HANNspree Ten Kate Honda Carlos Checa posted a superb performance today in the first Superbike race at the Miller circuit, where he claimed his first ever World Superbike win. After a pole position start, Checa came through turn one in fifth spot but quickly gained ground and took the lead over the line on lap 4. He managed to breakaway from his followers and claimed his first ever SBK victory 2.8 seconds ahead of number two, Troy Corser. With his victory Checa secured the 99th win in the Superbike World Championship for manufacturer Honda.
In the second race, Checa managed to repeat his earlier performance in another blistering race. After coming through turn one in 8th place he tenaciously chased the field forward and took second after some close action racing with Bayliss, before taking the lead from Neukirchner.
With the double win in his best race weekend so far, Checa also secured Honda’s 100th World Superbike win. Checa remains second in the Championship standings and has narrowed the gap with series leader Bayliss.
Teammate Ryuichi Kiyonari claimed a 10th spot in race 1, while Kenan Sofuoglu followed suit and took 12th. Kiyonari improved his results in the second race and took 7th with Sofuoglu taking 14th.
Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager
“While traveling to America we were reminiscing about the last time we raced here in Laguna Seca and took the double with Chris Vermeulen. We jokingly said no one has beaten us on American soil yet and today that joke proved real.”
“Carlos was out of the box quickly the whole weekend. The CBR1000RR Fireblade was working well on this new track and the track data supplied by Honda America certainly gave us an advantage in making the right choice in tyres.”
“We changed the bike for the second race which enabled Carlos to record ‘49’s and control the best part of the race. The mechanics have worked hard over the last months to make this happen, but its good to be up there winning again.”
Carlos Checa,
Race 1 – 1st
Race 2 – 1st
“What a fantastic moment, first the Superpole win and now this race. Just at the start of the race I had some problems with my number one bike and had to the other one. I think I had a good start, but then saw the other riders in front of me I knew I had to work hard.”
“When I saw Neukirchner in front I knew I could overtake him and take the lead. In the beginning it was difficult to make a gap, but I managed to make enough ground. It then was more difficult to control my mind then control the tyre. At the end of the race Corser was catching up on me and I had to stay focused and improve my pace.”
“It’s been a fantastic moment to take a double win here in the USA. The last time I won a race was ten years ago – these are my first wins outside my homeland Spain and I would like to dedicate them to my friend Wayne Rainey. I want to thank the team and the sponsors for the opportunity they gave me to prove my talent and determination. I now have the taste for victory. I hope we can continue working the way we did today.”
Ryuichi Kiyonari
Race 1 – 10th
Race 2 – 7th
“I had a good start in race 1, but my first laps were too slow and I dropped back in the field. I did chase the front runners and managed to gain some ground but is wasn’t enough for a good result.”
“For the second race we changed the front tyre and we tried e different setting. Again I had a good start and I worked hard to make my way forward, but the last laps I lost the grip in my front tyre and I couldn’t push any further.”
“I have been disappointed with my results this weekend after my last race in Monza. I’ve made some mistakes and am eager to improve my results in the next round.”
Kenan Sofuoglu
Race 1 – 12th
Race 2 – 14th
“It has been a hard weekend for me. I made a good start in race one, and made a big step forward from my 25th position on the grid to 9th spot in less then 6 laps. But then I lost my strength and concentration and dropped back.”
“I gained little points in the two race today but have learned a lot. I hope things will work better in the next race."
