Checa Dominates Race Two at Donington

Carlos Checa produced another commanding display to take his third victory out of four at the start of the 2011 World Superbike Championship.

The Spaniard reproduced the form that saw him dominate the opening round at Phillip Island, and cruised to victory ahead of race one winner Marco Melandri.

The Yamaha rider won a race-long battle with Leon Camier, who took a well earned and well deserved podium.

His teammate Max Biaggi had a day to forget though. After struggling to seventh in race one, the Italian ruined his race two chances by jumping the start. After jumping on the brakes, his Aprilia was swallowed up by the field on the approach to Redgate and he dropped to tenth.

Worse was to come, as the inevitable ride-through penalty was issued, but Biaggi seemed to be none the wiser. After passing numerous pit boards instructing him to come in, bike no.1 was black flagged. Biaggi finally did come into the pits, but only to retire.

With Checa opening up a comfortable lead, focus switched to the battle for second between Melandri, Camier and fellow Brit Leon Haslam.

After coming through from ninth on the grid, Melandri dived past Haslam into the old hairpin on lap six, only for Haslam to respond at the Melbourne loop. Just a lap later, Haslam fell out of podium contention after taking a trip through the grass at Coppice, falling to eighth.

With seven laps to go, Camier made his move and out-braked Melandri into the esses. Unfortunately for the Brit, his pace faded much like it did in race one and the consistent Melandri made the decisive move at the old hairpin on lap 19.

Behind them, Haslam recovered to fourth with a late move on Joan Lascorz, who took his best World Superbike result to date in fifth. Jonathan Rea continued his consistent start to the season with sixth, while Michel Fabrizio put his race one troubles behind him with a strong seventh.

After narrowly missing out on victory earlier in the day, Jakub Smrz couldn't match his stunning form in race two and came of second best in his battle with the Suzuki ahead of him.

Completing the British contingent was Tom Sykes. After showing good form in Superpole, the Kawasaki rider only has four points to show for his efforts after his fall in race one. 12^th was the best he could manage in race two.

Eugene Laverty will also look back on what might have been. After a weekend blighted by accidents, the Irishman picked up two points for 14^th.

Race Two Result:

Riders Championship: After Round 2 (Europe)