Today's FIM Superstock 1000 Cup race was always going to be exciting following on from the drama at the last round in Assen but no one could have predicted the result as Matteo Baiocco took the win at his home round while Yamaha Team Italia team mates Corti and Pirro both crashed out. Pirro, Corti, Van Keymeulen and Baiocco had been running in the top five throughout the weekend in qualifying with Pirro taking his second pole position of the season and Corti taking second. Baiocco qualified in fourth with Didier Van Keymeulen rounding up the Yamaha domination in fifth.
All four Yamaha-shod riders got good starts in the race with Corti taking the lead early on from Pirro. In the first three laps Corti, Pirro and Van Keymeulen all fought hard for the lead, with each taking the top slot at some stage. On lap four Corti high-sided whilst in the lead ending his race and just missing Van Keymeulen in the process, who had to take to the grass. Pirro took this chance to grab the lead and proceeded to build a good gap between him and Van Keymeulen.
Meanwhile Baiocco, riding for the Umbria Bike Team, was in his own battle for third with Dionisi until he managed to break away on lap eight to pass Van Keymeulen for second place. Van Keymeulen found himself heading back to fifth as his tyres started to wear off which allowed Dionisi and Aitchison through.
Pirro was all set to take the win when he crashed on the penultimate lap. Baiocco took up the lead position on his 2007 R1 and held off the other riders to take his first race win in the Superstock championship.
Today's result means that Baiocco now leads the championship with 60 points. Pirro and Corti both still have 45 points but have moved down to fifth and sixth respectively but Van Keymeulen has now joined them on 45 points in seventh position. In the manufacturer standings Yamaha lead with 90 points. With only four rounds gone the 2007 Superstock Championship is certainly close and the next round is in two weeks at Silverstone, UK.
Matteo Baiocco (1st - Umbria Bike)"This is a dream come true to win on this track in front of this crowd. I had a perfect last lap - I overtook Aitchison at the chicane and then Dionisi at the Ascari corner. I must thank the team because my R1 was perfect."
Michele Pirro (DNF - Yamaha Team Italia)"I don't know why I crashed, I am so disappointed. It was an important occasion for me to take a step forward in the championship standings. But I don't want to cry now because the season is so long and I must focus on going forward."
Claudio Corti (DNF - Yamaha Team Italia)"I have some pain in my hand and back but nothing serious. I let a very good result go but I am already thinking forward to the next race. Congratulations to Baiocco, his victory is certainly a good prize for him."
Circuit Length: 5792
Temp: 22
Crowd: 108,000
Weather: Dry
Race 1 - 11 Laps - Superstock Monza:1. Matteo Baiocco - Yamaha - ITA 20'19.109
2. Mark Aitchison - Suzuki - AUS 0'0.004
3. Ilario Dionisi - Suzuki - ITA 0'0.136
4. Didier Van Keymeulen - Yamaha - BEL 0'0.510
5. Xavier Simeon - Suzuki - BEL 0'5.949
6. Marko Jerman - Suzuki - SVK 0'7.712
7. Sheridan Morais - Ducati - RSA 0'8.132
8. Rene Mahr - Yamaha - GER 0'14.693
9. Danilo Dell'omo - MV Agusta - ITA 0'14.743
10. Nicolo Canepa - Ducati - ITA 0'15.193
11. Daniel Sutter - Yamaha - CHE 0'20.413
12. Arne Tode - Honda - GER 0'20.731
13. Cederic Tangre - Yamaha - FRA 0'21.135
14. Marko Rohtlaan - Honda - EST 0'21.565
15. Brendan Roberts - Ducati - AUS 0'21.794
Best Lap: Mark Aitchison - Suzuki - AUS 1'49.575
Rider Standings:1. Matteo Baiocco - Yamaha - ITA 60
2. Mark Aitchison - Suzuki - AUS 58
3. Nicolo Canepa - Ducati - ITA 57
4. Ilario Dionisi - Suzuki - ITA 50
5. Didier Van Keymeulen - Yamaha - BEL 45
6. Michele Pirro - Yamaha - ITA 45
7. Claudio Corti - Yamaha - ITA 45
8. Xavier Simeon - Suzuki - BEL 38
9. Rene Mahr - Yamaha - GER 26
10. Marko Jerman - Suzuki - SVK 21
11. Sheridan Morais - Ducati - RSA 19
12. Matej Smrz - Honda - CZE 15
13. Cederic Tangre - Yamaha - FRA 14
14. Arne Tode - Honda - GER 13
15. Danilo Dell'omo - MV Agusta - ITA 13
Manufacturer Standings:1. Yamaha 90
2. Suzuki 71
3. Ducati 60
4. Honda 27
5. MV Agusta 17
6. Kawasaki 4
Related News
