Within a few laps of the first race at Portimao, it was clear who was going to be competing for the top spot on the podium. Both Leon Haslam and Max Biaggi jumped out to quick start, putting three seconds behind them and the rest of the pack. Haslam and Biaggi were able to capitalize on each other’s mistakes, and swapped the lead back and forth throughout the race.
Haslam faltered late in the race, allowing Biaggi to slip by on lap 18. The Aprila Alitalia rider managed to hold on to the lead, and edged out Haslam by .02 seconds. It was Biaggi’s second World Superbike win with Aprila, and his fifth overall.
Haslam, who earns his third straight podium win, maintains his lead on the overall scoreboard. Haslam holds an 18 point lead over his closest competitor, Carlos Checa.
Jonathan Rea started poorly but managed to fight his way back into contention. He would have finished fourth behind Cal Crutchlow, but Crutchlow fell late in the race and dropped down to 14th. Rea finished third, just in front of a charging Carlos Checa.
Behind Checa was Leon Camier, who received his best WSBK finish yet with fifth place.
Michele Fabrizio failed to land on the podium for the first time this WSBK season. Fabrizio had bad positioning at the beginning of the race, and was never able to find his way to the front. Fabrizio finished just outside the top ten in 11th place.
1 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 37'59.283 (159,562 kph)
2 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 0.200
3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 6.901
4 7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 7.457
5 2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 7.564
6 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 11.420
7 52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 18.391
8 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 18.536
9 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 24.514
10 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 32.427
11 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 35.045
12 57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 36.816
13 50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 36.841
14 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 44.678
15 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 44.942
16 31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 59.135
17 32 Morais S. (RSA) Honda CBR1000RR 59.852
18 95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'00.097
19 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'10.151
20 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R
RET 88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR
RET 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R
RET 49 Tamada M. (JPN) BMW S1000 RR
RET 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR
