WSBK – Biaggi scores his first brace in Portimao! – First Superbike race

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Biaggi scores his first brace in Portimao !

WSBK - Biaggi scores his first brace in Portimao! - First Superbike race

The second round of the World Superbike yesterday in Portugal saw Biaggi and his Aprilia win over the two Superbike rounds. But Haslam remains at the top of the provisional ranking while in Supersport, Sofuoglu leads the dance. Report.

First Superbike race

Max Biaggi got off to the best start and passed the first corner ahead of Haslam, Corser, Crutchlow, Checa Byrne, Xaus and Guintoli. Rea widens in the first corner and re-enters the race in the middle of the pack.

After a big mess on Friday, Jonathan had to gradually regain confidence: "but some idiot released his brakes in the first corner of the first run: I blocked my front wheel and went into the gravel which was scary", said pilot Ten Kate after his race…

Noriyuki Haga, on the other hand, did a good job: starting from 18th place on the grid, the Japanese driver was in 9th position on the first lap. Nitro Nori doubles Sylvain Guintoli just before tumbling down the long pit straight for the first time.

Determined to keep his 8th place, the Frenchman delays his braking … and goes straight ahead! "It cost me a lot of places and time: I was 22nd at the end of this second lap and I had to fight to come back", will observe the Drôme pilot.

Troy Corser started off on the hats and could not stay in the Top 5 for more than five laps: "I struggled all weekend on worn tires", will regret the Australian Crocodile, unable to defend himself against Cal Crutchlow, Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne.

During the very first loops, the two private Ducatis of Team Pata B&G driven by Checa and Byrne annoy the Yamaha n ° 35 of Cal Crutchlow. But the author of the Superpole wants to compete in a "supercourse" and separates from the two Italians from the 5th round.

In front, Haslam leads the race from the second lap but Biaggi does not let go of a sole. The two men apply themselves and keep improving the track record: the Gex 1000 and the RSV4 are inexorably moving away from the rest of the peloton.

The Roman Emperor takes the lead again at the start of the 6th lap. But two laps later, Biaggi bites on the outside of the first corner and gives up 1st place to Haslam. Solo riding Cal Crutchlow gets closer…

Behind, Johnny Rea has recovered and is now involved in the fight for the third step of the podium with Shakey Byrne and del Toro Checa. Less than a second away, another trio are vying for 7th place: they consist of Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser and Leon Camier.

In the 11th lap, Crutchlow suddenly lost a handful of seconds on Haslam and Biaggi. Path error, heat when accelerating or braking? The Supersport champion remains in 3rd and returns to the assault, closely followed by Rea !

Meanwhile, Guintoli is fighting to get back in the points: he is 17th at the halfway point, lodged in the wheel of Sykes, who himself is behind Pitt and Lanzi respectively 14 and 15th..

Six laps from the end, while Biaggi seemed to be patiently biding his time, Haslam widens in a pin: the Italian passes in front and decides to attack to try to take off. Still four seconds behind, Rea takes a few tenths Crutchlow…

Put under pressure, Cal loses the front on the 18th lap and starts again in 15th position! "I made a stupid mistake, it’s my fault: I was attacking too much", humbly admit the Yamaha official. Still a little stunned by his fall the day before, his teammate Toseland is now in 8th position, one second behind Haga…

Jonathan Rea therefore inherits a comfortable 3rd place. Behind him, Leon Camier continues to beat his own times on the track and could well seize the 4th place occupied by Checa before lowering the checkered flag. !

Up front, the suspense is also at its height: Max does not manage to get rid of Leon who follows him less than half a second at the start of the penultimate lap! The last lap takes place in apnea … Haslam struggles but Biaggi’s little Aprilia gives his GSX-R no chance !

"His bike was fast and there were places he could open the throttle faster but my bike was fine on the brakes ", Haslam remarked at the end of this first round that he finished doc in 2nd position.

"These last laps, we worked really well and I was sure to finish in the Top3", declared for his part Max Biaggi, who dedicates his second victory at the handlebars of the RSV4 – after Brno last year – to his daughter Inès Angelica and his companion Eleonora.

Carlos Checa finally resisted Leon Camier’s comeback, while his teammate Shane Byrne took 6th place. James Toseland snatches Noriyuki Haga his 7th place in the final loop and our Frenchie Guintoli finishes 13th.

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