wombat666
Administrator
Reigning superbikes world champion Carlos Checa bounced back from a massive crash in race one to easily win the second race at Phillip Island on Sunday.
After a watchful start in the second race of the opening round, the Spanish veteran decided enough was enough on lap five, passing Honda's Jonathan Rea to move into the lead, which he held for the balance of the 22-lap race.
Ducati pilot Checa has now won four of the past five world superbike races at Phillip Island.
"I am very satisfied with that performance and it's good to have that winning feeling again, especially after the disappointing crash," said Checa.
But Italian Max Biaggi claimed the championship lead by winning race one aboard an Aprilia and then charging home ahead of Kawasaki's Tom Sykes to finish second in race two.
Biaggi ran off the track at turn one while battling with Sykes and then, against all the odds, started picking off riders at will, eventually moving into the top 10 by mid-race distance.
"It was a fantastic race and I am very happy," said Biaggi of his vintage performance.
"There was so much work to do make the top five but I reckon I made it look pretty smooth!"
Josh Brookes (Suzuki) was the first Australian home in race two in 15th position.
In race one, the 40-year-old Biaggi scored a comfortable victory over fellow Italian Marco Melandri.
Bryan Staring was the leading Australian, making up eight spots from qualifying to finish 10th on his privateer Kawasaki.
"We had a bit of luck when I finished 10th in race one, as there were a few crashes in front of me," said Staring.
"But it was unbelievable and I want to thank the people who have backed me all the way."
While Biaggi enjoyed clear air out in front, there were a number of battles behind him, including a fierce arm wrestle for second place between the BMW of Melandri and Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli on a Ducati, who came in third.
After the first of 14 rounds, Biaggi leads the title race on 45 points ahead of Melandri (30), British rider Sykes (29) and Checa (25).
The best local result at Phillip Island on the day came from Newcastle Honda rider Broc Parkes, who was a fast-finishing third in the World Supersport race.
Turkey's two-time champion Kenan Sofuoglu won from fellow Kawasaki rider Fabien Foret of France.
Biaggi was clocked at just over 323KPH aboard the Aprilia RSV4 several times on the front straight!
Unfortunately the Supersport 600 round was marred by the death of one rider and the hospitalisation of two others.
As usual, the only media coverage centred on the fatality.
"Teenager killed in Superbike race!" sums the general reporting up.
Aside from the fact that is was a Supersports round, the 17 year old rider had [so I'm informed] been riding for some 10 years.
It's always sad to lose such a young competitor, but Supersports is ultra competitive and inevitably claims lives.
After a watchful start in the second race of the opening round, the Spanish veteran decided enough was enough on lap five, passing Honda's Jonathan Rea to move into the lead, which he held for the balance of the 22-lap race.
Ducati pilot Checa has now won four of the past five world superbike races at Phillip Island.
"I am very satisfied with that performance and it's good to have that winning feeling again, especially after the disappointing crash," said Checa.
But Italian Max Biaggi claimed the championship lead by winning race one aboard an Aprilia and then charging home ahead of Kawasaki's Tom Sykes to finish second in race two.
Biaggi ran off the track at turn one while battling with Sykes and then, against all the odds, started picking off riders at will, eventually moving into the top 10 by mid-race distance.
"It was a fantastic race and I am very happy," said Biaggi of his vintage performance.
"There was so much work to do make the top five but I reckon I made it look pretty smooth!"
Josh Brookes (Suzuki) was the first Australian home in race two in 15th position.
In race one, the 40-year-old Biaggi scored a comfortable victory over fellow Italian Marco Melandri.
Bryan Staring was the leading Australian, making up eight spots from qualifying to finish 10th on his privateer Kawasaki.
"We had a bit of luck when I finished 10th in race one, as there were a few crashes in front of me," said Staring.
"But it was unbelievable and I want to thank the people who have backed me all the way."
While Biaggi enjoyed clear air out in front, there were a number of battles behind him, including a fierce arm wrestle for second place between the BMW of Melandri and Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli on a Ducati, who came in third.
After the first of 14 rounds, Biaggi leads the title race on 45 points ahead of Melandri (30), British rider Sykes (29) and Checa (25).
The best local result at Phillip Island on the day came from Newcastle Honda rider Broc Parkes, who was a fast-finishing third in the World Supersport race.
Turkey's two-time champion Kenan Sofuoglu won from fellow Kawasaki rider Fabien Foret of France.
Biaggi was clocked at just over 323KPH aboard the Aprilia RSV4 several times on the front straight!
Unfortunately the Supersport 600 round was marred by the death of one rider and the hospitalisation of two others.
As usual, the only media coverage centred on the fatality.
"Teenager killed in Superbike race!" sums the general reporting up.
Aside from the fact that is was a Supersports round, the 17 year old rider had [so I'm informed] been riding for some 10 years.
It's always sad to lose such a young competitor, but Supersports is ultra competitive and inevitably claims lives.
