WORLDSBK.COM - bis 19.04.2010

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Irishman rider Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) set the pole time with the final throw of the dice in the second qualifying session, posting a 1'35.658 - a new track best.

Just behind was long-time qualifying leader Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com Kawasaki) with Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Katsuaki Fujiwara (Motocard.com Kawasaki) finishing off the front row.

David Salom (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph) was fifth, Chaz Davies sixth, while Michele Pirro finished the qualifying session in 8th place.

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Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) took his second Superpole of the year for Yamaha with a 1'33.615 at Valencia, leading a front row that will comprise of Cal, Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati), Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) and Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare).

Checa had been even faster around the 4.005km circuit today than Crutchlow was in Superpole 2, but not in the final Superpole session when the final grid places were determined, leaving Carlos second overall.

Crutchlow had set pole at the previous round in Portugal but this one was maybe even more of a surprise, as he had only been 15th in regular qualifying before Superpole started.

The second row will be headed by Troy Corser on his BMW Motorrad Motorsport S1000RR, the best Superpole qualifying result for the German manufacturer in WSBK. Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare), Jonathan Rea (HANNspree ten Kate Honda) and Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Ducati) were ranged out behind Corser, with Lanzi crashing in the final section of Superpole, and sticking in eighth place. The top seven places featured machines from six of the championship's seven manufacturers, after a day of incredibly close competition for grid spots.

BIG NAMES JUST MISS OUT

An intense Superpole 2 session saw some big names out of the final session, notably both factory Ducati riders, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, who went tenth and 11th respectively.

James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) missed Superpole three by one thousandth of a second, and starts ninth.

Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) had a major issue in Superpole 2 and had to pull off the track in a plume of smoke.

Michel Fabrizio set the fastest time in Superpole 1, the Suzukis of Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli close behind him. The first four riders to miss the Superpole cut proved to Sheridan Morais, Andrew Pitt, Tom Sykes and Ruben Xaus, with Xaus 17th and only missing out on a higher starting place by one thousandth of a second.

CLOSE COMBINED QUALIFYING BEOFRE SUPERPOLE FIGHT

Max Biaggi (Alitalia Aprilia) was the fastest man in the final regulation qualifying session, beating Carlos Checa (Ducati Althea) to second place by only 0.002 seconds. The provisional front row was the same as the first day, with Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Ducati) and Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) third and fourth. Fifth place went to Leon Haslam (Alstare Suzuki), with the top five separated by only 0.068 seconds. A remarkable 11 riders in total went within 0.258 seconds of each other in combined qualifying, and 18 riders were covered by a single second.

Cal Crutchlow: "I hope when we get to Silverstone I will have a reception like Carlos had here! We had a lot of pole positions in Supersport and had one here last year, so to come again and do it on the Superbike is really good. I feel we could have been quicker, but that is just me. If someone gets away at the front we could be in trouble so if we keep it a close race it should be good."

Carlos Checa: "It is fantastic to be here in front of a home race crowd especially with the performance of this year, because I am feeling very strong with this bike. I really like this track and I hope to make a good race weekend. We worked quite well in practice and the bike works here. We are on the pace with the other people and it will be a very close race, I believe."

Max Biaggi: "I feel good on the bike and Portimao was a good race for us last time out. I was happier for the team than myself. Back in Valencia we have not such good memories of last year but in the winter test we were pretty good, and now we are quite consistent with out lap times. Front row was the real goal because at this track it is very difficult to overtake. I think we have not such a bad pace and we will try our best. Our target is to put many heavy points on the table."

Leon Haslam: "Our main objective was to get on the front row, and at Valencia there are such tight times, from front four to tenth place. We messed up a little bit in Superpole two, I used my qualifying tyre but got balked on my lap and had to use a second qualifier, which meant In the last part I was using a two or three lap old qualifier. I am feeling pretty good for tomorrow."

