Troy Bayliss has completed his championship winning day in perfect style with a tremendously hard fought victory in the second World Superbike race of the day at Magny-Cours.
Heading into the race safe in the knowledge that he can conclude his career with a third and final world title, Bayliss was keen to end his day on a high with what would be a 50th victory in his 150th race.
However, he still had to contend with
Noriyuki Haga, who had dominated the first race for his third win in a row. Things looked good for the Japanese rider from the off, with Bayliss getting lead into the first corner, just as he did in race one, only for Haga to snatch it off him soon afterwards.
Haga and Bayliss proceeded to try and pull away from the masses behind, initially led by
Fonsi Nieto, only for him to be passed by
Carlos Checa and
Troy Corser on lap four. Corser would soon get past Checa for third too as he made a determined bid to challenge up at the front from 12th on the grid.
Indeed, it was turning out to be a spirited ride by Corser, who didn't take too long to catch Haga and Bayliss up at the front, the pair staying close together despite Haga's best attempts to break away.
It was all change on lap eight though as it became apparent that light rain was falling on certain parts of the circuit. Although it was never enough for the race to be put in doubt, it did do plenty to spook Haga, who lost the lead to Bayliss on the run up to Imola, before Corser followed through into second place a lap later.
However, with neither heavier rain nor a red flag following over the next couple of laps, Haga got his confidence back to pass Corser on lap ten before overtaking Bayliss for the lead on the run down to Lycee a lap later. Corser attempted a similar move soon afterwards, only to run wide on the exit and lose too much ground for him to make up again.
