Valencia Results ** Spoiler **

RACE REPORT - 15/04/2007 Second and third for Haga, less luck for Corser Noriyuki Haga brought 36 more points and two podiums home for Yamaha in today's World Superbike Championship round at Valencia. Having battled to find the right set-up all weekend, Haga went out today and claimed second in race one, with Corser in fourth. He then had an excellent second race, finishing in third after a race-long battle with James Toseland. In race one Corser made a good start and took the lead by the first turn until lap six when it became evident that he had a grip problem. He maintained as much pace as he could though, to stay in the four-way battle for top spot between Xaus, Haga, Bayliss and himself. Eventually Haga and Xaus dropped Bayliss and Corser and continued the battle, with Haga taking the fastest lap on lap eight before taking the race lead. Corser and Bayliss fought for third place until Bayliss broke free to re-join the top two runners. A close race with Xaus, Haga and Bayliss saw all three of them dice for position but Xaus managed to take the win, with Haga second and Bayliss third. Corser held on to fourth with a decent margin back to Toseland in fifth. In race two Nitro Nori, lived up to his name getting the hole-shot off the line to take the lead. Corser made a good start as well to follow up in second, with Xaus and Toseland again close behind. By the end of lap one Toseland and Xaus had both passed Corser and by the end of lap three Bayliss had managed the same move, pushing Troy back to fifth. Ruben Xaus made it past Haga on lap four and Toseland and Haga touched fairings as the Honda rider also squeezed through. For the next ten laps all three riders swapped places at almost every turn until Bayliss ran briefly into the gravel after hitting the white line and dropping down to sixth. Haga and Toseland continued to fight for the win, with Noriyuki leading again from lap 19 until a mistake let James through on the penultimate lap. Team Yamaha YZF rider, Shinichi Nakatomi, had a disappointing weekend after retiring in race one with tyre problems and finishing 16th in race two. The team has really felt the lack of winter testing this weekend, coupled with Nakatomi's lack of confidence with wet weather riding. Noriyuki Haga (3rd - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) "In race two I had a good start, getting the hole-shot from the start line into first place. During the race I was looking for a good pace - I was not concerned if someone came past me, I was watching them (Xaus and Toseland). But they weren't carrying the same speed as me, and slowed down the pace. I was fighting side by side with Toseland but also looking to save my rear tyre to push in the last five laps. During the last two laps I had a good fight with Toseland for first place, and when I was planning to overtake James at the last corner I was not expecting Biaggi to be there, which prevented me from passing. For me, today was good but not perfect." Troy Corser (9th - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) "In race one I had a problem with our mapping choice, which is why I couldn't keep the pace with the front runners. But in race two the problem was different. I had exactly the same tyre as I had in race one, but I had absolutely no grip. I don't know why. I just can't believe my result today." Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) "Troy's tyre problem aside, this was a positive weekend for me.We got some good points especially closing the gap to Biaggi and Suzuki in the Manufacturers' standings. The progress we saw in Donington, we saw again here. Nori rode very well, he lead 14 of 23 laps in the second race, always very focused. Two podiums is an excellent step towards our goal - the Championship. Unfortunately Troy had tyre problems in race two. His rear tyre didn't seem to work very well, giving him no grip at all. Otherwise, we are sure he would have been on the podium today. I am sure he will be up there in Assen. I'm looking forward to the next race, we are confident in good results there." Shinichi Nakatomi (18th - Team Yamaha YZF) "Race one was bad for me, we needed more test time to find the right tyre but we did not have it so made a wrong choice. Race two was not a good result, but it was better than race one at least. At least I know where we need to make improvements now. This weekend has been tough, I hope Assen is better." Martial Garcia (Team Coordinator - Team YZF Yamaha) "In race one, we made the wrong tyre choice, which was too soft and had finished after only five laps. The tyre we chose for race two was much better, but it is just unfortunate we couldn't get into the points even with our improved lap times. We are paying for the lack of winter testing before this season. For Assen we hope for good weather and for Nakatomi to improve his confidence in riding in the wet." Race 1 - 23 Laps Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time 1, Ruben Xaus, Ducati, ESP, 37'14.606 2, Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 0'1.997 3, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 0'6.330 4, Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 0'8.780 5, James Toseland, Honda, GBR, 0'17.040 6, Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati, ITA, 0'24.272 7, Michel Fabrizio, Honda, ITA, 0'25.822 8, Max Biaggi, Suzuki, ITA, 0'26.087 9, Joshua Brookes, Honda, AUS, 0'28.778 10, Roberto Rolfo, Honda, ITA, 0'32.754 11, Regis Laconi, Kawasaki, FRA, 0'37.084 12, Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 0'37.141 13, Giovanni Bussei, Honda, ITA, 0'37.563 14, Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 0'38.544 15, Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, JPN, 0'53.049 Race 2 - 23 Laps Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time 1, James Toseland, Honda, GBR, 37'35.825 2, Max Biaggi, Suzuki, ITA, 0'0.287 3, Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 0'0.375 4, Ruben Xaus, Ducati, ESP, 0'6.637 5, Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati, ITA, 0'7.991 6, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 0'10.210 7, Joshua Brookes, Honda, AUS, 0'10.861 8, Regis Laconi, Kawasaki, FRA, 0'14.366 9, Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 0'15.511 10, Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 0'19.716 11, Michel Fabrizio, Honda, ITA, 0'25.287 12, Roberto Rolfo, Honda, ITA, 0'26.437 13, Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, JPN, 0'34.992 14, Carmelo Morales, Yamaha, ESP, 0'39.987 15, Giovanni Bussei, Honda, ITA, 0'42.445 16, Shinichi Nakatomi, Yamaha, JPN, 0'43.467 17, Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 1'8.350 Best Lap Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 1'35.746 Rider Standings 15/04/2007 Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points 1, James Toseland, Honda, GBR, 151 2, Max Biaggi, Suzuki, ITA, 138 3, Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 124 4, Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 101 5, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 90 6, Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati, ITA, 87 7, Ruben Xaus, Ducati, ESP, 83 8, Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 55 9, Roberto Rolfo, Honda, ITA, 46 10, Regis Laconi, Kawasaki, FRA, 37 11, Michel Fabrizio, Honda, ITA, 33 12, Joshua Brookes, Honda, AUS, 32 13, Fonsi Nieto, Kawasaki, ESP, 30 14, Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, JPN, 27 15, Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 25 18, Shinichi Nakatomi, Yamaha, JPN, 12 Manufacturer Standings 15/04/2007 Pos., Manufacturer, Points 1, Honda, 160 2, Suzuki, 138 3, Yamaha, 134 4, Ducati, 132 5, Kawasaki, 53

RACE REPORT - 15/04/2007 Parkes brings it home in sixth, Curtain crashes out Broc Parkes rode through the pain barrier today at Valencia to bring his R6 home in fifth place despite his recent collar bone injury. His team mate, Kevin Curtain, was not so fortunate, crashing out of the race on lap nine whilst battling for first place. The wet conditions that had plagued much of the weekend's track sessions had cleared going into the Supersport race. With this in mind, both riders were confident of a good ride in the fourth round of the World Supersport Championship today but in the end they were to have quite different results. Kevin got off a good start and maintained his third place, moving quickly up to second on lap two. Feeling comfortable with the bike and track conditions, he was able to put in a determined ride and was in a four-way battle for first place with Sofuoglu (Honda), Pitt (Honda) and Riba (Kawasaki). On lap five Kevin, showing no sign of discomfort from his broken collar bone, took the lead and temporarily set a new lap record. The battle continued until, on lap nine, Curtain and Riba collided catching Riba's brake lever and taking both riders out as well as Fujiwara Parkes' race also got off to a good start with him climbing up to eighth place from his start position of 11th. His injuries though, pampered him throughout the race, with him straining to change direction in the twisty middle section of the circuit. He moved up to fourth position as a result of Curtain and Riba's accident and then found himself embroiled in the middle pack of riders for the remainder of the race. He fought on and finished the race in a very credible fifth position, considering the short recovery period he has had since Donington. Massimo Roccoli, riding in the Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni squad, found himself alongside Parkes for much of the race, with the two riders swapping positions throughout. The dry conditions suited Roccoli's style more than the rain and he was able to much improve his start 16th start position to eventually finish in a solid seventh slot. Following his crash Curtain was taken to hospital where it was confirmed that his collar bone injury has not been made worse. A long 20cm cut deep into his thigh, caused by his foot peg, has had to be stitched - it was close to an artery but missed it. Following Curtain and Riba's collision the remaining to riders went on with Sofuoglu finishing in the top spot and ex-Yamaha WSB rider Pitt putting a good performance for second. Rounding up the podium positions was Nannelli (Ducati) who had a good fight with Pitt for second place and narrowly missed out. Broc Parkes (5th - Yamaha World Supersport Team) "I was sore for sure during that race and when the pace picked up I had trouble keeping up because I couldn't change direction so easily due to my shoulder. I had a pack of riders around me for much of the race, which I didn't like as it would have been so easy to collide with one of them, like Kevin did. I'd rather have been in front of them, but I couldn't get past. At least I got some points, which I am happy about and kept it upright this weekend." Massimo Roccoli (7th - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) "I had a good start and jumped to sixth position. I was riding with the leading group and after a very difficult practice, I am pleased with my final result. I took some points and have saved the weekend." Race 1 - 23 Laps Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time 1, Kenan Sofuoglu, Honda, TUR, 38'8.523 2, Andrew Pitt, Honda, AUS, 0'4.911 3, Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati, ITA, 0'5.200 4, Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, FRA, 0'5.619 5, Broc Parkes, Yamaha, AUS, 0'12.776 6, David Salom, Yamaha, ESP, 0'14.913 7, Massimo Roccoli, Yamaha, ITA, 0'15.178 8, Joan Lascorz, Honda, ESP, 0'25.356 9, Vesa Kallio, Suzuki, FIN, 0'28.454 10, Craig Jones, Honda, GBR, 0'29.885 11, Gianluca Vizziello, Yamaha, ITA, 0'30.422 12, Davide Giugliano, Kawasaki, ITA, 0'30.810 13, Lorenzo Alfonsi, Honda, ITA, 0'31.204 14, David Checa, Yamaha, ESP, 0'35.273 15, Sebastien Gimbert, Yamaha, FRA, 0'37.610 Best Lap Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time Katsuaki Fujiwara, Honda, JPN, 1'37.570 Rider Standings 15/04/2007 Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points 1, Kenan Sofuoglu, Honda, TUR, 95 2, Fabien Foret, Kawasaki, FRA, 51 3, Katsuaki Fujiwara, Honda, JPN, 43 4, Robbin Harms, Honda, DNK, 39 5, Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati, ITA, 30 6, Broc Parkes, Yamaha, AUS, 27 7, Massimo Roccoli, Yamaha, ITA, 26 8, Craig Jones, Honda, GBR, 25 9, Kevin Curtain, Yamaha, AUS, 25 10, Pere Riba, Kawasaki, ESP, 22 11, Andrew Pitt, Honda, AUS, 20 12, Barry Veneman, Suzuki, NED, 17 13, Yoann Tiberio, Honda, FRA, 15 14, Davide Giugliano, Kawasaki, ITA, 14 15, Lorenzo Alfonsi, Honda, ITA, 13 20, Gianluca Vizziello, Yamaha, ITA, 10 21, David Checa, Yamaha, ESP, 9 22, Sebastien Gimbert, Yamaha, FRA, 9 Manufacturer Standings 15/04/2007 Pos., Manufacturer, Points 1, Honda, 95 2, Kawasaki, 61 3, Yamaha, 55 4, Ducati, 30 5, Suzuki, 24 RACE REPORT - 15/04/2007 New boy Pirro shows his potential with a second place Rookie Superstock rider Michele Pirro showed his race-winning potential today with a superb ride over a challenging two-part race to take second place. In contrast, team mate Corti had a difficult weekend, eventually finishing in 11th place. This result doesn't do credit to the actual first he got in the second half of the race - a bad first heat brought his overall finishing position down. At the initial race start, Pirro got a good start to take the lead from his second qualifying place. He then proceeded to pull out a lead of almost six seconds by lap three before the rest of the pack regained their composure to attach back. British rider Mark Aitchison (Suzuki) took the lead on lap six but then the race was red flagged after Badovini (MV Augusta) crashed. The race was re-started with a five-lap sprint to the chequered flag. Pirro once again got a good start, taking the lead briefly before Yamaha-shod rider Baiocco passed him. Corti came back from his first heat difficulties in the re-start to show the fighting spirit that got him second place in the 2006 Superstock Championship. A close battle ensued with van Keymeulen, Corti, Aitchison and Baiocco for the lead with Corti succeeding while van Keymeulen crashed out of second on the penultimate lap. The final aggregate result, taking into account the re-start, put Aitchison in first place; Pirro in second and Canepa in third. Michele Pirro (2nd - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) "I had no grip at the front with my front tyre destroyed. I tried to keep hold of first place but it was impossible. I am satisfied though, because my second position has put me back in the fight for the championship." Claudio Corti (3rd - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) "My big problem was the first start. I took a big risk and almost crashed at one point losing position. I had no such problems in the second heat though and I am pleased to have grabbed some points today." Race 1 - 10 Laps Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time 1, Mark Aitchison, Suzuki, AUS, 18'4.561 2, Michele Pirro, Yamaha, ITA, 0'0.566 3, Nicolo Canepa, Ducati, ITA, 0'8.556 4, Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha, ITA, 0'12.741 5, Ilario Dionisi, Suzuki, ITA, 0'13.883 6, Xavier Simeon, Suzuki, BEL, 0'14.606 7, Rene Mahr, Yamaha, GER, 0'15.604 8, Matej Smrz, Honda, CZE, 0'23.290 9, Cederic Tangre, Yamaha, FRA, 0'25.773 10, Marko Jerman, Suzuki, SVK, 0'26.178 11, Claudio Corti, Yamaha, ITA, 0'26.428 12, Denis Sacchetti, MV Agusta, ITA, 0'29.667 13, Sheridan Morais, Ducati, RSA, 0'33.732 14, Marko Rohtlaan, Honda, EST, 0'34.541 15, Arne Tode, Honda, GER, 0'41.693 Best Lap Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time Ayrton Badovini, MV Agusta, ITA, 1'38.369 Rider Standings 15/04/2007 Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points 1, Nicolo Canepa, Ducati, ITA, 41 2, Mark Aitchison, Suzuki, AUS, 38 3, Claudio Corti, Yamaha, ITA, 25 4, Matteo Baiocco, Yamaha, ITA, 24 5, Ilario Dionisi, Suzuki, ITA, 21 6, Michele Pirro, Yamaha, ITA, 20 7, Xavier Simeon, Suzuki, BEL, 19 8, Didier Van Keymeulen, Yamaha, BEL, 16 9, Rene Mahr, Yamaha, GER, 15 10, Marko Jerman, Suzuki, SVK, 11 11, Sheridan Morais, Ducati, RSA, 10 12, Arne Tode, Honda, GER, 9 13, Cederic Tangre, Yamaha, FRA, 9 14, Matej Smrz, Honda, CZE, 8 15, Marko Rohtlaan, Honda, EST, 5 Manufacturer Standings 15/04/2007 Pos., Manufacturer, Points 1, Ducati, 41 2, Yamaha, 40 3, Suzuki, 38 4, Honda, 16 5, MV Agusta, 4 Yamaha Racing Communications

Great racing for sure. Looking for Max to do a little better. Of course the track was a little damp. Xaus was looking good in race one from the start. Man, gotta give credit to Haga with two top three finishes.

Haga made 2 mistakes on the final laps of the second race. I guess he was getting too excited and lost focus.

that was some good racing at the end of race 2 :rock

Haga made 2 mistakes on the final laps of the second race. I guess he was getting too excited and lost focus. Yeah, that little wiggle really messed him up. JT was stoked. :drunk:

I was yelling at the t.v. during the last laps of race 2! I have no idea what was going on with Corser, hopefully he can get it back together in Assen...

Congrats to Spider-Man, he looked good out there today.

JT's looking like a force this year :thumbup I think he would look good in Repsol orange :sing:

Yeah, that little wiggle really messed him up. JT was stoked. :drunk: Wiggle! :confused: That was a huge slide! He definitely wasn't expecting it on the was into that corner. Major pucker factor.

WSBK is the shyt!

The second race was Awesome!!!!!!!

I caught a lot of the races today. Why does WSB choose to do 2 separate races instead of one? I just don't understand that format. Also why do some manufacturers have more bikes running than others? Doesn't that screw up the manufacturer points system?

WSBK is the shyt! :fact x 100

JT's looking like a force this year :thumbup I think he would look good in Repsol orange :sing: :stpd:

Wiggle! :confused: That was a huge slide! He definitely wasn't expecting it on the was into that corner. Major pucker factor. Wiggle, slide or whatever. I agree, it caught him off guard.

All I can say is Max is showing why he is a former champ with that performance.

Not sure if you all caught this but one of the commentators said Bayliss had his little finger finger amputated as a result of his crash at Donington.

Not sure if you all caught this but one of the commentators said Bayliss had his little finger finger amputated as a result of his crash at Donington. Ouch. I went through two surgeries with pins and rods on my little finger from a high-side at Jennings in Jan '06. It's still not like it was and I doubt it will ever feel the same.

Not sure if you all caught this but one of the commentators said Bayliss had his little finger finger amputated as a result of his crash at Donington. Ouch. I went through two surgeries with pins and rods on my little finger from a high-side at Jennings in Jan '06. It's still not like it was and I doubt it will ever feel the same. From what I understand, the amputation was at his request. It was the only way he could race at Valencia. He had some big 'moments' in that race.

From what I understand, the amputation was at his request. It was the only way he could race at Valencia. He had some big 'moments' in that race. Bayliss has the heart of a lion......it's to bad Max doesn't have half his character

Bayliss has the heart of a lion......it's to bad Max doesn't have half his character I haven't been put off by a single one of his interviews this season. Being left out in the cold did wonders for his personality!

I haven't been put off by a single one of his interviews this season. Being left out in the cold did wonders for his personality! I agree he does seem to be more down to earth this year, I just can't get over his past arrogance

OH MAN that was an unnecessarily awesome race 2. Biaggi's my boy! as for the two race format... I love it. Gives teams the chance to make up for mistakes and whatnot. WSBK might soon be taking over as my racing of choice...