Melandri wins in Russia to take Superbike Championship

MISANO ADRIATICO, ITALY – JUNE 08: Marco Melandri of Italy and BMW Motorrad Motorsport speaks in box with a mechanic during the first day of practice of round 7 of 2012 Superbike FIM World Championship at Misano World Circuit on June 8, 2012 in Misano Adriatico, Italy. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Moscow, Aug 26 - Marco Melandri took won to claim the championship lead in the second Superbike World Championship race at Moscow Raceway Sunday, beating Tom Sykes as his rivals fell by the wayside.

Race one winner Sykes, Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty scrapped over second throughout the final laps, but Rea and Laverty collided with just four corners remaining, leaving Chaz Davies free to snatch the final podium place.

Reigning champion Carlos Checa finished fourth, although his hopes of retaining his title took another blow.

Melandri goes 18.5 points clear of previous leader Max Biaggi in the championship standings, with Sykes third and six races remaining.

Melandri started fifth, but worked his way up to third in the opening laps before passing Eugene Laverty for second on lap seven.

The key moment came on lap 10 as Biaggi tried to pass Laverty for fourth on the long start-finish straight, but mistimed his braking for the first corner and collided with third-placed Leon Haslam, sending both men sliding into the gravel. Neither appeared to be hurt.

Melandri took the lead on lap 15, passing Sykes up the inside of turn one. The Italian swiftly pulled away, leaving Sykes to fight with fellow Briton Rea and Ireland’s Laverty over second for the rest of the race.

The next round of the championship is in Germany at the Nurburgring Sep 9.