Lausitzring World Superbikes: Xerox Ducati's Troy Bayliss rids himself of tyre demons for race two win

Xerox Ducati’s Troy Bayliss overcame his tyre demons from race one to secure victory in race two at the Lausitzring in Germany.

In a repeat of the start of race one, Bayliss battled hard with Yamaha’s Noriyuki Haga who did not make it easy for the current champion.

Australian Troy Bayliss went in to the lead on the first corner while Britain’s James Toseland went to fourth.

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda’s Toseland was passed by Noriyuki Haga on lap two after Haga had initially gone down to sixth at the start.

By the end of lap three Troy Bayliss had gained a 2.061sec lead from the then second placed Noriyuki Haga, who got the better of Max Biaggi on that lap.

On lap seven Noriyuki Haga broke Troy Bayliss’s 2006 lap record by circuiting the German track in 1:38.622. Haga’s pressure also set a new distance between himself and Troy Bayliss to just 0.570 by the end of lap eight. And on lap nine the gap was just 0.376secs.

The challenge began in earnest from Noriyuki Haga on lap 10 as he tried desperately to pass Xerox Ducati’s Troy Bayliss and the gap was down to 0.194secs. But Bayliss kept on fighting to hold off the Japanese rider.

Fourth placed James Toseland was under pressure from Australian Troy Corser from lap 12 and the pair managed to decrease the gap to third placed Max Biaggi.

Noriyuki Haga took full advantage of a big moment by Troy Bayliss on lap 14 in the same place he came off last year. Bayliss managed to regain control of the Ducati 999 F07 but Haga went through for the lead.

But the Ducati man was not giving up and with the gap at just 0.130 on lap 16 he was looking for where to take Haga.

On lap 20 Troy Bayliss got back in front of Noriyuki Haga to retake the lead on a long left-hander and the Ducati immediately started to pull away creating a 1.185sec gap by the end of lap 21.

Max Biaggi took his second podium of the day on his first visit of his career to the circuit while James Toseland and Troy Corser’s battle remained status quo at the flag.

Britain’s Dean Ellison failed to finish the race again as he retired to the pits on lap 19.

After the race, winner Troy Bayliss said: “When you take a win they’re very enjoyable.

“I have been racing with Nori sonce 2000, we have had some great battles in the past. It was a great race, I love having a dice with Nori.

“Today was 100 per cent all the way.”

Lausitzring World Superbikes race two results:

1 Troy BAYLISS AUS Ducati 999 F07
2 Noriyuki HAGA JPN Yamaha YZF-R1 1.353
3 Max BIAGGI ITA Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7 13.001
4 James TOSELAND GBR Honda CBR1000RR 14.641
5 Troy CORSER AUS Yamaha YZF-R1 15.21
6 Ruben XAUS ESP Ducati 999 F06 25.83
7 Roberto ROLFO ITA Honda CBR1000RR 29.752
8 Fonsi NIETO ESP Kawasaki ZX-10R 29.947
9 Max NEUKIRCHNER GER Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 30.552
10 Karl MUGGERIDGE AUS Honda CBR1000RR 33.815
11 Regis LACONI FRA Kawasaki ZX-10R 39.323
12 Lorenzo LANZI ITA Ducati 999 F07 42.592
13 Michel FABRIZIO ITA Honda CBR1000RR 50.755
14 Steve MARTIN AUS Suzuki GSX-R1000 K6 53.598
15 Shinichi NAKATOMI JPN Yamaha YZF-R1 56.284
16 Jakub SMRZ CZE Ducati 999 F05 57.818
17 Martin BAUER AUT Honda CBR1000RR 1’18.407
18 Yoann TIBERIO FRA Honda CBR1000RR 1’32.030
19 Jiri DRAZDAK CZE Yamaha YZF-R1 1’36.702