Yamaha took first and third today at Lausitz as Didier Van Keymeulen took his first win of the season with Claudio Corti coming in third. The first race of the day was blessed with dry and sunny weather following a washout two days of qualifying. The rain hadn't stopped Van Keymeulen or Corti from running in the top thee in every session throughout the weekend though, with Corti qualifying in second overall and Van Keymeulen in third despite crashing during Saturday's free practice session.
Both riders got a good start and Corti took the lead with Van Keymeulen just behind in second. They battled for the duration of the race for the lead, swapping places every few laps, with Canepa riding shotgun in third. The challenge for the win went right down to the final lap, when a late braking mistake by Corti lost him the win as well as well second place, which went to Canepa. Today's result is Corti's tenth podium of the season.
Corti's team mate Michele Pirro had less success this weekend, having struggled to qualify on the front row during the weekend. He started from ninth and got a good start to take fourth. It was during a four-way battle with Tode, Aitchison and Dionisi that he had a gear lever problem and went down to 11th place, before eventually retiring on lap 11.
Championship leader Matteo Baiocco also struggled this weekend with the weather and set-up problems. He qualified in 15th but managed to claim eighth finishing position and eight valuable points to stay ahead in the championship. He now leads by nine points going in to the 12th round, which is at Vallelunga in three weeks.
Didier Van Keymeulen (1st - TTSL-MGM Racing)"I'm very happy today after everything that has happened this weekend - my crash yesterday and the weather. When I crashed I hurt my middle finger on my clutch hand but it hasn't been too sore today. From the start of the race I knew I needed to get to the front and I'm very happy to have won only three months after my bad accident at Silverstone. The doctors said it would take three months to recover from a broken pelvis and I feel that I can focus on the future now rather than the past. I'd like to thank the team for all their hard work this weekend."
Claudio Corti (3rd - Yamaha Team Italia)
"I tried to keep up the same pace as Van Keymeulen but in the end my tyre wasn't up to it. I also had problems with my set-up in the second section of the circuit and wasn't fast enough there. Third place though is good and important for my championship challenge."
Matteo Baiocco (8th - Team Umbria Bike)"During practice I was in deep trouble but during the race my bike improved a lot. The championship standings are not so different to before this weekend and now we only have two races left. The next round is at Vallelunga and I have won the Italian national championship there before so I am confident I can do it again."
Michele Pirro (DNF - Yamaha Team Italia)
"In the first part of the race I was very close to Simeon but later on I had a problem with my gear shift and my race was over. My target for today was to finish in the top five but now I'm just focusing on the future and Vallelunga."
Circuit Length: 4265
Temp: 15
Crowd: 49,500
Weather: Dry
Race 1 - 14 Laps - Superstock Lausitzring:1. Didier Van Keymeulen - Yamaha - BEL 24'20.075
2. Nicolo Canepa - Ducati - ITA 0'0.194
3. Claudio Corti - Yamaha - ITA 0'0.527
4. Mark Aitchison - Suzuki - AUS 0'0.556
5. Xavier Simeon - Suzuki - BEL 0'2.410
6. Arne Tode - Honda - GER 0'6.044
7. Ayrton Badovini - MV Agusta - ITA 0'9.485
8. Matteo Baiocco - Yamaha - ITA 0'9.658
9. Ilario Dionisi - Suzuki - ITA 0'11.106
10. Dario Giuseppetti - Yamaha - GER 0'13.846
11. Rene Mahr - Yamaha - GER 0'19.819
12. Sheridan Morais - Ducati - RSA 0'20.115
13. Matej Smrz - Honda - CZE 0'20.442
14. Danilo Dell'omo - MV Agusta - ITA 0'27.882
15. Marko Rohtlaan - Honda - EST 0'28.010
Best Lap: Mark Aitchison - Suzuki - AUS 1'43.076
Rider Standings:
1. Matteo Baiocco - Yamaha - ITA 136
2. Xavier Simeon - Suzuki - BEL 127
3. Nicolo Canepa - Ducati - ITA 125
4. Mark Aitchison - Suzuki - AUS 121
5. Claudio Corti - Yamaha - ITA 112
6. Ilario Dionisi - Suzuki - ITA 93
7. Didier Van Keymeulen - Yamaha - BEL 78
8. Michele Pirro - Yamaha - ITA 77
9. Brendan Roberts - Ducati - AUS 52
10. Rene Mahr - Yamaha - GER 48
11. Matej Smrz - Honda - CZE 47
12. Sheridan Morais - Ducati - RSA 37
13. Arne Tode - Honda - GER 34
14. Ayrton Badovini - MV Agusta - ITA 26
15. Cederic Tangre - Yamaha - FRA 23
Manufacturer Standings: 1. Yamaha 187
2. Suzuki 169
3. Ducati 150
4. Honda 70
5. MV Agusta 52
6. Kawasaki 4
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