At Assen Carlos Checa (X-lite X-802) confirms his supremacy in 2011 World Standings winning in Race 2 and taking a third place in Race 1. Starting from Pole Position (for the third time in 3 rounds) after a couple of laps he had to give way to his rivals when he experienced some grip problems with his rear tyre. In the second half of the race he found the right feeling with the bike and started making a good recovery and took an excellent third place. In Race two Carlos took the lead after a couple of laps and kept it until he started a battle with Biaggi who overtook him at half race distance. Two laps from the end and our Spanish rider reasserted himself and won his fourth race of the year.
“The beginning of Race 1 was difficult; I didn’t have enough grip and so some of my rivals were able to get past me. Then I really had to push to make up lost ground. I tried to stay clam and maintain my rhythm and was able to get in front of the second group, but to reach Max and Johnny was just too difficult. They already had an advantage because I had lost time getting past Laverty. I happily accept the result however, a positive end that gives us important championship points. Then for Race 2 we decided to change tyre and so, with the softer solution, I had more grip and could maintain a strong pace right from the start. I wanted to push at the beginning and try to build a gap between me and Max but he stayed with me, putting me under pressure. When I made a small mistake and he passed me in the final stages, I was able to see that he was having some tyre trouble. I got back past him and took the win, a result that is surprising but fantastic. At Monza we will try to defend our position as best we can, knowing that it will be a very tough track for us.”
Not a very nice weekend for Marco Melandri (Nolan X-802). Due to a slip up in Superpole (8th on grid) he couldn’t fight for podium in Race 1. He got a bad start then, found himself in 11th position at the end of the first lap after loosing feeling in the rear of his bike. By the time he regained feeling and a good race pace it was too late to push for the podium but he made a good recovery anyway that took him to 4th place. In Race 2 he was in 4th place keeping an eye on Rea and planning to close in on him but unfortunately at the 16th lap he lost the front and crashed out.
A good 9th position was achieved for Badovini (X-lite X-802) in Race 1 and 15th position in Race 2. In the World Standings Checa retains his number one spot with 132 points and Melandri is in third position with 85 pts.
In Supersport Salom took 11th position.
Next race Monza (Italy), May 8th.
