Bayliss extends unbeaten start
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Troy Bayliss made it a perfect four out of four to stamp his authority on the World Superbike Championship.
The Australian Ducati Infostrada rider, the reigning world champion, triumphed in both races to add to his two wins at Valencia in round one. However, not everything went Bayliss's way over the weekend and he was forced to battle to the front from second on the grid after Colin Edwards pipped him to pole position.
In race one Bayliss quickly eased ahead of his American rival, who looked set to mount a late attack before a devastating run of quick laps saw the Australian stroll to victory.
The L&M Ducati rider Ruben Xaus scored his first podium finish of the season, some way behind the Castrol Honda of Edwards. The Burnley-born HM Plant Ducati racer Neil Hodgson took part in a tense battle with his HM Plant Ducati rival Ben Bostrom but was just beaten to fourth place by the American.
Hodgson's Sheffield-based team-mate James Toseland recorded an eighth-place finish while Chris Walker completed a good day for the Britons by taking his Kawasaki to ninth.
Race two followed a similar pattern at the front, with Bayliss and Edwards frantically exchanging the lead before the world champion claimed yet another victory. Spain's Xaus came in third to ensure an identical podium to that after the first race.
Hodgson got his revenge on Bostrom by reversing the result of race one, edging ahead of the American after a close race to claim fourth. Toseland improved by one spot to take seventh while Walker finished ninth again and Mark Heckles capped a fine display with his first world superbike points, taking 14th on his Rumi Honda.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments