He is now 101 points ahead of new second place man Corser and just needs to keep his advantage in three figures next time out at Vallelunga to wrap the title up three rounds early.
A terrible day all round for the top riders, although Corser boosted a carnage-filled weekend with third in the second race, Neukirchner could only manage two points, Checa seven and Haga none at all!
In fact, just five riders finished both races (Ten points if you can work out who without peeking…)
Biaggi, Lavilla, Smrz, Sykes and Ellison.
17.15 Sunday PM
Well, it rained, they protested, but remarkably only a couple fell in the rain.
Kiyonari won his third race in four attempts after holding on for dear life over the 23 laps. How does someone look looks more confident in the pouring rain, then he does in the dry?
Crutchlow was superb though, almost catching Kiyo but having to give up on victory after getting lost in his spray.
And the podium is completed by Corser. There are few better ways to soothe aching pains and pride than a third place finish...
The big loser though was Bayliss, who suffered a rare fall midway through the race as he lost the back-end of his Ducati. Still, he was soon joking away as he watched himself bounce across the track on TV - probably because he has still actually increased his championship lead!
15.30 Sunday PM
As if we have forgotten what it looks like, the rain is back again - and how!
It is
absolutely pouring down just before the start of the second race, prompting a delay. The 45,000 fans here today are a foolhardy bunch!
14.45 Sunday PM
My hands can't type fast enough to get all the drama and excitement of that first Superbike race down in less than an hour, so apologies for the late report!
