Bayliss takes win at Qatar WSBK
BAYLISS POWERS TO VICTORY IN RACE 1 AND LEADS THE SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER ROUND 1 IN QATAR
Losail (Qatar), Saturday 23rd February: Troy Bayliss
(Ducati Xerox) stormed to victory on board the Ducati 1098 F08 in the
opening race of the 2008 World Superbike Championship today, a
spectacular result for the team and a significant maiden win for the
new F08 machine. Bayliss then narrowly missed out on a podium place in
race 2, finishing fourth just ahead of team-mate Fabrizio. Young Michel Fabrizio made a determined start to his year and leaves Qatar
with 18 championship points, accumulated from his tenth (race 1) and
fifth (race 2) place finishes. Bayliss, with 38 points, leads the World
Superbike championship after round 1 here in Qatar.
Troy Bayliss (1st place - race 1)
Troy Bayliss (1st place - race 1)
"It's
a very good start to the season for the team, exactly what we needed!
Overall I'm very happy with the results. In race 1 I didn't make the
greatest start and so it took me a while to make it to the front of the
pack. The last eight laps were a bit of a battle against Max but I was
finally able to get past him and, although I made a couple of small
mistakes, I was pretty comfortable and took the win. I would have loved
to take another podium in race 2 but it wasn't to be and I come away
from this round leading the championship by 2 points so I can't exactly
complain. Now I'm ready to move on to Phillip Island where I hope to have another great weekend."
Michel Fabrizio
Michel Fabrizio
"I
wasn't happy with race 1 as although I didn't have any problems with
the bike I wasn't totally comfortable with my leather suit. I think I
could have gone better if it hadn't been for that issue. Race 2 went
much better and although I got a bad start I was able to move up
through the field from ninth to fifth place. Anyway, we've made a good
start and I am seventh in the championship after the first round so
that's a positive start for me and the team I would say."
RACE 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 2. Biaggi (Ducati); 3. Corser (Yamaha); 4. Xaus (Ducati) 5. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 6. Checa (Honda) 7. Nieto (Suzuki) 8. Kagayama (Suzuki) 9. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox)
RACE 2: 1. Nieto (Suzuki) 2. Xaus (Ducati) 3. Biaggi (Ducati); 4. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 5. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 6. Lanzi (Ducati)
POINTS (after 1 of 15 rounds): Riders -1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 38; 2. Biaggi (Ducati) 36; 3. Nieto (Suzuki) 34; 4. Xaus (Ducati) 33; 5. Corser (Yamaha) 25; 6. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 19; 7. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 18. Manufacturers - 1. Ducati 45; 2. Suzuki 36; 3. Yamaha 25; 4. Honda 16; 5. Kawasaki 5
RACE 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 2. Biaggi (Ducati); 3. Corser (Yamaha); 4. Xaus (Ducati) 5. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 6. Checa (Honda) 7. Nieto (Suzuki) 8. Kagayama (Suzuki) 9. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox)
RACE 2: 1. Nieto (Suzuki) 2. Xaus (Ducati) 3. Biaggi (Ducati); 4. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 5. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 6. Lanzi (Ducati)
POINTS (after 1 of 15 rounds): Riders -1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 38; 2. Biaggi (Ducati) 36; 3. Nieto (Suzuki) 34; 4. Xaus (Ducati) 33; 5. Corser (Yamaha) 25; 6. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 19; 7. Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) 18. Manufacturers - 1. Ducati 45; 2. Suzuki 36; 3. Yamaha 25; 4. Honda 16; 5. Kawasaki 5
