World Superbikes Rd 4: Suzuki & Honda share spoils

Vermeulen went past him too and then set about catching Laconi, passing the Frenchman on the last lap before charging to his first win and the first non-Alstare Suzuki win of the season.

Laconi took runner-up spot and Corser was very fortunate to beat off Muggeridge’s challenge to claim third spot.

Troy Corser, Alstare Corona Suzuki, Race 1 - 1st, Race 2 -3rd: "Race one was good and I had no problems at all really. I got off the line well and then made a bit of a break after a couple of laps. But, it is always close here and as the race wore on, the pack closed in on me. Yukio passed me on the last lap, but I went under him and overtook him. We touched briefly, but it was only a minor touch and there was no danger at all. After that I just put my head down and ran to the flag to win by nearly a second. In race two, I had some problems with the front brakes almost from the start. There was a bit of vibration when I braked hard and then they began to get hot when I was behind Regis and Chris. I think my Alstare Suzuki was as fast as them but I couldn’t brake as hard as I did in the first race. I couldn’t do much about Regis and Chris but I was determined not to let ‘Muggas’ beat me to the podium, so I braked as hard as I dared and managed to hold him off. I had already seen Yukio go off the track so I knew that I had extended my series lead. For us, it is not about winning every race - it’s the championship that counts."

Yukio Kagayama, Alstare Corona Suzuki, Race 1 - 2nd, Race 2 - DNF: "I enjoyed the first race very much - it was good fun. My team gave me a good bike and I was able to keep with Troy-san without any problems. I went past him going into a chicane but then I ran a little wide and he came past under me and maybe we touched - I don’t know. Then I tried to catch and pass him but he was too strong for me. I am happy because this was my first race at Monza and I was second. After Superpole yesterday, it was a good birthday present for me. The second race was not so good for me. After 10 laps, I made a little mistake when I missed my braking point in one of the Lesmo corners and then went into the gravel. The bike fell over at slow speed and the engine cut out. I tried to restart it but I think some small stones had got in to the airbox because the engine made a funny rattling noise. I knew then it was impossible to carry on. But, I am still second in the championship and one of my favourite circuits - Silverstone - is coming up next.”

Chris Vermeulen, Winston ten Kate Honda, Race 1 - DNF, Race 2 - first: "That win feels so good. We’ve all been working a very long time for that first win of the year, and it has been hard work. Two second places at Valencia were a step forward but we’ve made an even bigger one here at Monza. Once I got past Troy in race two I just put my head down and tried to get to Regis, who had been at the front for a long time. I caught him just at the right time on that last lap and managed to hang on. It certainly makes up for the disappointment of not finishing that first race, so overall it has been a very positive weekend.”

Régis Laconi Ducati Xerox, Race 1 - 4th, Race 2 - 2nd : “In the last few laps I saw on my pit board that someone was behind me but I didn’t have time to see who it was, as I was just trying to keep my small advantage. Maybe I pushed too much on my tyre to hold off Troy in the early laps because the left side was becoming very difficult and the tyre was sliding around. But I am very happy because I made a good race result and we pushed very hard to be there today. I really wanted to win today but Chris passed me on the last lap. He was just a little bit faster than me for the last few laps but we will see next time! I gave my best and I am happy when I get a result like that”.

James Toseland , Ducati Xerox, Race 1 - 3rd, Race 2 - 5th:: “I’m slightly disappointed that the second race wasn’t as good as the first but we had a bit of a spin problem and I wasn’t able to slipstream the Kawasaki and the Yamaha and when I did, after eight laps, the leaders had gone. The podium in race 1 was the best bonus for me. It was a race in which I showed everyone, the team and myself that I am capable of repeating my performances of last season. The team has been well-organised all weekend, we found a great set-up at the start and we were able to run two confident races. It’s been a positive weekend all round because I was on the podium and I’m taking a trophy home to Silverstone for the British Round”.

Karl Muggeridge, Winston ten Kate Honda, Race 1 - 6th, Race 2 - 4th: "I would have so liked to have got on that second podium, but I made a small mistake exiting the first chicane on the last lap and Troy managed to make a gap. I should have beaten him but it wasn’t to be. The bike is much better and it’s been a good weekend for us. There is still heaps of work to do but we really have something now that can take us forward for the rest of the season."

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