Checa wins Race 1 as expected

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Just as many were expecting to happen, Carlos Checa easily won the opening race of the 2011 WSBK season. His lead over second place finsiher Max Biaggi was in excess of four seconds, despite the Italian setting fastest lap of the race.

The win also confirmed Ducati's competitiveness, even in the hands of a high quality privateer team like Althea Racing.

Leon Haslam scored an excellent podium finish, and looks to have found the right direction with his new BMW. Marco Melandri and Michel Fabrizio also performed well, providing hope that they will be at the front often this season.

CHECA IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT - With the track surface rapidly drying out, the first race of the WSBK season got underway at Phillip Island. Biaggi was very quick off the start, but coming out of turn one it was Eugene Laverty leading the way. The former WSS rider made a brief attempt to build a lead, but Checa quickly passed him and began a break of is own. By lap four the Spaniard was already leading by over a second and two tenths, while a group consisting of Melandri, Corser and Rea began battling for fifth place.

Biaggi got around Laverty on lap six, with Haslam following suit. As expected, Biaggi was the only other rider with a clear advantage in race pace, and he soon had a gap of his own. After starting on the front row, Sylvain Guintoli (Ducati) crashed out of the race. The Frenchman was unhurt in the incident.

THE BATTLE FOR THIRD PLACE - With Carlos Checa all alone up front, and Biaggi smartly settling for 20 points to start the year, and exciting battle for the final podium spot broke out between Haslam, Laverty, Melandri, Rea and Fabrizio. Melandri passed his teammate Laevrty at half race distance, and also overtook Haslam for third, briefly creating a podium of all ex-GP riders.

It wasn't meant to be, however, as the late laps saw Haslam get back past Melandri, with the Italian also getting pipped at the line by his teammate. How much Melandri's recovering shoulder was an issue late in the race remains to be seen, but it was nevertheless a positive debut performance for Marco in WSBK, Leon on the BMW, Laverty in WSBK, and Fabrizio on the Suzuki.

WSBK Race 1 Results:

1 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 34'16.503 (171,186 kph)

2 1 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 4.365

3 91 Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 10.719

4 58 Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 11.266

5 33 Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 11.293

6 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 12.039

7 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 20.294

8 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 20.742

9 41 Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 22.421

10 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 25.822

11 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 29.270

12 4 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 31.059

13 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 31.721

14 86 Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 36.389

15 67 Staring B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 36.470

16 111 Xaus R. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 41.928

17 52 Toseland J. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 55.239

18 12 Waters J. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'00.312

19 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 1'00.316

20 121 Berger M. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'30.125