Melandri, Laverty share the spoils at Monza

Aprilia Racing Team’s Eugene Laverty beat BMW Motorrad’s Marco Melandri in race two of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) round at Monza to avenge his first race defeat to the Italian. The Irishman grabbed the lead on the penultimate lap and defended the position from Melandri to secure second in the riders’ championship.
With his 3rd race win of 2013, Laverty (pictured center and right) closed the gap to Aprillia Racing Team’s championship leader Sylvain Guintoli to 13 points, with Tom Sykes 3rd at 18 points from the top.

The Kawasaki Racing Team rider completed the podium ahead of Guintoli, as both riders were part of the 4-way battle that characterised most of the 18-lap race.
Melandri won the opening race of the Monza round at an average speed of 201.814 km/h, which was a new record for the championship. The previous record was set at the 2001 Hockenheim round (race one) at a speed of 201.330 km/h.

Three riders crossed the line side by side, with Melandri winning by 0.085 seconds over Tom Sykes and by 0.107 seconds on Eugene Laverty. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) was part of the contention for the win but lost ground in the closing stages to finish 4th.

The win was Melandri’s 11th in WSBK race win and the first at Monza. The Italian, a former MotoGP rider who was considered world champion material, has done his best to fill the vacant ‘superstar’ position in WSBK after the retirement of compatriot Max Biaggi.

The championship battle now moves to Donnington Park and Algarve on May 26 and June 9, respectively before a 21 day gap to the next round at Imola.

The final round of the championship is scheduled to be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from November 16-17.