Haga takes another double win as Yamaha dominate the podium in Vallelunga

Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) had an outstanding raceday at Vallelunga, scoring a double win and promoting himself to third in the championship after two 24-lap races of full drama.

Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) also had a successful raceday, taking two podium finishes in third, and making up ground on long time points leader Troy Bayliss. The Ducati rider fell in race two, without injury, and in doing so scored no points, despite restarting.

Corser now has 290 points to Bayliss's 369, with Haga equal on points with Max Neukirchner, on 280. The overall result of the Vallelunga weekend is that each Yamaha rider is still capable of winning the championship, with four races and 100 points left.

In the first 24-lap race Haga and Corser were ever-present in the fight for podium places, with long time race leader Haga taking the reward of victory, by 0.129 seconds from Max Biaggi. Corser looked capable of winning himself as he finally made up all the ground he lost in the mid section of the race in the last few laps, but was unable to get close enough to Biaggi to secure second.


Race two was a classic three-way fight in the early laps, with Haga, Corser and Bayliss close together. Later in the race Haga and Bayliss swapped the lead repeatedly, but on the final lap Bayliss crashed and Haga went on to win by 1.5 seconds, from Michel Fabrizio, and Corser, who was another second behind.

Haga continued to use the new Ohlins electronic rear shock for both Vallelunga races, the system worked well for the Yamaha rider, an improvement on the standard shock.

Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) had his best result of the year with an eighth place finish, followed by tenth.

David Checa (Yamaha GMT94) went 17th in race one and ran off on race two, finishing 20th. His team-mate Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha GMT94) retired in race one but scored two points for 14th in race two.
Noriyuki Haga (1st and 1st - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) 
"I could hear Biaggi's bike all the way but my bike was working very well and I am very happy with the result. In race two I had a very big fight with Troy Bayliss, and I am sorry for his crash. But I enjoyed our battle while it lasted. It was a great day today for our team and thanks to all the team and the fans for the reception. For sure we will be pushing hard at the next round, as we did at this one."

Troy Corser (3rd and 3rd - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) 
"In race one I got a good start, pushed hard and the tyres were working well, so I felt comfortable. Then I had a bit of a moment when I lost a place to Checa. I went for second gear but hit a neutral and that lost me some time. I was lucky to stay on and I lost a lot of ground to the leaders. I got past Checa again and caught them but I could not get past the leaders. In race two we changed the bike a bit but I lost some time through the Esses. It was a shame for Troy crashing but it kept the championship alive for us."
Massimo Meregalli (Team Manager, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) 
"Another great raceday after a strong weekend for our team, which shows how well we work. Noriyuki had another magic weekend and took full points. Troy rode well and two podiums is a good result. Our riders are second and third in the championship and it is not over yet. I am sorry for Troy Bayliss because he is a fantastic racer, and does not want to give up, but the championship is not closed yet."

Shinichi Nakatomi (10th and 8th - Team YZF Yamaha) 
""Yesterday, we had problems with the settings. This morning, the feeling was better. We made more changes in the right direction. The first race was good. In the second race, I lost a lot of time in the beginning because of Biaggi's early crash. Then I progressed forward. On the average, it's not so bad. The test we did in July at Vallelunga was useful. I hope to have a good result at the next race in Magny-Cours because this is my French team's home track."


Race 1 

Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time

1, Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 39'25.030
2, Max Biaggi, Ducati, ITA, 0'0.129
3, Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 0'0.535
4, Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 0'5.188
5, Carlos Checa, Honda, ESP, 0'6.693
6, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 0'7.993
7, Michel Fabrizio, Ducati, ITA, 0'16.976
8, Roberto Rolfo, Honda, ITA, 0'18.359
9, Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, JPN, 0'19.214
10, Shinichi Nakatomi, Yamaha, JPN, 0'19.386
11, Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati, ITA, 0'21.230
12, Fonsi Nieto, Suzuki, ESP, 0'24.956
13, Matej Smrz, Honda, CZE, 0'25.186
14, Gregorio Lavilla, Honda, ESP, 0'31.799
15, Ayrton Badovini, Kawasaki, ITA, 0'33.949
16, Regis Laconi, Kawasaki, FRA, 0'34.050
17, David Checa, Yamaha, ESP, 0'34.665
18, Chris Walker, Honda, GBR, 0'52.420
19, Shuhei Aoyama, Honda, JPN, 1'2.555
20, Makoto Tamada, Kawasaki, JPN, 1'6.475
21, Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 1'16.985
22, Matt Lynn, Honda, USA, 1'40.616

Race 2 

Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time

1, Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 39'10.265
2, Michel Fabrizio, Ducati, ITA, 0'1.507
3, Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 0'2.268
4, Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 0'11.813
5, Carlos Checa, Honda, ESP, 0'17.922
6, Fonsi Nieto, Suzuki, ESP, 0'18.281
7, Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, JPN, 0'19.368
8, Shinichi Nakatomi, Yamaha, JPN, 0'19.717
9, Regis Laconi, Kawasaki, FRA, 0'23.868
10, Roberto Rolfo, Honda, ITA, 0'24.198
11, Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 0'25.426
12, Ruben Xaus, Ducati, ESP, 0'28.384
13, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, JPN, 0'30.436
14, Sebastien Gimbert, Yamaha, FRA, 0'36.490
15, Chris Walker, Honda, GBR, 0'42.903
16, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 0'43.758
17, Shuhei Aoyama, Honda, JPN, 0'44.993
18, Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati, ITA, 0'48.469
19, Makoto Tamada, Kawasaki, JPN, 0'58.868
20, David Checa, Yamaha, ESP, 1'18.547
21, Matej Smrz, Honda, CZE, 1'42.272


Best Lap

Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time

Carlos Checa, Honda, ESP, 1'37.537

Rider Standings 21/09/2008

Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points
1, Troy Bayliss, Ducati, AUS, 369
2, Troy Corser, Yamaha, AUS, 290
3, Max Neukirchner, Suzuki, GER, 280
4, Noriyuki Haga, Yamaha, JPN, 280
5, Carlos Checa, Honda, ESP, 262
6, Max Biaggi, Ducati, ITA, 212
7, Fonsi Nieto, Suzuki, ESP, 206
8, Michel Fabrizio, Ducati, ITA, 201
9, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, JPN, 193
10, Ruben Xaus, Ducati, ESP, 160
11, Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, JPN, 136
12, Jakub Smrz, Ducati, CZE, 110
13, Gregorio Lavilla, Honda, ESP, 107
14, Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati, ITA, 104
15, Karl Muggeridge, Honda, AUS, 71
18, Shinichi Nakatomi, Yamaha, JPN, 46
26, David Checa, Yamaha, ESP, 12
27, Sebastien Gimbert, Yamaha, FRA, 9



Manufacturer Standings 21/09/2008

Pos., Manufacturer, Points

1, Ducati, 479
2, Yamaha, 416
3, Honda, 357
4, Suzuki, 355
5, Kawasaki, 77
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RACE REPORT - 21/09/2008

Parkes and Laverty win hard fought podiums in Italy

Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) and Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Supersport Team) earned a podium finish apiece after a dramatic WSS race at Vallelunga, eventually capitalising on their strong qualifying performances to go second and third respectively in the race. Parkes was 2.971 seconds from the win, with Laverty hanging on for third, despite riding with broken bones in his feet.

Starting from pole, Parkes was held up by other riders in the early laps, letting eventual winner Jonathan Rea run to a clear victory, even though Parkes set a new race lap record more than once in his attempt to catch the start-to-finish leader. Parkes' new record is 1'39.419, set on lap 19 of 22.

Laverty and World Championship leader Andrew Pitt collided on lap 19 and Laverty was lucky to stay on, while Pitt slid into the gravel and was unable to restart. Laverty's first WSS podium came in only his second WSS race, as he made a stand-in ride for injured team regular, Fabien Foret.

In the overall championship, Parkes is still in with a chance of the title itself, as he sits fourth overall, 30 points from Pitt with a maximum of 50 left to play for in the final two rounds.

Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) missed points by finishing 17th, while David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport) finished two places behind. Jason Crowe (Yamaha Spain World Supersport) was 24th.
Broc Parkes (2nd - Yamaha World Supersport Team) 
"It was a great race but at the start of it I was not able to push hard enough to get through the pack quickly enough and there were a few crazy guys in the bunch! I should have probably got past them and away with Jonathan a bit quicker. My bike felt better when it was a bit lighter, but I was a little too far back right at the end to get to Jonathan. Second was great anyway today and the Yamaha worked really well this weekend. We pulled the bike out of the box this weekend and it was great from the start."

Eugene Laverty (3rd - Yamaha World Supersport Team) 
"I had a little bit more pace on me than Andrew in some places and on one corner I had run a little bit deeper than normal. When I had come back Andrew was there. It was just a racing accident but I am sorry for Andrew. It's brilliant to be on the podium so thanks to the Yamaha team for giving me this opportunity and I have been able to make the most of it."
Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team) 
"Two good results for us today and it was a pity that Jonathan managed to get away because of all the traffic and overtaking, but we were able to keep the package together for both riders. Broc's feeling became better at the end off the race, he was put under pressure after his team mate past him and I believe that made him sharper as well. Near the finish he was doing 1'39s, faster than the beginning. Eugene did really well to get on the podium and I know we will hear a lot about him in the future. After Andrew's unfortunate crash, we are 30 points behind the leader, so the championship is not over yet. All in all a good weekend for us."

Massimo Roccoli (17th - Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) 
"It is very disappointing not to get any points this weekend, because I had no feeling on the bike today. I felt fast, and the bike felt fast, but the time was not competitive and I could not push hard at the front or the rear. I will improve my mind before the next WS race, as I will race in the Italian series next week at Misano before we go to Magny-Cours."


Race 1 

Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time

1, Jonathan Rea, Honda, GBR, 36'48.656
2, Broc Parkes, Yamaha, AUS, 0'2.971
3, Eugene Laverty, Yamaha, GBR, 0'6.461
4, Joan Lascorz, Honda, ESP, 0'7.135
5, Barry Veneman, Suzuki, NED, 0'10.945
6, Robbin Harms, Honda, DNK, 0'14.412
7, Gianluca Nannelli, Honda, ITA, 0'14.557
8, Didier Van Keymeulen, Suzuki, BEL, 0'19.286
9, Mark Aitchinson, Triumph, AUS, 0'23.854
10, Josh Hayes, Honda, USA, 0'31.193
11, Ivan Clementi, Triumph, ITA, 0'31.327
12, Joshua Brookes, Honda, AUS, 0'39.771
13, Miguel Praia, Honda, POR, 0'40.957
14, Terence Toti, Suzuki, ITA, 0'41.196
15, Gianluca Vizziello, Honda, ITA, 0'41.337
16, Russell Holland, Honda, AUS, 0'43.421
17, Massimo Roccoli, Yamaha, ITA, 0'44.790
18, Katsuaki Fujiwara, Kawasaki, JPN, 0'45.564
19, David Salom, Yamaha, ESP, 0'54.098
20, Chris Martin, Kawasaki, GBR, 0'58.063
21, Graeme Gowland, Honda, GBR, 1'1.773
22, Patrick Vostarek, Honda, ITA, 1'16.595
23, David Perret, Honda, FRA, 1'16.917
24, Jeremy Crowe, Yamaha, AUS, 1'17.279
25, Balazs Nemeth, Honda, HUN, 1'17.539
26, Denis Sacchetti, Honda, ITA, 1'28.143
27, Alex Cudlin, Triumph, AUS, 1'29.485


Best Lap

Rider, Manu., Nat., Total Time

Broc Parkes, Yamaha, AUS, 1'39.417

Rider Standings 21/09/2008

Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points
1, Andrew Pitt, Honda, AUS, 169
2, Jonathan Rea, Honda, GBR, 158
3, Joshua Brookes, Honda, AUS, 141
4, Broc Parkes, Yamaha, AUS, 139
5, Joan Lascorz, Honda, ESP, 105
6, Craig Jones, Honda, GBR, 100
7, Fabien Foret, Yamaha, FRA, 97
8, Barry Veneman, Suzuki, NED, 72
9, Robbin Harms, Honda, DNK, 70
10, Gianluca Nannelli, Honda, ITA, 60
11, Massimo Roccoli, Yamaha, ITA, 48
12, Gianluca Vizziello, Honda, ITA, 47
13, Matthieu Lagrive, Honda, FRA, 43
14, Chris Walker, Kawasaki, GBR, 36
15, Didier Van Keymeulen, Suzuki, BEL, 27
27, David Salom, Yamaha, ESP, 9



Manufacturer Standings 21/09/2008

Pos., Manufacturer, Points

1, Honda, 265
2, Yamaha, 182
3, Suzuki, 81
4, Triumph, 68
5, Kawasaki, 42