Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) has taken revenge over Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) after first race defeat for the win to achieve a crucial victory in Eni FIM Superbike World Championship Race 2 at Monza. The Irishman grabbed the lead on the penultimate lap and defended the position from a competitive Melandri, who set the fastest lap of the race right before the chequered flag in 1’42.379.
With his 3rd race win of 2013, Laverty equals the same number of victories achieved in the past two seasons to close the gap on the Championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) to 13 points, with Tom Sykes 3rd at 18 points from the top.
The Kawasaki Racing Team rider completed the podium ahead of Guintoli, as both riders were part of the 4-way battle that characterised most of the 18-lap race.
5th place for Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), after a close battle with Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia). Both riders had to face a strong Chaz Davies, up until the Welshman lost the front at Turn 5 during lap 12, and a fierce Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), 7th at the flag.
RACE 1 RESULTS
Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) is the winner of a thrilling and ultra-close Race 1 at Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale, following a spectacular and highly entertained battle throughout the 18 laps.
The 11th race win for the home rider – his maiden on the Italian track – was a perfect display of racecraft, as Melandri entered the final lap in 3rd position and immediately overtook Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) at Turn 1, then made a successful move on Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) for the lead. The works Aprilia Rider regained first position at the “Ascari” chicane, but the eventual winner was not happy with second place and got along the inside of the Irishman at the last turn, while Sykes tried to take advantage to snatch the victory over both rivals.
The three riders crossed the line side by side, with Melandri winning by 0.085 seconds over Tom Sykes and by 0.107 seconds on Eugene Laverty. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) was part of the contention for the win but lost ground in the closing stages to finish 4th. The Frenchman is still the Championship leader, 21 points ahead of Sykes and 25 on Laverty.
5th place for Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) – who made his way up to sixth position following a difficult start – and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Race 1 saw a new average speed record for the Superbike World Championship (201,814 km/h): the previous one was set in 2000 at Hockenheim (Race 1 – 201,330 km/h).
–From WorldSBK.com
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