me way back in the order. Things could have been much better because I didn't come here to finish fourth. This morning our set-up was good but it was a little bit more difficult this afternoon. I think the bike may have been a bit more sensitive in the heat. I could not find the same rhythm after the first chicane incident. The biggest problem was at that point, but in the traffic you slow down and afterwards it was difficult to get a good rhythm again."
Broc Parkes (10th -Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"We got out of the gate good and put some laps together but I didn't want to keep pulling Andrew along. When I went into the last right on the ninth lap I crashed as I released the brake, and the bike was gone very quickly. I thought it was just a small front-end slide but when I got on the gas I was already on my way to the ground. I picked the bike up and the handlebar was out of position, but I continued to get as many points as possible."
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team)
"This is Misano, we know there is a narrow line here and a few people crossed it. Fabien was pushed wide by another rider in turn one after his start had been not that bad. Lascorz went into him and hit him really hard so Fabien was quite angry. I think he went to 15th place but he rode a good race from then on to get fourth. Fabien is second overall still and Broc third but it's hard to say anything about today except that we are disappointed with the results, after such good qualifying performances."
Massimo Roccoli (7th - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni)
"I had a hard time at the start because of my qualifying position, then getting involved in a fight with another rider. When I got past him I could make up ground. From a row further forward I really think I could have got a top five or maybe even top four finish today."
David Salom: (DNF - Yamaha Spain)
"I started quite good and in the second lap I was behind Foret, so I wanted to go with him. Suddenly Lagrive passed me, but he crashed and hit my bike. I couldn´t avoid crashing. It's a real pity because I am sure we could fight for a top ten finish. Luck is not with us this season."
Circuit Length: 4060
Temp: 32
Crowd: 68000
Weather: Hot and Sunny
2008 WSS San Marino - Misano 29/06/2008 Race 1 - 22 Laps
1 Andrew Pitt Honda AUS 37'8.387
2 Craig Jones Honda GBR 0'5.347
3 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 0'9.183
4 Fabien Foret Yamaha FRA 0'13.784
5 Robbin Harms Honda DNK 0'15.863
6 Mark Aitchinson Triumph AUS 0'15.967
7 Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 0'21.689
8 Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 0'24.070
9 Ivan Clementi Triumph ITA 0'26.075
10 Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 0'30.387
11 Gianluca Vizziello Honda ITA 0'32.578
12 Chris Walker Kawasaki GBR 0'34.648
13 Gianluca Nannelli Honda ITA 0'36.040
14 Joshua Brookes Honda AUS 0'37.896
15 Danilo Marrancone Yamaha ITA 0'40.167
Best Lap Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 1'40.187
Rider Standings 29/06/2008
1. Andrew Pitt Honda AUS 113
2. Fabien Foret Yamaha FRA 97
3. Broc Parkes Yamaha AUS 87
4. Joshua Brookes Honda AUS 85
5. Joan Lascorz Honda ESP 81
6. Craig Jones Honda GBR 80
7. Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 67
8. Robbin Harms Honda DNK 50
9. Massimo Roccoli Yamaha ITA 34
10. Gianluca Vizziello Honda ITA 33
11. Chris Walker Kawasaki GBR 31
12. Matthieu Lagrive Honda FRA 28
13. Barry Veneman Suzuki NED 27
14. Gianluca Nannelli Honda ITA 23
15. Mark Aitchison Triumph AUS 20
24. David Salom Yamaha ESP 8
Manufacturer Standings 29/06/2008
1. Honda 165
2. Yamaha 125
3. Triumph 48
4. Suzuki 36
5. Kawasaki 35
- Yamaha Amsterdam -
