FIM Superbike World Championship Vallelunga, Italy September 21, 2008 Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Noriyuki HAGA (Yamaha YZF-R1), 24 laps, 39:10.265 2. Michel FABRIZIO (Ducati 1098 F08), -1.507 seconds 3. Troy CORSER (Yamaha YZF-R1), -2.268 4. Max NEUKIRCHNER (Suzuki GSX-R1000), -11.813 5. Carlos CHECA (Honda CBR1000RR), -17.922 6. Fonsi NIETO (Suzuki GSX-R1000), -18.281 7. Yukio KAGAYAMA (Suzuki GSX-R1000), -19.368 8. Shinichi NAKATOMI (Yamaha YZF-R1), -19.717 9. Regis LACONI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -23.868 10. Roberto ROLFO (Honda CBR1000RR), -24.198 11. Jakub SMRZ (Ducati 1098 RS08), -25.426 12. Ruben XAUS (Ducati 1098 RS08), -28.384 13. Ryuichi KIYONARI (Honda CBR1000RR), -30.436, crash 14. Sebastien GIMBERT (Yamaha YZF-R1), -36.490 15. Chris WALKER (Honda CBR1000RR), -42.903 16. Troy BAYLISS (Ducati 1098 F08), -43.758, crash 17. Shuhei AOYAMA (Honda CBR1000RR), -44.993 18. Lorenzo LANZI (Ducati 1098 RS08), -48.469, ran off track 19. Makoto TAMADA (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -58.868 20. David CHECA (Yamaha YZF-R1), -78.547, ran off track 21. Matej SMRZ (Honda CBR1000RR), -102.272 22. Matt LYNN (Honda CBR1000RR), -1 lap 23. Ayrton BADOVINI (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -9 laps, DNF, retired 24. Vittorio IANNUZZO (Kawasaki ZX-10R), -11 laps, DNF, retired 25. Gregorio LAVILLA (Honda CBR1000RR), -18 laps, DNF, retired 26. Christian ZAISER (Yamaha YZF-R1), -19 laps, DNF, retired 27. Karl MUGGERIDGE (Honda CBR1000RR), -22 laps, DNF, crash 28. Kenan SOFUOGLU (Honda CBR1000RR), -24 laps, DNF, crash 29. Max BIAGGI (Ducati 1098 RS08), -24 laps, DNF, crash World Championship Point Standings (after 24 of 28 races): 1. Bayliss, 369 points 2. Corser, 290 3. TIE, Haga/Neukirchner, 280 5. Carlos Checa, 262 6. Biaggi, 212 7. Nieto, 206 8. Fabrizio, 201 9. Kiyonari, 193 10. Xaus, 160 11. Kagayama, 136 12. Jakub Smrz, 113 13. Lavilla, 107 14. Lanzi, 104 15. Muggeridge, 71 16. Rolfo, 49 17. Sofuoglu, 47 18. Nakatomi, 46 19. Laconi, 44 20. Tamada, 41 21. Tom Sykes, 35 22. Cal Crutchlow, 20 23. TIE, Badovini/James Ellison, 19 25. Russel Holland, 14 26. David Checa, 12 27. Gimbert, 9 28. Leon Haslam, 8 29. Aoyama, 5 30. TIE, Walker/Niccolo Canepa, 3 32. Michael Beck, 1 More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Carlos Checa took two fifth place finishes in today’s 12th round World Superbike championship races at Vallelunga in Italy. Both 24-lappers around the 4.1km circuit just north of Rome were won by Yamaha’s Noriyuki Haga. Checa struggled in both races, suffering from arm pump and a sore throat that has dogged him since his arrival in Italy. However, in spite of his 12th place grid position following his crash during Superpole yesterday, his two fifths were positives for the team. His HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Ryuichi Kiyonari, started from the front row of the grid but crashed out of contention in race one, struggling for a good feel from the front. He crashed again in the second outing, but remounted and finished in 13th place. Kenan Sofuoglu, also crashed out of both races, the second one as an innocent victim as Max Biaggi launched himself and Sofuoglu spectacularly across the infield at the start. Despite landing heavily, however, Sofuoglu suffered only heavy bruising. Carlos Checa 5th and 5th Starting from 12th place on the grid was always going to be difficult so I guess that two fifth places will have to do, but of course I am disappointed. I had bad arm pump in race one and luckily I got a pretty bad start in race two. I just saw this huge mess in front of me which turned out to be Biaggi and Kenan. I was convinced the race would be red flagged, so I shut off the gas, along with a few other riders. When they didn’t flag it, I had to try even harder to pass some riders, but the gap was just too big. Ryuichi Kiyonari DNF and 13th I am very disappointed. I don’t know what happened in race one, just that it was my mistake. We changed tyres for race two and on the warm-up lap I knew the bike was much better. Then Biaggi had a big crash that almost took me out I was completely sideways and had to brake very hard. After that, I tried to push, but pushed too hard and crashed again. You do not want to hear what I was saying in my helmet. When I got back on the bike, it still felt good and I was able to do some good lap times. Kenan Sofuoglu DNF and DNF The first crash was my mistake and I was very sorry because the bike was good in warm-up and I was looking forward to the races. In race two, I just felt a bump and then I was flying. The shoulder I damaged at Donington is sore and my back will hurt tomorrow, but otherwise I’m OK. Ronald ten Kate team manager There’s not really much to say other than the two races today were pretty disappointing. The start of race two was just mayhem and, unfortunately, Kenan was involved luckily without serious injury. Our other two riders were caught up in the mess and the only positive thing was that Kiyo was doing the same lap times as the race winner. More, from a press release issued by Team YZF Yamaha: Good races for Nakatomi Shinichi Nakatomi did a very good race 1, fighting with good riders such as Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki), Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki), Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) and Roberto Rolfo (Honda). He finished in 10th position. Race 2 was even more brilliant with his best result this year: 8th position! Nakatomi is now 18th in the World Championship standings. Troy Bayliss (Ducati) got the best start in front of