Reverend
April 27th, 2008, 19:24 PM
Troy Bayliss won both races in round four of the World Superbike Championship in Assen to extend his lead at the top of the standings.
The Australian started from pole and claimed the first race after taking the lead with two thirds left to go when Yukio Kagayama made a mistake.
After an early four-way battle for the lead, Bayliss held off Japan's Nori Haga to also win the second race.
He now leads the title race by 70 points from Carlos Checa.
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda driver Checa moved up in the standings after two podium finishes in Assen, with Troy Corser third ahead of Fonsi Nieto.
Bayliss, who rides for Xerox Ducati, said: "It's been an incredible weekend, taking pole and two race wins is a great way to finish it off."
The 39-year-old, who plans to retire at the end of the season, was particularly pleased to hold on to his lead over a long stint in the opening race.
"I'm very happy with the way it turned out," Bayliss said. "I made a really good start but it's a long time to be out there (in the lead) by yourself.
"I was looking around more than normal but I wanted to see where Carlos was."
Race one result:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
2. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda
3. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki
4. Yukio Kagayama (Jpn) Suzuki
5. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha
6. Jakub Smrz (Cze) Ducati
7. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Jpn) Honda
8. Makoto Tamada (Jpn) Kawasaki
Race two result:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha
3. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda
4. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati
5. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki
6. Yukio Kagayama (Jpn) Suzuki
7. Gregorio Lavilla (Spa) Honda
8. Jakub Smrz (Cze) Ducati
Championship standings:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 178 pts
2. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda 108
3. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha 89
4. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Suzuki 85
5. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 81
6. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha 67
7. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki 66
8. Max Biaggi (Ita) Ducati 54
Manufacturer standings:
1. Ducati 190 pts
2. Yamaha 126
3. Suzuki 113
4. Honda 109
5. Kawasaki 37
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7370110.stm)
The Australian started from pole and claimed the first race after taking the lead with two thirds left to go when Yukio Kagayama made a mistake.
After an early four-way battle for the lead, Bayliss held off Japan's Nori Haga to also win the second race.
He now leads the title race by 70 points from Carlos Checa.
HANNspree Ten Kate Honda driver Checa moved up in the standings after two podium finishes in Assen, with Troy Corser third ahead of Fonsi Nieto.
Bayliss, who rides for Xerox Ducati, said: "It's been an incredible weekend, taking pole and two race wins is a great way to finish it off."
The 39-year-old, who plans to retire at the end of the season, was particularly pleased to hold on to his lead over a long stint in the opening race.
"I'm very happy with the way it turned out," Bayliss said. "I made a really good start but it's a long time to be out there (in the lead) by yourself.
"I was looking around more than normal but I wanted to see where Carlos was."
Race one result:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
2. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda
3. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki
4. Yukio Kagayama (Jpn) Suzuki
5. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha
6. Jakub Smrz (Cze) Ducati
7. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Jpn) Honda
8. Makoto Tamada (Jpn) Kawasaki
Race two result:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha
3. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda
4. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati
5. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki
6. Yukio Kagayama (Jpn) Suzuki
7. Gregorio Lavilla (Spa) Honda
8. Jakub Smrz (Cze) Ducati
Championship standings:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 178 pts
2. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda 108
3. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha 89
4. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Suzuki 85
5. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati 81
6. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha 67
7. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki 66
8. Max Biaggi (Ita) Ducati 54
Manufacturer standings:
1. Ducati 190 pts
2. Yamaha 126
3. Suzuki 113
4. Honda 109
5. Kawasaki 37
BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7370110.stm)