WSBK: Rea and Checa take chequered flags at Assen
4-18-2011
by
moto123.com
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Jonathan Rea (Honda) and Carlos Checa (Ducati) have divided the honours of the World Superbike Series doubleheader presented at the Dutch circuit Assen.
In the first of two races, Jonathan Rea (Honda) took where he had left last year, when he won both Dutch races and took his third consecutive World Superbike Series victory at Assen.
Rea was able to overcome his fifth place starting position to push his way to the front on lap three before resisting the race-long attentions from both Max Biaggi (Aprilia) and Carlos Checa (Ducati).
Right from the start, pole sitter Checa maintained his lead in the first corner while both Biaggi and Rea on his tail.
Rea would eventually emerge ahead of Biaggi into turn one on lap three before launching past Checa further around the lap to take away the lead for the first time.
On lap 4, Biaggi passed Checa himself before Passing Rea momentarily on lap 6, but Rea stayed cool and merely snatched back the position in the ensuing corners.
After that, Rea never looked back as Biaggi simply shadowed the Honda without ever be able to charge back.
For Rea it was a seventh career WSBK victory and a first win for the iconic Castrol Honda bike since its return to Superbike racing.
In the second event, series’ leader Carlos Checa took his fourth WSBK win of the season, after grabbing the lead from Max Biaggi with a daring last gasp pass.
The Ducati ace had led for the majority of the race, but an error on his part within the last three laps of the race gave Biaggi the lead.
Checa, far from giving up, gave chase to Biaggi and attacked the Italian with a lap to go, the Spaniard squeezing his Ducati up the inside of Biaggi in a close, but clean overtaking manoeuvre.
It was enough to repel any counter-attack from Biaggi, who had to settle for his second podium of the day.
First race winner Jonathan Rea had also another podium finish with third in front of Leon Camier (Aprilia).
WSBK Assen Race No.1 - Results
Pos. Rider Team/Bike Time/Gap
1. Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda CBR1000RR 35mins 46.486secs
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +0.739
3. Carlos Checa Althea Ducati 1098R +3.572
4. Marco Melandri Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +9.508s
5. Michel Fabrizio Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +9.892s
6. Troy Corser BMW Motorrad S1000RR +11.120s
7. Eugene Laverty Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +15.235s
8. Ruben Xaus Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +30.081s
9. Ayrton Badovini BMW Italia S1000RR +32.071s
10. Mark Aitchison Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R +35.000s
11. Etc…
WSBK Assen Race No.2 - Results
Pos. Rider Team/Bike Time/Gap
1. Carlos Checa Althea Ducati 1098R 35mins 38.693secs
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +0.524s
3. Jonathan Rea Castrol Honda CBR1000RR +3.584s
4. Leon Camier Aprilia Alitalia Racing RSV-4 +5.913s
5. Leon Haslam BMW Motorrad S1000RR +16.916s
6. Eugene Laverty Yamaha WSBK YZF R1 +17.375s
7. Michel Fabrizio Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000 +17.740s
8. Noriyuki Haga PATA Aprilia RSV-4 +18.329s
9. Jakub Smrz Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +18.378s
10. Sylvain Guintoli Effenbert Liberty Ducati 1098R +18.404s
11. Etc….
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