The Italian was promoted to a full-time factory ride on the back of two WSBK victories in 2005, but failed to win a single race over the next two years and was downgraded back to satellite status, with the RG Team, for 2008.
However, Lanzi was fast all weekend at Valencia, and earned victory by overtaking former team-mate and double world champion
Troy Bayliss for third position on the very final lap...
...And when race leaders
Carlos Checa and Max Neukirchner collided ahead of him at the very last turn, Lanzi was suddenly propelled to victory.
"For me it's a fantastic result!" beamed Lanzi. "We worked very well throughout the weekend to get this result. The team is a new one in World Superbikes this year and it's difficult for us. It was a hard-fought race today, Troy is a world champion and is very fast but you need a bit of good luck in racing and I certainly had it today."
Lanzi was unable to repeat his performance in race two, finishing in twelfth position - just in front of his 2008 factory replacement
Michel Fabrizio.
