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Double top for Checa

Author: HANNspree Racing
Posted on: Monday, Jun 02 2008



Thirty-five-year-old Checa signalled his intent to score a good result at the Utah circuit by setting a blistering 1’48.193 lap on Saturday to clinch his first pole position ahead of Sunday’s 20 and 21-lap Superbike races.



After a poor start from the grid in race one, Checa was back at the front of the pack by the fourth lap, and at half race distance had pulled out an impressive 3.667-second advantage on second placed Max Neukirchner. The experienced Spaniard then maintained his consistent riding style for the remainder of race distance to take his maiden World Superbike victory.



It was a similar story for Checa in the second race as another poor start initially hindered his progress from the grid. However, sheer determination enabled him to slot his HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade into fifth position by the second lap and then lead the rest of the field by lap eight. In a case of history repeating itself, Checa then maintained his lead for the remainder of the 21-lap race to score his second victory of the day.



Meanwhile it had been a day of improvements for Checa’s HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari. The young Japanese rider began the day’s races from the fifth row of the grid, but managed to score tenth and seventh place finishes in races one and two respectively.



The third HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider Kenan Sofuoglu also enjoyed a positive day at Salt Lake City with 12th and 14th place finishes. HANNspree Honda Althea’s Roberto Rolfo returned to racing at the American event after breaking his collarbone and scored 20th and 16th place finishes this weekend.



It had been a disappointing day for current championship leader Troy Bayliss. The Australian crashed out of the first race on lap five and retired from the second leg with technical problems so was unable to add to his overall points tally. Second placed Checa is now just 28 points adrift of the top spot.



Race one result
1 C. Checa
2 T. Corser +2.809

3 M. Fabrizio +6.646

4 M. Neukirchner +7.764

5 F. Nieto +16.475

6 J. Smrz +17.126

7 K. Muggeridge +17.294

8 Y. Kagayama +17.416

9 M. Biaggi +18.117

10 R. Kiyonari +20.467
12 K. Sofuoglu +27.633

20 R. Rolfo +54.195



Race two result
1 C. Checa
2 M. Neukirchner +3.547

3 M. Fabrizio +6.613

4 M. Biaggi +7.878

5 Y. Kagayama +10.568

6 N. Haga +11.539

7 R. Kiyonari +18.381
8 F. Nieto +20.646

9 R. Laconi +21.264

10 L. Lanzi +24.863

14 K. Sofuoglu +42.816

16 R. Rolfo +50.220



Standings after round six
1 T. Bayliss 194

2 C. Checa 166

3 M. Neukirchner 144

4 F. Nieto 126

5 N. Haga 122

6 T. Corser 121

7 R. Xaus 92

8 M. Fabrizio 87

9 M. Biaggi 85

10 R. Kiyonari 80

16 K. Sofuoglu 32

19 R. Rolfo 20


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