The current World Superbike leader Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) contniued to gain points for the championship as he finished in third position ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) and Eugene Laverty, while Alex Lowes and Leon Camier both crashed out of race two.

Others not to finish race two included Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team), Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing), Matteo Baiocco (Barni Racing Team) and Chris Vermeulen who was a non-starter.

WSB Brno Results:

1. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) 40′21.646
2. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 40′21.868
3. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 40′25.204
4. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 40′29.509
5. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 40′30.180
6. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 40′39.731
7. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 40′43.296
8. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 40′43.508
9. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 40′46.952
10. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 40′49.012

It was Checa who who pulled away from the start putting some distance between himself and the chasing pack with another cracking ride.

But both Rea and Biaggi managed to catch the Spaniard and crucially pass him, putting fresh air between themselves and the Althea Ducati.

While Biaggi and Rea would swap places a couple of times it was the British rider who came out on top of the tussle, claiming his third win in as many races at the Dutch circuit.

Checa continued his own incredible run in 2011 with another podium finish in third place, maintaining his lead in the 2011 championship.

Tyre wear appeared to be a crucial factor throughout the weekend and was costly for some of the Brit’s involved, particularly harsh on both Eugene Laverty and Tom Sykes who had been on a stonking pace early on in the race, scything their way through the pack.

Leon Haslam crashed his bike on lap three but was able to carry on running to finish the race in a disappointing 12th position, while Leon Camier promised much but was let down by his machinery.

2011 World Superbike result – Race one – Assen

1. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 35′46.486
2. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 35′47.225
3. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 35′50.058
4. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 35′55.994
5. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 35′56.378
6. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 35′57.606
7. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 36′01.721
8. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 36′16.567
9. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 36′18.557
10. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′21.486
11. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′29.773
12. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 36′31.775
13. Barry Veneman (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 36′31.784
14. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′37.250
RT. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 29′26.185
RT. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 29′26.621
RT. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 28′48.258
RT. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 16′56.882
RT. Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 13′28.961
RT. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 10′50.393
RT. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 5′04.247

The first three riders over the finish line in race two were the same three guys who took the podium in race one, but with the order reversed.

Carlos Checa once again forced himself to the front of the pack and despite being passed by Haga, was able to regain his composure and position where he stayed for the majority of the race.

Biaggi remained in close company with the Spaniard for much of the race and as Checa’s softer tyres began to wear, the Italian sat comfortably waiting to pounce.

It seemed just a question of time before Biaggi would make the move on Checa and it finally happened with three laps remaining when the Italian got a good run out of the chicane with the Ducati struggling for grip.

With Biaggi pulling away it looked certain that he would be claiming his first victory of the season, but somehow Checa fought back and with a lap to go he not only passed the Aprilia with a stunning overtaking manoeuvres, but made sure the door was firmly shut behind him to take a well deserved win in race two.

Four British riders followed Checa and Biaggi home, with Rea finishing in third place followed by Leon Camier, Leon Haslam and Eugene Laverty. Tom Sykes finished race two in 11th position.

2011 World Superbike result – Race two – Assen

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 35′38.693
2. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 35′39.217
3. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 35′42.277
4. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 35′44.606
5. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 35′55.609
6. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 35′56.068
7. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 35′56.433
8. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 35′57.022
9. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 35′57.071
10. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 35′57.097
11. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′04.977
12. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′05.746
13. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 36′17.307
14. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 36′19.517
15. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 36′19.646
16. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′19.675
17. Barry Veneman (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 36′24.116
18. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36′45.657
RT. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 25′56.759
RT. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 11′29.069

Biaggi was fined €3000 for the assault and it was Melandri who had the last laugh in the Donington Park race although it was British riders Leon Haslam and Leon Camier that made the front running during the early stages of the British round.

Haslam looked comfortable leading the race for six laps, but could do nothing to compete with the pace of Jakub Smrz who breezed into the lead opening up a two and a half second lead.

Melandri then broke free from the chasing pack to put in some astounding lap times to catch and pass Haslam and mount his assault on Smrz, who he would pass with five laps to go, easily holding on for his first victory in World Superbike.

As Haslam appeared to struggle with the BMW, 2011 round one double race winner Carlos Checa eased his way past and into third in the final lap.

By that time Camier was struggling with fitness and the handling of his bike and ended the race in eigth position, while fellow Brit Tom Sykes crashed out in the late stages while riding a comfortable pace in fourth place.

