Troy Bayliss has taken the early lead in the title chase for the 2008 HANNspree Superbike World Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar today. The Australian secured victory in race one after a brave overtaking manoeuvre on Max Biaggi just ahead of the chequered flag. However, despite a strong effort, Bayliss missed out on a podium finish in race two. Fourth place was enough to secure him the series lead ahead of Biaggi and Fonsi Nieto respectively.
Within the HANNspree-supported teams, HANNspree Ten Kate Honda enjoyed a successful start to the season with two of its riders. Newcomer Carlos Checa proved himself as the best series rookie in race one after finishing in sixth position. The Spaniard passed the chequered flag in 11th place in the day's second 18-lap race to secure eighth overall.
Reigning World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu also enjoyed a strong start aboard the new HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR with 12th and 10th place finishes respectively. The Turkish rider is now in 11th position overall with ten points. However, after difficult practice and qualifying sessions, Ryuichi Kiyonari continued to struggle to get to grips with the new bike and tyres.
HANNspree Honda Althea's Roberto Rolfo built on the experience he gained in his debut season with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda in 2007. The Italian finished 11th and 15th to claim 11th place overall.
Race One Result: 1. T. BAYLISS - Ducati Xerox - 36'11.468
2. M. BIAGGI - Sterilgada Go Eleven - +0.396
3. T. CORSER - Yamaha Motor Italia - +1.878
4. R. XAUS - Sterilgada Go Eleven - + 4.487
5. M. NEUKIRCHNER - Team Alstare Suzuki - +7.505
6. C. CHECA - HANNspree Ten Kate Honda - +9.639
7. F.NIETO - Team Alstare Suzuki - +9.725
8. Y. KAGAYAMA - Team Alstare Suzuki - +19.537
9. M. FABRIZIO - Ducati Xerox - +23.156
10. J.SMRZ - Guandalini Racing - +24.429
11. R.ROLFO - HANNspree Honda Althea - +27.595
12. K. SOFUOGLU - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda - +27.979
22. R. KIYONARI - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda - +43.569
RaceTwo Result: 1. F. NIETO - Team Alstare Suzuki 36'12.963
2. R. XAUS - Sterilgada Go Eleven +0.301
3. M. BIAGGI - Sterilgada Go Eleven +1.321
4. T. BAYLISS - Ducati Xerox + 6.452
5. M. FABRIZIO - Ducati Xerox +7.627
6. L. LANZI - R. G. Team +9.117
7. T. CORSER - Yamaha Motor Italia +10.806
8. M. NEUKIRCHNER - Team Alstare Suzuki +11.661
9. J. SMRZ - Guandalini Racing +13.269
10. K. SOFUOGLU - HANNspree Ten Kate Honda +14.563
11. C. CHECA - HANNspree Ten Kate Honda +15.953
15. R. ROLFO - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +16.748
19. R. KIYONARI - Hannspree Ten Kate Honda +18.356
Championship Standings After Round One: 1. T. BAYLISS 38
2. M. BIAGGI 36
3. F. NIETO 34
4. R. XAUS 33
5. T. CORSER 25
6. M. NEUKIRCHNER 19
7. M. FABRIZIO 18
8. C. CHECA 15
9. J. SMRZ 13
10. L. LANZI 10
11. K. SOFUOGLU 10
13. R. ROLFO 6
