Moscow (Russia), Sunday 21 July 2013 – Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Goldbet) is back on the top step of the podium after an epic race 1 in Moscow today. Melandri’s third win of the season means a big step up in the points for the Italian, who is now 32 points away from new championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team).
Constantly changing weather conditions and several DNFs played a major factor in today’s first race, with 2013 flag-to-flag rules that came into place. The Italian, along with several other riders in the top positions, pulled in for a tyre change at the end of lap 20 as the rain got heavier, making it almost impossible to ride on slick compounds. Thanks to a formidable pit-stop performed by his crew, Melandri closed the gap on the leader – and his BMW team mate – Chaz Davies. Melandri pulled away in the closing laps to cross the line a lonely winner.
Davies was left to settle for second, after leading the race for the most part and showing great skills on both dry and mixed conditions.
Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) brought the 1199 Panigale R to a long-awaited first podium finish with a third position, thanks to an impressive performance in the last part of the race. The former STK1000 Champion found himself at ease in the wet conditions, to edge out from the top-3, Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike), while entering the penultimate lap.
Sylvain Guintoli put in another heroic performance today by finishing sixth behind Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Aprilia), despite the dislocated right collarbone and a big moment in the first half of the race.
Tom Sykes’ (Kawasaki Racing Team) second technical problem of the weekend resulted in a no-score for the Brit, as his bike stopped and caught on fire during the fourth lap. A number of crashes took place and involved Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia), Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike), Lorenzo Savadori (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) and Vittorio Iannuzzo (Grillini Dentalmatic BMW).
Race 1
Race 1 results: 1. Melandri (BMW) 25 Laps/98.275 km in 46’03.043 average 128.044 kph; 2. Davies (BMW) 7.441; 3. Badovini (Ducati) 12.754; 4. Rea (Honda) 21.317; 5. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 47.456; 6. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1’00.999; 7. Neukirchner (Ducati) 1’04.762; 8. Baz (Kawasaki) 1’04.947; 9. Camier (Suzuki) 1’09.140; 10. Cluzel (Suzuki) 1 Lap; 11. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1 Lap; RT. Laverty (Aprilia); RT. Haslam (Honda); RT. Sykes (Kawasaki); RT. Giugliano (Aprilia); RT. Savadori (Kawasaki); RT. Iannuzzo (BMW); RT. Checa (Ducati).
Race 2
Race 2 was cancelled
World Supersport
During the eventually abandoned FIM Supersport World Championship race at Moscow Raceway today, Team Goeleven Kawasaki Rider Andrea Antonelli was involved in an accident and suffered terminal injury.
He crashed on the longest straight and after a collision with another rider’s machine and suffered a fatal cranium base fracture. Andrea was 25-years old, from Castiglione del Lago in Italy.
The accident occurred at 1.32pm between turn 14 and turn 15. The race was red flagged and the rider was immediately taken to an ambulance where medical staff worked to resuscitate him. Despite their efforts, Andrea sadly succumbed to his injuries at 2.10pm local time.
After the accident all on-track sporting activity was cancelled as a mark of respect.
All in the motorcycle championship community are shocked and saddened by this event and extend deepest condolences to Andrea’s family, his friends and to all in Team Goeleven after this tragic loss.
In the first race of the world superbike Moscow round, held earlier in the day , Marco Melandri of BMW was victorious. The second race was cancelled.
ffi Ingrid Roepers on mobile 04 111 989 44 or iroepers@irpr.com.au
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