World Superbike results – Round Two Donington Park – Race One

1. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 34′33.189
2. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 34′35.644
3. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 34′39.028
4. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 34′39.365
5. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 34′42.228
6. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 34′42.404
7. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 34′43.149
8. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 34′48.049
9. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 34′48.066
10. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 34′49.371
11. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 34′59.009
12. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 35′01.567
13. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 35′05.058
14. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 35′13.204
15. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 35′33.317
RT. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 25′35.167
RT. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 24′17.861
RT. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 7′43.215
RT. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 4′37.934

In Race Two, it was Haslam who again got off to a flier, but it was the Spaniard Carlos Checa, looking as smooth as you like on the Althea Ducati who soon passed and led the rest of the race to earn his third victory out of four races and stretch out a lead on his rivals for the 2011 crown.

Again Melandri and Camier were strong throughout the race, gradually picking up pace and passing Haslam on lap seven.  A mistake by Haslam on lap eight cost him some time and left Camier and Melandri to put some distance between themselves and last years WSB runner up.

There was a decent fight between Camier and Melandri as they fought for second place, the Brit tiring towards the end of the race and finishing in third, three seconds behind the Italian with Checa three seconds further ahead for the win.

Max Biaggi was disqualified from the second race following a jump start on the start line, after not responding to his penalty he was black flagged on lap nine.

World Superbike results – Round Two – Donington Park – Race Two

1. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 34′21.537
2. Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 34′24.934
3. Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 34′27.439
4. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 34′35.379
5. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 34′35.790
6. Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 34′40.950
7. Michel Fabrizio (Team Suzuki Alstare) Suzuki GSX-R1000 34′41.815
8. Jakub Smrz (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 34′42.697
9. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team) BMW S1000 RR 34′45.835
10. Ruben Xaus (Castrol Honda) Honda CBR1000RR 34′46.444
11. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Effenbert-Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 34′53.977
12. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Superbike) Kawasaki ZX-10R 34′54.216
13. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 34′55.607
14. Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) Yamaha YZF R1 34′57.955
15. Roberto Rolfo (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 35′05.574
16. Mark Aitchison (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 35′13.949
17. Noriyuki Haga (PATA Racing Team Aprilia) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 35′18.171
RT. Maxime Berger (Supersonic Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 1′41.588
EX. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 13′50.189

What might have been surprising is that despite closing the gap on the Althea Ducati during qualifying, none of the other teams could get close to the Spaniard on the track, leaving Checa to romp away and build up a significant lead in both races.

2010 World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi was best of the rest, securing the second podium place in both races while most of the action on the track was taking place in the jostle for the final podium spot, with Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri claiming the place respectively over the two races.

Eugene Laverty who finished fourth in race one had led the race from the start, but first Checa and then Biaggi squeezed past him within a few laps. Leon Haslam fought it out with both Laverty and Melandri for a grandstand finish for third place on the final straight with Haslam claiming the spoils.

Haslam was in particularly good spirits after race one, suggesting that the BMW may yet be the surprise package in race two.

It appeared that the Pocket Rocket may have been right when he blasted the BMW into the front on race two, but it was all too brief and Haslam soon encountered some sort of problem with the bike allowing the front runners to pass.

It was then pretty much a repeat of race one, Checa way out in front and this time Biaggi fighting for second place with Melandri and Haslam behind in a battle with Jonathan Rea.

As Checa slowed to a cruise for the final couple of laps the battles behind closed in on the leader, but he was always in control, showboating his way to the second victory of the day.

Biaggi held of Melandri for second and third, but Haslam was caught and passed on the final straight by a determined Rea to wrap up the top five.

Carlos Checa leads the 2011 World Superbike Championship with a maximum 50 points from Australia, Biaggi sitting pretty with 40 points in the bank.

