Dramatic season opener for HANNspree Superbike World Championship
 Troy
Bayliss has taken the early lead in the title chase for the
2008 HANNspree Superbike World Championship at the Losail
circuit in Qatar today.
The Australian secured victory in race one after a brave
overtaking manoeuvre on Max Biaggi just ahead of the chequered
flag. However, despite a strong effort, Bayliss missed out
on a podium finish in race two. Fourth place was enough to
secure him the series lead ahead of Biaggi and Fonsi Nieto
respectively.
Within the HANNspree-supported teams, HANNspree Ten Kate
Honda enjoyed a successful start to the season with two of
its riders. Newcomer Carlos Checa proved himself as the best
series rookie in race one after finishing in sixth position.
The Spaniard passed the chequered flag in 11th place in the
day's second 18-lap race to secure eighth overall.
Reigning World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu also enjoyed
a strong start aboard the new HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
with 12th and 10th place finishes respectively. The Turkish
rider is now in 11th position overall with ten points. However,
after difficult practice and qualifying sessions, Ryuichi
Kiyonari continued to struggle to get to grips with the new
bike and tyres.
HANNspree Honda Althea's Roberto Rolfo built on the experience
he gained in his debut season with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda
in 2007. The Italian finished 11th and 15th to claim 11th
place overall.
Race one result
1. T. BAYLISS Ducati Xerox 36'11.468
2. M. BIAGGI Sterilgada Go Eleven +0.396
3. T. CORSER Yamaha Motor Italia +1.878
4. R. XAUS Sterilgada Go Eleven + 4.487
5. M. NEUKIRCHNER Team Alstare Suzuki +7.505
6. C. CHECA HANNspree Ten Kate Honda +9.639
7. F.NIETO Team Alstare Suzuki +9.725
8. Y. KAGAYAMA Team Alstare Suzuki +19.537
9. M. FABRIZIO Ducati Xerox +23.156
10. J.SMRZ Guandalini Racing +24.429
11. R.ROLFO HANNspree Honda Althea +27.595
12. K. SOFUOGLU Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +27.979
22. R. KIYONARI Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +43.569
Race two result
1. F. NIETO Team Alstare Suzuki 36'12.963
2. R. XAUS Sterilgada Go Eleven +0.301
3. M. BIAGGI Sterilgada Go Eleven +1.321
4. T. BAYLISS Ducati Xerox + 6.452
5. M. FABRIZIO Ducati Xerox +7.627
6. L. LANZI R. G. Team +9.117
7. T. CORSER Yamaha Motor Italia +10.806
8. M. NEUKIRCHNER Team Alstare Suzuki +11.661
9. J. SMRZ Guandalini Racing +13.269
10. K. SOFUOGLU HANNspree Ten Kate Honda +14.563
11. C. CHECA HANNspree Ten Kate Honda +15.953
15. R. ROLFO Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +16.748
19. R. KIYONARI Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +18.356
Championship standings after round one
1. T. BAYLISS 38
2. M. BIAGGI 36
3. F. NIETO 34
4. R. XAUS 33
5. T. CORSER 25
6. M. NEUKIRCHNER 19
7. M. FABRIZIO 18
8. C. CHECA 15
9. J. SMRZ 13
10. L. LANZI 10
11. K. SOFUOGLU 10
13. R. ROLFO 6
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