Eugene Laverty (Yamaha) has not only won his first
WSBK race at Monza but he also took the doubleheader after
Max Biaggi (Aprilia) was penalized after a drive-thru penalty in the second event.
In the first race, the Irishman took the lead on the second lap while Biaggi repeatedly drafted alongside or even past him on the straights, Laverty calmly responded by being much stronger on the brakes.
Laverty remained calm all thru the race and profited from Biaggi making a series of mistakes that caused him to lose crucial ground in the chasing pack.
With seven laps remaining, the pressure eventually told on Biaggi as he missed the apex at Rettifilo and was forced to back off and trundle through the second half of the chicane.
Though Biaggi began chasing, Laverty matched him to the chequered flag and took his first ever victory in the Superbike class.
Biaggi consoled himself with the knowledge the key rival and series leader Carlos Checa could only manage ninth position, bringing his lead down to 30 points.
Leon Haslam (BMW) claimed his second podium finish of the season in what was arguably BMW's most competitive performance of the year, while Marco Melandri (Yamaha) was a fine fourth.
Eugene Laverty then won his second race of the day after an epic final corner pass on team-mate Marco Melandri.
Former MotoGP rider Melandri was leading Laverty all the way until the final bend when he ran wide under intense pressure and allowed his pursuer to take the chequered flag ahead of him.
The Yamaha 1-2 came after a drive-through penalty handed to Max Biaggi for cutting the first corner chicane whilst leading by a significant margin, in doing so igniting the battle between Melandri and Laverty.
Melandri cut a disappointed figure in second, though his strong points' haul lifts him back up to second in the standings, 27 points behind Checa.
Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki) aggressively defended his position to hold onto third place by a mere tenth over former team-mate Noriyuki Haga (Aprilia).
WSBK Monza round RaceNo.1 – Results
Pos. Rider Team/Bike Gap
1. Eugene Laverty Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 31mins 09.584secs
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +1.575s
3. Leon Haslam BMW Motorrad S1000RR +3.078s
4. Marco Melandri Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +3.255s
5. Michel Fabrizio Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +11.812s
6. Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +12.371s
7. Troy Corser BMW Motorrad S1000RR +13.280s
8. Leon Camier Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +17.419s
9. Carlos Checa Althea Ducati 1098R +17.569s
10. Jakub Smrz Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +18.420s
11. Etc….
WSBK Monza round RaceNo.1 – Results
Pos. Rider Team/Bike Gap
1. Eugene Laverty Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 31mins 19.948secs
2. Marco Melandri Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +0.327s
3. Michel Fabrizio Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +2.466s
4. Noriyuki Haga PATA Aprilia RSV-4 +2.583s
5. Troy Corser BMW Motorrad S1000RR +4.202s
6. Ayrton Badovini BMW Italia S1000RR +10.865s
7. Sylvain Guintoli Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +11.038s
8. Max Biaggi Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +18.724s
9. Joan Lascorz Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R +20.093
10. Carlos Checa Althea Ducati 1098R +20.376s
11. Etc…
World Superbike Series Standings- After round 4 of 13
Pos. Rider Team Points
1. Carlos Checa Althea Ducati 145
2. Marco Melandri Yamaha SBK 118
3. Max Biaggi Aprilia Alitalia 117
4. Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda 98
5. Eugene Laverty Yamaha SBK 85
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