Times: 1. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'33.615; 2. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1198 1'33.840; 3. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F 1'33.860; 4. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'33.961; 5. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'34.059; 6. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'34.073; 7. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'34.235; 8. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1198 1'34.261; 9. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'33.988; 10. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1198 1'34.021; 11. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1198 1'34.100; 12. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1198 1'34.246; 13. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F 1'34.273; 14. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1198 1'34.280; 15. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1198 1'34''730; 16. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'34.394; 17. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'34.756; 18. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34''894; 19. Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S 1000 RR 1'36.088; 20. Morais S. (RSA) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'36.072; 21. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.104; 22. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.117; 23. Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.329; 24. Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'36.524; 25. Resch R. (AUT) BMW S1000 RR 1'36.639

Supersport Qualifying

 

Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) set the pole time with the final throw of the dice in the second qualifying session, posting a 1'35.658, a new track best that took him by surprise. Just behind was long-time qualifying leader Joan Lascorz (Motocard.com Kawasaki), with Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Katsuaki Fujiwara (Motocard.com Kawasaki) filling the front row places. The best Triumph machine belonged to local rider David Salom (ParkinGOBE-1 Triumph)

1.Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR 600RR 1'35.658; 2. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'35.740; 3. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR 600 RR 1'36.002; 4. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.015; 5. Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'36.252; 6. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'36.291; 7. Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.346; 8. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR 600 RR 1'36.593; 9. DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph 675 Daytona 1'36.698; 10. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR 600 RR 1'37.064

Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Qualifying

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) took pole with his Friday best time of 1'36.952, making this his second pole success in two attempts. Andrea Antonelli (Team Lorini Honda) was second quickest, and Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) third. Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki) improved his time today but starts fourth in tomorrow's race.

Times: 1. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1'36.952 (148,713 kmh); 2. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'37.418; 3. Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.482; 4. Giugliano D. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 1'37.495; 5. Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'37.502; 6. Barrier S.(FRA) BMW S 1000 RR 1'37.594; 7. Lussiana M. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 1'37.784; 8. Lammert D. (GER) BMW S 1000 RR 1'37.886; 9. Bussolotti M. (ITA) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'37.984; 10. Magnoni M. (ITA) Honda CBR 1000 RR 1'38.491

Superstock 600 European Championship Race

 

Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior), Fred Karlsen (MTM Yamaha) and Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) battled it out in the 11-lap Superstock 600 race in Spain, but there was to be a late change of the final result.

Marino finally took the win, by 0.413 seconds from Karlsen, although Karlsen was later disqualified for non-conformity to technical regulations. Guarnoni is now classified second, and Bernardino Lombardi (Martini Corse Yamaha) third.

In the championship Guarnoni now leads on 45 points, while Marino and Lombardi are tied on 25.

Times: 1. Marino F. (FRA) Honda CBR 600 RR 18'31.319 (142,711 km/h); 2. Guarnoni J. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 0.441; 3. Lombardi B. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 4.668; 4. D'Annunzio F. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 16.637; 5. Fanelli D. (ITA) Honda CBR 600 RR 16.883; 6. Elliot J. (GBR) Honda CBR 600 RR 17.410; 7. Krajci T. (SVK) Yamaha YZF R6 23.806; 8. Le Coquen S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 26.262; 9. Vrajitoru (ROU) Yamaha YZF R6 35.197; 10. Carvalho (POR) Yamaha YZF R6 39.683

Championship standing (after 2 Rounds of 10): 1. Guarnoni 45; 2. Marino 25; 3. Lomabardi 25; 4. Fanelli 22; 5. Lanusse 20; 6. D'Annunzio 20; 7.Karlsen 16; 8. Elliot 14; 9. Carlero Perez 13; 10. Major 13

Stk600 - Pirelli BEST JUMP FORWARD

Davide Fanelli (All Service System by QDP), from 15th to 6th (9 positions).