Max Biaggi (Ducati), Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) and Troy Corser (Yamaha). Then Haga took the lead until the chequered flag and won the race in front of Biaggi and Corser. Shinichi Nakatomi was 16th in the beginning of the race, and then had great fights with Fonsi Nieto, Roberto Rolfo, Lorenzo Lanzi and Yukio Kagayama. He finished finally 10th, with the second top speed. In race 2, Nakatomi started well, but was slowed down by a crash involving Max Biaggi and Kenan Sofuoglu. Then he went back to 10th position, fighting for the 6th place with Carlos Checa, Fonsi Nieto, Yukio Kagayama and Regis Laconi. He finally finished in 8th position, his best result this year. The team is very proud of him. Shinichi Nakatomi: “Yesterday, we had problems with the setting. This morning, the feeling was better. We made more changes in the right direction. The first race was good. In the second race, I lost a lot of time in the beginning because of Biaggi’s early crash. Then I progressed forward. On the average, it’s not so bad. The test we did in July at Vallelunga was useful. I hope to have a good result at the next race in Magny-Cours because this is my French team’s home track.” Team-manager Martial Garcia: “All the work we have done during practice finally paid off. We ended up 10th, only 19 seconds behind the winner. Nakatomi’s best lap (1’38.2) was 7 tenths of a second slower than the quickest time (1’37.5). One of the reasons of this good result is a good Pirelli tyre choice. We have one of the best top speeds. In race 2, he confirmed his talent. This is his best result this year. I am happy because this shows the qualities of the bike and the point in doing testing. Thank you very much to the team for the excellent job that has been done.” More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Haga takes another double win as Yamaha dominate the podium in Vallelunga Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) had an outstanding raceday at Vallelunga, scoring a double win and promoting himself to third in the championship after two 24-lap races of full drama. Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) also had a successful raceday, taking two podium finishes in third, and making up ground on long time points leader Troy Bayliss. The Ducati rider fell in race two, without injury, and in doing so scored no points, despite restarting. Corser now has 290 points to Bayliss’s 369, with Haga equal on points with Max Neukirchner, on 280. The overall result of the Vallelunga weekend is that each Yamaha rider is still capable of winning the championship, with four races and 100 points left. In the first 24-lap race Haga and Corser were ever-present in the fight for podium places, with long time race leader Haga taking the reward of victory, by 0.129 seconds from Max Biaggi. Corser looked capable of winning himself as he finally made up all the ground he lost in the mid section of the race in the last few laps, but was unable to get close enough to Biaggi to secure second. Race two was a classic three-way fight in the early laps, with Haga, Corser and Bayliss close together. Later in the race Haga and Bayliss swapped the lead repeatedly, but on the final lap Bayliss crashed and Haga went on to win by 1.5 seconds, from Michel Fabrizio, and Corser, who was another second behind. Haga continued to use the new Ohlins electronic rear shock for both Vallelunga races, the system worked well for the Yamaha rider, an improvement on the standard shock. Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) had his best result of the year with an eighth place finish, followed by tenth. David Checa (Yamaha GMT94) went 17th in race one and ran off on race two, finishing 20th. His team-mate Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha GMT94) retired in race one but scored two points for 14th in race two. Noriyuki Haga (1st and 1st – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “I could hear Biaggi’s bike all the way but my bike was working very well and I am very happy with the result. In race two I had a very big fight with Troy Bayliss, and I am sorry for his crash. But I enjoyed our battle while it lasted. It was a great day today for our team and thanks to all the team and the fans for the reception. For sure we will be pushing hard at the next round, as we did at this one.” Troy Corser (3rd and 3rd – Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “In race one I got a good start, pushed hard and the tyres were working well, so I felt comfortable. Then I had a bit of a moment when I lost a place to Checa. I went for second gear but hit a neutral and that lost me some time. I was lucky to stay on and I lost a lot of ground to the leaders. I got past Checa again and caught them but I could not get past the leaders. In race two we changed the bike a bit but I lost some time through the Esses. It was a shame for Troy crashing but it kept the championship alive for us.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Manager, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) “Another great raceday after a strong weekend for our team, which shows how well we work. Noriyuki had another magic weekend and took full points. Troy rode well and two podiums is a good result. Our riders are second and third in the championship and it is not over yet. I am sorry for Troy Bayliss because he is a fantastic racer, and does not want to give up, but the championship is not closed yet.” Shinichi Nakatomi (10th and 8th – Team YZF Yamaha) “Yesterday, we had problems with the settings. This morning, the feeling was better. We made more changes in the right direction. The first race was good. In the second race, I lost a lot of time in the beginning because of Biaggi’s early crash. Then I progressed forward. On the average, it’s not so bad. The test we did in July at Vallelunga was useful. I hope to have a good result at the next race in Magny-Cours because this is my French team’s home track.” More, from a press release issued by Honda: CHECA THE TOP HONDA MAN AT VALLELUNGA Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) scored fifth on two occasions at the Vallelunga World Superbike race weekend, and now sits fifth in the overall championship fight with two rounds left to run. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) who had qualified fifth in Superpole, had a no score in race one after he fell, and then another crash and remount that placed him only 13th in race two. He is now ninth overall. In dry raceday conditions, Noriyuki Haga scored a double win, and after World Championship leader Troy Bayliss crashed out of race two, and remounted to score no points, the championship title itself was not decided in the Australian’s favour today. In the first race, over 24 laps, Checa was fifth, unable to carry on a fantastic charge that pushed him close to the leaders, after starting from 12th, the result of crashing in Superpole. He battled with Max Neukirchner and Troy Bayliss, finishing behind the German but up on championship leader Bayliss, partly thanks to the best lap of the race, 1’37.537. Kiyonari was challenging for his own podium place when he fell at the Curva Torantino corner, on lap four. In race two Checa ended lap one 13th but he climbed to sixth within nine laps. He could not make any more progress until Bayliss fell. In race one Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR1000RR) secured an eighth place finish from 13th on the grid, despite being pushed to the back early on. He set the best top speed of the race and was lapping at the same pace as the leaders. In race two, he went 10th, after another fight through the field, the result of being 23rd on lap one. Gregorio Lavilla (Vent-Axia VK Honda CBR1000RR) was the final Honda points scorer in race one, taking 14th after qualifying out of Superpole in 17th place. In race two he was forced to retire, on lap seven. The 4.110km circuit near Rome was unkind to both Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR Jr) and Karl Muggeridge (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) as they crashed together in race one, and neither scored points. In race two Sofuoglu was involved in a high-speed collision with the crashing machine of Max Biaggi at the Curvone, and bruised the Sacrum bone in the small of his back. Both riders walked away from what looked a very serious incident at the time. Muggeridge also fell in race two, this time after a collision with Kiyonari. Chris Walker (Vent-Axia VK Honda CBR1000RR) took the last point on offer in race two, while Shuhei Aoyama (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) was 19th and 17th today. Matt Lynn (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) was 22nd in each race. In the championship itself, Bayliss has 369 points, Corser 290, Neukirchner and Haga 280, and Checa, 262. Checa said: “Starting from 12th place on the grid was always going to be difficult so I guess two fifth places will have to do. Of course I am disappointed. I had bad arm pump in race one and luckily I got a pretty bad start in race two. I just saw this huge mess in front of me, which turned out to be Biaggi and Kenan. I was convinced the race would be red flagged, so I shut off the gas, along with a few other riders. When they didn’t flag it, I had to try even harder to pass some riders, but the gap was just too big.” Kiyonari said: “I am very disappointed. I don’t know what happened in race one, just that it was my mistake. We changed tyres for race two and on the warm-up lap I knew the bike was much better. Then Biaggi had a big crash that almost took me out I was completely sideways and had to brake very hard. After that, I tried to push, but pushed too hard and crashed again. When I got back on the bike, it still felt good and I was able to do some good lap times.” Sofuoglu said: “The first crash was my mistake and I was very sorry because the bike was good in warm-up and I was looking forward to the races. In race two, I just felt a bump and then I was flying. The shoulder I damaged at Donington is sore and my back will hurt tomorrow, but otherwise I’m OK.” Rolfo said: “What an amazing recovery! I’m really disappointed because of my bad start. My bike cut-out when I released the clutch lever. Starting from the first few laps I pushed very hard and I found a very fast pace. I was able to overtake a lot of riders and only during the last laps I had to reduce my rhythm because the front tyre had no more grip. My second start was pretty good but unfortunately some riders crashed in front of me and I was forced to exit on the gravel and I lost quite a few places.” Lavilla said: “We knew it was going to be a difficult weekend as all the teams have tested here during the year and the weather on Friday really didn’t help us. The first race we struggled but the second race we made some changes and the bike was much better and the pace good. I felt that I could have been up to 5th as these were the riders I was battling with, so it was unfortunate that we had a problem with the bike and I wasn’t able to finish.” Walker said: “It was exciting coming into this weekend as it’s only the third time I’ve been on the bike. I’m one of the only riders who haven’t been here before and the rain on Friday set us back more so I was disappointed about our qualifying which made it tough for the races.” Magny-Cours in France, hosts the penultimate round of the 2008 championship, on October 5. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Team Alstare Suzuki rider Max Neukirchner took a gritty pair of fourths in the 12th round of the Superbike World Championship at Vallelunga in Italy today. Despite not having a perfect bike set-up, the young German battled his way through both 24-lap races and took the best results he could as team mate Yukio Kagayama was disappointed to finish ninth in the first race, but improved to end race two in seventh. Third rider Fonsi Nieto also struggled, finishing 12th in race one, but improved to sixth in race two. None of trio had tested at the circuit before this year – unlike most of their rivals – and the lack of dry set-up time put them at a disadvantage even before the torrential rain on Friday. Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) won the two 24-lap races today following terrific battles in both with series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati). Max Neukirchner – Race 1: 4th, Race 2: 4th: “We didn’t test here before and I think that put us at a big disadvantage so I think we did our best today and a pair of fourths is not bad. For this morning’s warm-up we changed the bikes – one had a shorter swing-arm and the other had a longer swing-arm. In race one, I had a lot of spinning, but just kept going as hard as I could. We adjusted the rear shock for race two and the bike felt better, but not quite good enough and we still had problems exiting the corners and in the chicane. Also, I had quite a lot of pain just above my left hip as a result of my crash on Friday. All in all though, I am not disappointed today.” Yukio Kagayama – Race 1: 9th, Race 2: 7th: “This has been a difficult day and a difficult weekend and maybe it would not have been so bad if we had tested here before – like the other teams. For me the results today are not good enough and not what I expect of myself. The bike was difficult to turn in race one and the feeling was not so good. We made some small changes to the suspension for race two and the feeling was better and I was able to push harder. Our engine is strong but our bike was not so easy to ride today exiting corners and we need to make it smoother so that we can push harder. I am a little angry and disappointed but sometimes racing is like this.” Fonsi Nieto – Race 1: 12th, Race 2: 6th: “Our lack of practice was a big disadvantage this weekend and we were always struggling a little, especially when Friday was so wet and we could not look for a dry set-up. Race one was not good at all. I had no grip and it was very hard to keep the bike upright and all I could do was try and finish. I got hit on my leg by Biaggi in race two and I thought that the red flag would come out because he and another rider had a big crash. I had eased my pace expecting the red flag, so when it did not come out I had to start concentrating hard and working my way back into the race. Right at the end I was ready to pass Checa but then the yellow flags came out because Bayliss had crashed so I had to keep station. I want to thank the team for all their hard work this difficult weekend and now I want to look forward to Magny-Cours. It is not one of my favourite tracks, but I have been on the podium there, so I like it.” More, from a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: FABRIZIO (DUCATI XEROX) TAKES SECOND AT VALLELUNGA, CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE REMAINS IN THE BALANCE Vallelunga (Italia), Sunday 21st September 2008: Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) celebrated a second place finish in front of his home crowd at the Vallelunga circuit this afternoon. A race in which Troy Bayliss could have taken the title, Fabrizio not only took a podium place but also played the role of team-mate to perfection, doing his utmost to help Bayliss take the title, only to see Bayliss fall on the closing lap. In Race 1, and despite a strong start, Ducati Xerox factory rider Troy Bayliss held the lead for just a lap before the chasing pack started to create problems for the Australian, overtaking him one by one. The 24-lap race was characterised by a battle at the front between Haga, Biaggi and Corser, all strong riders at this track last year too. An anomaly with both the front and rear tyres meant that 39-year old Troy and his Ducati F08 were unable to catch the leaders and he was forced to settle for eventual sixth position. Team-mate Michel Fabrizio rode a consistent first race, starting from, and also finishing in, seventh position. The second race was one of the most exciting of the season, with Bayliss needing to finish the race just five points ahead of Corser to take the title. Bayliss made another flying start and held the lead this time for the first five laps, before Haga passed him for the first time. Bayliss and Haga held the lead for the rest of the race, battling it out for first place while a hungry Fabrizio chased Corser in a battle for third. Fabrizio was aware of the situation and knew that, in taking Corser, he would not only finish on the podium but also help his team-mate Bayliss to take the title. On the final lap Fabrizio achieved his goal, only to see team-mate Bayliss crash out a couple of corners later. Bayliss picked up his bike to complete the race in sixteenth position. Bayliss’ lead in the championship has dropped from 101 to 79 points, ahead of Corser in second and Haga and Neukirchner who now lie in joint third place. Fabrizio