WSBK: Race 2 Makes it a Foursome at Aragon

With Race 1 of World Superbike racing at Aragon proving to be a close-fought battle for the top podium spot, the anticipation for Race 2 at the Spanish track was high. Equally rising were the temperatures and wind speeds, which created a new challenge for WSBK teams to deal with in the second race. And though the usual suspects were up at the front of the pack, some newcomers joined them as well, treating World Superbike fans to some very close racing. Race results after the jump.

Getting the jump off the line, Max Biaggi lead Tom Sykes, and Eugene Laverty through the first turn, though the order would change only a couple corners later to Laverty, Biaggi, Haslam, Melandri, and Sykes. Despite the plethora of fast riders in the hunt, it was soon clear that a trio had the edge over the rest, as Biaggi lead Melandri and Laverty on a breakaway maneuver.

Showing his stripes, Laverty soon took over control from his teammate, a move Melandri would replicate as well later, with six laps remaining. The tussle at the front proved to be enough of a distraction for one very determined Chaz Davies to capitalize upon, as the Welsh rider caught up to the leading group, and joined the fray in the closing laps.

Now contesting with three Aprilia riders, Marco Melandri had his hands full on his BMW S1000RR, but was able to hold off the RSV4’s as he took the race win, matching Biaggi’s progress for the weekend. Giving the ParkinGO squad its first podium, Davies finished a very impressive third-place finish, while Laverty bested his first-chair teammate Max Biaggi, and rounded out the rostrum in second.

After this meeting in Aragon, Biaggi leads Melandri by 48 points in the World Superbike Championship. Meanwhile, the battle for third is heating up, as Jonathan Rea has 183 points, to Carlos Checa’s 175.5 and Tom Sykes’ 172.5 points. World Superbike comes at you again from Brno on July 22nd.

Race 2 Results from World Superbike at Aragon, Spain:

Source: WSBK; Photo: HRC