2011 WSB Round One: Phillip Island, Australia: Results;

Race One

1. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1098R 34mins 16.503s
2. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +4.365s
3. Leon Haslam GBR BMW Motorrad S1000RR +10.719s
4. Eugene Laverty IRL Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +11.266s
5. Marco Melandri ITA Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +11.293s
6. Michel Fabrizio ITA Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +12.039s
7. Jakub Smrz CZE Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +20.294s
8. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki RTS ZX-10R +20.742s
9. Noriyuki Haga JPN PATA Aprilia RSV-4 +22.421s
10. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR +25.822s
11. Roberto Rolfo ITA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +29.270s
12. Jonathan Rea GBR Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +31.059s
13. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +31.721s
14. Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW Italia S1000RR +36.389s
15. Bryan Staring AUS Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +36.470s

16. Ruben Xaus ESP Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +41.928s
17. James Toseland GBR BMW Italia S1000RR +55.239s
18. Josh Waters AUS Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 +1min 00.312s
19. Mark Aitchison AUS Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +1min 00.316s
20. Maxime Berger FRA Supersonic Ducati 1098R +1min 30.125s

Not Classified
21. Joan Lascorz ESP Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 13 laps completed
22. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R 6 laps completed

Race Two

1. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1098R 34mins 15.041s
2. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +1.188s
3. Marco Melandri ITA Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +1.406s
4. Jonathan Rea GBR Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +10.563s
5. Leon Haslam GBR BMW Motorrad S1000RR +10.885s
6. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +16.914s
7. Noriyuki Haga JPN PATA Aprilia RSV-4 +17.558s
8. Michel Fabrizio ITA Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +17.679s
9. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki RTS ZX-10R +18.070s
10. Ruben Xaus ESP Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +19.053s
11. Jakub Smrz CZE Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +19.060s
12. Roberto Rolfo ITA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +23.771s
13. Josh Waters AUS Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 +23.956s
14. James Toseland GBR BMW Italia S1000RR +28.713s
15. Eugene Laverty IRL Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +32.673s

16. Mark Aitchison AUS Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +33.226s
17. Bryan Staring AUS Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +42.598s
18. Maxime Berger FRA Supersonic Ducati 1098R +51.819s
19. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR +55.738s

Not Classified
20. Joan Lascorz ESP Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 14 laps completed
21. Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW Italia S1000RR 0 laps completed

Cal Crutchlow 2010

Cal Crutchlow and Max Biaggi shared the victories in the World Superbike Championship finale at Magny-Cours in France at the weekend in two superb races.

In race one it was Cal Crutchlow who finished his World Superbike season in style yesterday, crossing the line 4 seconds ahead of second placed man Leon Haslam.

Crutchlow passed Max Biaggi on lap 8 of the first race, where he remained to claim his third victory of the season and his final win in the World Superbike series.

The battle continued behind the Sterilgarda Yamaha rider for the second step of the podium with Biaggi, Haslam and Carlos Checa fighting it out between them.

Haslam and Checa both made it past the newly crowned World Champion Biaggi with last gasp moves in the final chicane, but Biaggi’s fourth place was enough to snatch the constructors championship for Aprilia at the expense of Ducati who bow out of WSB following this weekend.

In race two it was Biaggi who took the chequered flag, after a fantastic battle with Cal Crutchlow saw the pair swapping places at the front with Michel Fabrizio taking the third step of the podium.

Biaggi got the jump on Crutchlow from the start but lost the lead to local favourite Sylvain Guintoli who started second on the grid.

Biaggi muscled his way past Guintoli after the long run up to the Adelaide hairpin and remained in front for the rest of the race. Crutchlow passed the French rider on lap fifteen and set about catching the champion, but could not find a way past, finishing under a second behind for second place.

Despite the French fans getting behind Guintoli, the Suzuki Alstare rider had his pocket picked by Fabrizio on the Ducati Xerox late on in the race to take the final podium place.

Here are the results;

Race 1

1 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1
2 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
3 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R
4 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
5 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
6 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
7 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
8 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R
9 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R
10 L. SCASSA ITA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R
11 L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R
12 J. REA GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
13 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
14 I. LOWRY GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R
15 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
16 F. LAI ITA ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR

Not Classified
RET R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
RET J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1
RET R. XAUS ESP BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR

Disqualified
DIS S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki

Race 2

1 M. BIAGGI ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
2 C. CRUTCHLOW GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1
3 M. FABRIZIO ITA Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
4 S. GUINTOLI FRA Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
5 N. HAGA JPN Ducati Xerox Team Ducati 1098R
6 J. SMRZ CZE Team PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV4 Factory
7 L. SCASSA ITA Supersonic Racing Team Ducati 1098R
8 S. BYRNE GBR Althea Racing Ducati 1098R
9 C. CHECA ESP Althea Racing Ducati 1098R
10 L. HASLAM GBR Team Suzuki Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
11 T. SYKES GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R
12 M. NEUKIRCHNER GER HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Honda CBR1000RR
13 I. LOWRY GBR Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX 10R
14 M. BAIOCCO ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R

Not Classified
RET L. LANZI ITA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 17
RET R. HAYDEN USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET J. TOSELAND GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda Team Yamaha YZF R1
RET T. CORSER AUS BMW Motorrad Motorsport BMW S1000 RR
RET F. LAI ITA ECHO CRS Honda Honda CBR1000RR

The veteran rider needs just nine points from the two races this weekend to land the title for Aprilia, only two years after the manufacturer entered the sport with the RSV4 machine.

