Biaggi has double the fun at Portimao
Added on Sunday, March 28th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Biaggi has double the fun at Portimao
Italian Max Biaggi was the man to beat at Portimao today, being the first to take the chequered flag on both outings.
Biaggi stormed into the lead during the first twenty-two lap race, and after a dominant performance proved to be the pace setter. He was harrassed all the way by round one winner Leon Haslam, giving the crowd something to really enjoy. The Italian roared to victory just 0.200 seconds ahead of the young Brit, while fellow Brit Jonathan Rea transferred his fifth place start into third at the flag.
Pole sitter Cal Crutchlow suffered a difficult race when, after running in the top three a fall from his Sterilgarda Yamaha through him from the top positions. After getting going again Crutchlow was able to rejoin in fourteenth place, where he remained until the end.
Behind the top three, Carlos Checa rode to fourth, just ahead of World Superbike graduate Leon Camier in fifth. Camier, determined to find a way into fourth, really piled on the pressure, however was unable to find a way through.
The remainder of the top ten was occupied by Shane Byrne, with the Ducati rider overcoming pain from an accident on Saturday to take sixth, while James Toseland made up for a difficult qualifying session by finishing seventh. Noriyuki Haga stormed through to eighth, meanwhile Troy Corser was the first of the BMW riders with a ninth place finish, ahead of his Motorrad Motorsport team mate Ruben Xaus.
Despite race two seeing a familiar name topping the results, there was still excitement with four riders fighting over the top spot.
Biaggi was fortunate to hold onto the lead, despite the best efforts of Haslam. The Suzuki rider fought hard until the end, however was unable to make an overtaking move stick. The Italian expert used his experience to outshine Haslam out of the final corner to take his first double victory in the series.
After a difficult first race, Crutchlow enjoyed this second race riding straight onto the podium. Checa and Camier enjoyed a race long battle for the second time today, again taking fourth and fifth place at the flag, respectively.
With much of the British hope on his shoulders, James Toseland went one better than his race one finish riding his Yamaha to sixth. Shane Byrne, Noriyuki Haga, Sylvain Guintoli and Troy Corser completed the top ten. Michel Fabrizio had a less than easy weekend, only managing a duo of eleventh place finishes.
Commenting on his first double win, Biaggi said: “It is great to get my first double win in World Superbike. The feeling is great and the first double win of anybody this year so I feel confident and we are in a good rhythm. We go to Valencia next and we will ask very much of ourselves there as well. We had good speed down the straight today but if you saw how fast we could exit the last corner then you would know it was not just the engine. Our bike is fast but other bikes are also fast.”
After two strong rounds Haslam remains in control of the championship with 85 points. Biaggi is second with a total of 69, while Checa holds third with 60 points.
Everyone is eagerly anticipating the next round after another batch of thrilling races. Next stop Valencia in two weeks time.
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