Imola: a look back at 2011
Carlos Checa took pole by less than a tenth over Jonathan Rea, and Noriyuki Haga and Tom Sykes completed the front row. The most notable absence was Max Biaggi, still recovering from his Nurburgring injuries.
At the start of race one Rea took the lead, but he went wide at the first turn, allowing Sykes to jump in front exiting Tamburello, while Jonathan had to fend off Checa and Laverty. Among the other front-row starters, Noriyuki Haga had a slow getaway, slipping down to seventh. After a few corners Sykes, Checa, Rea, Laverty and Haga were able to pull away from the rest, with Rea having a clearly superior pace: in three laps he outdistanced his rivals and went on to win. His task was made easier by the fact that Haga wasn't able to pass Checa and Laverty before the sixth lap before setting after second-placed Tom Sykes. The Japanese rider was the fastest challengeramong the leaders: he reached and jumped Sykes without much hassle at the ninth lap and reached Jonathan on the fourteenth, however in the closing laps he wasn't able to put up a serious challenge, having to settle for second. Behind them, Checa was able to secure third on the final lap, with a pass on Sykes at Acque Minerali.
At the start of race two Rea again looked the likely winner: he took the lead from Laverty and stretched the pack immediately. Laverty was able to keep up with him, but behind them the fight for position slowed down everyone. Camier, Sykes and Checa battled for third and Carlos was able to secure it only after two laps. Laverty after a couple of laps started to fall behind and was caught by Camier, Checa and Haga: these three got rid of the Yamaha rider and set after Rea. Haga was the man with the best pace: he claimed third with Checa behind him, while Camier wasn't able to keep up and slipped back. Despite Haga's efforts, Rea was uncatchable: Noriyuki recorded several fastest laps, but Jonathan's advantage, more than two seconds, was never in doubt. Four laps from the end however, Rea's Honda suddenly slowed with an electrical problem: he had to retire, and a new leader emerged, Carlos Checa, who had caught and passed Haga the lap before. The Spaniard went on to win in front of Haga and Camier: three points now separated Carlos from the title and Magny-Cours was a mere formality.
