Valencia Race Report
There was no question of who got the biggest cheers and applause from the Spanish crowd in the Valencia race weekend – Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati).
The Catalan World Superbike rider has been simply reborn as a genuine contender since he got on his top-level privateer Ducati, and although he did not quite win the second race, and had to retire after running off track in race one, he did win the Pirelli prize for setting the fastest lap of race one.
Speaking after the SBK race, Checa was philosophical about his homecoming, and very grateful for the support he received.
Carlos Checa says: "A bittersweet weekend in the end. Bitter for the crash and sweet for the second place finish but also bitter for those 25 thousandths and sweet for the position overall. Racing is like that and we need to look ahead. We are at a good level that means we can fight for the podium, thinking about the championship. I think that the people that came to Valencia today definitely enjoyed themselves."
Carlos Checa and his Ducati currently sit third in the World Championship point standings with 80 behind Max Biaggi on the Aprilia with 105 and the leader Leon Haslam on the Suzuki with 123.