Max Biaggi is now 39 years old and seems to have been around forever, for me it has been fantastic to see the Italian at last fulfill his promise and land the World title and it would be a personal triumph for the rider if he can claim the manufacturers prize for his team as well.

The 2010 World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi said;

“It would be truly exceptional to be able to place the manufacturer world title next to my rider world title. Most of all I think it would be a great reward for the guys on the team and the entire racing division who, together with me, have given a performance this season which will go down in the history of our sport. As always, we will be giving it our all.”

Meanwhile Britain’s Leon Haslam who was pipped for the title by Biaggi, will ride his last race for the Suzuki Alstare satellite team having secured a ride with BMW next season.

Fellow Brit James Toseland will also bid farewell to his current employers at Yamaha this weekend although he has yet to secure a ride for next year. Rumours are that he could rejoin the Ten Kate Honda team where he won his second World Superbike title in 2007.

Leon Camier – Aprilia WSB 2010

The Aprilia Alitalia rider Leon Camier will not be riding at the penultimate round of the World Superbike championship at Imola following his crash at the Nurburgring.

Camier suffered a broken scaphoid bone in his wrist during practice which needed surgical intervention and is now in doubt for the final round at Magny-Cours.

The British rider is now recovering from his successful surgery but is unlikely to be replaced at the following two rounds leaving Max Biaggi as the sole rider for the team.

Noriyuki Haga – Xerox Ducati 2010

This weekend saw the German round of the World Superbike championship at the Nurburgring with Noriyuki Haga winning race 1 and Jonathan Rea taking the flag in race 2.

Race 1

The initial race 1 was red flagged after just 1 lap after Leon Haslam crashed out at turn 4 sending his fellow riders in all directions trying to avoid him. Troy Corser was unable to avoid the Alstare Suzuki and crashed out leading to the race being red flagged.

As the race got underway for the second start both riders were back on the grid although Haslam struggled with an injured hand after it was hit by another rider during the crash.  Michel Fabrizio crashed out on lap 1 of the restart and retired from the race shortly after.

Max Biaggi had a great start, leading the pack as they headed for the first bend but was forced wide when  Carlos Checa attempted a move to get past and while the Althea Ducati rider managed to hold onto his second place Biaggi dropped back to eighth place.

Jonathan Rea was now leading ahead of Checa, Noriyuki Haga, Tom Sykes and a struggling Haslam in fourth while Corser’s disastrous race continued taking not only himself out of contention but also that of the Sylvain Guintoli at the Dunlop hairpin.

By lap 2, Cal Crutchlow had moved up to fourth place after passing both Haslam and Sykes following his tenth place grid start while his team-mate James Toseland low-sided off of his Sterilgarda Yamaha.

The Japanese rider made his move on Checa on lap three to slot into second position and began to chase down the leading man.  On lap 8 of the race, Checa began to put pressure on Haga to take back that second place which he was given after the Ducati Xerox rider crashed out.

Rea took the chequered flag for his fourth win of the season ahead of Checa in second, Crutchlow in third, Biaggi in fourth, Sykes in fifth, Haslam in sixth, Ruben Xaus in seventh, Guintoli in eighth, Shane Byrne in ninth and Luca Scassa in tenth.

Leon Camier took no part in either of the races after high-siding in the first qualifying session resulted in a broken right wrist.  The Aprilia rider is expected to have surgery on the injury sometime this week but it is unclear as yet if Camier will be back on his machine before the end of the season.

Here are the results;

1. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 20 lap
2. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1198 +1.126s
3. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +10.006s
4. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +10.716s
5. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R +17.391s
6. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +19.301s
7. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR +19.613s
8. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +19.880s
9. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 +21.176s
10. Luca Scassa ITA Supersonic Ducati 1198 +29.752s
11. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 +30.156s
12. Ian Lowry GBR Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R +53.622s
13. Roger Lee Hayden USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +58.820s
14. Matteo Baiocco ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +1min 25.906s

Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 DNS

Race 2

It was Noriyuki Haga that claimed the win in the second race of the day for only the second time this season following his victory at the Valencia round of the championship.

