World Superbike 2008 - Round Two

World Superbike 2008 - Round Two - Phillip Island

Day 3 Report - Pirelli

Australian weekend started with rain and low temperatures on Friday, but by Saturday things were very different. Temperatures went up both in the racetrack and in the air. The two Troys, both Australians and both great riders, swept to the top of the time sheets, until a crash seemed to cut short the plans of the Ducati rider. But it was an illusion, because the last rider to set a Superpole lap, when Corser was leading, was eventual winner Troy Bayliss, despite suffering pain after sustaining eight stitches in his left elbow. A great result for him as he was able to take pole position. His 1’31.493 new best lap was also a testimony to his Pirelli qualifying tyres.

Good work also from Fabrizio in third place, and for Carlos Checa, who already seems to know his new bike and Pirelli tyres, taking a front row start.

Bad luck for Biaggi who had to retire from Superpole due to a technical problem, and started the races from 16th place - even though he was 8th going into Superpole.

Race1:
AIR HUMIDITY 42% AIR TEMPERATURE 22°C
TRACK CONDITION Dry TRACK TEMPERATURE 30°

The usual fabulous spectacle graced WSBK, on the perfect backdrop of Phillip Island. The start of race one delivered early drama. At the green light, Fabrizio’s Ducati, on the first row, didn’t move and was hit hard by Iannuzzo, who crashed heavily. Incredible bad luck for the two riders because Iannuzzo suffered a double fracture of the wrist, while Fabrizio hurt his right leg, but could still restart the race. During the same first lap another crash, involving another two riders, was ultimately of little consequence, as each restarted the race.

A new start, a new race.

Bayliss and Corser led, followed by Haga and Nieto.

A WSBK race is never predictable and the race result is never quite sure until the end.

The fastest rider, lap after lap, seemed to be Max Biaggi, who was able to recover from his 16th starting position to second place in lap 9, behind Bayliss.

It was a very good race also for Fabrizio, despite his pain. He was down in ninth at one stage, but then reached fifth on the 19th lap, following Bayliss, Biaggi, Xaus and Corser.

Although he was holding an apparently safe second place Biaggi crashed, with Bayliss now alone and the four following riders were involved in a heavy battle.

These riders were racing with soft tyres, both on the front and on the rear, racing with the big – 200 section – rear, while Corser decided to go for a medium – harder – rear tyre.

Despite this very aggressive choice of tyres the pace was great and most of all the show stayed great until the end, with the podium places going to Bayliss, Corser and Fabrizio.

Race 2:
AIR HUMIDITY 29% AIR TEMPERATURE 28°C
TRACK CONDITION Dry TRACK TEMPERATURE 47°

Despite the even higher temperatures of race two almost all the riders used “soft” tyre choices. Fastest riders at the start were once again the two Troys, together with Nieto, Haga and Xaus. A bad start for Fabrizio, who finishing the first lap 12th.

Only a few corners in and the race officials claimed a jump start for Fabrizio, Corser, Smrz, Laconi and Rolfo.

The race was compromised, especially for Corser who crashed before taking his ride-through. Once again the leading guy was Bayliss, and coming from behind three Spanish riders Nieto, Checa and Xaus.

Once again Biaggi – trying to overtake Nieto – crashed and had to abandon the race. A fast but lucky crash for him, with the bike very close to him as it bounced. Max was later diagnosed with a broken wrist, but luckily the next race will be at Valencia in April, and there’s enough time to recover.

In race two the podium went to Bayliss ahead of Checa and Nieto. Three different manufacturers in the top three - typical WSBK stuff. Another great performance for the Pirelli DIABLO SUPERBIKE tyre which proved adaptable for all the different bikes and different riders, especially 2008 rookie Checa.

AIR HUMIDITY 30% AIR TEMPERATURE 29°C
TRACK CONDITION Dry TRACK TEMPERATURE 46°

In Supersport Phillip Island delivered one of the best races in recent memory, with many passes and close calls for the top riders. Parkes, after winning in Qatar, set the fastest time in the practice sessions and seemed to be a good winning bet - but his crash on the second lap ruined his dream.

At the head of the race was a group of battling riders, Pitt, Brookes, Harms, joined by Foret, Rea and McCoy.

Foret started the last lap in the leading position and yet finished 4th; Brookes started the last lap 4th and finished 2nd with a gap of only 0.06 seconds to the winner Pitt.

The first five riders finished the race within one second of each other: an extraordinary race just like the DIABLO SUPERCORSA has always allowed, despite the very high track temperature.