As such, attention turned to the dispute for victory between legendary sparring partners Haga and Bayliss. Although Bayliss dropped back ever so slightly as the race entered its final stages, he simply reeled in Haga with just a handful of laps remaining.
Bayliss made his first move at Chateaux d'Eau four laps from home, but after running just ever so slightly wide, Haga simply dived back beneath him to re-take the lead. The same occurred a few corners later when Haga ran wide at Estoril, allowing Bayliss through, only for the two to swap places again when the Ducati wriggled out of the bend.
Bayliss' decisive move finally came on the penultimate lap, albeit at a somewhat surprising place. Seemingly getting a better run out of the 180 hairpin, Bayliss tailed Haga up to the high-speed Imola chicane and dived through as they dipped into the apex. Getting the crowd up to their feet, Haga attempted to respond but Bayliss had him covered and was simply able to enjoy the final lap of his ninth race win this year.
Also bringing his victory tally up to an unprecedented 50 victories, Bayliss was thrilled to prevail in what could be his final direct head-to-head with Haga before he retires and hands his bike over to his rival.
Corser kept a watching brief to finish third, although the weekend has seen him lose his provisional runners-up spot to team-mate Haga now.
Elsewhere, having looked as though he could be a factor mid-way through the race, Checa faded again, even if he was nonetheless still able to hold onto fourth place.
Ruben Xaus recovered from a dismal first race to record his best finish since victory at Misano back in June, the Spaniard resisting the attentions of Sterilgarda team-mate Max Biaggi to the finish line. The Italian had spent much of the race in the chasing pack before breaking free in the latter stages, although he wasn't quite able to do anything about Xaus.
