Max Biaggi
Win an exclusive Leon Camier signed Pirelli BSB book
Source: British Superbikes 2009 - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Wednesday, 10th March 2010, 12:08 GMTWe've teamed up with Pirelli, the sole tyre supplier for British Superbikes, to offer an exclusive Leon Camier signed Pirelli BSB book, packed full of facts, news and beautiful photography from the 2009 season. We have two of these glossy official BSB books to give away. See below for details on how to enter. Leon Camier had a stellar year in 2009 and almost made his his first BSB title look easy! He's been nabbed by the World Superbike series to partner Max Biaggi in the Italian Aprilia Racing team, a real baptism of fire but at least he has the benefit of 2 years on Pirelli tyres. You can follow the exploits of all the BSB riders and the Brits in World Superbikes (Camier, Haslam, Byrne, Rea, Sykes) here at mirror.co.uk Pirelli have been the sole tyre supplier for BSB for three years now and the aim of the organisers was to level the field by introducing one tyre, for fair and close racing. Whilst there will always be other factors like electronics and team budgets, tyres were the single biggest source of frustration for riders and fans as rival brands tried to get one rider up to the front with 'special' tyres. Pirelli are at every race with a promo truck where fans can find out more and put their questions. Click here to enter the competition Read article
BSB: Gateway of new opportunities open up for CAME in BSB
Source: British Superbikes 2009 - BSB Blog - Mirror.co.uk - Sunday, 7th March 2010, 3:51 GMTCAME the UK's premier supplier of automatic gates and access control equipment has become an official sponsor of the 2010 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship following an agreement reached with series rights holder MotorSport Vision. The CAME group first entered into motorcycle sport sponsorship in June when they were announced as an official sponsor of the World Superbike Championship and personal sponsor to Max Biaggi. The Nottingham-based CAME UK have already experienced BSB in 2009, with on site rights and sponsorship of James Westmoreland in the final round of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship at Oulton Park. The components of the BSB sponsorship will see trackside branding at all twelve BSB events together with on-site rights where CAME customers and installers can get an insight into the BSB paddock and experience the worlds leading domestic race series. CAME have also announced that they will become the title sponsor of the official Yamaha British Supersport team fielding 2009 championship runner-up Billy McConnell and James Westmoreland. Paolo Menuzzo, CAME Group President said: "The world of motorcycle racing has always been an example of perfect fusion between sound sporting competition by the riders on the track and high technical competence of the racing teams which assure safety on the circuit. Ensuring safety and teamwork are the guidelines which reflect the spirit of the CAME Group." The CAME Group UK Managing Director, James Bostock added: "CAME UK are delighted to continue the Superbike success of 2009 by extending our sponsorship to the British series. "The UK scene has always produced such competitive championships and we are all looking forward to being a part of the action in 2010. "Sponsoring the Raceways team will provide the nationwide network of CAME installers a competitive and professional team to support and follow in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship." BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs concluded: "I'm delighted to welcome CAME UK as a new full time sponsor to the Championship, its very positive news for the series and the Raceways Yamaha team." Read article
Camier rues mistakes but writes his name large
