Race Review – WSBK Aragon 2012

Motorland Aragon saw two different winners during the Aragon World Superbike. The first race was won by Max Biaggi and though it seemed he would mark a double victory, Marco Melandri beat him to the top in Race 2. In mixed weather conditions, the riders struggled their way up to the podium. Melandri was the only rider seen in the top three twice.

Race 1Despite taking pole position and the lead at the start, Tom Sykes was unable to make a lot of it during the World Superbike of Aragon. The top position was stolen by Max Biaggi, who put in a great run in front of Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa. They both followed him to the podium at Motorland Aragon.

At the start of the race, Sykes was followed by Eugene Laverty, Biaggi, Melandri and Davide Giugliano. It was a chaotic start as already in the first turn there was a pile-up of several riders, preceded by Jonathan Rea. This was a great chance for Sykes to open a gap, but he failed to do so as Biaggi gained up on him too fast and overtook his leading position. Soon after, Laverty and Melandri passed Sykes as well. While Biaggi and Melandri swapped positions at the front, Sykes fell further down the order until he eventually crashed out of the race (following a collision with Ayrton Badovini) with only one lap to go.

Meanwhile, Laverty was struggling with Checa and Chaz Davies. Checa was the first one to get by and soon after, Davies passed Laverty as well, leaving the Aprilia rider in fifth. After that, Checa secured the third podium position while Melandri lost out on the race victory as his worn tires prevented him from passing leader Biaggi.

Race 2After having dominated Race 1, Max Biaggi was again well on pace in Race 2 of the Aragon World Superbike. He led the way at the start, but was unable to maintain his lead this time. He was beaten by his closest rival Marco Melandri, who took the top podium spot, followed by Eugene Laverty and Chaz Davies.

Laverty was the first one to pass Biaggi while Melandri passed Leon Haslam for third. Tom Sykes was again unable to mark a strong race as he was stuck behind the top four. He eventually dropped to eighth after Jonathan Rea and Carlos Checa showed their worth and passed him. At the front, Melandri had moved up to the front and started his battle with Laverty over the top position, which he would eventually win.

Davies had a strong run, passing Haslam, Rea and Biaggi for the third spot. With this result, he gave his ParkingGO team their first podium spot.