Race 2 at Donington Park was a little less exciting than race 1, but Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa once again showed why he was the favourite to win at the English track after dominating in yesterday’s Superpole. The Spaniard had a much better start, and after just three laps decided to take action on Leon Haslam who was leading, passed him and took off to a comfortable victory.

Marco Melandri once again showed the WSBK scene he’s not just another MotoGP rider that had no where else to go. The Italian starting off in the 9th spot battled through the field to then duel with a gamely Leon Camier, but as soon as he shook off the English rider he started to reel in Checa, but the Spaniard just upped his pace slightly and Melandri had to settle for an excellent second place.

Leon Camier would be the only Aprilia rider and British rider on the podium. Team mate Max Biaggi completely lost his cool again and will want to completely forget this English round. Biaggi was give a ride through penalty for his jump start and after not seeing his lap board was given the black flag and had to pull in while he was riding around in 9th.

Continue reading: WSBK Donington: Carlos Checa dominates race 2

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Ben Spies completely dominated race 2 and officially re-opened the WSBK Championship. Spies is now just 14 points behind point leader Noriyuki Haga who suffered a massive highside and ended up underneath his Xerox Ducati.

We saw Haga walking away from the crash on his own legs, accompanied by medical personnel and track marshals but according to the Italian media Haga has fractured a neck vertebrae and has been tranferred to Nottingham Hospital to undergo emergency surgery. Dr. Corbascio from the Clinica Mobile has said that Haga’s mobility is not at risk and surgery is necessary to avoid that any spinal liquid leakage. Haga also has a fractured ulna and a wrist bone. Dr. Corbascio has also reported that Haga will need at least two to three months to recover.

The Texan didn’t get the holeshot, but Max Biaggi did, but it didn’t last long, with an inside pass that took the Italian by surprise, Spies took the lead. Following Biaggi was team mate Shinya Nakano. The Japanese highsided on lap 2, going down heavily on his back. Haga was now in third, when Max Biaggi on lap three lost the front of his Aprilia. He was able to remount but when he rejoined the race ended up the path Celani’s Suzuki rider Alessandro Polita. Both riders managed to stay upright and Biaggi would finish his race in 21st place and last while Polita had to retire later in the race.

Biaggi picked up hairline fracture in his right foot after hitting Polita and has been fined $ 2000 by the Race Direction for re-entering the track without looking and endangering the Celani rider.

Continue reading: WSBK Donington Race 2 - Donington Double for Spies

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