02/11/08 Portuguese podium delight for Checa
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Carlos Checa took an impressive second place in today’s opening World Superbike race at Portimao in Portugal, while his new team-mate, Jonathan Rea, finished in fourth place in his World Superbike debut. Both races were won by Ducati’s Troy Bayliss, who will now retire from racing.
Starting from 11th place on the grid, Checa worked his way steadily through the field in the opening 22-lap encounter at the all-new Autodromo Internacional do Algarve to take his first podium since his double win in the USA in May. In race, two he looked set for a second podium finish when fellow Spaniard, Ruben Xaus, crashed directly in front of him, dropping Checa back down the field to seventh.
For Jonathan Rea, a front row grid position led to good starts in both races. The 21-year-old signalled his intentions for 2009 by battling with more established World Superbike riders and eventually finishing just off the podium. He was unable to repeat his performance in race two, being forced wide at turn one on lap 10. Rea rejoined in eighteenth place but fought back to fifteenth at the flag.
The team’s third rider, Ryuichi Kiyonari, started from 19th on the grid after difficulties during qualifying. The Japanese ace was able to match the leading riders’ lap times, however, as he got to grips with the new circuit. He finished in eighth in race one and 11th in race two.
Carlos Checa – 2nd and 7th
Overall I am satisfied with the weekend’s performance. We had some problems during qualifying but I was able to start well and had a great feeling from the bike in race one. In the second race, everything felt good again and I was able to fight my way to the front. Unfortunately, things happened that were beyond our control, but this track is fantastic because, in the tarmac run-off, I was able to avoid first Ruben and then his bike. When Dani Pedrosa crashes in front of you, you hardly notice. But when Ruben crashes in front of you, you can hardly see the track – it is just arms and legs everywhere!
Jonathan Rea – 4th and 15th
It’s been OK for a first weekend on the superbike and I managed to get back into the groove OK. In the second race, I got forced wide and ended up back in eighteenth. But I was strong enough to get back to fifteenth and to take fourth in race one was mega. Big thanks to both my supersport and superbike teams for making the transition so easy for me – and to hold on to second place in the World Supersport championship today was fantastic. I can’t wait to start testing in South Africa next month for next season.
Ryuichi Kiyonari – 8th and 11th
It’s been a difficult weekend, mostly because it has taken me too long to learn the track. Race one was OK though and I felt more comfortable. In the second race the bike felt better and I was happy to push a bit harder to catch the groups in front. But I pushed a bit too hard and nearly highsided twice.
Ronald ten Kate – team manager
It’s been a good day for us really. When Xaus crashed in front of Carlos, he was unlucky to be forced off the track but lucky to be able to avoid the mess and it clearly cost him another podium. Jonathan did very well for his debut weekend, although a small mistake in race two cost him another top five finish. It was a bit of a struggle for Kiyo but that was mostly due to the problems he had learning the track, but all in all I am very satisfied and cannot wait for next season to start.
Results – World Superbikes, Portimao, Portugal
Race 1
1 T Bayliss AUS (Ducati)
2 C Checa ESP (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
3 T Corser AUS (Yamaha)
4 J Rea GBR (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
8 R Kiyonari JPN (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
Race 2
1 T Bayliss AUS (Ducati)
2 M Fabrizio ITA (Ducati)
3 M Neukirchner GER (Suzuki)
7 C Checa ESP (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
11 R Kiyonari JPN (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
15 J Rea GBR (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda)
Final championship points:
Bayliss 460, Corser 342, N Haga JPN 327, Checa 313