take away a healthy 29 points from the weekend’s racing and lies in eighth place with 201 points. Ducati takes solid points today in the manufactures classification and so continues to lead the championship, holding 479 points ahead of second-placed Yamaha (416 points). Troy Bayliss (Race 1 – 6th, Race 2 – 16th) “Well of course we were hoping to take the title here today and so of course I’m disappointed. It was a great race and I lost, that’s about all I can say. I gave it everything I had in the second race and was fighting to pass Haga. As I didn’t know what was happening behind me, and so had no idea that Michel was about to pass Corser, I’d already decided in the closing stages, with six laps to go, that I was going to try and take Nori and either win or crash because I knew that me finishing second and Corser third wouldn’t be enough to take the title and I really wanted to finish the job here today. I got close enough but then riding so close to the limit, it only took one tiny thing, either a little bit too much brake or too much lean, and I went down. It didn’t end the way we had hoped but we move on, there are still two rounds to go and I have a good points advantage still.” Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 – 7th, Race 2 – 2nd) “I am really happy with my result although I am obviously really disappointed for Troy. I knew the points situation and knew that I could help Troy by getting past Corser and so I gave it my all. It wasn’t easy as Corser was also riding really hard but I managed it in the end and am very happy to be on the podium at my home race. Race one was less of a success for me as we made a wrong choice with regard to the front tyre, in the same way that Troy did. At the end of today, I’m just sorry that me and Troy wont be celebrating together in the way that we might have been. I thank the whole team, the sponsors and my wife who have all helped me attain today’s result.” More, from a press release issued by PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse: Laconi Scores A Race Two Ninth Vallelunga, Italy, 21 September 2008 Régis Laconi rode hard for a fine top ten finish on his PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse Ninja ZX-10R at Vallelunga and improved his championship position in the process. In the first race Laconi just missed out on a point, while Tamada’s lowly starting position stopped him from making progress early on, and he secured 20th place. Laconi and Tamada made changes to their machines for race two, with Laconi softening his rear suspension settings, then pushing himself to ninth despite being run off the track at one stage. From a lowly grid position, Tamada rode with determination in each 24-lap race at the dual-character 4.110km Vallelunga circuit near Rome, and he just missed points in race two. He was particularly unfortunate to get caught up in the aftermath of a high-speed crash between two other riders, or he could have joined Laconi in the points. The end result of Laconi’s seven points from Vallelunga is that he has now overtaken Tamada in the championship table, with 44 points to Tamada’s 41. The next round is Laconi’s home event, Magny-Cours, on Sunday October 5. Régis Laconi: “In race one I made a quite good start but after few laps I found the chatter that we thought we had got rid of yesterday. Because of that I found it hard to keep on the proper line. Between race one and race two the whole team worked really well to solve the problem by making the rear shock less stiff and it helped a lot, making easier to manage the bike and I scored a 9th position. I’m really glad about this result as the team deserved it after the great job they did.” Makoto Tamada: “I just want to forget this weekend as it has been really difficult to accept the results. I still don’t have a good feeling with the bike, especially with the front. We tried to reduce this problem by changing the pressure of the tyres but it didn’t help so I just tried to finish the race. In the second race I made quite a good start but after the crash between Biaggi and Sofuoglu, I was covered in oil and I lost control for a while, losing positions which I was not able to regain during the race. It’s a pity, because the feeling with the bike was better than in race one.” More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist: TWO SUPERB PODIUMS FOR TROY IN VALLELUNGA! Troy rode two hard-fought 24-lappers at Vallelunga today and left the Roman circuit with a superb pair of podiums. He finished third in the first race, behind winner (and team mate) Noriyuki Haga and Max Biaggi (Ducati) and followed that up with another third in race two. Haga also won this race, but this time, it was local hero Michel Fabrizio who took runner-up spot. Series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati) finished sixth in race one and crashed in the second and now leads Troy in the championship by 79 points. Troy – Race 1: 3rd, Race 2: 3rd It’s always good to get on the podium, especially when you’ve worked hard to get there and this weekend has been a tough one, not helped by losing a day’s dry track time on Friday. I had some front end grip problem in race one, so we made some small changes to the bike for race two and although the bike felt better, we still used the tyre up. It was hard holding on the two guys up front and I could catch them on the brakes, but they would pull away from me exiting the turns. The rear tyre went off sooner in race two, than race one and from then it was just a case of hanging on as best I could. I want say a big thank you to the team for all their hard work this weekend, congratulations to my team mate for winning both races and also congratulations to Michel Fabrizio for getting on the podium. He’s young and I’m sure there’ll be many more podiums to come from him. More, from a press release issued by FG Sport Group: Haga takes sensational double win at Vallelunga, Bayliss crashes out on last lap Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB) scored a sensational double win in the twelfth round of the HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the Vallelunga circuit near Rome in front of 82,000 spectators. The Japanese rider, who hadn’t won a race since Nurburgring, took the maximum points, while championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) wasted an opportunity to clinch his third title when he crashed out on the final lap of race 2, postponing the race for the title until Magny-Cours. Race 1 Haga powered to his fifth win of the season, battling throughout the 24-lap race with an on-form Max Biaggi (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati). The Italian tried everything to pass Haga but in the end had to settle for the runner-up slot. Third place went to Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB), while Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki) recovered from a poor start to grab fourth place from Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Bayliss, who struggled after making a wrong choice of tyre. Seventh went to Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), who ruined a good result in front of his home crowd with a poor start. Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Honda Althea) stalled at the start but then was able to recover to finish eighth. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB): “I’m really very happy because this weekend my feeling with the bike was very good even though on Friday I had a big crash, but no problem. Also my body is feeling much better now. It was quite a tough race, 24 laps here is very long and I had pressure from Max but my bike was good and thanks also to my team for the win.” Max Biaggi (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati): “It was a nice race and a nice start and I tried to keep up with Haga in front and then when Corser arrived he was really trying hard. Then I got back to Nori, but he was riding very good and it was tough for me, I was always behind him, I couldn’t attack because I lost too much time going out of the curve.” Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB): “We made a change from the morning warm-up and the bike felt pretty good even though it was a bit of a gamble. In the infield section just before the last corner it jumped out of gear into neutral and I lost a bit of time. In the end I pushed as hard as I could to the two guys up front but it was too much to make up. I’m happy enough to get third because it’s more points in the championship.” Results: 1. Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 39’25.030 (150,148 kph); 2. Biaggi M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 0.129; 3. Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 0.535; 4. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 5.188; 5. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 6.693; 6. Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 1098 F08 7.993; 7. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 F08 16.976; 8. Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 18.359; 9. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 19.214; 10. Nakatomi S. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 19.386; 11. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098 RS 08 21.230; 12. Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 24.956; 13. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098 RS 08 25.186; 14. Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 31.799; 15. Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 33.949; 16. Laconi R. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 34.050. Race 2 After winning race 1 Haga then took the honours in the second encounter, but he had to work much harder this time around as Bayliss never let up for one instant. The race was decided at the hairpin on the final lap, when Troy crashed out at low speed. The Australian thus misses out on a chance to clinch the title with two rounds remaining, although now he needs just 21 points from the last four races to become champion for the third time. Fabrizio scored a superb second place, which he snatched from Corser on the final lap. Behind the top 3 Neukirchner and Checa again finished fourth and fifth, while Shinichi Nakatomi (YZF Yamaha) and Regis Laconi (Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse) finished eighth and ninth. Biaggi and Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) tangled in a nasty-looking crash in the fast section just after the start of the race, the Italian coming away without any serious injury with the Turkish rider suffered bruising in the pelvic area. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB): “Troy and I had a really big fight and I am sorry for Troy’s crash, but I really enjoyed battling with him. It was a great day for me and the team, a big thanks to everyone. Now I have to think about the next round and I will try and push hard again.” Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox): “Thank you Rome and Vallelunga for all the support they have shown me this weekend, this result is really good for me and also for my Ducati team. I had a fantastic battle with Corser, it was difficult to catch him but I was gaining one-tenth of a second on him every lap and in the end I got him.” Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB): “I’m a bit disappointed with another third place to be honest. We changed the bike between the races and the rear tyre seemed to work better at the beginning but towards the end though the last Esses I was losing too much time. The result is good for the championship, it’s a shame that Troy crashed, but congratulations to Michel, he was riding really hard.” Results: 1. Haga N. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 39’10.265 (151,091 kph); 2. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098 F08 1.507; 3. Corser T. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R1 2.268; 4. Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R1000 11.813; 5. Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 17.922; 6. Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R1000 18.281; 7. Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R1000 19.368; 8. Nakatomi S. (JPN) Yamaha YZF-R1 19.717; 9. Laconi R. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 23.868; 10. Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 24.198; 11. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098 RS 08 25.426; 12. Xaus R. (ESP) Ducati 1098 RS 08 28.384; 13. Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 30.436; 14. Gimbert S. (FRA) Yamaha YZF-R1 36.490; 15. Walker C. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 42.903; 16. Bayliss T. (AUS) Ducati 1098 F08 43.758 Points (after 12 of 14 rounds): Riders – 1. Bayliss (Ducati) 369 punti; 2. Corser (Yamaha) 290; 3. Haga (Yamaha) 280; 4. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 280; 5. Checa (Honda) 262; 6. Biaggi (Ducati) 212; 7. Nieto (Suzuki) 206; 8. Fabrizio (Ducati) 201; 9. Kiyonari (Honda) 193; 10. Xaus (Ducati) 160; etc. Manufacturers 1. Ducati 479; 2. Yamaha 416; 3. Honda 357; 4. Suzuki 355; 5. Kawasaki 77. FIM Supersport World Championship Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) scored his third win of the season at Vallelunga, dominating the Supersport race from start to finish. With this result Rea has reduced to 11 points the gap to points leader, team-mate Andrew Pitt, who crashed out from fourth place four laps from the end, while trying to pass Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Supersport) for third. The runner-up slot went to Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport), who still has a chance of the title despite being 30 points behind. Joan Lascorz (Glaner Motocard.com Honda) scored a positive fifth place, his best result for some time, the Spaniard finishing ahead of Barry Veneman (RES Software Suzuki) and Robbin Harms (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda). Donington winner Joshua Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda) had a disappointing race, the Australian finishing twelfth after receiving a ride-through penalty for cutting the chicane. Results: 1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 36’48.656 (147,38 kph); 2. Parkes B. (AUS) Yamaha YZF-R6 2.971; 3. Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF-R6 6.461; 4. Lascorz J. (ESP) Honda CBR600RR 7.135; 5. Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 10.945; 6. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 14.412; 7. Nannelli G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 14.557; 8. Van Keymeulen D. (BEL) Suzuki GSX-R600 19.286. Points (after 11 of 13 rounds): 1. Pitt (Honda) 169; 2. Rea (Honda) 158; 3. Brookes (Honda) 141; 4. Parkes (Yamaha) 139; 5. Lascorz (Honda) 105; 6. Jones (Honda) 100; 7. Foret (Yamaha) 97; 8. Veneman (Suzuki) 72; etc. More, from a press release issued by Sterilgarda Go Eleven: Team Sterilgarda Go Eleven grabs a podium for the fifth time in a row. Max Biaggi takes the second place in race-1 on his home-track at Vallelunga after a thrilling 24 laps battle against Noriuki Haga and Troy Corser, a battle which has inflamed the followers gathered on the terraces of the “Piero Taruffi” circuit. After an excellent start and just one lap, Biaggi took the second place behind the Yamaha’s Japanese rider. The two riders broke all the followers early on except Troy Corser and passed the chequered flag in that order. In race-2 the four-times world champion was forced to give up after just a hundred of meters due to a thrilling spectacular crash without consequences. As well Ruben Xaus was forced to retire in race-1. After the warm-up lap the Spanish rider changed motorbike but he ran into spinning problems which prevented him to ride as he wished. In race-2 he finished in 12th place after the chaos followed to the crash of his team-mate. MAX BIAGGI | Ducati 1098 RS | 2nd Classified, Retired: “In race-1 I would have liked to win and I tried everything to grab it, but nothing more was possible. Haga drove very well and I gave him a rough ride. I would have liked to repeat it in race-2 but first I collided with Corser and then my front started to chatter when all we were in the pack; after that Sofoglu struck me, making me literally fly”. RUBEN XAUS | Ducati 1098 RS | Retired, 12th Classified: “In the first race I rode a motorbike I little used during the week-end and after a good start I ran into a fall of rear traction which prevented me to open the gas. I was not forceful at all and I decided to take the way of the pits. In race-2, after Max’s crash, I though the race could be stopped. I lost contact with the pack because I was forced to slow down in order to avoid some rival. I lapped well but I had not the chance to fight for a prestigious result”. More, from a press release issued by Team Pedercini: Team