News

Carlos Checa's winning margin over Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) in Phillip Island race 1 was clear evidence of the Althea Racing Ducati man's domination in the opening round of the Superbike World Championship. Checa took the lead from Laverty on lap 3 and steadily pulled out to an unchallenged 4 second lead at the flag. Biaggi soon realized it was not possible to keep the pace of Checa and settled for second.

The podium was completed by Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad) who held off both Yamaha World Superbike Team riders, Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri who exchanged places right at the flag in a sprint finish.

Sixth was Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare), who made a great recovery that saw him finish ahead of Jakub Smrz (Ducati Effenbert - Liberty Racing) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing). Jonathan Rea (Castrol Honda) was running in the top 6 but slipped down to 12th after an off-track excursion, while front row man Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati Effenbert - Liberty Racing) crashed out and will not take part in race 2 after picking up a series of injuries to his right hand, knee and shoulder-blade.