Troy Bayliss has extended his lead in the World Superbike Championship after a prevailing in a hard fought exchange with
Troy Corser and Max Biaggi at Brno.
Although his first victory since Assen in April, a maiden career triumph around the Czech circuit nonetheless signals the sixth time Bayliss has topped the podium this season.
Battling it out with Corser and Biaggi, all of which enjoyed stints in the lead, Bayliss made his decisive move on lap 12 before easing home a comfortable 1.4secs winner over Corser.
From the start, Biaggi made the best getaway from fourth on the grid, the Italian edging in front as the 30-strong field swept into the long first corner, ahead of Corser, Bayliss,
Michel Fabrizio and
Fonsi Nieto.
What followed was an enjoyable tussle between Biaggi and Corser, with the duo swapping the lead on lap two before Corser made a move stick on the fourth revolution. Two laps later and Biaggi was back ahead, albeit still under pressure from Corser and eventually Bayliss.
The Ducati rider had been dicing with the charging Max Neukirchner in the early stages, with German up to third having started down in ninth. However, Bayliss was back ahead on lap ten and straight onto the back of the lead fight.
Indeed, with Biaggi unable to put some air between himself and Corser, it seemed quite inevitable that the experienced Aussie would battle his way back past, even if the execution was probably more spectacular than he intended. Climbing past as they rode over the top of the hill towards turn two, Corser swept across the front of the Sterilgarda bike, but was very nearly taken out by Bayliss, who had chosen the other side of Biaggi to make his move. Although almost three abreast into the corner, the trio avoided contact as they shook out with Corser leading Bayliss and Biaggi.
Their battle was far from over though as Bayliss passed Corser before the end of the lap and dragged Biaggi through with him.