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 5th March 2010, 16:11 GMTAfter racing as a WSBK wildcard three times in 2009, Leon Camier was not a rookie when he lined up for the first round of the championship in 2010. This is, however, his first full-time season in the Superbike Word Championship, after dominating the British Superbike series in 2009. At Phillip Island he showed that he would be a real asset to WSBK and despite qualifying only 16th in Superpole, he was right in the leading group for much of the two 22-lap races. But it's safe to say he will be in no hurry to get back to the first hairpin at Phillip Island next year, as this section track was twice to be his undoing. Said Leon - at 188cm tall the physical opposite of his diminutive team-mate Max Biaggi - "I'm very sorry about all of the mistakes I made. In race one I tried to pass the other riders at the first hairpin, but I overshot a bit while braking and in order to avoid hitting Max, I went off track. Then I really pushed to recover as many positions as possible." He continued, "During the second race, I started off quite well and I was with the lead group, right behind Checa, who immediately passed Toseland. When I attempted to pass, we ended up a bit wide. Then I shifted into the wrong gear and overshot at the same corner as in race one." Camier's ability to lap as quickly as the best on many occasions was a positive he can take away with him, but he feels there could have been much more. "I'm disappointed because I put in very good lap times and seeing how the race ended, I could have had an excellent result." In finishing the PI races 11th each time, he is already inside the top ten of the championship, ninth. Leon will get his next points scoring chances at Portimao, Portugal, on 28 March. Read article
Over 60’s club
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 5th March 2010, 12:39 GMTAfter a new name, Leon Haslam, was added to the Superbike World Championship race winners' roll of honour last Sunday, the total number of riders who have now taken at least one race win in this class rose to an impressive 63. Not bad at the very beginning of WSBK's 23rd season, and considering how many riders have multiple race wins to their credit. Giants of the class such as Carl Fogarty (59) and Troy Bayliss (52) are the class leaders in this field, but no fewer than 20 riders have at least ten wins to their credit. With Haslam joining the winners' club, there are 15 full time 2010 WSBK riders who have won at least one race, from 'new boy' Haslam to Haga. The 'active' winners are, Noriyuki Haga (41), Troy Corser (33), James Toseland (16), Ruben Xaus (11), Chris Vermeulen (10), Max Biaggi (4), Makoto Tamada (3), Lorenzo Lanzi (3), Michel Fabrizio (3), Carlos Checa (3), Shane Byrne (2), Max Neukirchner (2), Jonathan Rea (2), Andrew Pitt (1), and Leon Haslam (1). Read article
WSBK: Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team experience a weekend of ups and downs
Source: bikeracenews.com - Monday, 1st March 2010, 14:25 GMTMax Biaggi – “Still a lot of work to be done” The Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team experienced a weekend of ups and downs at the debut of the SBK 2010 World Championships. Following a difficult Superpole, which ended with Max Biaggi in eleventh position and Leon Camier in sixteenth, the Aprilia RSV4s returned to their competitive [...] Read article
Haslam and Checa share Aussie spoils
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 15:18 GMTLeon Haslam and Carlos Checa shared the opening round victories in the World Superbike Championship today, after two thrilling races from Phillip Island. After securing his very first Superpole in yesterday’s eventful qualifying sessions, Haslam rode his Team Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 to his first win in the Superbike class in the opening race of 2010 - but not before confusion rained around the Australian circuit. Despite controlling the pace of the race from the off, Haslam was pressured throughout by the Ducati Xerox machine of Michel Fabrizio, with the Italian eager to be the first to take the top step of the podium this season. As the riders enjoyed their final lap of the twenty-two lap distance, Fabrizio saw his chance to edge into the lead, and lunged alongside the young Brit as they raced to the chequered flag. With the two riders crossing the line so close together it was initially difficult to separate them, until Fabrizio was handed the win. Upon closer inspection, and a number of replays, it was acknowledged that Haslam was actually the victor, by just 0.004 seconds. After two celebrations from two different riders and teams the eventual outcome of the race was determined, allowing Haslam to take to the top step of the podium for the first time in the WSB championship. Despite his earlier celebration, Fabrizio was forced to settle for second place, while his Ducati Xerox counterpart, Noriyuki Haga, followed him across the line in third. Brit Jonathan Rea