Ducati Xerox team rider Noriyuki Haga is becoming desperate to turn around his fortunes during the 2010 season, however a rocky past at Miller Motorsports Park in the United States doesn’t look to be the turning point for the Japanese veteran.

Haga has struggled to sixth position in the series to date this season, picking up a lone race victory at Valencia, with much of his season spent fighting to earn a place in the top five.

“I’ve had some bad luck at Salt Lake and so I can’t say it’s my favourite track,” Haga commented. “Two years ago I broke my collarbone and then I crashed again there last year, hurting my back which made the races difficult. I hope we can do better at Miller this season as we need to make up lost ground at this point.”

A busy month for the Ducati Xerox Team that, having already raced at Monza and Kyalami, now travels on to Salt Lake City, where the seventh World Superbike round of the year will take place on Memorial Day Monday in the US.

In contrast to teammate Haga, the Salt Lake circuit has looked kindly on Italian rider Michel Fabrizio who, in the last two years, has scored four consecutive podium finishes at the American track.

Fabrizio sits eighth in the standings entering Miller, however a race one victory at the most recent round in South Africa has marked the highlight to date.

“I’m looking for a great weekend at Miller as I like the track and the American crowds and I’d love to be back on the podium there, maybe even on the top step this time!” said Fabrizio. “I don’t know why but the track seems to suit my riding style and I’m really looking forward to going back there again. I’m in eighth position but with good points I hope to be able to catch the riders immediately ahead of me in the standings.”

Speculation that the Ducati Xerox Team has been considering expanding to a three-bike effort for Australia’s dual world champion Troy Bayliss remain unfounded at this time.