Leon Camier in action during the Monza round of the World Superbikes

Monza in northern Italy is the fastest circuit on the World Superbike calendar, so it was important to get the set-up of our Alitalia Aprilia RSV4’s as close to perfect as possible.

Last year, team-mate Max Biaggi got to the chequered flag first in both races, while I managed to take fifth in race one and fourth in race two.

We’d been experiencing some niggles throughout the weekend in free practice, with even an engine blow-out in one of the sessions but come Superpole, my Aprilia was feeling good.

Unfortunately, I made a mistake in turn seven. The rear of the bike came round on me, high-sided and then pushed me wide. I messed up basically and with such a competitive field, one mistake and you’re out.

So I was relegated to the third row in 10th position on the grid for the races.

Meanwhile, team-mate Max Biaggi took pole with an

all-time fastest lap average in WSBK history of 204.405mph.

In the early morning session before the race proper on Sunday, we’d experienced some electrical problems and I was unable to take part in the final shake-down.

With the lights going out to start race one, Eugene Laverty (Stonex/Sterilgarda Yamaha) was in first spot as we crossed the line at the end of the first lap, followed closely by team-mate Biaggi (RSV Aprilia). I’d managed to make up two places into eighth.

In the early stages of the race there was constant chopping and changing between Laverty and Biaggi with Marco Melandri following closely in third.

By one-third distance. I’d slipped back two positions to 10th and with six laps to go I was up to ninth and on the final lap I was able to grab eighth from series leader Carlos Checa (Ducati).

In race two, I got a much better start but further back there was mayhem as three bikes collided at the first chicane.

Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam, as well as Jakub Smrz, all crashed out and as we crossed the line, I’d got up to third with Biaggi and Corser in front of me.

Three-quarters of the way round the second lap I got past Corser and started to get into a rhythm to try and close down Max. For the next six laps my Aprilia was running sweet but as we got halfway round on lap 11 and approaching the exit to Lesmo Two, I let the brake off and the front of the bike tucked and down I went into the gravel – end of my race!

I have to say sorry to all of my team. A podium was on the cards, which would have been a great end to a couple of races where we’ve had nothing but bad luck.

We came to Monza feeling positive after a good test at Mugello. Unfortunately through one thing and another, we didn’t have enough track time at the weekend to make the most of the developments we found.

All-in-all not a brilliant weekend for myself or the team. However, the next round at Miller Motorsport in Salt Lake City, USA, is one circuit I really like.

Last year I had a fourth and a second, so with two weeks to sort out the gremlins, we’ll hope for a better weekend.