Regis Laconi returned Kawasaki to the top ten for the first time in ten races after battling to a ninth place finish in the latest round of the World Superbike Championship at Vallelunga.
Noriyuki Haga has won his second World Superbike race of the weekend at Vallelunga, but the big news was Troy Bayliss' failure to score when he came down just three corners from the chequered flag - and the title!
1. Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 39mins 10.265secs 24 laps 2. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098 F08 +1.507secs 3. Troy Corser AUS Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 +2.268secs
1. Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 24 laps 2. Max Biaggi ITA Sterilgarda Go Eleven 1098 RS08 +0.129secs 3. Troy Corser AUS Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1 +0.535secs
Double world champion Bayliss completed a few demo laps during the 2007 edition of World Ducati Week at Misano in July, however this was the first time that the 38-year-old Australian had ridden the bike in anger.
After persistent rain soaked this region yesterday, the second day of European Minardi's scheduled three-day test at the Vallelunga circuit, near Rome, took place in cold, but otherwise improved weather conditions.