Neukirchner loses shot at win

From Suzuki Racing

VALENCIA, SPAIN -- Alstare Suzuki rider Max Neukirchner was heading for his first ever World Superbike win, but was taken out on the last corner on the last lap of the first race Sunday.

He had led the race from the start and even though Carlos Checa (Honda) closed in on his rear end on the last lap, Neukirchner was in front as they entered the last turn. Then Checa tried an impossible manoeuvre up the inside and his rear wheel hit Neukirchner, causing both of them to crash.

In the fall, Neukirchner broke his left collarbone, so could not get back on the bike but Checa was able to remount and finish in fifth place.

"I am more than disappointed," Neukirchner said. "I could almost see the chequered flag when suddenly I was hit by Checa. He tried to dive up the inside of me in the last corner, but I don’t think there was enough room for him to do what he did and we both crashed."

Fonsi Nieto finished a strong fourth in the first race and 10th in the second, despite suffering the same problem with grip he’s had all weekend. Yukio Kagayama crashed out of race one, fortunately without injury, and took a hard fought sixth in race two.

After Neukirchner and Checa crashed in the first race, it was Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) who crossed the line first, followed by Troy Bayliss (Ducati) and Troy Corser (Yamaha). Race two was won by Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha), with Bayliss second and crowd favourite Checa third.

Results
Race 1: 1. Lorenzo Lanzi (I-Ducati), 2. Troy Bayliss (Aus-Ducati), 3. Troy Corser (Aus-Yamaha), 4. Fonsi Nieto (E-Suzuki Alstare), 5. Carlos Checa (E-Honda), 6. Karl Muggeridge (Aus-Honda)
Race 2: 1. Noriyuki Haga (J-Yamaha), 2. Bayliss, 3. Checa, 4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (J-Honda), 5. Corser, 6. Yukio Kagayama (J-Suzuki Alstare)
Points: 1. Bayliss 128, 2. Nieto 80, 3. Corser 72, 4. Checa 72, 5. Ruben Xaus (E-Ducati) 68, 6. Haga 47, 7. Max Biaggi (I-Ducati) 44, 8. Lanzi 42, 9. Max Neukirchner (D-Suzuki) 39, 10. Michele Fabrizio (I-Ducati) 37