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Neukirchner beats Haga for debut win.

Sunday, 11th May 2008

Max Neukirchner has taken his first WSBK victory by just 0.058seces during race one at Monza.

Bayliss, making his final Monza appearance, was quick to credit both Neukirchner and Haga for their efforts - but the ever-competitive Australian was typically disappointed not to have won in front of the Italian fans and warned he'll be desperate to do so in race two.

Despite his disappointment, Bayliss has increased his title lead to 78 points over Carlos Checa - the man who brought down Neukirchner at Valencia. Checa suffered an appalling start from the front row of the grid and later straight-lined a chicane on his way to eighth position for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda.

By contrast Biaggi got a superb start from ninth on the grid, and fifth was probably better than he had expected. Team-mate Xaus had qualified sixth, but highsided at the Parabolica while battling with Biaggi early in the race.

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Race results (1) - Monza:

1. Neukirchner
2. Haga
3. Bayliss
4. Kagayama
5. Biaggi
6. Kiyonari
7. Nieto
8. Checa
9. Fabrizio
10. Smrz
11. Lavilla
12. Corser
13. Nakatomi
14. Lanzi
15. Gimbert

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