enjoyed a fierce battle with his rivals, eventually taking fourth ahead of Max Biaggi, Sylvain Guintoli and Carlos Checa. Not too far behind, Jakub Smrz took the chequered flag eighth, while Troy Corser fought his way up to ninth from a thirteenth place grid start. Lorenzo Lanzi completed the top ten in this first race of the season. Returning British hot shot James Toseland was enjoying a strong race, until a twitchy back end on his Sterilgarda Yamaha forced him into a crash and out of the race. Commenting on his dream start to his 2010 WSB campaign, Haslam said: “It’s not sunk in just yet, especially as it was such a close finish and not knowing if I had won for a while. That definitely added to the anticipation. I can’t thank my team enough they have been solid since day one and to repay them with this is great. I’m a little speechless now. I changed my style towards the end and I rode as smoothly as possible. It worked, but it was close at the end.” Race two brought even more exciting action, with a number of race long battles going on throughout the field for the entire race. As the field set off for the second time Haslam and Haga both enjoyed strong starts, with Haga attempting to launch into the lead ahead of the Suzuki rider. However, fully committed to maintaining his advantage, Haslam flew around the outside into turn one, enabling him to hold onto his number one spot. Behind, Chris Vermeulen stormed up to fourth, while Fabrizio muscled his teammate out of the way for second, demoting Haga to third once again. Just two laps into the race saw the first retirement, with British rider Tom Sykes slowly making his way away from the racing line, bringing his Australian experience to an abrupt end. Having seen his teammate doing well out in front, Guintoli decided to follow suit and stormed passed his rivals as if they weren’t there. Determined to emulate the triumph of Haslam in the first race, Guintoli slipped through into the lead, forcing Haslam to play second fiddle for a number of laps. As the top four began edging away from the rest of the field, another battle began forming slightly further back. Despite the early pace of Vermeulen, he gradually began losing ground, with the rejoining Toseland being the first to demote the Australian down the order. Next in line was Leon Camier; having seen his countryman pass Vermeulen just laps earlier Camier decided to have a go himself, promoting himself to fifth in the process. After setting the early pace in qualifying yesterday, Carlos Checa was determined to prove his worth in this second race and was soon the man to watch. Checa began picking off the riders in front of him one at a time, until he was riding with the front runners, eager to find a way into the lead. As the race developed Vermeulen suffered a crash, hitting the tyre barrier in unison with his Kawasaki. He was carried off on a stretcher, but no further news has been released yet. With the second batch of twenty-two laps nearing completion, the ending to race one was almost mirrored in this second race. As the riders progressed onto their final tour Haslam came under increasing pressure from second place, this time it was Checa piling on the pressure. As the pair entered the final section of the lap Checa lunged passed the Suzuki rider. Unable to catch the Spaniard, Haslam was forced to accept second, while Fabrizio again made it into a podium spot in third. A strong performance from Sylvain enabled him to cross the line fourth, with Haga pushed back to fifth. After losing ten seconds to his rivals earlier in the race due to running wide, Jonathan Rea fought back to finish sixth, while veteran Troy Corser succeeded with a seventh place finish. Max Biaggi secured eighth, while Sterilgarda teammates Cal Crutchlow and Toseland crossed the line ninth and tenth, with Crutchlow just managing to get the better of the Yorkshireman. Camier, having been forced off the track earlier on had a lot of time to make up but fought back to eleventh place at the flag. Having secured the maiden win for his privateer Althea Ducati team, Checa said: “The plan was to start the second race well and we chose a softer tyre. We changed the bike and we improved in the braking points, so I could overtake people. When you are close to four other riders it is not easy to overtake and make it permanent but I passed in the right time and at the right places. This was one of the best races in my life, so thanks to my new team.” Fabrizio commented: “I thought I had won the race. When I saw the big screen after the finish I saw my family and the crew chief celebrating, so I thought I had it.” He added: “We didn’t make any changes to the bike between race one and race two. I think it would have been very difficult for me to win, but if Carlos had not been in the mix I may have been able to push in the last three or four laps. I was having some problems by that time so it was very difficult to try and win.” Read article
Suzuki Alstare: jubel dank Haslam
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 8:35 GMTDer Superbike-WM-Auftakt auf der malerischen Piste von Phillip Island brachte vor 65.500 Fans eine Überraschung, die so nicht zu erwarten war. Leon Haslam schrammte mit der Alstare-Suzuki nur um wenige Zehntel am Punktemaximum vorbei. Den ersten Lauf gewann der Brite mit vier Tausendstel Vorsprung auf Michel Fabrizio. Es war gleichzeitig Haslams erster Superbike-WM-Laufsieg. Im zweiten Rennen musste der 27-Jährige dem drängenden Carlos Checa erst in der letzten Runde passieren lassen. Auch Sylvain Gunitoli macht der Truppe um Francis Batta mehr und mehr Freude. Nach Startplatz 5 holte sich der Franzose in den Rängen die Plätze 6 und 4, wobei er im zweiten Rennen sogar zeitweise in Führung lag. DUCATI: FABRIZIO UND HAGA ÜBERZEUGEN. Xerox-Ducati-Pilot Michel Fabrizio wähnte sich in Lauf 1 bereits als Sieger, ehe nach Zielfotoentscheid Haslam zum Sieger erklärt wurde. Der Italiener darf mit seiner Ausbeute, den Rängen 2 und 3, dennoch sehr zufrieden sein. Ähnlich äusserte sich auch Teamleader Nori Haga, der die Xerox-Ducati mit Schmerzen auf die Ränge 3 und 5 steuerte. Die grosse Überraschung war Althea-Ducati-Pilot Carlos Checa, der im zweiten Rennen durch das Feld stürmte und das Rennen für sich entschied. Jakub Smrz und Lorenzo Lanzi konnten sich jeweils über einen Top-10-Platz freuen, Smrz stürzte mit der Pata-Ducati jedoch im zweiten Durchgang. YAMAHA: STEIGERUNG IST GEFRAGT. Supersport-Weltmeister Cal Crutchlow sorgte mit Platz 9 im zweiten Rennen für das beste Yamaha-Ergebnis zum WM-Auftakt auf Phillip Island. Der Sonntag begann für das Team von Massimo Meregalli in Durchgang 1 gleich mit einem Doppelausfall seiner Sterilgarda-R1-Piloten. Im zweiten Rennen matchten sich Crutchlow und Toseland immerhin lange Zeit mit BMW-Ass Troy Corser, ehe sie dem von hinten drängenden Rea und Biaggi noch Platz machen mussten. HONDA: REA MIT SONDERSCHICHT. Johnny Rea musste auf Phillip Island im zweiten Durchgang nach einem Ausritt in der Honda-Haarnadel das Feld von hinten aufrollen. Die Aufholjagd brachte dem 23-jährigen Nordiren auf der Hannspree-Ten-Kate-Honda noch die sechste Position. Mit den Punkten für Rang 4 in Durchgang 1 schob er sich immerhin auf den sechsten WM-Zwischenrang. Deutlich mehr zu kämpfen hatte Max Neukirchner, der seine Fireblade nur auf den Plätzen 12 und 16 ins Ziel brachte. APRILIA: BIAGGI ZEIGT KAMPFGEIST. WM-Mitfavorit Max Biaggi verlässt Phillip Island mit 19 Zählern für die Ränge 5 und 8 im Gepäck. Im ersten Rennen konnte der Alitalia-Aprilia-Pilot einige Zeit an der Spitzengruppe dranbleiben, in Durchgang 2 musste sich der Römer nach verpatztem Start mit der RSV4 erst nach vorne kämpfen. Teamkollege Leon Camier zeigte ebenfalls viel Einsatz und sicherte sich nach je einem Ausritt noch zweimal Platz 11. KAWASAKI: VERMEULEN ZEIGTE AUF. Chris Vermeulen begann mit der Kawasaki der Bird-Truppe beide Rennen mit einem Blitzstart von Startplatz 14 und lag in Durchgang 2 sogar kurz auf der vierten Position. Der Australier stürzte jedoch in beiden Rennen, wobei er im zweiten Rennen schwere Prellungen und eine Gehirnerschütterung davon trug. Die WM-Punkte fuhr Teamkollege Tom Sykes als 13. im ersten Lauf ein. Die Pedercini-Kawasaki-Piloten Roger Lee Hayden und Matteo Baiocco blieben ohne WM-Zähler. BMW: CORSER UND PITT MIT PUNKTEN. Troy Corser sammelte auf Phillip Island mit den Rängen 9 und 6 wertvolle WM-Zähler und liegt in der WM-Tabelle somit vor dem Europa-Auftakt in Portimão an der achten Position. Teamkollege Ruben Xaus musste nach einem heftigen Abflug im Warmup auf die Teilnahme an den Rennen verzichten. Andrew Pitt erkämpfte für die neue Reitwagen-BMW-Truppe in beiden Rennen mit Rang 15 einen Zähler. Roland Resch bracht sich bereits am Samstag im zweiten Qualifying das Schlüsselbein. SUPERSPORT-WM: LAVERTY SCHLÄGT ZURÜCK. Eugene Laverty auf der Parkalgar-Honda sicherte sich den Sieg beim Auftakt der Supersport-WM auf Phillip Island mit Respektabstand auf Polesitter Joan Lascorz (Motocard Kawasaki) und Ten-Kate-Honda-Pilot Kenan Sofuoglu. Bester Triumph-Fahrer war der Spanier David Salom auf Position 4. WM-Rückkehrer Seb Charpentier blieb nur der 13. Rang. Die Italienerin Paola Cazzola sicherte sich mit einer Runde Rückstand als 14. zwei WM-Punkte. ACHTUNG: Alle Resultate, Punktestände und Informationen finden Sie unter www.worldsbk.com Read article
Léon Haslam s’impose en Australie
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 8:29 GMTAprès avoir signé la première superpole de sa carrière, Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) a brillé ce dimanche à Phillip Island en remportant la première victoire de sa carrière en championnat du monde Superbike. Avec 5 millièmes d'avance sur Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) lors de la première course, soit le plus petit écart entre deux pilotes à l'arrivée depuis la création du championnat du monde, le pilote officiel Suzuki confirme qu'il sera bien l'un des acteurs principaux de cette saison 2010 particulièrement ouverte. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox Team) complète le premier podium de l'année à la troisième place. Alors que Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare) a loupé son départ en première course et a dû cravacher pendant 22 tours pour terminer à une très méritante sixième place derrière Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) quatrième, et Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing) cinquième, le Français a totalement inversé la tendance en seconde course. Il va même rapidement se porter en tête devant son coéquipier Haslam pour créer la sensation tricolore du week-end. On se prend même à rêver à une Marseillaise qui n'a pas retenti en Superbike depuis 2005. Malheureusement, la fin de course va lui être moins favorable. Après une lutte sans concession, c'est finalement Carlos Checa (Althea Racing), déjà très rapide durant les essais, qui va s'imposer. L'Espagnol signe ainsi sa troisième victoire en championnat du monde Superbike devant Haslam et Fabrizio. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare), récompensé pour avoir signé le meilleur tour en course, termine à une frustrante quatrième place. «Je suis très content de mon week-end déclare le Français à l'arrivée. Je voulais me rattraper de mon départ moyen en première course. J'ai immédiatement attaqué en début de seconde course et j'ai pris un plaisir monstrueux à rouler devant. Cela faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas pris la tête d'un championnat du monde. J'ai prouvé que j'avais le rythme en course malgré des essais hivernaux où je ne me suis pas montré parmi les plus rapides. J'ai commis quelques petites erreurs en fin de course qui me coûtent le podium, mais ce premier week-end est très encourageant pour le championnat.» Avec une deuxième place sur le podium, Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) prend immédiatement les commandes du championnat et devance Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) troisième en seconde course, de neuf points. Haslam et Fabrizio s'affichent d'entrée de jeu comme les deux hommes forts en ouverture du championnat. Haga qui termine la seconde course à la cinquième place derrière Guintoli, reste au contact. En revanche, le bilan parmi les autres teams officiels du championnat est plus mitigé. Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) termine au pied du podium en première course mais commet une erreur en début de seconde course qui va l'obliger à effectuer une folle remontée. Le jeune Anglais termine en sixième position. «Il ne faut pas attendre de miracle de ce week-end» avait déclaré samedi soir Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing). Le Romain a limité les dégâts avec une cinquième et une huitième place au guidon d'une RSV4 en prise à des soucis de vibration. Chez BMW, on avait le sourire à l'arrivée de la seconde course avec la septième place de Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport). Alors que Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) n'a pas pris le départ suite à sa chute au warm-up du matin, son coéquipier australien sauve les meubles de l'usine de Munich, sans pour autant enregistrer le meilleur résultat de la S 1000 RR, cinquième en course l'an passé. Yamaha n'avait pas le