Melandri and Laverty top Monza

Italy’s ultra fast Monza circuit did not disappoint overnight with the world’s leading world superbike riders producing two incredible races in round four of the 2013 championship. While Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) and Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) snatched the victories, Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes and Aprilia’s Sylvain Guintoli were key players in the lead action and ensured a breathtaking four-way battle to the line in both races.

The 11th race win for the home rider -- his maiden on the Italian track -- was a perfect display of race craft, as Melandri entered the final lap in third position and immediately overtook Tom Sykes at turn one, then made a successful move on Laverty for the lead. The works Aprilia rider regained first position at the "Ascari" chicane, with Sykes also fighting for the lead. But Melandri was not to be outdone and took the Irishman at the last turn  to snatch victory from both Sykes and Laverty.

The three riders crossed the line side by side, with Melandri winning by 0.085 seconds over Tom Sykes and by 0.107 seconds on Laverty. Guintoli was in contention for the win but lost ground in the closing stages to finish fourth.

"It was an unbelievable day for me. To finish first and second here in Monza is just awesome and it feels great after we had a difficult start to the season," said Melandri. "Race one was unbelievable. I knew that my race pace was quite good, even if we struggled a bit in qualifying. Until the chequered flag, I was talking to my RR, telling her ‘go, go, go’ – that was incredible.

"In race two, Sylvain made a little mistake, I passed him and then tried to catch Eugene, but he was a bit too far away. Anyway, I was also very happy with second place. Now I am confident because I feel that the feeling with the bike is coming back."

Fifth place went to Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) who made his way up to sixth position following a difficult start and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team). Australia’s Mark Aitchison on the Effenbert Liberty Ducati took 16th.

Race 1 saw a new average speed record for the Superbike World Championship (201.814 km/h): the previous one was set in 2000 at Hockenheim (Race 1 - 201,330 km/h).

With his third race win of 2013, Laverty closes the gap on the championship leader Guintoli to 13pts.

"This was a great day for me," said Laverty. After the podium in race one it was nice to end the weekend with a victory. Especially since I was a bit disappointed because I had a shot at the top step of the podium in the first race, as well, if I had managed the end differently. The points situation is excellent if you consider the double DNF in Aragon, but I've already left those difficulties behind me and I count on doing well at the next round at Donington as well."

The Kawasaki Racing Team rider completed the podium ahead of Guintoli, as both riders were part of a four-way battle that characterised most of the 18-lap race.

Their race result is still provisional, as after the chequered flag the Aprilia Racing Team requested the Race Director analyse Sykes’ last lap. He ran off track while entering turn five -- through the run-off area -- and rejoined by maintaining his third position and same pace. The appeal by Aprilia was upheld and after Sykes was penalised with one position place penalty, the Kawasaki Racing Team appealed to the FIM Stewards' Panel. Following an analysis of race footage and sector times by Sykes, preceding rider Melandri and following rider Guintoli, race officials decided to reinstate Sykes third in the classification. This verdict could be further contested, as a second appeal could be lodged by Aprilia, this time to the International Disciplinary Court (within five days) which will eventually make the final decision.

Fifth place went to Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia), after a close battle with Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia). Both riders had to face a strong Chaz Davies, up until the Welshman lost the front at turn five during lap 12, and a fierce Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), seventh at the flag. Australia’s Mark Aitchison (Ducati) withdrew from the race on lap three.

World Supersport: heroic win by Sam Lowes
Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) pulled off an outstanding overtaking manoeuvre on the last lap of the World Supersport race to score his second win of the season and become the new championship leader. The 23-year-old from Lincoln had a fantastic drive out of turn four to pass all three riders ahead of him at the following chicane.

Lowes quickly built a small margin on the chasing pack to cross the line in first place ahead of Florian Marino (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki), Lorenzo Zanetti (Pata Honda World Supersport) and Riccardo Russo (Puccetti Racing Kawasaki).

While in the lead on lap four of the race, reigning Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) lost the front at turn eight and was out. Teammate Fabien Foret didn't take part in the race after being involved in a multiple crash at turn one that brought out a third red flag -- and eventually led to the decision to postpone the race until after the second World Superbike race.

Australia’s young Matt Davies registered his best result of the season -- a 16th on his Honda, while Wollongong’s  Mitch Carr on the AARK Racing Triumph was 25th.

For more information visit www.worldsbk.com.