Pedercini finishes into the points again at Vallellunga thanks to the 15th place grabbed by Ayrton Badovini in Race-1. Both Iannuzzo and Badovini kept the position after the start of race-1, performing a forceful first part of the race. Unfortunately Iannuzzo’s recovery was influenced by the battle against Walker and Aoyama and by chattering problems during the second part of the race which forced him to take the way of the pits. As well Badovini was able to recover up to the 14th place but afterwards he was passed by Lavilla and Laconi due to a rear grip fall. Anyhow he started a battle just with Laconi who was passed back one lap to go. In race-2 Iannuzzo made a great start getting immediately the 17th position. He improved lap by lap, cutting 4 tenths of second off his qualifying time. Nevertheless an unexpected rear grip fall forced him to lose many positions and then he decided to go back to the pits. Two laps later Badovini ran into the same problem and he gave up too. AYRTON BADOVINI | Kawasaki ZX-10R | 15th Classified, Retired: “In race-1 I was able to perform a good first part of race, then the grip decreased and I had to play a defensive game. I had a lot of troubles to keep the position just behind Laconi and I picked to wait the end of the race in order to attack him. It was the right choice. In race-2 we rode on a quicker pace; I was able to be forceful for the first part of the race but when the rear gave up I realized that it would have been impossible to finish the race and I went back to the pits”. VITTORIO IANNUZZO | Kawasaki ZX-10R | Retired, Retired: “In race-1 I had chattering problems after some quick laps. In race-2 we tried a different kind of tyres but after an excellent start I suddenly ran into the same problems and I lost all the positions I had gained so far. I decided to go back to the pits although there were many laps to go”. More, from a press release issued by Team Alstare Suzuki: PAIR OF FOURTHS FOR MAX ON DIFFICULT DAY FOR ALSTARE. Team Alstare Suzuki rider Max Neukirchner took a gritty pair of fourths in the twelfth round of the Superbike World Championship at Vallelunga today. Despite not having a perfect bike set-up, the young German battled his way through both 24 lap races and took the best results he could. Team Suzuki Alstare rider Yukio Kagayama was disappointed to finish ninth in the first race, but improved to end race two in seventh. His team mate Fonsi Nieto also struggled today, ending 12th in race one, but made a much better job of it to finish sixth in race two. None of trio had tested at the circuit before this year – unlike most of their rivals – and the lack of dry set-up time put them at a disadvantage even before the torrential rain on Friday. Japanese rider Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) won the two 24-lap races today, after having terrific battles in both with series leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati). But it was one local favourite, Max Biaggi (Ducati) who took second in race one, with Troy Corser (Yamaha) third, after Bayliss faded. And it was another local hero, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) who slotted into runner-up spot in the second race after his team mate (and title favourite) Bayliss crashed on the last lap. Troy Corser was in fourth place at the time, but moved up to third as a result. Max – Race 1: 4th, Race 2: 4th We didn’t test here before and I think that put us at a big disadvantage, so I think we did our best today and a pair of fourths is not bad. For this morning’s warm-up we changed the bikes – one had a shorter swing-arm and the other had a longer swing-arm. In race one, I had a lot of spinning, but just kept going as hard as I could. We adjusted the rear shock for race two and the bike felt better, but not quite good enough, and we still had problems exiting the corners and in the chicane. Also, I had quite a lot of pain just above my left hip, as a result of my crash on Friday. All in all though, I am not disappointed today. Yukio – Race 1: 9th, Race 2: 7th This has been a difficult day and a difficult weekend and maybe it would not have been so bad if we had tested here before – like the other teams. For me, the results today are not good enough and not what I expect of myself. The bike was difficult to turn in race one and the feeling was not so good. We made some small changes to the supsension for race two and the feeling was better and I was able to push harder. Our engine is strong, but our bike is not so easy to ride exiting corners and we need to make the bike smoother so that we can push harder. Today, I am a little angry and disappointed, but sometimes racing is like this. Fonsi – Race 1: 12th, Race 2: 6th Our lack of practice was a big disadvantage this weekend and we were always struggling a little, especially when Friday was so wet and we could not look for a dry set-up. Race one was not good at all! I had no grip and it was very hard to keep the bike upright and all I could do was try and finish. I got hit on my leg by Biaggi in race two and I thought that the red flag would come out because he and another rider had a big crash. I had eased my pace expecting the red flag, so when it did not come out I had to start concentrating hard and working my way back into the race. Right at the end, I was ready to pass Checa but then the yellow flags came out because Bayliss had crashed, so I had to keep station. I want to thank the team for all their hard work this difficult weekend and now I want to look forward to Magny-Cours. It is not one of my favourite tracks, but I have been on the podium there, so I like it.