Aboard the www.supercasino.com, Vent Axia and Kick Energy-backed Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team Ninja ZX-10R, the 27-year-old Australian defied the pain to qualify in 13th place after Superpole to start from row four of the grid but following a great start in race one, the race was stopped due to a nasty turn one crash in which team-mate Makoto Tamada was involved and sustained a broken wrist as a result.


In the restart, Parkes circulated with the leading bunch and was as high as sixth at one point before settling for a superb 10th place at the flag to match his best result of the season. In race two, Parkes had to use his spare machine due to problems with his number one bike but despite not getting a good start, he battled to a fine 13th to round off a great weekend from his side of the garage.


Unfortunately, 32-year-old Tamada will miss at least next weekend's race in Kyalami.

Broc Parkes: "All up I had a great weekend especially seeing I came here and wasn't feeling 100% at all. Friday was a bit of a battle for me physically and I really did ask myself if I was ready to ride after my crash in Snetterton two weeks ago. I was still pretty sore all over but we stepped up in Saturday's qualifying and the bike felt really good and I was pretty happy to make second sector Superpole again and although we just missed out on the third row start, I was happy enough to be in 13th place again. In race one, I had a great start and I was with the front runners during the first few laps. The bike felt really good and I felt that I could have actually pushed up a few more places if I wasn't being held up at the beginning. Towards the end of the race we had a few issues with the bike and ran short of fuel on the last lap but I was really happy with a 10th place. Race two wasn't as easy as I started the race on my spare bike which I had hardly ridden all weekend. I also felt physically tired towards the end of the race so we were pretty lucky to finish in 13th and scored a few more points."


Makoto Tamada: "I struggled again to find a comfortable set-up during qualifying and was disappointed to have ended up in 23rd place on the grid. On Sunday morning we made some last minute changes and this was much better and I felt much more comfortable on the bike so I had a good feeling for the race. In the first corner I was pushed on to the gravel by another rider and had a big crash. I knew that I hurt my wrist pretty bad so I wasn't that surprised when they told me after an X-ray that it was broken. I was therefore out of race two and will also miss Kyalami next weekend which is a real shame for me and the team. I hope to be back in Miller as the break isn't so bad."


Paul Risbridger, Team Manager: "It's been a successful weekend overall with a few highs and lows in between. We had a difficult start on Friday with Broc struggling with fitness and with getting a good set-up but we saw a big step up in qualifying and we were very happy with our performance during Superpole once again. We still had some concerns on Sunday, mainly due to Broc's fitness, but he had a fantastic race one and showed how competitive the bike is. Although Broc struggled in race two towards the end due to his injuries, we still came away with our best points scoring weekend of the year. Makoto showed good pace during warm up on Sunday and it was very unfortunate for him to be taken out in race one as I feel it was a real opportunity for him to have scored some points this weekend."


The next round of the Hannspree World Superbike Championship takes place next weekend (May 15/17th) at Kyalami in South Africa. (www.worldsbk.com)


RESULTS - RACE ONE


10. Parkes (Kawasaki WSB)
DNF. Tamada (Kawasaki WSB) - crashed on turn 1, lap 1.


1. M. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team)
2. N. Haga (Ducati Xerox Team)
3. R. Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda)
4. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki Alstare BRUX)
5. J. Rea (Ten Kate Honda)
6. T. Sykes (Yamaha WSB)
7. R. Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
8. R. Laconi (Ducati DFX)
9. C. Checa (Ten Kate Honda)
10. B. Parkes (Kawasaki WSB)


RESULTS - RACE TWO


13. Parkes (Kawasaki WSB)
DNS. Tamada (Kawasaki WSB)


1. B. Spies (Yamaha WSB)
2. M. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team)
3. R. Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda)
4. J. Rea (Ten Kate Honda)
5. M. Biaggi (Aprilia Racing)
6. T. Sykes (Yamaha WSB)
7. L. Haslam (Stiggy Racing Honda)
8. J. Smrz (Guandalini Racing)
9. R. Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport)
10. C. Checa (Ten Kate Honda)