sourire au terme de la première course, après la double chute de ses pilotes Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) et James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team). Ils terminent dans cet ordre la seconde course aux neuvième et dixième rangs. Un résultat très modeste pour le team champion du monde qui connaît un début de saison difficile. Difficile aussi pour Kawasaki en course. Son pilote leader Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) inscrit un double zéro à domicile. Un résultat d'autant plus frustrant que l'Australien a pris un départ canon en début de seconde course et s'est vite retrouvé à lutter avec les hommes de têtes en quatrième position. Quelques tours plus tard, Chris chutait violemment et allait percuter les pneus. Heureusement, le pilote s'est relevé indemne. Prochain rendez-vous du championnat du monde Superbike, le dimanche 28 mars sur le circuit de Portimao au Portugal. Championnat du monde Supersport C'est à un départ enflammé que nous avons assisté en championnat du monde Supersport en Australie. Après seulement trois tours, il ne restait plus que douze pilotes en piste et une large trace d'huile à obliger la direction de course à sortir le drapeau rouge. Nouveau départ, nouvelle course, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) s'est rapidement porté en tête pour se lancer dans un cavalier seul irrésistible. Derrière, alors que la nouvelle recrue Michel Pirro (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) partait à la faute, on assistait à un combat d'homme entre Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) et Kenan Sofuoglu (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda). Les deux rivaux étaient bientôt rejoins par Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com). Malheureusement, le pilote Japonais va partir à la faute et terminera la course à la onzième place. Laverty, Lascorz et Sofuoglu termine dans cet ordre sur le podium, devant un excellent David Salom (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph), premier pilote de l'escadrille Triumph. Fabien Foret (Team Lorenzini by Leoni), premier Français termine à la cinquième place, frustré par un mauvais choix de pneu. Grosse désillusion en revanche pour Sébastien Charpentier (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) qui termine très loin des leaders à la 13e place. Read article
Haslam and Checa share opening day victories
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 6:29 GMTLeon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) and Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) took a win apiece at Phillip Island in what was a sensational start to the 2010 WSBK season in Australia. In dry conditions, in front of 65,500 fans, the action was intense in each 22-lap race, with the leading three riders within 0.769 seconds of each other in race one and the leading four within 0.837 seconds in race two. "Pirelli's opening race weekend saw spectacular racing with new faces on all accounts, starting from a Superpole led by Haslam, Fabrizio and Crutchlow on three different machines. Race 1 finished 7 seconds faster than previous year, a race so close between Suzuki and Ducati that it demanded a photo finish. New to Superbike, Sylvain Guintoli led Race 2 for many laps and set the Pirelli Best Lap on his first race on the Suzuki. Race time dropped by 4 seconds over 2009, and Checa impressively took his new bike and new team Althea straight to the top of the podium. The Supersport race, 5 seconds faster as well, Laverty lead a very precise race from start to finish on his Honda from Parkalgar. It's fantastic to see such diverse results from all the manufacturers, especially at the start of the season." Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director, Pirelli Moto. Race 1 It took a close look at the photo finish images to split Leon Haslam from his race long rival Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), but by only 0.004 seconds the Alstare Suzuki rider was given the win. It was the closest ever finish in the WSBK class, as Leon took his first career win in the Superbike World Championship. Fabrizio was originally awarded the victory but before the slow down lap had been completed, Haslam was confirmed as the winner. Noriyuki Haga took his Ducati Xerox machine to third, being part of the leading battle throughout. Jonathan Rea, Max Biaggi, Sylvain Guintoli and