WSBK : Toseland takes the series leadPhillip Island provided the perfect backdrop for two of the best Superbike races ever witnessed at the classic track, with Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) winning the first from James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) then Toseland took
the second race win from Bayliss.
Up to five riders were involved in the fight for podium places, with each race coming down to a man-to-man fight over the last few laps. Toseland now leads the championship by 16 points, 90-74, over Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra).
RACE ONE - 22 LAPS
A three-rider fight for the win became a two-rider duel nearer the end, but the first race of the day finally became the property of Bayliss, who beat Toseland by just over two seconds with a late spurt of pace. Third came Biaggi after early leading light Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia) dropped down as tyre wear affected his Yamaha more than some other machines. He finished fifth, behind his team-mate Noriyuki Haga. Corser set a new lap record, 1'31.826, which would last the day.
RACE TWO
A second race rolling maul at the front saw Toseland get his revenge by injecting a sudden burst of final pace which only Bayliss could stay with, but not overhaul on the last sector of the track. Toseland held on well to record a margin of victory of only 0.274 seconds. Behind, a superb battle for the last podium of the day went to Haga, with Corser attempting to block the last corner manoeuvre of Biaggi, albeit unsuccessfully.
In the championship chase, Bayliss is now third on 64 points, Haga fourth on 50, and Corser fifth on 45.
LANZI AND XAUS SHARE DUCATI DISPUTES
Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) overcame the charge of Ruben Xaus comfortably in race one but in the second running, he had to give best to the tall Catalan by almost the same margin. Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) did not start the races, nor did another inured rider from qualifying, Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda). Roby Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was 11th and 10th.
TOUGH DAY FOR KAWASAKI RIDERS AFTER GOOD QUALIFYING FOR NIETO
Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) enjoyed strong qualifying performances but had to work hard for only ninth and 14th places, as he lost pace throughout the races. Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) had an even worse day, retiring from each race.
WORLD SUPERSPORT RACE
A superb win for 2002 World Champion Fabien Foret (GIL Kawasaki) at the Phillip Island circuit saw him leap to second in the championship, after giving Kawasaki its first WSS race win since the 2003 season. Second place man in Australia, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), extended his championship lead to seven points over Foret, and a first podium of the year came for long-time leader Broc Parkes (Yamaha SSP Racing).
Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) went fourth in the race with Althea Honda rider Katsuaki Fujiwara fifth and Pere Riba (GIL Kawasaki) sixth. In the championship Sofuoglu has a seven points advantage over Foret, 45 points to 38. Fujiwara is third, with 27 points. Charpentier set a new lap record, 1'34.976 on lap two.
SBK Press Office
