Despite a nasty hand injury, Brit Tom Sykes fought the pain and stuck his Ninja ZX-10R on pole at a sunny Misano. Could he hold off the traditional charge of the Italian riders at their home round? You just know that the Aprilias and Ducatis will go well in Italy.
Melandri grabbed two podiums
From the start of race one it was Toni Elias leading the way on his Aprilia with the Kawasaki pair of Sykes and Baz behind. Although only briefly. It didn't take long for the green bikes to spoil the Italian party and make a break. However behind was a pair of factory Aprilias and then two rapid Ducatis...
With clear air, Sykes made good his escape and thankfully Baz wasn't close enough to attempt to skittle him again. Race one to Sykes, Baz second and the first Italian home was Melandri in third.
Race two and could the home town heroes give the crowds something to cheer about? From the start Giugliano was doing his very best while behind Elias was typically wild and Sykes nice and measured. And then Giugliano was penalised for a jump start, gifting the lead to Sykes...
Giugliano led race two before a penalty
As in race one, a clear track was the only invitation that Sykes required and the only slight danger looked likely to come from team mate Baz. Not that it materialised. Another relatively uneventful race win for Sykes, second to Baz with Melandri hot on his tail in third.
The Supersport race saw Cluzel take the win from Van Der Mark with Coghlan in eighth and Kennedy 12th.
Results:
Race 1:
1. Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
2. Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team)
3. Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team)
Race 2:
1. Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
2. Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team)
3. Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team)
Eugene Laverty (Suzuki) - 9, 7
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) - 1, 1
Leon Haslam (Honda) - 10, 14
Jonathan Rea (Honda) - 7, 5
Chaz Davies (Ducati) - 4, DNF
Alex Lowes (Suzuki) - DNF, 8
Christian Iddon (Bimota) - 17, DNF
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