Yamaha young gun Claudio Corti ended his first season in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup on a high with a win at Magny Cours. The 19-year-old Yamaha Team Italia racer led for most of the 14-lap race to take his fourth win in the ten race series. The Italian, who won the 600cc superstock class on a YZF-R6 last season, has won more races than any other rider on his YZF-R1 SP and ends the year second in the championship.
Starting on pole position, his third of the season, Corti grabbed the holeshot as behind him four riders went down at the first corner. Low temperatures saw many riders crash out of the race, but Corti rode intelligently to build up heat in his tyres and increase his pace as the race went on.
Fellow Italian Alessandro Polita (Suzuki), who came to France as the champion, passed Corti on lap four and led briefly, but the Yamaha man was able to regain the lead on four laps later and retain it to the chequered flag. Polita came home two seconds behind the Yamaha in second place, with former European supersport champion Matteo Baiocco making it two YZF-R1 SPs on the podium, in third.
Corti's win moves him onto 156 championship points, 21 behind Polita in the final standings and 34 ahead of third placed Ayrton Badovini (MV Agusta).
Claudio Corti (Yamaha Team Italia) "I made a good start and was able to push in the early laps. When I looked behind me I could see that only two riders were behind me, Polita and Baiocco, and this helped me relax. Alessandro passed me but I was able to increase my pace and build up a gap on him. To win here is the best way to end the season I can imagine. Many people have helped me in my career and I would like to dedicate my silver medal to Yamaha, the FMI (Italian motorcycle federation) and my team."
Circuit Length: 4411
Temp: 16
Crowd: 61000
Weather: Dry
Race 1 - 14 Laps 08/10/2006: 1 Claudio Corti Yamaha ITA 24'37.791
2 Alessandro Polita Suzuki ITA 0'1.975
3 Matteo Baiocco Yamaha ITA 0'2.705
4 Ilario Dionisi Yamaha ITA 0'6.275
5 Emeric Jonchiere Suzuki FRA 0'11.139
6 Arne Tode Suzuki GER 0'11.475
7 Riccardo Chiarello Kawasaki ITA 0'11.746
8 Herve Gantner Yamaha CHE 0'17.334
9 Marko Jerman Suzuki SVK 0'18.450
10 Enrique Rocamora Yamaha ESP 0'19.786
11 Sheridan Morais Suzuki RSA 0'22.745
12 Olivier Depoorter Yamaha BEL 0'24.472
13 Danilo Dell'omo Suzuki ITA 0'24.812
14 Raphael Chevre Suzuki CHE 0'25.927
15 Petter Solli Yamaha NOR 0'32.251
Best Lap: Claudio Corti Yamaha ITA 1'44.667
Rider Standings 08/10/2006: 1. Alessandro Polita Suzuki ITA 177
2. Claudio Corti Yamaha ITA 156
3. Ayrton Badovini MV Agusta ITA 122
4. Luca Scassa MV Agusta ITA 118
5. Brendan Roberts Suzuki AUS 87
6. Matteo Baiocco Yamaha ITA 87
7. Enrique Rocamora Yamaha ESP 78
8. Loic Napoleone Suzuki FRA 58
9. Riccardo Chiarello Kawasaki ITA 57
10. Denis Sacchetti Kawasaki ITA 45
11. Danilo Dell'omo Suzuki ITA 42
12. Richard Cooper Honda GBR 41
13. Sheridan Morais Suzuki RSA 35
14. Ilario Dionisi Yamaha ITA 35
15. Alex Martinez Mas Kawasaki ESP 30
Manufacturer Standings 08/10/2006: 1. Suzuki 209
2. Yamaha 174
3. MV Agusta 153
4. Kawasaki 95
5. Honda 45
Related Linkswww.yamaha-racing.com
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