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1  86 Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1'36.902 

2  21 Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.578 

3  34 Giugliano D. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 1'37.672 

4  14 Baroni L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'37.831 

5  20 Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 1'38.041 

6   8 Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'38.746 

7   9 Petrucci D. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'39.035 

8  51 Barragan S. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.072 

9  69 Jezek O. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 1000 1'39.151 

10  12 Vivarelli N. (ITA) KTM 1190 RC8 R 1'39.151 

11  65 Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'39.210 

12   7 Mähr R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'39.246 

13  11 Tutusaus P. (ESP) KTM 1190 RC8 R 1'39.293 

14  47 La Marra E. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.407 

15   5 Bussolotti M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.742 

16  64 Andric D. (BRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'40.170 

17  30 Savary M. (SUI) BMW S1000 RR 1'40.211 

18  99 Leeson C. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'40.310 

19  93 Lussiana M. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 1'40.543 

20  55 Svitok T. (SVK) Honda CBR1000RR 1'40.758 

21  53 Lammert D. (GER) BMW S1000 RR 1'40.789 

22  91 Walkowiak M. (POL) Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.294 

23  89 Salac M. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 1000 1'41.484 

24  88 Pedro J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'41.618 

25 111 Rosini M. (ITA) KTM 1190 RC8 R 1'41.709 

26 119 Magnoni M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.716 

27  36 Thiriet P. (BRA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'41.860 

28  45 Sletten K. (NOR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'41.945 

29  29 Beretta D. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 1'41.985 

30 134 Lacalendola R. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.374 

31  66 Stoklosa M. (POL) BMW S1000 RR 1'43.938

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1  41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'34.257 

2  91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'34.456 

3  96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'34.604 

4  52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'34.630 

5  11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'34.773 

6   7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'34.843 

7  65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.900 

8  84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'34.909 

9   3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'34.937 

10  67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'34.997 

11   2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'35.018 

12  50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'35.098 

13  66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.117 

14  35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'35.152 

15  57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'35.239 

16  76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'35.683 

17  88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'35.877 

18  99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'36.337 

19 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'36.465 

20  17 Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.687 

21 123 Resch R. (AUT) BMW S1000 RR 1'36.706 

22  95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.927 

23  15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'37.022 

24  31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.502 

25  32 Morais S. (RSA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'40.155

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1  54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.215 

2  37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.563 

3  26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.632 

4  51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.703 

5  50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.752 

6  99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.960 

7   7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'37.090 

8  25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'37.293 

9  40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'37.430 

10 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.435 

11   5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.589 

12  55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.891 

13  14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'37.904 

14 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.709 

15   4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.919 

16   8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Honda CBR600RR 1'39.449 

17   9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.154 

18  85 Palumbo A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'40.302 

19  33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'42.951 

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1  86 Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 21'17.508 (146,719 kph) 

2  34 Giugliano D. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 3.080 

3  20 Barrier S. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR 4.693 

4 119 Magnoni M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 5.971 

5  65 Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 9.169 

6   8 Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 9.313 

7  11 Tutusaus P. (ESP) KTM 1190 RC8 R 9.705 

8  51 Barragan S. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 15.553 

9   5 Bussolotti M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 16.151 

10  14 Baroni L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 16.410 

11  69 Jezek O. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 1000 17.578 

12   7 Mähr R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 18.066 

13   9 Petrucci D. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 25.714 

14  89 Salac M. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 1000 28.565 

15  99 Leeson C. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 32.834 

16  64 Andric D. (BRA) Honda CBR1000RR 33.880 

17  55 Svitok T. (SVK) Honda CBR1000RR 34.118 

18 134 Lacalendola R. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 42.172 

19  91 Walkowiak M. (POL) Honda CBR1000RR 46.698 

20  45 Sletten K. (NOR) Yamaha YZF R1 47.645 

21 111 Rosini M. (ITA) KTM 1190 RC8 R 52.853 

22  88 Pedro J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 53.067 

RET  36 Thiriet P. (BRA) Honda CBR1000RR  

RET  21 Berger M. (FRA) Honda CBR1000RR  

RET  47 La Marra E. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR  

RET  30 Savary M. (SUI) BMW S1000 RR  

RET  66 Stoklosa M. (POL) BMW S1000 RR  

RET  12 Vivarelli N. (ITA) KTM 1190 RC8 R  

RET  93 Lussiana M. (FRA) BMW S1000 RR  

RET  29 Beretta D. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) won his second race of the 2010 season today, by 3.080 seconds from Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki) after Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) had crashed out of contention for second place.

