Biaggi takes Aprilia back to the top in WSB opener at Brno
Sunday, 26 July 2009 11:37 GMT
Max Biaggi scored his first win of the season and his first win since Vallelunga 2007 in the opening race at Brno in the Czech Republic. It was also Aprilia's first win since returning to World Superbike this year and their first win in the category since Régis Laconi's victory at Imola in 2001. Second and third went to the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda duo of Carlos Checa and Jonathan Rea. Biaggi actually had a lonely run to the chequered flag after the two race win favourites Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) were eliminated when the Italian crashed in a fast left-hander, taking down his American rival with him. It was a great day also for the other new manufacturer to the series, BMW, who had the satisfaction of seeing Troy Corser lead the opening two laps, the Australian eventually finishing fifth for the team's best result this season, behind Shane Byrne (Sterilgarda Ducati) who scored another good result for the Italian team. It wasn't all good news for BMW however as Ruben Xaus crashed out on the opening lap, breaking his right leg in the process. Sixth place went to Czech rider Jakub Smrz (Guandakini Ducati), who recovered well to score a good result in front of his home crowd. Seventh was Leon Haslam (Stiggy Racing Honda) and eighth Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), who ran a defensive race to try and score as many points as possible. Makoto Tamada took home a good result for Kawasaki, the Japanese rider finishing in tenth place.
