SEPT 13: CORSER FIGHTS BACK AFTER CRASH From Suzuki

World Superbike Championship leader Troy Corser heroically charged from the back of the pack to score points after crashing from the lead of today's second World Superbike race at Lausitzring in Germany.

The Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider had earlier finished on the podium in the opening 24-lapper, which was red-flagged due to rain four laps from the end.
 

He then led the second race until the second lap when he crashed in turn one. He remounted, fired the bike up and carried on, dead last by a considerable margin. But he put his head down and managed to pick off 15 riders before finishing in 13th place.

Team mate Yukio Kagayama scored fifth and fourth places and closed the points gap to fifth in the championship.

Troy Corser:

"I was happy to take third spot in the first race after the problems with chattering during the race. We had changed our rear tyre on the start line and were running the same as Chris and Nori, but the tyre affected the set-up and along came the chatter. I also ran in a bit hot going into turn one early on and then had to get my rhythm settled again. That little mistake allowed Chris and Nori to pull out a small gap and it was impossible to catch them again, so I settled for third and a podium.

"I really believed another podium or a win was on the cards for race two because I had been enjoying the bike again this weekend. At Assen, we had some problems which were never fully resolved, but here at Lausitz I just felt more comfortable.

"The crash in race two came as a big surprise as I felt I had not done anything different at that turn before. I lost the front and rear together and went down without warning. I cradled the bike as I went down and then picked it up again as soon as I could. The bike fired up first time but the gear lever was a bit bent so I spent some time finding a gear. I couldn't use the clutch - the lever was bent upwards - and one of the bars was crooked. All in all, it handled pretty well really. I know I could've pulled in when I crashed but I just wanted to get back on the track and try and grab some points - and that's what I did."

Yukio Kagayama:

"I am much happier today with my fourth and fifth because I feel that I am getting back into it after a few average races. The results today have given me my confidence back and now I can think about the next two races very positively. My real problem today has been trying to find a good rhythm right from the start of the races. In both races it took me about four or five laps and by then the leaders had gone! If I can get that sorted out, I feel I can be in the leading group instead of chasing them from a distance. I have got four races left and I am determined to get more podiums and maybe some more race wins!"

World Superbike Results:

Race 1: 1 Vermeulen (Aus-Honda), 2 Haga (J-Yamaha), 3 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 4 Toseland (GB-Ducati), 5 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 6 Pitt (Aus-Yamaha), 7 Neukirchner (D-Honda), 8 Lanzi (I-Ducati), 9 Abe (J-Yamaha), 10 Bostrom (USA-Honda),

Race 2: 1 Lanzi, Vermeulen, 3 Haga, 4 Yukio Kagayama (J-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), 5 Muggeridge (Aus-Honda), 6 Pitt, 7 Neukirchner, 8 Abe, 9 Martin (Aus-Petronas), 10 Chili (I-Honda). 13 Troy Corser (Aus-Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra).

Championship Points: 1 Troy Corser 389, 2 Vermeulen 329, 3 Haga 239, 4 Toseland 215, 5 Laconi 214, 6 Yukio Kagayama 211, 7 Pitt 137, 8 Walker 130, 9 Chili 125, 10 Lanzi 118.