The final podium place was taken by Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Junior Racing BMW).

In the championship, Badovini, on 50 points, leads Giugliano and Barrier, who are each on 29.

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1 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 36'47.723 (150,206 kph)

2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1.757

3 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 3.621

4 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 4.209

5 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 4.378

6 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 9.834

7 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 10.466

8 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 16.080

9 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 18.382

10 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 18.589

11 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 22.903

12 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 25.203

13 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 25.676

14 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 26.606

15 88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 43.797

16 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 48.094

17 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 48.190

18 17 Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 52.863

RET 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR

RET 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.

RET 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R

RET 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R

RET 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R

RET 123 Resch R. (AUT) BMW S1000 RR

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Leon Haslam had a comfortable win in the end for Alstare Suzuki, after early leader Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) went out with a technical problem, and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) could not make up the ground to get back into winning contention.

James Toseland's return to WSB in 2010 was marked by his first podium on his Sterilgarda Yamaha four, while BMW Motorrad Motorsport earned a great fourth place with Troy Corser, the highest ever SBK place for the team since entering WSBK last year.

Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) fought through to sixth, but could not pass Corser in the final laps.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 37'32.610 (147,213 kph)

2 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 3.193

3 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 5.417

4 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 8.317

5 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 10.757

6 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 38.866

7 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 38.926

8 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 50.902

9 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 56.653

10 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'01.495

11 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'06.573

12 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'18.142

RET 33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR

RET 40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675

RET 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R

RET 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Honda CBR600RR

RET 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR

RET 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR

RET 85 Palumbo A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-6R

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) won his home race at Valencia, taking advantage when his rivals slowed to post the fastest lap of the race and make a break before mid-race distance had been completed.

A sometimes-tight battle for second saw Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Chaz Davies (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) go head-to-head, until Sofuoglu broke away with four laps remaining.

The struggle for fourth place went to local man David Salom (ParkinGO BE-1 Triumph). He passed Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) in the later stages of the 23-lap race. At the top of the table, Lascorz now has 65 points to Sofuoglu's 61.

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[WORLDSBK.COM]

1 43 Perotti F. (ITA) Street Triple R 17'36.647 (136,451 kph)

2 23 Rovelli G. (ITA) Street Triple R 8.690

3 77 Torcolacci A. (ITA) Street Triple R 12.902

4 33 Marzotto M. (ITA) Street Triple R 22.378

5 4 Dunlop M. (IRL) Street Triple R 22.594

6 84 De Nardi S. (ITA) Street Triple R 31.575

7 25 Salom T. (ESP) Street Triple R 42.357

8 7 Blumetti P. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'13.816

9 19 Nicastro C. (ITA) Street Triple R 1'14.828

10 73 Rovelli P. (ITA) Street Triple R

11 93 Mariage F. (FRA) Street Triple R

12 1 Anaclerio R. (ITA) Street Triple R

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1 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 36'51.500 (149,95 kph)

2 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 0.025

3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 0.299

4 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 10.100

5 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 12.811

6 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 13.459

7 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 14.845

8 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 14.861

9 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 15.202

10 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 18.071

11 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 25.179

12 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 26.116

13 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 30.189

14 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 30.387

15 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 35.741

16 88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 43.244

17 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 43.540

18 123 Resch R. (AUT) BMW S1000 RR 47.145

19 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 48.502

20 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 51.838

RET 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R

RET 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F.

RET 17 Andrews S. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R

RET 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR

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Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) secured his first race win of 2010 after a tense fight with second place rider Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia).

A two part aggregate race was required after a crash on lap four of the first heat brought out the red flags. Simon Andrews and Vittorio Iannuzzo both had heavy falls at high speed on the start/finish straight, but two minor injuries to Andrews's left foot and ankle were the final result.

