Dramatic race day brings improvements for HANNspree riders
 Two
dramatic races at Phillip Island in Australia today have seen
Troy Bayliss secure double victory at his home track to extend
his advantage at the head of the 2008 HANNspree Superbike
World Championship standings. Bayliss has a points tally of
88 - more than 27 points over closest rival Fonsi Nieto.
The eventful round saw Italian contender Max Biaggi crash
out of contention in both races in dramatic fashion leaving
him with a broken wrist, while Australia's Troy Corser only
managed to finish race one at his home circuit. He crashed
out of race two while leading to hand the place at the front
of the pack to rival Bayliss.
However, it was a day of improvements for the HANNspree Ten
Kate Honda riders. Carlos Checa finished sixth in race one
before taking his maiden podium finish of the series in race
two. The Spaniard battled with Ruben Xaus and Fonsi Nieto
to finish in second position ahead of the more experienced
Superbike contenders.
World Superbike rookie Ryuichi Kiyonari also proved that
he is now getting to grips with the all-new HANNspree Ten
Kate Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. The Japanese rider secured
two top finishes with ninth and sixth positions respectively.
Reigning World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu was still
struggling to adapt to the more powerful machine and finished
in 14th and 11th places. Roberto Rolfo also suffered a frustrating
day aboard the HANNspree Honda Althea machine after tyre problems
thwarted his chances of being more competitive.
Race one:
1 T. Bayliss 34'22.933
2 T. Corser +4.221
3 M.Fabrizio +4.738
4 R. Xaus +5.171
5 F. Nieto +5.543
6 C. Checa +5.895
7 M.Neukirchner +5.964
8 N.Haga +14.826
9 R. Kiyonari +18.899
10 R. Rolfo +20.633
14 K. Sofuoglu +30.030
Race two:
1 T. Bayliss 34'35.284
2 C. Checa + 1.127
3 F. Nieto +4.395
4 R. Xaus +6.621
5 M.Neukirchner +11.550
6 R. Kiyonari +11.620
7 N.Haga +12.049
8 G.Lavilla +12.134
9 R. Holland +13.462
10 K. Muggeridge +15.519
11 K. Sofuoglu +16.225
16 R. Rolfo +32.994
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