wsbkrd4_041607_900x300.jpg
Alpinestars News
April 16th, 2007 | News Archive

World SBK Championship rd.4 - Valencia, Spain

Toseland and Xaus ace Valencia World Superbike Grand Prix - It all went down to the bitter end in the second race of the fourth round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship, held at the sprawling Circuito de la Comunitat Valeciana. Team Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's James Toseland raced Corona Extra Suzuki's Max Biaggi right to the finish line with the British rider flashing past it a mere .287 in front of the former multifold 250cc World Roadracing Champion. And not only was victory a fantastic result for Toseland, it also extended his lead in the World Superbike Series point standings to 13 over the Roman-born pilot Biaggi. Toseland, and Yamaha Italia WSB rider Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga battled the whole throughout the second race at Valencia, but Biaggi, who had fought through from his third-row starting position, eventually caught the fleeting duo, and raced by Haga in the closing stages of the race. Biaggi almost took the measure of Toseland, as well, the lead changing several times between the duo on the white flag lap. However, the Brit was able to hold on and assume the top step of the podium. Fourth place in the race went to race-one winner Ruben Xaus. Behind Xaus came two more Ducatis - the factory Xerox bikes ridden by Lorenzo Lanzi and World Champion Troy Bayliss. Australian Josh Brookes rode his Honda to seventh over Kawasaki's Regis Laconi, and Yamaha's Troy Corser.

In the first race in Valencia, Sterilgarda Ducati’s Ruben Xaus enjoyed the holeshot from his front row starting position to win first World Superbike victory of the year. The win was the first for Xaus in over three years (the last coming in the second leg of the final race of the 2003 season in Magny Cours, France). Xaus first took the lead on the sixth of 23-lap race, only to lose it to Haga three laps later. On lap 11, Xaus was again at the point, never to be passed. Japanese rider Nori Haga hounded Xaus until the 17th lap, but the Spaniard Xaus continued to pull away and he would stretch his lead to 1.997 seconds at the finish. Troy Bayliss, riding injured from his crash two weeks again at Donington Park, finished 4.3 seconds later, with Troy Corser another 2.4 seconds back in fourth.

Valencia rd.4 race 1 results:
1. Ruben Xaus
2. Noriyuki Haga
3. Troy Bayliss
4. Troy Corser
5. James Toseland
6. Lorenzo Lanzi
7. Michael Fabrizio
8. Max Biaggi
9. Joshua Brooks
10. Roberto Rolfo

Valencia rd.4 race 2 results:
1. James Toseland
2. Max Biaggi
3. Noriyuki Haga
4. Ruben Xaus
5. Lorenzo Lanzi
6. Troy Bayliss
7. Joshua Brookes
8. Regis Laconi
9. Troy Corser
10. Max Neukirchner

World Superbike standings:
1. James Toseland (151)
2. Max Biaggi (138)
3. Noriyuki Haga (124)
4. Troy Corser (101)
5. Troy Bayliss (90)
6. Lorenzo Lanzi (87)
7. Ruben Xaus (83)
8. Max Neukirchner (56)
9. Roberto Rolfo (46)
10. Regis Laconi (37)


Related News
Ben Spies Talks Indy
Sep 02 - Ben Spies Talks Indy
Ben Spies came close to having the perfect weekend at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The Texan started on Friday with the official news that he’d be taking
Hayden Gets Sideways
Sep 02 - Hayden Gets Sideways
Nicky Hayden didn't get the finish he'd hoped for in his home Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, but he wasn't going to let that ruin a good weekend.
Featured (5)
Crenshaw Plaid LS Shirt