Superbike Kyalami
World Superbike Race One: Fabrizio took an early lead in the first race of the day at Kyalami and the factory Ducati Xerox rider did not put a wheel wrong as he dominated throughout.
Behind was Carlos Checa, on an Althea Ducati privateer machine, while third went to a patient Haslam, who extended his championship lead over fourth place rider Biaggi.
Jonathan Rea, from Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, made an amazing charge towards the end of the race, taking fifth place for his efforts.
Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) had the late pace to stick with Rea on the last couple of laps, but Yamaha Sterilgarda teammates James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow were unable to drive as hard in the final reckoning and went seventh and eighth.
Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Ducati) was a battling ninth, and right on the tail of the Yamaha duo on the very last lap.
Peculiarly, Fabrizio’s winning time of 2010 was only 0.033 seconds faster than the first race time he set to go second in 2009.
World Superbike Race Two: Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) wrapped up a magnificent race two win as five riders were covered by 1.479 seconds at the flag and any one of three were in with a real chance of winning even in the final lap.
Second was long-time leader Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Max Biaggi went third for the Aprilia Alitalia team.
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) completed the top five, all on different manufacturer machinery.
James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) battled hard to record sixth place, with both he and Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad) overhauling a fading Fabrizio at the end.
Jakub Smrz was again ninth and 2009 double race winner Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) tenth.
The top Kawasaki rider was Tom Sykes, 14th, while Camier and Sheridan Morais (Emtek Aprilia) failed to finish. In the championship Haslam now has 222 points, Biaggi 207 and Rea 141, tied with Checa.
Giorgio Barbier (Racing Director, Pirelli Moto) says: "The Pirelli team worked all weekend with SBK teams and their suspension engineers to find bike setups to handle the very rough racing surface of Kyalami. Some teams utilized quite extreme suspension setups, causing the tyres to lose contact with the asphalt in certain sections."
"Riders demonstrating a consistent pace throughout practice sessions and qualifying led the two very exciting races with competition from every angle. Ducati riders Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and Checa (Althea Racing) brought strong performances in Race 1, mounting the mid-soft (B) compound on front and rear for a 1-2 finish, and Fabrizio even thook home a Pirelli Best Lap and Kyalami lap record."
"Max Biaggi (Aprilia) was the only rider who chose the newest soft compound (A) solution for the rear, finding a podium in Race 2. Five different manufacturers in a row for the final SBK race of the weekend is an ideal result for a tyre supplier, and left nearly everyone in the crowd and the paddock something to celebrate."
Pirelli Performance Awards
SBK Race 1 – Pirelli BEST LAP
Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team), 1’38.170 (Lap 3)
SBK Race 2 – Pirelli BEST LAP
Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda), 1’38.658 (Lap 2)
Total BEST LAP (SBK): Checa C. (Althea Racing): 3, Rea J. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 3, Biaggi M. (Aprilia Alitalia Racing): 2, Haslam L. (Suzuki Alstare): 1, Guintoli S. (Suzuki Alstare): 1, Crutchlow C. (Yamaha World Superbike): 1, Fabrizio M. (Ducati Xerox Team): 1
WSS – Pirelli BEST LAP
Kenan Sofuoglu (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda), 1’41.054 (Lap 3)
Total BEST LAP (WSS): Laverty E. (Parkalgar Honda): 2, Sofuoglu K. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 2, Pirro M. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 1, Lascorz J. (Kawasaki Motocard.com): 1