Laverty on top of the world at Monza
Added on Sunday, May 8th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Laverty on top of the world at Monza
Eugene Laverty scored a thrilling double victory at Monza this afternoon, the first of his World Superbike career.
After starting on the front row of the grid for the opening race of the day, Laverty fought off the attentions of his rivals as they pushed to try and distract him. Unable to faze the Yamaha World Superbike rider right until the chequered flag, his rivals were forced to settle behind him.
As Laverty settled into the lead position, the fight for second really began to hot up. After starting from pole position, reigning champion Max Biaggi was demoted to second place, with Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri hot on his heels.
This tight tussle eventually ended with Biaggi sealing up second place, as Haslam and Melandri followed in third and fourth.
A strong qualifying session allowed Michel Fabrizio to enjoy a top ten start on his Suzuki Alstare bike. By the end of the race he had fought his way to fifth place, also acquiring the fastest lap of the race on his way to the chequered flag.
Jonathan Rea managed to hold onto sixth place, despite the tough efforts of a chasing Troy Corser in seventh, whilst Leon Camier worked his way up to eighth. The remainder of the top ten saw Carlos Checa and Jakub Smrz feature.
Race two was a field of thrill and spills, with Biaggi falling foul of punishment. The Italian had led the outing for most of the eighteen laps, however after being deemed to have cut the chicane in an inappropriate manner he was given a ride through penalty.
As Biaggi pitted to receive his penalty, Laverty took over role as race leader, from where he never looked back. This time around Laverty came under immense pressure from his Yamaha World Superbike teammate Melandri, with the latter keeping him honest until the very last second. Laverty was able to hold the lead at the final corner, as they exited to be welcomed by the chequered flag.
Another battle for third place between former teammates Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga saw Fabrizio complete the podium, leaving Haga in fourth. Behind, Corser went one better than race one to finish fifth, whilst Ayrton Badovini returned to the top ten in sixth place.
Sylvain Guintoli crossed the line in seventh place after eighteen laps, ahead of a recovering Biaggi who fought back to eighth place. Joan Lascorz finished in ninth place ahead of championship leader Checa in tenth.
Despite his first race weekend of 2011 without tasting victory, Checa is still in control of the championship standings, with a total of 145 points. Melandri is second with 118, with Biaggi just one point adrift in fourth. After securing not only his first WSB win, but a double victory, Laverty has leapt up to fifth in the overall standings.
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