Carlos Checa battled it out over fourth place, with Jakub Smrz, Troy Corser and Lorenzo Lanzi completing the first race top ten. Haslam: "It's not sunk in just yet, especially as it was such a close finish and not knowing if I had won for a while. That definitely added to the anticipation. I can't thank my team enough they have been solid since day one and to repay them with this is great. I'm a little speechless now. I changed my style towards the end and I rode as smoothly as possible. It worked, but it was close at the end." Michel Fabrizio: "I thought I had won the race. When I saw the big screen after the finish I saw my family and the crew chief celebrating, so I thought I had it." Noriyuki Haga: "I did not have any big injury after my crash in morning warm-up but some swelling in my right arm. My personal trainer made a good massage before the race and I took some painkilling injections. The race was tough and I had arm pump, so that made me make some mistakes under braking. But it was fun to race with them at the front." Race 2 Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) won a thrilling race two at Phillip Island, by only 0.307 from Leon Haslam, whom he passed on the final section of the track, in convincing style. Third went to Michel Fabrizio, but a great ride from new SBK rider Sylvain Guintoli put him fourth on his Suzuki Alstare machine in only his fourth ever SBK event. Noriyuki Haga was fifth, Jonathan Rea heading up a busy and exciting midfield battle in sixth, after losing ten seconds by running wide on lap one, and then fighting through the pack. Troy Corser took his BMW to seventh in race two. Carlos Checa: "The plan was to start the second race well and we chose a softer tyre. We changed the bike and we improved in the braking points, so I could overtake people. When you are close to four other riders it is not easy to overtake and make it permanent but I passed in the right time and at the right places. This was one of the best races in my life, so thanks to my new team." Leon Haslam: "I had a few laps behind Sylvain my team-mate and in some corners I could not stay with him given the grip he had out of the corners. But I got the lead again and it was all going to plan until Carlos managed to come along and nip up the inside to win." Michel Fabrizio: "We didn't make any changes to the bike between race one and race two. I think it would have been very difficult for me to win, but if Carlos had not been in the mix I may have been able to push in the last three or four laps. I was having some problems by that time so it was very difficult to try and win." World Supersport - Laverty wins by clear margin Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) won the opening race of the year by 4.359 seconds with a masterful display of front running, heading up the official Kawasaki of pole man Joan Lascorz and the Honda of Kenan Sofuoglu. Laverty also set the race fastest lap, 1'35.204, on lap six. The first attempt at the race was first stopped and finally abandoned due to oil being dropped on the track, and a complete-restart was called. The subsequent 21-lap race saw Laverty lead from the early stages again. Behind Laverty, Lascorz and Sofuoglu, Triumph rider David Salom was fourth, and the privateer Kawasaki of Fabien Foret made it onto the top five also. Pirelli Performance Awards: SBK Race 1 - Pirelli BEST LAPLeon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1'32.193 (Lap 2) SBK Race 2 - Pirelli BEST LAPSylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1'32.236 (Lap 3) WSS - Pirelli BEST LAPEugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) 1'35.204 (Lap 6) Read article
Haslam takes first WSBK race win in thrilling photo finish
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 1:26 GMTIt took a look at the photo finish image to split Leon Haslam from his race long rival Michel Fabrizio, but by only 0.004 seconds the Alstare Suzuki rider was given the win. Haslam added his first career win to his first ever pole position start, to take an early championship lead. Fabrizio was originally given the win but after close inspection of the finish images, the victory was awarded to Haslam. Noriyuki Haga took his Ducati to third, following the leading battle closely throughout. Jonathan Rea, Max Biaggi, Sylvain Guintoli and Carlos Checa battled over fourth, with Jakub Smrz, Troy Corser and Lorenzo Lanzi completing the top ten. Read article
