More Checa domination in Race 2

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Race 2 saw yet another breakaway win for Carlos Checa on the Ducati. The Spaniard lead nearly the entire race with a comfortable margin, dominating competition (four seconds behind him) on the level of Max Biaggi and The current WSBK and former 250cc world champion had an exciting battle with his fellow former 250cc world champion, one which saw the Aprilia rider win out on the final dash for the finish line. Marco Melandri.

The British contingent was slightly further behind in Race 2, with Jonathan Rea finishing in fourth place ahead of Leon Haslam.

GUINTOLI PULLS OUT - Sylvain Guintoli did not take the grid for Race 2 because of injuries to his hand and right knee suffered in a Race 1 crash. Haslam was the quickest to get away in the second start of the day, with Checa on his heels, in turn followed by Laverty, Melandri, Corser, Lascorz and Biaggi. The Spaniard didn't take long, however, to bring his Ducati past the BMW, while Biaggi waking taking advantage of the Aprilia's top speed (319 km/h) to make his way forward. Ayrton Badovini retired from the race early on.

Settled in and with his tires well warmed, Checa began break away on lap three, opening a half second gap between himself and the chasing pack of Leon Haslam, Troy Corser, Marco Melandri and Max Biaggi. The Emperor had a brief coming together with Corser as they raced for position; a favor with Corser did not hesitate to return.

CHECA CHECKS OUT - At a quarter race distance, Checa had already taken his Althea Racing Ducati to a lead of two seconds on Haslam, Melandri, Biaggi, Corser, Laverty and Fabrizio. Joining the back of this group was privateer Aprilia rider Naori Haga, while both Corser and Laverty ran long on separate occasions, taking themselves out of the podium hunt.

GRAND PRIX RACING - The race (and the double) now in the bag for Checa, it was two other former GP riders providing the entertainment with their battle for second place. Biaggi and Melandri swapped positions several times, but again Max was able to use his Aprilia's incredible top speed to beat the Yamaha rider down the final straight.

Slightly further back, Jonathan Rea managed to wrestle fourth place from Leon Haslam, while an exhausted Leon Camier managed a very impressive sixth place in front of Haga and Fabrizio.

Phillip Island was the scene of Carlos Checa's third double win in WSBK, after previously doing so at Imola and Salt Lake City.


WSBK Race 2 Results:

1 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 34'15.041 (171,308 kph)

2 1 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1.188

3 33 Melandri M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R1 1.406

4 4 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 10.563

5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 10.885

6 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 16.914

7 41 Haga N. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 17.558

8 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 17.679

9 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX-10R 18.070

10 111 Xaus R. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 19.053

11 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 19.060

12 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-10R 23.771

13 12 Waters J. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R1000 23.956

14 52 Toseland J. (GBR) BMW S1000 RR 28.713

15 58 Laverty E. (IRL) Yamaha YZF R1 32.673

16 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 33.226

17 67 Staring B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX-10R 42.598

18 121 Berger M. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 51.819

19 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 55.738