Carlos Checa was the man at the front as the lights went out followed by Haga, Jonathan Rea, Max Biaggi and Tom Sykes.

By lap 4, Haga had found a hug gap to pass Checa, capitalising on the Spaniards mistake which had forced him to go wide.  Checa kept the pressure on the Japanese rider until he made an error on lap 9 of the race and crashed out of the race.

Haga crossed the line to take the win ahead of Rea while behind Haslam, despite his injuries from his earlier crash, moved into third position.  Crutchlow finished in fourth place ahead of Biaggi in fifth, Guintoli in sixth, Sykes in seventh, James Toseland in eighth, Ruben Xaus in ninth and Shane Byrne in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1198 20 Laps
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
3. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +8.060s
4. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +8.457s
5. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +9.392s
6. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +9.556s
7. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R +16.819s
8. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +20.564s
9. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR +21.040s
10. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 +21.168s
11. Jakub Smrz CZE PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV-4 +21.734s
12. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR +22.746s
13. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 +24.526s
14. Luca Scassa ITA Supersonic Ducati 1198 +28.218s
15. Max Neukirchner GER Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +38.406s

Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 DNS

Cal Crutchlow – Sterilgarda Yamaha 2010

Cal Crutchlow dominated both races at the Silverstone circuit yesterday on the Sterilgarda Yamaha after battling with Jonathan Rea to take the double victory.

Race One

Cal Crutchlow started in pole position for the opening race of the day but it was the Hanspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea that took to the front as the race got underway followed by the Aprilia of Max Biaggi.

Crutchlow soon got ahead of Biaggi and was on the tail of Rea as the leading pair created a gap between themselves and the rest of the field.

The pair first traded places on lap 7 before Crutchlow made it stick on lap 12 and began to set a blistering pace that no other rider could match.

Leon Haslam was sitting in third place on his Suzuki Alstare which is where he finished making it an all British podium at the British round of the World Superbike series.

Michel Fabrizio finished in fourth place for the Ducati Xerox team ahead of Max Biaggi in fifth, Leon Camier in sixth, Carlos Checa in seventh, James Toseland in eighth, Shane Byrne in ninth and Troy Corser in tenth.

Here are the results;

1. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 18 laps
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +1.621s
3. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +11.433s
4. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1198 +15.874s
5. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +17.085s
6. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +17.532s
7. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1198 +18.250s
8. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +18.938s
9. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 +22.997s
10. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR +25.830s
11. Max Neukirchner GER Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +30.972s
12. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +31.808s
13. Jakub Smrz CZE PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV-4 +32.193s
14. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1198 +33.206s
15. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 +34.207s

Luca Scassa ITA Supersonic Ducati 1198

Race Two

Crutchlow ended his weekend with his second win of the day which saw him once again fight off the advancing Jonathan Rea.

It was the Jonathan Rea that once again led the field from the first corner while Crutchlow stuck with the Hanspree Ten Kate Honda rider until he finally made it past on lap 16.  Rea battled to regain the lead as the pair headed down the Hangar Straight but ran wide, losing time and allowing the Sterilgarda Yamaha rider to re-claim his place at the front.

Leon Haslam looked as if he would take the final step of the podium but an impressive ride from the Aprilia rider Leon Camier blew his race out of the water.

Camier starting from sixteenth place on the grid moved to sixth and then third in the space of just 4 laps, while his team-mate Biaggi lost a further two places after running wide in an attempt to pass Haslam on lap 13.

With just two laps to go Toseland managed to get ahead but Haslam wasn’t going to let it go and attempted once again to get in front.  The two riders almost touched as they rode side-by-side with Toseland clinching that fifth place ahead of Biaggi in sixth.

Sylvain Guintoli finished in seventh position followed by Shane Byrne in eighth, Jakub Smurz in ninth and Carlos Checa completing the top ten riders.

Troy Corser crashed his BMW on lap 2 of the race while running in fourth spot while Michel Fabrizio retired his Ducati with technical problems.

