Checa doubles up at Phillip Island

Added on Sunday, February 27th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

After opening the season with a Superpole win in yesterday’s qualifying session, it was Carlos Checa who scored a double victory at Phillip Island today.

Having kicked off his World Superbike season in perfect style, a double win was just what the Ducati rider ordered, finishing the first race of the season four seconds ahead of second place man Max Biaggi.

It was Eugene Laverty who jumped into the early lead, however on lap three Checa managed to pass Laverty, edging into the lead and into the distance. After this it was much a chasing game at the front, with Biaggi trying his best to make an impression. After realising it was a slightly tall order, Biaggi settled for second, whilst Brit Leon Haslam completed the podium in third place.

Behind, Laverty sneaked passed Marco Melandri on the finish line to steal fourth, leaving the latter to pick up fifth place. Sixth place went the way of Michel Fabrizio, just ahead of Jakub Smrz. Tom Sykes jumped up to an eighth place finish, whilst Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser rounded out the top ten. Jonathan Rea also enjoyed a spell in the top ten, however an slight trip off track left him down in 12th place. Having started in the top ten, Sylvain Guintoli crashed during the opening race, leaving him with injuries to his right-hand, knee and shoulder blade.

Race two was much the same at the very front, with Checa again getting the advantage on his rivals. Biaggi again tried his hardest to catch the Spaniard, however was forced to settle for runner-up spot yet again. Despite holding the control pace during this second outing, Biaggi was much closer this time out, finish just over one second adrift.

Melandri completed the podium this time around, after enjoying a tough battle with Biaggi for a podium spot. Rea had better luck this time out, putting the chaos of race one behind him to finish a strong fourth. Fifth place went the way of Leon Haslam and Leon Camier, making it a triple Brit finish in the top ten, whilst Haga moved up to seventh this time, ahead of Team Suzuki Alstare rider Fabrizio in eighth. Sykes and Ruben Xaus completed the top ten this time around.

With round one done and dusted it’ll soon be time for the next outing, in one month time, as the WSB field make their way to Donington Park for their first British excursion of the season.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.