In the championship, Leon Haslam's fourth in the second of today's races gives him 123 points to Biaggi's 105 and Checa's 80. Haga is on 79 points. The final margin of victory in the two-part race was 0.025 seconds between Haga and Checa.

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Two action-packed races held under clear Spanish skies saw two different winners make their mark, Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) in race one and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) in race two. The races could not have been more different, with Haslam a clear leader in an uninterrupted contest, while Haga won an aggregate race two by only 0.025 seconds. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) scored two podiums today, while James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) also put in top three rides.

Leon Haslam had a comfortable win in the end, after early leader Carlos Checa went out with a technical problem, and Max Biaggi could not make up the ground to get back into winning contention. James Toseland's return to WSB in 2010 was marked by his first podium on his Sterilgarda Yamaha four, while BMW Motorrad Motorsport earned a great fourth place with Troy Corser, the highest ever SBK place for the team since entering WSBK last year. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) fought through to fifth, but could not pass Corser in the final laps.

Haga secured his first race win of 2010 after a tense fight with second place rider Checa and Biaggi. A two part aggregate race was required after a crash on lap four of the first heat brought out the red flags. Simon Andrews and Vittorio Iannuzzo both had heavy falls at high speed on the start/finish straight, but two fractures to Andrews's left foot and heel were the final result. The total time from the first three laps, and the time from a second heat of 20-laps were combined to find the final results. The margin of victory in the two-part race was 0.025 seconds between Haga and Checa, with Biaggi only 0.0299 from the win, in third place.

In the championship, Leon Haslam's fourth in the second of today's races gives him 123 points to Biaggi's 105 and Checa's 80. Haga is on 79 points, in fourth place. After a sixth and fifth today, Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is now fifth on 60 points, while Toseland and Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) are tied on 50 points. Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) had two no-scores leaving him eighth on the same 46 points as the ever-improving BMW of Troy Corser. Leon Camier led race two for Aprilia but fell for the second time today, scoring no points. Kawasaki Racing Team rider Tom Sykes went 11th and 15th, now sitting in 16th place overall.

Leon Haslam: "To make the break was a bit of a surprise, because I felt we could race the other guys, but for sure it would be a big battle to the end. But when I got to the lead I saw the lap times I was doing were not so great and I knew that Max and the others guys could go quicker, it had been proven. But I kept my rhythm and when I saw a small gap behind I pushed again and the gap became bigger and bigger. It's great to win another race and leave with the championship lead."

Noriyuki Haga: "I like Valencia a lot. I am Mr Valencia! Before the red flag in race two I made a good start and was in fifth position. In the restart I started from fifth and I kept a good pace. It was not easy to catch and pass the top two riders but in the last few laps I pushed hard and took the win. I was not thinking about the time difference I just knew I had to go at the front."

Max Biaggi: "We had a very nice race in race two, just like the first one. The temperature went up a lot in the second race, which meant that the grip went down. Nori and Carlos were in front of me in race two and they deserved their places. I could not follow Haga in the last two laps because he was very fast but second and third at Valencia are two good results."

Carlos Checa: "It was a good weekend; if not the first race then the second one, when I was battling right to the end. I thought I could control the second part of race two by sitting behind Max but then Nori arrived and broke up the group. I tried to catch him at the end but I could not make up the difference. Anyway I think it was a good result."

James Toseland: "I think Max was slightly faster than me after half race distance in race one, but I was stronger where you can pass another rider, and that made it difficult for him to overtake. Once he did get past, he helped me take a couple of tenths of a second from my lap times and I kept ahead of Corser and Haga. I couldn't do any more but we are getting better all the time."

Supersport - New leader Lascorz wins

Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) won his home race at Valencia, taking advantage when his rivals slowed to post the fastest lap of the race and make a break before mid-race distance had been completed. A sometimes-tight battle for second saw Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Chaz Davies (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) go head-to-head, until Sofuoglu broke away with four laps remaining. The struggle for fourth place went to local man David Salom (ParkinGO BE-1 Triumph). He passed Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) in the later stages of the 23-lap race. At the top of the table, Lascorz now has 65 points to Sofuoglu's 61.

