Carlos Checa didn't clinch the 2011 World Superbike Championship this weekend, but he got pretty close. With a race win and a podium finish this weekend at Imola, Checa is just three points away from being crowned the 2011 WSBK Champion.
Jonathan Rea took the win during the first race at Imola, his second of the 2011 season, beating out Noriyukia Haga. Checa took the final spot on the podium albeit nine seconds behind the top two.
In the second race, it looked like Rea was going to run away with another victory, but a mechanical problem forced the Honda rider to take his bike into the pits.
With Rea gone, Checa was able to take the race win and stepped one step closer to the championship.
"I'm sorry for Rea who had the pace to win," Checa said. "But of course I'm extremely happy to have won here at Imola. The championship is not yet over but we are very close to the title. We go on to the next round and what will be, will be."
