Marco Melandri is no rookie, but the MotoGP veteran is in his first year in the World Superbike series. Melandri took his first WSBK victory today during the second round of the 2011 World Superbike series at Donington Park.
Melandri had a large task today as he started from 9th place, but he gradually made his way through the pack until he was riding in second behind Jakub Smrz. Smrz led for 17 of the 23 laps today, but a late charge by Melandri denied him his first World Superbike win.
A small crash dropped Carlos Checa from the front to the middle of the pack at the beginning of the race, but the double Phillip Island winner was still able to claim the final spot on the podium.
Leon Haslam finished in fourth, while Jonathan Rea, Noriyuki Haga, and Max Biaggi all battled to the wire for fifth place. Rea would cross the line first, beating Haga and Biaggi by less than a second.
World Superbike Race Results - Donington Park Race 1
- M. Melandri
- J. Smrz
- C. Checa
- L. Haslam
- J. Rea
- N. Haga
- M. Biaggi
- L. Camier
- T. Corser
- J. Lascorz
