Race 1 podium, Melandri wins with Biaggi second and Checa third

The Brno circuit was host to nail-biting races today under blistering sunshine, as the three championship leaders battled for podium positions in the two World Superbike races. Marco Melandri provided a masterful display of race craft in both races to claim his third victory of the season in race one and settling for second on the podium in a hard fought second race of the day.

Carlos Checa also celebrated a double podium at the Automotodrom of Brno; the Spanish rider achieved two very well deserved third place finishes at what is, for him and his 1198, one of the most difficult tracks on the SBK calendar.

Marco Melandri – “It’s a great sensation to be on my third win of the season but I still need to do a double. I’m really happy with today’s results. At the beginning of race one I didn’t think I’d catch up on Max, so I immediately passed Eugene in order to tail him. I was struggling to keep in front, at times Max was faster than me. Race two was also very difficult. I certainly didn’t give up but it wasn’t easy to keep pushing. Max and I had a nice battle which I think we both enjoyed, and I’m sure the spectators did also. I have to say thanks to the team for doing such a good job again. I’m looking forward to Silverstone.”

Max Biaggi- “Everyone was expecting this victory and now I am very happy for me, for Aprilia and for my many fans here – commented Biaggi at the end – but it was certainly not easy. Let’s just say that Race 1 taught me something. I would have liked to have been faster there in the last laps, but that’s not always possible. So, along with my team, which did some excellent work, we decided to make a few changes to my RSV4. Just some small details that, in races like these, can make all the difference. I tried to maintain a pace which would break away from Melandri, but when I saw at the end that he was still there, I prepared for a direct battle. When he overtook me I didn’t think for an instant about letting up. I looked for a hole to overtake him as soon as I could and then I pushed it to the maximum. I wanted this victory too much”. As for the championship Max weighed his words: “It is still a long championship and Checa has a lot of advantages. There are tracks ahead which are more favourable for him and even here he did very well.

Carlos Checa: “I’m really very happy with a double podium here. In Race 1 my start wasn’t so bad but it took a few laps to pass Eugene and once past him it took some time to reach Max and Marco ahead. Once there I tried to keep the pace and stick with them. It was hard to find the right place to pass, I got by Max at one point but he came straight back past me. It was a great battle and to be honest I am happy with third because this has always been a tough track for me. Considering the situation, the track, our rivals, we are quite satisfied. We worked well all weekend, found a good set-up, chose the right tyre and really did our best. Max and Marco were really very strong today, it’s a shame I couldn’t quite be there with them but we’re happy nevertheless. We still have a lead in the championship and it is important that we are competitive and consistently fast. Silverstone will be another difficult one for us but then come other tracks where we are at less of a disadvantage so we’ll see. I’m taking it one race at a time.”

2011 World Superbike championship,

Race One

1. Marco Melandri ITA Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 40mins 23.699s
2. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +0.241s
3. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1098R +0.436s
4. Michel Fabrizio ITA Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +8.448s
5. Eugene Laverty IRL Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +11.863s
6. Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW Italia S1000RR +16.374s
7. Leon Camier GBR Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +20.075s
8. Leon Haslam GBR BMW Motorrad S1000RR +21.399s
9. Joan Lascorz ESP Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R +21.555s
10. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki RTS ZX-10R +22.330s
11. Jakub Smrz CZE Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +22.494s
12. Noriyuki Haga JPN PATA Aprilia RSV-4 +24.710s
13. Maxime Berger FRA Supersonic Ducati 1098R +27.958s
14. Roberto Rolfo ITA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +31.724s
15. Alex Lowes GBR Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +31.998s

Race two

1. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 40mins 21.646s
2. Marco Melandri ITA Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +0.222s
3. Carlos Checa ESP Althea Ducati 1098R +3.558s
4. Michel Fabrizio ITA Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +7.863s
5. Eugene Laverty IRL Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +8.534s
6. Ayrton Badovini ITA BMW Italia S1000RR +18.085s
7. Leon Haslam GBR BMW Motorrad S1000RR +21.650s
8. Joan Lascorz ESP Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R +21.862s
9. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +25.306
10. Noriyuki Haga JPN PATA Aprilia RSV-4 +27.366s
11. Roberto Rolfo ITA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +33.716s
12. Mark Aitchison AUS Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +36.549s
13. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA BMW Italia S1000RR +37.468s
14. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki RTS ZX-10R +46.878s
15. Viktor Kispataki HUN Prop-Tech Honda CBR1000RR +1min 38.074s