Superstock Race - Badovini two from two

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) won his second race of the 2010 season today, by 3.080 seconds from Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki) after Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda) had crashed out of contention for second place. The final podium place was taken by Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Junior Racing BMW). In the championship, Badovini, on 50 points, leads Giugliano and Barrier, who are each on 29.

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The Valencia Supersport race saw Britain's Chaz Davies notch up his best result since joining the championship towards the end of last year and the first podium of the season scored by the Italian-based ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing. The 23-year-old finished third after 23 hard-fought laps during which he had a great scrap with former world champion Kenan Sofuoglu.

The result was a historic one for Triumph as it is the first podium in World Supersport scored by a Brit. The two previous third places had been obtained by Aussie Garry McCoy.

"It was a beautiful race. I got a very good start and got in the leading pack with Lascorz, Laverty and Sofuoglu," declared Davies. "After a few laps, I got in second place and from that moment on I started the duel with Sofuoglu. Lascorz exploited that and build up a gap. With six laps left, I made a small mistake while I was still battling for second place. This allowed the Turkish rider to create an advantage for himself. I tried to catch him, but the tyres were almost worn out and so I wasn't willing to take any risks. I hope this podium will be the first of many. I have to thank the entire team for doing a great job. This result wouldn't have been possible without their hard work".

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At Brno in 2009 Troy Corser took the factory BMW to a fifth place finish, but on Sunday at Valencia he not only scored a new best of fourth for the German factory, but he was also much closer to the win than at Brno last year. Only 4.209 seconds separated Troy from eventual victor Leon Haslam in Spain, and Troy was only 0.169 seconds from a historic podium finish.

The double SBK champion was understandably delighted to have scored so well, at what is one of his favourite circuits, especially as it is not one that has traditionally favoured the four-cylinder machines.

"The first race was great - just like it should always be! The bike had good grip, the traction control worked perfectly and the engine braking was spot on. I got a good start and went into the lead and I must say I felt pretty comfortable there. Even when Carlos came past, I knew I could just stay with him and watch what was going on. Everything was going good until I think I got a bit confused between the traction control and engine braking buttons and lost a little time and also third spot. But, it had been great to run at the front again and that's how it should be."

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After three rounds and six races we have now had eight riders who have taken some form of top three finish or other. The latest one to join the podium elite was James Toseland, swelling the ranks of previous top three men Leon Haslam, Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa, Noriyuki Haga, Jonathan Rea, Michel Fabrizio and Cal Crutchlow.

There have been four race winners in 2010, first Haslam, then Checa, then a double for Biaggi, and most recently a win came along for Noriyuki Haga at Valencia. Biaggi and Haslam have two race wins each in 2010.

Riders of Suzuki, Aprilia, Ducati, Honda and Yamaha machines have already put in podium performances; five of the seven competing manufacturers this year. With ten rounds and 20 races still to go, there are many opportunities left for all the riders and manufacturers with podium ambitions.

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Squadra Corse Italia's Vittorio Iannuzzo has been explaining the details of the horrific-looking incident in which he was involved, together with Simon Andrews, on the pit straight on lap 3 of the second race at Valencia. The British rider was forced against the pit-wall and then pushed down onto the grass by his bike, causing havoc amidst the team signalling boards on the wall.

‘Andrews suddenly slowed at 290 km/h and I couldn't do anything to avoid the impact,' said the Italian. ‘His left foot-peg split open my oil cooler, I took a hefty blow on my ribs and my hands but I managed to keep control of my Honda and stop on the grass almost at the end of the straight.'

Back in 2008 at Phillip Island Iannuzzo slammed into Michel Fabrizio's Ducati, which was stalled on the starting grid, and suffered several fractured bones in his other hand that kept him out of racing for six months. This time he only suffered bruising to his hands, while Andrews came away from Valencia with a broken heel and a fractured bone in his left foot.

