Nori Haga will look to end over 10 years without a win at Misano when the FIM Superbike World Championship points leader arrives at the San Marino track this weekend.

The Ducati Marlboro rider, who first raced at Misano in 1998, has yet to win a race at his team's 'home' circuit and he is puzzled why his form there has never been good.

He said: "The Misano track is very small and tricky with high speed corners that require aggressive braking. I prefer the new layout but it remains nonetheless a difficult track for me, I don't really know why. It's always so hot there too, so the tyre choice really comes into play."

The Japanese rider also hopes to return to form after a disappointing last round at Miller Motorsport Park in the USA where he finished eighth and ninth.

That allowed American Ben Spies to cut Haga's lead in the championship standings to 53 points.

Although Haga has reservations about the circuit, he is still looking forward to racing for Ducati in front of Italian fans.

"Anyway, it will be good to be back in front of the Italian crowds, Misano has been the 'home' race for Ducati in the last years so I'm sure it'll be crowded with Ducatisti," he added.

"After a crash - and the less than perfect results at the last round of Salt Lake - I plan to be back on form and fighting to win at Misano."

A top-three finish in both races at Misano would take Haga to 100 podium finishes in World Superbikes.