Haga holds off Bayliss in Valencia

Nori Haga was impressive on his Belgarda Yamaha to beat Troy Bayliss and Carlos Checa in WSB race two at Valencia ...

Nori Haga was at his imperious best in Valencia from the opening lap, muscling his way to the front with Troy Bayliss, finally overtaking the world championship leader and easing away. Carlos Checa was a clear and lonely third place finisher ahead of his team mate Ryuichi Kiyonari on the Ten Kate Honda.

It was a far less eventful race than the first WSB race, with fewer crashes, although BSB champion Kiyonari impressed with a late charge through the field to finish in fourth, his best finish in this his rookie WSB season.

Overall though Bayliss extended his championship lead - now up to 48 points - although his second place meant that the Ducati team avoids the addition of a weight penalty. Any suggestion that Bayliss rolled the throttle to finish second is nonsense. Obviously.