Eugene Laverty has done the double. Laverty won his first career World Superbike race this morning around the Italian circuit, and now the Irish rider has claimed victory number two.
Laverty’s victory came after a controversial drive-thru penalty was given to Max Biaggi. Biaggi was leading by more than 5 seconds at the time of the penalty. It is the second time this season that Biaggi has missed out on big points due to a rule violation.
With Max Biaggi out of the running, Eugene Laverty and his teammate Marco Melandri engaged in an intense struggle at the front. Melandri led for the majority of the race, but a last lap mistake gave Laverty just enough room to squeeze by for the win.
The third place battle was equally intense, as Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga fought for the final spot on the podium. Fabrizio came out on top, beating Haga by .1 seconds.
Max Biaggi eventually recovered to score an 8th place finish, two spots ahead of Carlos Checa, who was able to maintain the season lead after two mediocre finishes at Monza.
Checa leads the series with 145, followed by Melandri with 118 and Biaggi with 117. Laverty’s double puts him into fifth place with 85 points behind Jonathan Rea with 89.
World Superbike - Race 2 Results - Monza
- Eugene Laverty
- Marco Melandri
- Michel Fabrizio
- Noriyuki Haga
- Troy Corser
- Ayrton Badovini
- Sylvain Guintoli
- Max Biaggi
- Joan Lascorz
- Carlos Checa