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Ducati Xerox rider Michel Fabrizio and his technical team concluded a two-day test session at the Mugello circuit yesterday, deeming the test a success. Having suffered from apparent brake inconsistency during last weekend's Valencia races, Michel's squad have spent the last two days working to resolve these issues in time for the next round at Assen, in ten days time.

Yesterday morning a wet track delayed the start of the test but in the afternoon Fabrizio was able to ride his Ducati 1198 without interruptions. The bike was equipped with specific sensors which analyzed the front brake's performance and gave a much clearer picture as to where the problem lay. The team subsequently tried various solutions with regard to the brake pump and front caliper and in the end identified an alternative configuration that seemed to resolve the problem, renewing Michel's confidence with the bike.

Having regained feeling with the front brake, Michel and his technicians made other refinements to the set-up of the 1198, to build the rider's confidence still further. Lap times were good and consistently fast, with a best time of 1'52.6, on a race tyre. Before lunch Fabrizio was suffering from a severe groin pain and, satisfied with the work done up until then, he preferred to conclude testing early in order to seek medical advice and rest so as to be in good shape for the next race at Assen.

‘It's gone really well here,' declared Fabrizio. ‘My technical team were able to identify the problem I'd had at Valencia almost immediately and once the necessary changes were made to my front brake, I felt more confident with my 1198. I'm really happy and am now looking forward to getting back on track at Assen.'

‘This test has definitely led to a change for the better, a rider's confidence is all about his performance,' added team manager Ernesto Marinelli. ‘I'm very pleased that the problem with the brake has been identified and resolved and I am also convinced that in Assen we will see Michel back on form, performing at the top level and reaffirming his talent.'

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Davide Giugliano spent the entire winter with a real possibility of not having a ride this season. A disappointing end to 2009 put his career in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup in jeopardy, but then Team 06 offered him a Suzuki ride for this year. Giugliano was quick to take up the opportunity and despite just one day of wet testing at Misano, the Italian and the team scored an encouraging seventh place at Portimao.

‘For us the Portughese round was just like a test,' declared Davide, ‘thanks to which we came to Valencia with clear ideas about the bike set-up. The team is really good, everyone makes me feel at home and I just have to focus on giving 100%'.

That's just what Giugliano did last Sunday at Valencia, rewarding the efforts of the Italian team with a runner-up place that slotted him in behind points leader Badovini in the table.

‘I've always liked Valencia, it's a track where I go well. For sure, I would have liked to win but I'll try again at Assen. Even though it's not my real goal, it's important for the moment to constantly fight for second or third place. As soon as we are ready, then I'll be looking for the wins.'

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The opening round of the Triumph ParkinGO European Trophy was held last weekend at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, with the riders taking part in the challenge for the first time on their Street Triple Rs.

As expected, Fabrizio Perotti took the top slot on the podium, but it was not easy for the Italian, with BE1 Racing team owner Giuliano Rovelli and Alessandro Torcolacci finishing second and third respectively.

Rovelli, who started from the last row because he was 'busy' celebrating Chaz Davies's podium in the Supersport race, caught the top three runners after just one lap. Rovelli and Torcolacci then engaged in a duel which allowed Perotti to build up a small gap. While the two were overtaking each other for the second place, Salom caught up but later on was penalised with a ride through for a jump start. Torcolacci then passed Rovelli to take second place also as a result of Salom's penalty. Matteo Marzotto finished fourth after passing Supersport TT winner Michael Dunlop and Samuela De Nardi in the final sprint.

Next up is round two, which will be held at Assen in one week's time, where Dutch Supersport champion Arie Vos and former Torino and AS Roma professional footballer 'Tarzan' Annoni will also join in.

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Having had his second disappointing weekend of the 2010 season in succession, after a brilliant winning start in Australia, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) knows that a different approach is required to allow him to compete again for the wins.

Laverty found problems with his set-up that other riders did not, and the result of finishing Valencia fifth is that he has lost valuable ground on his main championship rivals, Joan Lascorz (65 points), Kenan Sofuoglu (61) points, as Eugene now has 41.

