Laguna Seca, July 14: Pierfrancesco Chili and Rubens Haus have won the eighth round superbike races in California.
Within seconds of the start of the first race at Laguna Seca on Sunday (July 13) Aaron Yates of the USA crashed and took several riders down with him, including championship leader Neil Hodgson of Britain and the Italian Chili, who looked injured. The red flag stopped the race and second time around everyone got away. Ruben Xaus of Spain overtook Australian pole starter Mat Mladin, while Hodgson was running fifth. But Xaus came off, leaving Frenchman Regis Lanconi leading Chili, Mladin and Hodgson. Then Laconi crashed out and the way was clear for the 39-year-old Italian. Hodgson overtook Mladin for second place and fellow Briton James Toseland then did the same for third place. The second race started almost as dramatically as the first, but this time with Chili alone crashing out near the start. Within minutes Xaus took the lead and this time he did not make any mistakes. No-one challenged him. The real battle went on behind.


Toseland overtook Hodgson to go second, but then both Britons came off the track. Hodgson got back on, but was overtaken by a chasing group.


The championship leader fought his way back, eventually passing another Briton, Chris Walker, to finish second again.


Leading results of first race: 1. Pierfrancesco Chili (Italy) Ducati 40'35.653 2. Neil Hodgson (Britain) Ducati 40'38.721 3. James Toseland (Britain) Ducati 40'41.725 4. Mat Mladin (Australia) Suzuki 40'47.975 5. Chris Walker (Britain) Ducati 40'57.258 6. Aaron Yates (USA) Suzuki 40'57.544


Leading results of second race: 1. Ruben Xaus (Spain) Ducati 40'43.876 2. Neil Hodgson (Britain) Ducati 40'55.441 3. Chris Walker (Britain) Ducati 40'56.940 4. Regis Laconi (France) Ducati 40'59.436 5. Gregorio Lavilla (Spain) Suzuki 41'00.230 6. Giovanni Bussei (Italy) Ducati 41'03.561

Bureau Report