2005 World Superbike & Supersport Championships - Round 1

Even though the rules still heavily penalise the four cylinder 1000cc machines in comparison to the Ducati V-twins (with air inlet restrictions), the fours have now clearly reached competitiveness and we can expect to see some great racing again this year.

Yukio Kagayama took second spot in race one with Regis Laconi third.

Kagayama has been a Suzuki factory rider since 1993 and has been a regular journeyman around the world, spending the last two years on the British Superbike circuits, picking up wins here and there but failing to get close to a title. Though the BSB is known for its cut-and-thrust, it's unlikely that Kagayama will be a match for Corser or the others on the world stage in his first full-season attempt at the title.

Just the same, he was ranked a 16/1 outsider to win the first round of the season before he set himself up permanently at the top of the leaderboard in practice and its likely that bookmakers will be less generous in future with his odds.

DUCATI

Laconi's two podiums indicate the Ducati is far from a spent force, though it's also clear that as the big 1000cc four cylinder machines are developed across the season, the Ducati is likely to become less competitive rather than moreso. Laconi was unlucky, and rightfully complained at being third overall when he'd finished second in both races.

Current Champion Toseland crashed heavily the week prior to the race so his results were never going to be great. He started his 2005 Ducati 999 from thirteenth on the grid but had a particularly good final few laps to finish in sixth position. "I got two good starts and we hung in there. I was two-tenths off getting fifth in the aggregate but considering everything that's happened this week, it's a solid start. The confidence is coming again, I needed some dry time and I can only get that in the races". YAMAHA

The Yamaha R1-based machines of Andrew Pitt and Nori Haga filled out fourth and fifth places in the first race, indicating that the Yamaha will be a force this season once it has some race development miles behind it. Haga is being quoted as equal second favourite by the bookmakers for the title and in the second round of the title at Phillip island, expect both Haga and Pitt to be at the fore. Haga is always competitive, and can be expected to be much faster with more miles under his belt on the R1. Pitt is a classic series rider, always ensuring the maximum points haul and always ensuruing he gets points. HONDA

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