Laverty believes he has pinpointed the reason for his relative lack of race-long pace already: 'I struggled for rear grip for the entire race. I chose the same tyre that worked yesterday but it was warmer today. This tyre and setting are good for me as it gives feel and for one lap it is great, hence our two pole positions but for racing it is not performing. I am going to have to go back to settings that are not quite as good for feel but give more grip over a race distance. We have been here before and we know what to do. We will be back at Assen stronger than ever, that I promise.'

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The Reitwagen BMW team had an up and down Valencia round, inevitable maybe for such a young team with a new bike to develop at this stage. But considering the level of competition they are up against, Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch each took something positive away from their Valencia weekend.

In Pitt's case it was a single point, but simply more time and machine development will be needed to get him further up the finishing order, he believes. ‘At the moment, we are more or less at the limit of what we can do with what we have got and we need some updates. But Assen is only a fortnight away and it's hard to get all the work done when we have so little time in our workshops. The strange thing is that in some areas we are very competitive, but we are getting hurt exiting the turns - especially at a tight track like Valencia. I hope we'll get some updates for Assen because I think it's the kind of track that will be better for us than Valencia.'

For Roland Resch, getting back on his regular race machine after suffering a hard collarbone injury in Australia allowed him to finish at least one race in Spain. ‘Firstly, I am very happy that I have finished my first race for the team! After having to DNF in race one, I was determined to finish race two no matter what. Also, at the end of the day, I feel physically very good and have no pain from my shoulder at all. Valencia gave me a good workout and I managed it without any problems. Obviously stopping after just two laps in race one was not so good, but at least I was able to go the distance in race two. It was also good fun chasing Andrew and Max (Neukirchner) in race two and I really enjoyed that fight. Each day here, my pace has improved and I now feel I'm back! Now, I'm looking forward to Assen and hoping that it will be a better track for our bike.'

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After the Valencia weekend, which brought two more podiums and confirmed the current excellent form of both rider and machine, we caught up with Max Biaggi, currently lying second in the championship on his Aprilia Alitalia RSV4 machine, just 18 points behind leader Haslam. The Italian had an exclusive chat to WorldSBK.com about his feelings about the 2010 season: results, rivals, aims, his future and his fans.

How important for your morale was the double victory at Portimao?

'I had a strong feeling that the Biaggi-Aprilia pairing in this 2010 season could produce some excellent races and winning twice at Portimao is confirmation that we are at the top'.

And at Valencia you also showed you were up there at the front. What was missing for you to get on the top step of the podium?

'Let's say that we were very competitive throughout the entire race weekend. We could quite easily have won race 2, there was nothing in it, with a bit of luck we could have done it...but I have to admit that both Haslam and Checa were really strong'.

Compared to 2009, the Biaggi-Aprilia pairing appears to be much stronger this year. What exactly has changed? Are you more determined or has the bike improved a lot?

'That was just the first year of racing for the RSV4 machine and we needed to run it in a bit. Now we have prepared everything for the best and we can be up there fighting in every situation. I am really motivated and for sure I'm not holding back'.

If you had to choose between consistency, luck, bike, team and rider to win the world title, what would it be?

'Let's just say that to be a winner you have to have all of them, it's an explosive mixture!'

Who do you think is your main rival this year?

'It's a bit too early to rule out some riders who have a chance of winning the title and when I'm on the track everyone for me is a rival, there's no difference'.

Let's dream a bit: at the end of 2010 Max Biaggi is the first Italian to win the World Superbike title, on an Italian bike and with an Italian sponsor. What will you do in 2011? Once you've achieved that aim, will you say goodbye to everyone and retire or try and efendi the title another year, this time with the number 1 on your bike?

'You should never tell your dreams and for this reason I can't answer that question otherwise they never come true. I'm already working for the future irrespective of the result that I can achieve this year'.

You won your first world title at the age of 16 and you're still one of the most popular riders for Italians and fans worldwide. Ever wondered why?

'I don't know how to answer that one. Ask the fans, I try and do what I love doing in the best possible way, that is racing bikes all over the world'.

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