Here are the results;

1. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 18 laps
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +2.070s
3. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +8.834s
4. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +13.232s
5. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +13.258s
6. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +13.568s
7. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +13.963s
8. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 +14.432s
9. Jakub Smrz CZE PATA B&G Racing Aprilia RSV-4 +16.399s
10. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1198 +19.874s
11. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR +26.268s
12. Josh Brookes AUS HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR +28.003s
13. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1198 +28.550s
14. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R +30.117s
15. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 +30.415s

Luca Scassa ITA Supersonic Ducati 1198

Jonathan Rea – Hanspree Ten Kate Honda 2010

Jonathan Rea claimed victory in the opening race at Brno yesterday while Max Biaggi took the chequered flag in race two of the day.

Race One

It was the Aprilia of Max Biaggi that took to the front of the pack as the first race of the day got underway at the Brno circuit but before the end of the lap he had been passed by the Hanspree Ten Kate Honda of Jonathan Rea.  At the final bend of the first lap, Rea went around the outside of the Italian rider to put his machine in front and never looked back.

Biaggi was then passed by Cal Crutchlow on the following lap before Ruben Xaus put his machine in front of the Aprilia rider on lap 4.  The Italian rider soon returned to form and retook Xaus on lap 6 before finally catching and passing Crutchlow with only 4 laps of the race to run.

Rea crossed the line to claim his third win of the 2010 season ahead of Max Biaggi in second.  Crutchlow finished in third place followed by Sylvain Guintoli in fourth, Ruben Xaus in fifth, Noriyuki Haga in sixth and  James Toseland in seventh.

Leon Haslam finished down in eighth place after qualifying in fourteenth on the grid ahead of Carlos Checa in ninth and Lorenzo Lanzi in tenth.

The Kawasaki rider Chris Vermeulen, was involved in a three-bike pile-up at the first corner of lap 1 with Max Neukirchner and Jakub Smrz.  All three failed to return to the track with Vermeulen once again re-injuring his knee that was originally damaged at the first round of the 2010 championship at Phillip Island and it has since been announced that he is to miss the remainder of the season as he undergoes corrective treatment.

Troy Corser withdrew from the Brno round of the championship after suffering concussion and a chest injury following his accident in qualifying but his hoping to be fully fit for the Silverstone round.

Here are the results;

1. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 20 Laps
2. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +2.518s
3. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +4.071
4. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +7.160s
5. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR +8.602s
6. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1198 +11.379s
7. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +11.513s
8. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +16.487s
9. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1198 +20.829s
10. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 +25.164s
11. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R +32.602s
12. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 +36.748s
13. Broc Parkes AUS Echo-CRS Honda CBR1000RR +39.183s
14. Roger Lee Hayden USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +59.889s
15. Matteo Baiocco ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +1min 05.329s

Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR

Race Two

Max Biaggi claimed his ninth win of the season in race two after his initial battle with race one winner Jonathan Rea as the race got underway.

Rea took the lead as he got ahead of Ruben Xaus, Biaggi, Michel Fabrizio and Cal Crutchlow during the first few corners and looked to be on for his second win of the day.

by lap 3, Biaggi had passed Xaus and was chasing the race leader before finally passing him on lap 7 at turn 2.  Rea attempted to stay with the Aprilia but after just 2 laps Biaggi began to create an impressive gap.

Biaggi crossed the line almost 5 seconds ahead of Rea to take the chequered flag with Fabrizio taking the final step of the podium following the retirement of Xaus. With just 6 laps of the race remaining the Spaniard low-sided off of his BMW at turn one after a fantastic fight with Fabrizio.

James Toseland finished in an impressive fourth place after getting ahead of Noriyuki Haga with only 2 laps of the race to run.  Carlos Checa crossed the line in sixth place followed by Sylvain Guintoli, Leon Camier, Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam.

Despite Chris Vermeulen starting the second race he could only manage 2 laps before being seen heading to his pit garage to retire.

Tom Sykes and Max Neukirchner also failed to finish the second race after both tangled on the opening lap and Luca Scassa was unable to make it to the grid for race two after fracturing his foot in the first race incident.

Here are the results;

1. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 20 Laps
2. Jonathan Rea GBR Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR +4.627s
3. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1198 +13.600s
4. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +16.372s
5. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1198 +17.530s
6. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1198 +21.704s
7. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +23.769s
8. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +25.875s
9. Shane Byrne GBR Althea Ducati 1198 +30.374s
10. Leon Haslam GBR Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000 +34.002s
11. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA DFX Ducati 1198 +34.691s
12. Broc Parkes AUS Echo-CRS Honda CBR1000RR +49.270s
13. Roger Lee Hayden USA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +1min 03.258s
14. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF R1 +1 lap
15. Matteo Baiocco ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +1 lap

Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR