2012 World Superbike Brno Video
At round eight of the 2012 World Superbike Championship in Aragon, Marco Melandri began showing the true potential of the BMW Motorrad S1000RR, the Italian taking a 2-1 finish.
Following that round in Spain, Melandri was hoping to keep up the momentum. And this is just what he did over the weekend at Brno World Superbike, round nine of 14.
During that round in the Czech Republic, Melandri not only gave BMW Motorrad its first-ever double win, he also closed in on the championship lead; the S1000RR rider now trails leader Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) by 21 points.
Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad S1000RR Superbike) says: “Securing my first double victory here in Brno on this racetrack is something special. I am so happy because I already have five victories this season and nobody did expect it. Race one was already amazing. At the beginning the conditions were very difficult as it was wet. As we were riding with slicks, we just tried not to lose too many positions, but in the first few laps I struggled a lot. While I tried to improve my position I made two mistakes because I still was not feeling comfortable. When I saw that I was eighth I said to myself that I need to stay quiet and keep my rhythm to catch the front guys. It was not easy to overtake them. And when I took the lead with one lap to go I knew that I just needed to keep pushing as much as I could. I knew that I was faster than the others.
“Race two was even more difficult as Tom was doing a great race, and I had to spend a lot of energy trying to catch him. The tire was working very well today, and I could keep the gap very small. Every time I tried to pass Tom he was braking so hard that it was nearly impossible. Once I finally passed him, I made a mistake and Tom passed me back. It was really tough to catch him again. Actually I did not expect to win, but being on the victory rostrum twice today is just amazing. Seeing BMW leading the manufacturers’ championship is unbelievable and it makes me proud. I also could close the gap to Max in the rider’s championship. But the season is still long, and we think race by race. I want to thank everybody at BMW Motorrad and in the race team who work so hard every day and put so much effort in the project. It was so unbelievable and emotional to see them smiling and happy. Now I just want to celebrate this result.”
Joining Melandri on the race-one podium were Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes and Loris Baz, respectively. In race two, it would be Sykes and Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa, respectively.
Attached above are video highlights of 2012 Brno World Superbike (race one above, race two below); for a report, click here.
