A look back at Donington - the last 2 editions
2007 - Poor weather greeted the World Superbike Championship and the riders had to battle with cold throughout the whole weekend. Pole was set by Bayliss, second was Haga, third a surprising Laconi and fourth Toseland. Biaggi, struggling with setup, was only seventh. Bayliss started well from pole and was the first into Redgate, followed by Laconi and Toseland. During the first lap Toseland was quick to snatch second from Laconi and set after Bayliss down the hill. On the sixth lap Bayliss fell at Coppice and slid on the gravel trap, badly bruising his right little finger (later amputated). Toseland was then all alone and went on to win. The grid was modified for the absence of Bayliss and Haga was now on pole; he was able to keep the lead at Redgate in front of Toseland and Laconi, with Biaggi in fourth. During the first lap James was able to pass the Japanese rider and took the lead. At the start of the fourth lap however Toseland's engine blew, and the two Yamahas of Haga and Corser were then one-two, with Biaggi behind. The trio proceeded without any major incident up to the tenth lap, when Biaggi passed Corser at the Melbourne hairpin. Max was in good shape and in one lap reduced a 1.5 second gap to set after Noriyuki, attacking him on the fourteenth lap. At the chicane he was in front, but at the following Melbourne hairpin he went wide and was back in second. On the next lap Biaggi didn't make any mistakes, he passed again at the chicane and maintained the lead at Melbourne. In the closing laps Biaggi started to miss his braking points and on the last lap he went wide, Haga was quick to pass him on the inside and won in front of the Italian.
