Surprise victors at Misano event
 The
HANNspree Superbike World Championship made its second visit
to Italy this weekend for the eighth event on the calendar.
Current series leader Troy Bayliss was hoping for a repeat
of the double win he achieved in last year’s championship
at the Misano circuit, but was beaten to the chequered flag
by surprise victors Max Neukirchner and Ruben Xaus in races
one and two respectively.
Xaus grabbed the holeshot in the opening leg and dominated
the 24-lap race until lap 15. The race then became a four-way
battle with Troy Corser, Bayliss and Neukirchner joining the
mix. Neukirchner didn’t steal the lead until lap 18,
but maintained his position at the front of the pack for the
remaining race distance to pick up the maximum 25 points.
The second race, which was red-flagged and restarted due
to liquid spillage on the track, was once again dominated
by Xaus, Bayliss and Corser. Bayliss initially took the holeshot,
but was passed by fellow Australian Corser on lap five. The
race then became a cat and mouse chase between the two Troys
until the 20th lap when Xaus took the lead and the top step
of the podium.
Meanwhile, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda’s Carlos Checa
claimed two solid points scoring finishes at the Misano event.
The 35-year-old Spaniard clinched fifth and eighth in the
two races. However, his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari had a frustrating
day in Italy. The 25-year-old Japanese rider struggled to
get to grips with the layout of the San Marino track and could
only manage 14th and 13th place finishes.
The third HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider Kenan Sofuoglu also
had a disappointing day at Misano. The young Turkish rider
scored 18th place in race one, but was forced to retire from
the second race. The 2007 World Supersport Champion has struggled
to adapt to the larger capacity Honda machine so far this
season.
HANNspree Honda Althea’s Roberto Rolfo scored 17th
and 18th positions at his home round. The 28-year-old Italian
is still recovering from the broken collarbone he sustained
in a mountain biking accident.
Race one – result
1 Neukirchner M. Suzuki GSX-R1000 39'27.918
2 Corser T. Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.542
3 Bayliss T. Ducati 1098 F08 +2.249
4 Xaus R. Ducati 1098 RS 08 +3.028
5 Checa C. Honda CBR1000RR +5.408
6 Lanzi L. Ducati 1098 RS 08 +5.518
7 Smrz J. Ducati 1098 RS 08 +6.202
8 Lavilla G. Honda CBR1000RR +18.279
9 Nakatomi S. Yamaha YZF-R1 +19.072
10 Haga N. Yamaha YZF-R1 +19.132
14 Kiyonari R. Honda CBR1000RR +34.902
17 Rolfo R. Honda CBR1000RR +49.290
18 Sofuoglu K. Honda CBR1000RR +59.304
Race two – result
1 Xaus R. Ducati 1098 RS 08 39'19.710
2 Biaggi M. Ducati 1098 RS 08 +1.035
3 Bayliss T. Ducati 1098 F08 +4.158
4 Haga N. Yamaha YZF-R1 +5.466
5 Corser T. Yamaha YZF-R1 +6.759
6 Lanzi L. Ducati 1098 RS 08 +13.468
7 Neukirchner M. Suzuki GSX-R1000 +15.221
8 Checa C. Honda CBR1000RR +16.687
9 Smrz J. Ducati 1098 RS 08 +17.030
10 Nieto F. Suzuki GSX-R1000 +17.681
13 Kiyonari R. Honda CBR1000RR +31.304
18 Rolfo R. Honda CBR1000RR +41.136
RET Sofuoglu K. Honda CBR1000RR
Standings after eight rounds
1. Bayliss T. 259
2. Neukirchner M. 210
3. Checa C. 207
4. Haga N. 191
5. Corser T. 185
6. Nieto F. 151
7. Xaus R. 148
8. Biaggi M. 117
9. Fabrizio M. 111
10. Kiyonari R. 94
18. Sofuoglu K. 32
20. Rolfo R. 20
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