Checa wins race two at Assen

Carlos Checa showed just why he is the early favourite to claim the 2011 World Superbike title, beating Max Biaggi and deteriorating tyres to take round three race two victory at Assen.

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Checa had to settle for third in race one as Britain’s Jonathan Rea claimed his third successive win at his Castrol Honda team’s home round in the Netherlands.

And he looked set to be denied the win, what would have been his fourth in six races, again in race two with Max Biaggi moving into the lead in the closing stages.

However on the final corners of the penultimate lap Checa pulled off a remarkable move to edge in front of reigning champion Biaggi and then hold on for the win.

That puts the Althea Racing rider well in front in the overall standings with 132 points – 43 ahead of Italian Biaggi who occupies second spot.

Marco Melandri, who was involved in a heated incident with Biaggi last time out in the UK, crashed out and sits third just four points behind his now fierce rival.

Rea finished race two in third, completing a weekend of podium finishes, while Leon Camier just didn’t quite have enough to break the top three ending fourth.

Fellow Brit Leon Haslam was one place further behind in fifth with Tom Sykes just outside the top ten in 11th in round three race two in the Netherlands.

Sportsbeat / Eurosport

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